Electric connector

Abstract

An electrical connector is provided, comprising: an insulating module having a mating end mating with a mating connector in a first direction; a plurality of connection terminals installed in the insulation module; first and second covers respectively disposed on opposite sides of the insulating module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and engaged with each other to define a receiving cavity therebetween, the insulating module being at least partially positioned and received within the receiving cavity, at least one cover forming a mounting structure, the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted on the circuit board via the mounting structure, and each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module in the second direction is provided with a module positioning structure, and each cover is provided with a cover positioning structure for engaging with the module positioning structure, and the mounting structure is arranged on the cover to position the insulating module at different positions relative to the cover, so that the mounting distance in the first direction between the mounting structure and the end surface of the matching end in the first direction is adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of connectors, and more particularly, to electrical connectors capable of mounting a distance. Background Art

[0002] Electrical connectors such as cable connectors are commonly used to establish electrical connections between a variety of electronic components or devices, and their application areas include household appliances, industrial equipment, power racks in data centers, servers, etc. Electrical connectors are usually mounted on circuit boards or similar structures of equipment to mate with mating connectors or other electronic components.

[0003] In different applications, the installation space or requirements for electrical connectors may be limited or varied. For example, different applications may require the electrical connector to be installed at different installation distances, positions or orientations to accommodate limited installation space or meet actual installation location requirements. The mounting structure provided on a conventional electrical connector is usually fixed, so different installation distances or positions require the use of electrical connectors of different sizes or structures, and different molds are required to manufacture electrical connectors of different sizes or structures. Therefore, conventional electrical connectors have poor versatility in terms of installation distances or positions. In addition, the outer shell of a conventional electrical connector is usually formed on an internal insulating module through a molding process (i.e., external mold molding). The unstable molding may cause glue punching problems in the welding area of ​​the electrical connector, affecting SI (signal integrity) performance. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present disclosure is proposed to overcome at least one of the above and other problems and drawbacks of the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided, comprising: an insulating module having a mating end for mating with a mating connector along a first direction, the mating end having an end face in the first direction; a plurality of connecting terminals mounted in the insulating module; and a first cover and a second cover, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the insulating module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first cover and the second cover being engaged with each other to define an accommodating cavity therebetween, the insulating module being at least partially positioned and received in the accommodating cavity, at least one of the first cover and the second cover being formed with a mounting structure, the electrical connector being suitable for being mounted on a circuit board via the mounting structure, and the insulating module being provided with a module positioning structure on each of two opposite surfaces in the second direction, each of the first cover and the second cover being provided with a cover positioning structure, the cover positioning structure being configured to engage with the module positioning structure to position the insulating module at different positions relative to the first cover and the second cover, so that the mounting distance between the mounting structure and the end face in the first direction is adjustable.

[0006] In some embodiments, the different positions include at least a first position and a second position, in which the first position has a first installation distance between the mounting structure and the end face in the first direction, and in the second position has a second installation distance between the mounting structure and the end face in the first direction that is greater than the first installation distance.

[0007] In some embodiments, the module positioning structure includes at least two rows of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction, each row of module positioning structures is at a different distance from the end face in the first direction, and each row of module positioning structures includes two or more module positioning structures spaced apart in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, two adjacent rows of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same first interval in the first direction, and two adjacent module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second interval in the third direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, two adjacent rows of module positioning structures are aligned with each other in the first direction or staggered with each other in the third direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cover positioning structure of each of the first cover and the second cover includes at least two rows of cover positioning structures, and in an assembled state in which the first cover and the second cover are engaged with each other to position the insulating module in the accommodating cavity, each row of cover positioning structures is at a different distance from the end face in the first direction, and each row of cover positioning structures includes two or more cover positioning structures arranged at intervals in the third direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover and the second cover are spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction, and two adjacent cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second spacing in the third direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover and the second cover are aligned with each other in the first direction or staggered with each other in the third direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, each cover retaining structure is configured to be engageable with a respective module retaining structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the number of rows of the at least two rows of cover positioning structures is the same as the number of rows of the at least two rows of module positioning structures.

[0015] In some embodiments, the number of module locating structures in each row of module locating structures is the same as or different from the number of cover locating structures in each row of cover locating structures.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least two rows of module positioning structures arranged on each of the two surfaces include a first row of module positioning structures and a second row of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction, the first row of module positioning structures includes two or more first module positioning structures, the second row of module positioning structures includes two or more second module positioning structures, and the distance between the first row of module positioning structures and the end face in the first direction is less than the distance between the second row of module positioning structures and the end face in the first direction.

[0017] In some embodiments, the at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the first cover include a first row of cover positioning structures and a second row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the first cover and spaced apart in the first direction, the first row of cover positioning structures includes two or more first cover positioning structures, and the second row of cover positioning structures includes two or more second cover positioning structures;

[0018] The at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the second cover include a third row cover positioning structure and a fourth row cover positioning structure formed on the inner surface of the second cover and spaced apart in the first direction, the third row cover positioning structure including two or more third cover positioning structures, and the fourth row cover positioning structure including two or more fourth cover positioning structures; in the assembled state and at the first position, the first row cover positioning structure and the third row cover positioning structure are respectively aligned and engaged with the first row module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction, and the second row cover positioning structure and the fourth row cover positioning structure are respectively aligned and engaged with the second row module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction; and in the assembled state and at the second position, the first row cover positioning structure and the third row cover positioning structure are respectively aligned and engaged with the second row module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the first cover and the second cover is configured to be disposed on each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulation module.

[0020] In some embodiments, the electrical connector is capable of converting between a first configuration and a second configuration suitable for mounting on the circuit board; in the first configuration, the first cover is arranged on one of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module, and the second cover is arranged on the other surface; in the second configuration, the first cover is arranged on the other surface, and the second cover is arranged on the one surface.

[0021] In some embodiments, one of the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure includes a positioning hole, and the other includes a positioning column suitable for being inserted into the positioning hole.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mounting structure includes a mounting hole formed through the second cover in the second direction, and the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted on the circuit board via a fastener inserted into the mounting hole.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mounting structures are respectively formed in two opposite sides of the second cover located outside the insulation module in the third direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, one of the first cover and the second cover is formed with a coupling hole, and the other is formed with an elastic arm suitable for snap-fitting into the coupling hole.

[0025] In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a wire end connector suitable for electrically connecting a cable through the connecting terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first cover and a second cover position an insulating module at a first position;

[0028] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 is a top view schematically showing the structure of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 is an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' in FIG.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a first cover and a second cover of an electrical connector coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein an insulating module is removed;

[0032] Figure 6 is a side view schematically showing the structure of an insulating module of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board in a first configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first cover and a second cover position an insulating module at a second position;

[0034] Figure 8 It is schematically shown Figure 7 A top view of the structure of the electrical connector shown in FIG.

[0035] Fig. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board in a second configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first cover and a second cover position an insulating module at a second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar parts are indicated by the same or similar figure numbers. The following description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the overall concept of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0037] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0038] In the following detailed description, directional terms such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", "inside" and "outside" are defined according to the accompanying drawings, but the shape and position of the components are not limited by these terms and can be adjusted according to actual applications.

[0039] In addition, the terms used herein are used to describe exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or constrain the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms of "one", "a", "said", "the" are also intended to include plural forms. In the present disclosure, "include", "comprise", "include", "have" and similar terms are used to list features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0040] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe a variety of different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term "and / or" includes multiple combinations of associated items or any one of a plurality of associated items.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided, which can make electrical / signal connections between multiple electrical devices / electronic components. For example, the provided electrical connector can be used as a line end connector, such as a high-speed cable connector, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the accompanying drawings, an electrical connector with a cable 1 connected is shown, such as a plug or socket connector to be mounted on a circuit board 10 of an electrical device (not shown).

[0042] like Figure 1-9As shown, the electrical connector includes an insulating module 110 and a plurality of connecting terminals 120 mounted on the insulating module 110. The insulating module 110 can be made of an insulating material such as plastic (e.g., molded), and may also be referred to as a plastic shell, an inner shell, or a terminal mounting module or base in some applications. The insulating module 110 has a mating end 111 for mating and connecting with a mating connector (not shown) along a first direction X, and the mating end 111 defines an inner cavity 1111, and one end of the connecting terminal 120 mounted or molded in the insulating module 110 can be exposed from the inner cavity 1111 to be electrically connected to the terminal of the mating mating connector, and the other end of the connecting terminal 120 can be electrically connected to the cable 1. The mating end 111 has an end face 1112 in the first direction X, that is, the end face 1112 of the mating end 111 faces or faces the first direction X, or is substantially perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1-3 As shown in FIGS. 5, 7-9, the electrical connector further includes a first cover 130 and a second cover 140 formed independently of each other, and the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the insulating module 110 in a second direction Z (such as the up-down direction in the figure, or the thickness direction of the electrical connector) perpendicular to the first direction X, and are connected or engaged with each other to define a receiving cavity 101 therebetween, and the insulating module 110 is at least partially positioned and received in the receiving cavity 101. In other words, the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 separated from each other can be connected or engaged together to form an outer shell that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the insulating module 110. The first cover 130 and the second cover 140 can also be formed of an insulating material, for example, they can each have a substantially plate-shaped profile with a recessed inner surface, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] Therefore, unlike conventional connectors in which the outer shell is molded on an insulating module, the outer shell of the electrical connector provided by the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be formed by two independently formed covers connected to each other, without the need for molding the outer shell. Therefore, there is no problem of plastic rushing into the welding area of ​​the connector, thereby improving the SI performance of the electrical connector.

[0045] The insulating module 110, the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 generally define the outer contour of the electrical connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector as a whole has a substantially flat contour. For example, the outer surfaces of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be substantially flat for mounting on a circuit board, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, although in the illustrated embodiment, most of the insulating module 110 is accommodated and enclosed in the accommodation cavity defined by the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, and only the mating end 111 thereof is exposed outside the outer shell, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other examples not shown, the mating end 111 may also be partially or completely positioned in the accommodation cavity.

[0046] At least one of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 forming the outer shell may be formed with a mounting structure, and the electrical connector is suitable for being mounted on the circuit board 10 via the mounting structure. In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting structure is formed on the second cover 140, such as a mounting hole 141 formed through the second cover 140 in the second direction Z, and a fastener 151 such as a screw can be inserted into the mounting hole 141 and the hole 11 on the circuit board, thereby mounting or fixing the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 of the electrical connector coupled to each other and the insulating module 110 positioned therein to the circuit board 10.

[0047] As an example, Figure 1-3 , 5 and 7-9, mounting structures, such as mounting holes 141, may be respectively formed in two opposite sides of the second cover 140 located outside the insulating module 110 in the third direction Y. Notches 131, such as roughly C-shaped or U-shaped openings, may be formed at positions corresponding to the two sides of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 to expose the mounting holes 141 and the heads of the fasteners 151, thereby facilitating the operation of the fasteners 151 using tools (not shown). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, a corresponding mounting structure may also be formed in the first cover. As an example, the mounting holes 141 and the holes 11 on the circuit board may include threaded holes, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, Figure 1-2 , 5, 7 and 9, a fixing structure such as a nut engaged with the fastener 151 (such as a threaded connection) may be embedded in the mounting hole 141. As shown in the figure, a hole 145 communicating with the mounting hole 141 may be formed in the side or side of the second cover 140 to facilitate the placement or removal of a fixing structure such as a nut.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, a module positioning structure is provided or formed on each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z, and each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 is provided with a cover positioning structure, and the cover positioning structure is used to engage with the module positioning structure to position the insulating module 110 at different positions relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, so that the installation distance between the mounting structure (such as the mounting hole 141) of the electrical connector and the end face 1112 in the first direction X can be adjusted. This installation distance can represent the space distance required or allowed for installing the electrical connector on a circuit board or a similar structure. By positioning the insulating module 110 at different positions relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 to adjust this installation distance, the same electrical connector can meet different installation space or position requirements without the need to manufacture or replace a new electrical connector, thereby reducing costs.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulation module 110 may be positioned at two or more positions with respect to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 . Figure 1 and 3 The insulating module 110 is shown positioned at a first position relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, wherein a first mounting distance D1 is provided between the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as the mounting hole 141) and the end surface 1112 of the insulating module 110 in a first direction X; Figure 7-9 The diagram shows an insulating module 110 positioned at a second position relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, wherein a second mounting distance D2 is provided between the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as the mounting hole 141) and the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X, and the second mounting distance D2 may be different from (for example, greater than) the first mounting distance D1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0050] Various forms and / or arrangements of module positioning structures and cover positioning structures may be used to adjust the positioning position of the insulation module 110 relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140. Some embodiments of the module positioning structure and the cover positioning structure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] One of the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure for mutual engagement or connection may include a positioning hole, such as a circular hole or a polygonal hole, and the other includes a positioning column suitable for being inserted into the positioning hole, and the positioning hole may include a through hole or a blind hole. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover positioning structure includes a positioning hole (as shown in 132 and 133), and the module positioning structure includes a positioning column (as shown in 142 and 143), but vice versa; or, a part of the cover positioning structure is a positioning hole, and another part of the cover positioning structure is a positioning column, which also applies to the module positioning structure. Preferably, in the assembled state, the end face of the positioning column in the positioning hole is flush with the outer surface of the corresponding cover or is recessed in the positioning hole.

[0052] In some embodiments, the module positioning structure formed or provided on each of the two opposite surfaces (such as the upper surface and the lower surface in the figure) of the insulation module 110 in the second direction Z may include at least two rows of module positioning structures spaced apart and arranged in the first direction X, and each row of module positioning structures is at a different distance from the end surface 1112 of the insulation module 110 in the first direction X. By engaging different rows of module positioning structures with corresponding cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, the insulation module 110 can be positioned at different positions relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, thereby adjusting the above-mentioned installation distance. Exemplarily, each row of module positioning structures may include two or more module positioning structures spaced apart (such as along a straight line or a curve) and arranged in a third direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Z, so that the module positioning structures formed or provided on the surface of the insulation module 110 can be arranged in an array. The module positioning structures of each row may be the same or different from each other in structure or size (such as diameter), but can be engaged or matched with the corresponding cover positioning structures.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, a first row of module positioning structures and a second row of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X are formed or provided on each of two surfaces opposite to each other in the second direction Z of the insulation module 110, the first row of module positioning structures including two or more first module positioning structures 112 (such as positioning posts), the second row of module positioning structures including two or more second module positioning structures 113 (such as positioning posts), and as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and 8 As shown, the distance d1 between the first row of module positioning structures and the end surface 1112 in the first direction X is different from (eg, smaller than) the distance d2 between the second row of module positioning structures and the end surface 1112 in the first direction X, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, each two adjacent rows of module positioning structures on each of the surfaces of the insulation module 110 may be spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction X, for example, Figure 3and 8 As shown, the first row of module positioning structures and the second row of module positioning structures are separated by a first spacing L1; in addition, two adjacent module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures can be separated by the same second spacing L2 in the third direction Y, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and these spacings can be appropriately set according to positioning requirements.

[0055] Although in the illustrated embodiment, two adjacent rows of module positioning structures are aligned with each other along the first direction X, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, two adjacent rows of module positioning structures may be misaligned in the first direction X, such as being staggered or deviated from each other in the third direction Y.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover positioning structure of each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may include at least two rows of cover positioning structures, and in the assembled state where the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 are engaged with each other to position the insulation module 110 in the accommodating cavity 101, each row of cover positioning structures is at a different distance from the end surface 1112 of the insulation module 110 in the first direction X. Exemplarily, each row of cover positioning structures includes two or more cover positioning structures arranged spaced apart (e.g., along a straight line or a curve) in the third direction Y. Therefore, the cover positioning structures formed or provided on each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be arranged in an array.

[0057] The cover positioning structures of each row may be the same or different in structure or size (such as diameter), but can be engaged or matched with the corresponding module positioning structures; preferably, each cover positioning structure is constructed to be able to engage or match with each module positioning structure. Preferably, the number of rows of cover positioning structures formed on each cover may be the same or different from the number of rows of module positioning structures formed on each surface of the insulating module, and the number of module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures may be the same or different from the number of cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures. Thus, not only the positioning position of the insulating module 110 relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 in the first direction X can be adjusted, but also the positioning position of the insulating module 110 relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 in the third direction Y can be adjusted.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, a first row of cover positioning structures and a second row of cover positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X are formed or provided on the inner surface of the first cover 130 (the surface facing the insulation module 110), the first row of cover positioning structures includes two or more first cover positioning structures 132 (such as positioning holes), and the second row of cover positioning structures includes two or more second cover positioning structures 133 (such as positioning holes); a third row of cover positioning structures and a fourth row of cover positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X are formed or provided on the inner surface of the second cover 140 (the surface facing the insulation module 110), the third row of cover positioning structures includes two or more third cover positioning structures 142, and the fourth row of cover positioning structures includes two or more fourth cover positioning structures 143 (such as positioning posts). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments not shown, the number of rows of cover positioning structures of each cover may be greater than or less than the number of rows of module positioning structures on each surface of the insulation module, and / or the number of each row of cover positioning structures may be greater than or less than the number of each row of module positioning structures.

[0059] like Figure 3 In the assembled state shown, a distance d1 is provided between the first row of cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the end surface 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X, and a distance d2 is provided between the second row of cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the end surface 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X, and the distance d1 is different from (e.g., smaller than) the distance d2. The arrangement of the cover positioning structures of the second cover 140 (e.g., the distance from the end surface 112) may be the same as or similar to the arrangement of the cover positioning structures of the first cover (e.g., the above-mentioned distance).

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, corresponding to the arrangement of the module positioning structures of the insulation module 110, two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction X, for example, Figure 3 and 8 As shown, the first or third row of cover positioning structures are separated from the second or fourth row of cover positioning structures by a first spacing L1 in the first direction X; in addition, two adjacent cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures may be separated by the same second spacing L2 in the third direction Y, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and these spacings of the cover positioning structures may be appropriately set according to positioning requirements and correspond to the arrangement and spacing of the module positioning structures of the insulating module 110.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, for each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures are aligned with each other along the first direction X, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other embodiments not shown, two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures may be misaligned in the first direction X, such as being staggered or deviated from each other in the third direction Y.

[0062] As described above, by engaging or mating different module positioning structures on the insulating module 110 with corresponding cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, the insulating module 110 can be positioned at different positions relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 fixed at the same position on the circuit board (and thus relative to the circuit board), so that the installation distance of the electrical connector can be adjusted according to the installation space requirements. Illustratively, Figure 1 and 3 The diagram shows an insulating module 110 positioned at a first position relative to a first cover 130 and a second cover 140 in an assembled state, wherein the first row of cover positioning structures (132) and the third row of cover positioning structures (142) are respectively aligned and engaged with the first row of module positioning structures (112) on two surfaces of the insulating module 110 in a second direction Z, and the second row of cover positioning structures (133) and the fourth row of cover positioning structures (143) are respectively aligned and engaged with the second row of module positioning structures (113) on two surfaces of the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z, and at this time, a first installation distance D1 is provided between the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as the mounting hole 141 formed in the second cover 140) and the end surface 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X; Figure 7-9 The diagram shows an insulating module 110 positioned at a second position relative to a first cover 130 and a second cover 140 in an assembled state, wherein the first row of cover positioning structures (132) and the third row of cover positioning structures (142) are respectively aligned and engaged with the second row of module positioning structures (113) on the two surfaces of the insulating module 110 that are farther from the end face 1112 in the second direction Z, while the first row of module positioning structures (112) on the two surfaces of the insulating module 110 that are closer to the end face 1112 are not engaged with any cover positioning structure. At this time, there is a second installation distance D2 between the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as the mounting hole 141) and the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X, and the second installation distance D2 can be greater than the first installation distance D1.

[0063] The above describes the exemplary structure, arrangement, etc. of the cover positioning structure of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 and the module positioning structure of the insulating module 110. The accompanying drawings show that the different positioning positions of the insulating module relative to the cover are achieved by using the hole-column matching form between the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments not shown, a sliding fit connection, a snap fit connection, etc. can be performed between the cover and the insulating module to change the installation distance.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 can be arranged on each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulation module 110 in the second direction Z, that is, the positions of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 relative to the insulation module 110 in the second direction Z can be interchanged, so that the electrical connector can be converted between different configurations (such as mounting orientations) suitable for installation on the circuit board 10. Exemplarily, Figure 7 Schematically showing an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board 10 positioned below in a first configuration, wherein a first cover 130 is arranged on one of two opposite surfaces of an insulating module 110 in a second direction Z (such as an upper surface), and a second cover 140 is arranged on the other opposite surface of the insulating module 110 (such as a lower surface); Fig. 9 The electrical connector to be mounted on the upper positioned circuit board 10 in a second configuration is schematically shown, wherein the first cover 130 is to be arranged on the other surface (such as the lower surface) of the insulating module 110, and the second cover 140 is to be arranged on the opposite one surface (such as the lower surface) of the insulating module 110. Figure 7 and 9 It can be seen that although the positions of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 are reversed, the orientation or installation direction of the insulation module 110 has not changed, as shown by the indicating arrow 102. Therefore, by using the electrical connector provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, only the positions of the first cover and the second cover need to be changed to meet the installation requirements in different directions, without the need to manufacture or replace a new electrical connector, which can reduce the manufacturing cost, and this configuration conversion also facilitates the user to operate the fastener 152 to install the electrical connector on the circuit board.

[0065] Exemplarily, the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 can be detachably assembled and fixed to each other, so as to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the insulation module 110 and the connection terminal 120 therein. For example, one of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 can be formed with a coupling hole, and the other cover can be formed with an elastic arm suitable for snap-fitting into the coupling hole. In the illustrated embodiment, an elastic arm 134 is formed on the first cover 130, and a coupling hole 144 is formed in the second cover 140, and the elastic arm 134 can be inserted and locked into the coupling hole 144 to reliably hold the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 together to form an outer shell of the electrical connector. In some examples, the elastic arm 134 can be formed on opposite sides of the notch 131 and extend toward the second cover 140 in the second direction Z, and the coupling hole 144 is formed in the side of the second cover 140 and on both sides of the mounting hole 141, but the positions of the elastic arm and the coupling hole are not limited thereto.

[0066] In some embodiments, Figure 1-2 As shown in Figures , 5, 7 and 9, the elastic arm 134 may include a main body and a hook portion 1341 located at the end of the main body, and the connecting hole 144 may include two parts, the first part at least partially passes through the second cover 140 in the second direction Z, and the second part 1441 at least partially passes through the second cover 140 laterally (such as in the first direction or the third direction) to communicate with the first part, the main body of the elastic arm 134 is at least partially inserted into the first part of the connecting hole 144, and the hook portion 1341 of the elastic arm 134 is engaged with the second part 1441 of the connecting hole 144, such as being stuck on the inner wall of the second part 1441 of the connecting hole 144, thereby limiting the movement of the first cover 130 relative to the second cover 140 in the assembled state. When disassembling the electrical connector, a tool (not shown) can be inserted into the second part 1441 of the connecting hole 144 to push the hook portion 1341 of the elastic arm 134, so that the hook portion 1341 disengages from the second part 1441 of the connecting hole 144, thereby separating the elastic arm 134 from the connecting hole 144, and further separating the first cover 130 and the second cover 140.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments may be varied (such as different combinations of embodiments or features) without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the protection scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "include", "comprise", "have" used herein do not exclude other elements or steps. In addition, any element number of a claim should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating module (110) having a mating end (111) for mating with a mating connector along a first direction (X), the mating end (111) having an end surface (1112) in the first direction (X); and A plurality of connection terminals (120) installed in the insulation module (110); It is characterized in that The electrical connector further comprises: a first cover (130) and a second cover (140), which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the insulation module (110) in a second direction (Z) perpendicular to the first direction (X), the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) being engaged with each other to define a receiving cavity (101) therebetween, the insulation module (110) being at least partially positioned and received in the receiving cavity (101), At least one of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) is formed with a mounting structure, and the electrical connector is suitable for being mounted on a circuit board (10) via the mounting structure, and The insulating module (110) is provided with a module positioning structure on each of the two opposite surfaces in the second direction (Z), and each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) is provided with a cover positioning structure, and the cover positioning structure is configured to engage with the module positioning structure to position the insulating module (110) at different positions relative to the first cover (130) and the second cover (140), so that the installation distance between the mounting structure and the end face (1112) in the first direction (X) is adjustable.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The different positions include at least a first position and a second position, In the first position, a first installation distance (D1) is provided between the installation structure and the end surface (1112) in the first direction (X), In the second position, the mounting structure has a second mounting distance (D2) from the end surface (1112) in the first direction (X) that is greater than the first mounting distance (D1).

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The module positioning structure comprises at least two rows of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction (X), each row of module positioning structures being at a different distance from the end surface (1112) in the first direction (X), and Each row of module positioning structures includes two or more module positioning structures spaced apart and arranged in a third direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X) and the second direction (Z).

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: Two adjacent rows of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same first spacing (L1) in the first direction (X), and Two adjacent module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second interval (L2) in the third direction (Y).

5. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: Two adjacent rows of module positioning structures are aligned with each other in the first direction (X) or staggered with each other in the third direction (Y).

6. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cover positioning structure of each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) comprises at least two rows of cover positioning structures, and in an assembled state in which the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are engaged with each other to position the insulating module (110) in the accommodating cavity (101), each row of cover positioning structures is at a different distance from the end surface (1112) in the first direction (X), and Each row of cover positioning structures includes two or more cover positioning structures arranged and spaced apart in the third direction (Y).

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: Two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are spaced apart by the same first spacing (L1) in the first direction (X), and Two adjacent cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second interval (L2) in the third direction (Y).

8. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: Two adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are aligned with each other in the first direction (X) or staggered with each other in the third direction (Y).

9. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each cover retaining structure is configured to be engageable with a respective module retaining structure.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of the at least two rows of cover positioning structures is the same as the number of the at least two rows of module positioning structures.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures may be the same as or different from the number of cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The at least two rows of module positioning structures arranged on each of the two surfaces include a first row of module positioning structures and a second row of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction (X), the first row of module positioning structures including two or more first module positioning structures (112), the second row of module positioning structures including two or more second module positioning structures (113), and The distance (d1) between the first row of module positioning structures and the end surface (1112) in the first direction (X) is smaller than the distance (d2) between the second row of module positioning structures and the end surface (1112) in the first direction (X).

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: The at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the first cover (130) include a first row of cover positioning structures and a second row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the first cover and spaced apart in the first direction (X), the first row of cover positioning structures including two or more first cover positioning structures (132), the second row of cover positioning structures including two or more second cover positioning structures (133), The at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the second cover (140) include a third row of cover positioning structures and a fourth row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the second cover and spaced apart in the first direction (X), the third row of cover positioning structures including two or more third cover positioning structures (142), the fourth row of cover positioning structures including two or more fourth cover positioning structures (143), In the assembled state and at the first position, the first row cover positioning structure and the third row cover positioning structure are respectively aligned and engaged with the first row module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction (Z), the second row cover positioning structure and the fourth row cover positioning structure are respectively aligned and engaged with the second row module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction (Z), and In the assembled state and at the second position, the first row of cover positioning structures and the third row of cover positioning structures are aligned and engaged with the second row of module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction (Z), respectively.

14. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: Each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) is configured to be arranged on each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulation module (110).

15. The electrical connector according to claim 14, characterized in that: The electrical connector is convertible between a first configuration suitable for mounting on the circuit board (10) and a second configuration, In a first configuration, the first cover (130) is arranged on one of the two opposite surfaces of the insulation module (110), and the second cover (140) is arranged on the other surface. In a second configuration, the first cover (130) is arranged on the other surface, and the second cover (140) is arranged on the one surface.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 15, characterized in that: One of the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure includes a positioning hole, and the other includes a positioning column suitable for being inserted into the positioning hole.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, characterized in that: The mounting structure includes a mounting hole (141) formed through the second cover (140) in the second direction (Z), and the electrical connector is suitable for being mounted on the circuit board via a fastener (151) inserted into the mounting hole.

18. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that: The mounting structures are respectively formed in two opposite side portions of the second cover (140) located outside the insulating module (110) in the third direction (Y).

19. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and 15 to 17, characterized in that: One of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) is formed with a coupling hole, and the other is formed with an elastic arm suitable for being snap-fitted into the coupling hole.

20. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-13 and 15-17, characterized in that: The electrical connector is a line end connector suitable for electrically connecting a cable (1) via the connection terminal.

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