Electric connector

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric connector. An insulating holding member of the electrical connector is mounted to the insulating housing and surrounds and holds at least a section of the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals between the curved section and the mounting end. According to the configuration, when the electric connector is installed on a circuit board, and / or when the electric connector is installed on the circuit board and an electric component is matched with or unmatched with the electric connector, the condition that the part, close to the installation end, of the middle part of the conductive terminal is bent or even broken is effectively avoided; therefore, the mechanical reliability of the electric connector is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates generally to the field of electrical connectors, and more particularly to electrical connectors, such as those used to interconnect electronic systems. Background Art

[0002] The electrical connector provides electrical connection between different electronic systems through conductive terminals, thereby realizing signal and / or power transmission. One type of electrical connector is a "right angle connector". The conductive terminals of this right angle connector generally include a mating end configured to be matched with a corresponding conductive portion of an electrical component, a mounting end configured to be mounted on a circuit board, and an intermediate portion extending between the mating end and the mounting end. The intermediate portion is bent so that the mating end and the mounting end are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. This right angle connector can be mounted on a circuit board along a first direction, and along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, it is matched with a corresponding conductive portion of an electrical component, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical component and the circuit board. Since the intermediate portion of the conductive terminal is bent, when the right angle connector is mounted on the circuit board, and / or when the electrical component is matched or unmatched with the right angle connector when the right angle connector has been mounted on the circuit board, it is easy for the intermediate portion of the conductive terminal adjacent to the mounting end to be partially bent or even broken. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the utility model proposes a novel electrical connector with improved mechanical reliability.

[0004] The present application provides an electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection between a circuit board and an electrical component. The electrical connector comprises: an insulating housing; a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulating housing, each of the plurality of conductive terminals comprising a mating end, a mounting end opposite to the mating end, and an intermediate portion extending between the mating end and the mounting end, the mating end being configured to mate with a corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component, and the mounting end being configured to be mounted to the circuit board, the intermediate portion comprising a bent section, the bent section being bent so that the mounting end and the mating end are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other; and an insulating retaining member, the retaining member being mounted to the insulating housing and surrounding and retaining at least a portion of the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals between the bent section and the mounting end.

[0005] In some embodiments, the mounting end is oriented along a vertical direction, and the mating end is oriented along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The insulating housing comprises: a main body, the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals extending from the main body along the transverse direction and bent to extend to the mounting end along the vertical direction; and a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm extending from the main body along the transverse direction to opposite sides of the plurality of conductive terminals in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, respectively. The retaining member is disposed between the first arm and the second arm, and is retained in place relative to the insulating housing by the first arm and the second arm.

[0006] In some embodiments, the body includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the first arm portion and the second arm portion are located adjacent to the first end and the second end, respectively.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first arm and the second arm are integrally formed with the body, the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals protrudes from a first surface of the body, and the first arm and the second arm extend from the first surface of the body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the retaining member is configured to be inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion along the vertical direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the retaining member includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and a first elastic latch arm and a second elastic latch arm, the first elastic latch arm including a first locking end extending beyond the first end surface in the longitudinal direction, and the second elastic latch arm including a second locking end extending beyond the second end surface in the longitudinal direction, the first arm portion includes a first arm portion surface and a first retaining groove recessed from the first arm portion surface into the first arm portion, and the second arm portion includes a second arm portion surface and a second retaining groove recessed from the second arm portion surface into the second arm portion, the first arm portion surface and the second arm portion surface are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, when the retaining member is arranged between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first end surface faces the first arm portion surface, and the second end surface faces the second arm surface, the first elastic latch arm, the second elastic latch arm, the first retaining groove and the second retaining groove are configured so that when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first locking end engages with the first retaining groove in the vertical direction, and the second locking end engages with the second retaining groove in the vertical direction to limit the withdrawal of the retaining member along the vertical direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the retaining member also includes a first protrusion protruding from the first end surface along the longitudinal direction and a second protrusion protruding from the second end surface along the longitudinal direction, the first arm portion also includes a first recess recessed from the first arm portion surface into the first arm portion, and the second arm portion also includes a second recess recessed from the second arm portion surface into the second arm portion, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the first recess and the second recess are configured such that when the first locking end engages with the first retaining groove in the vertical direction and the second locking end engages with the second retaining groove in the vertical direction, the first protrusion engages with the first recess in the vertical direction and the second protrusion engages with the second recess in the vertical direction to limit further insertion of the retaining member along the vertical direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the first recess and the second recess are also configured so that when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm and the second arm, the first protrusion engages with the first recess in the lateral direction and the second protrusion engages with the second recess in the lateral direction to limit the movement of the retaining member relative to the insulating shell along the lateral direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first elastic latch arm, the second elastic latch arm, the first retaining groove and the second retaining groove are also configured so that when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first locking end engages with the first retaining groove in the transverse direction, and the second locking end engages with the second retaining groove in the transverse direction to limit the movement of the retaining member relative to the insulating shell along the transverse direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first end surface engages with the first arm portion surface in the longitudinal direction, and the second end surface engages with the second arm portion surface in the longitudinal direction to limit the movement of the retaining member relative to the insulating shell along the longitudinal direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, for each of the plurality of conductive terminals: the middle portion extends from a first surface of the body; the mating end is configured to be inserted into the body from the first surface along the lateral direction; and at least a portion of the middle portion between the mating end and the bent section is retained by the body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the main body also includes a second surface opposite to the first surface and a slot recessed into the main body along the lateral direction from the second surface, the slot being configured to receive the corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component, the mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals being exposed in the slot to establish an electrical connection with the corresponding conductive portion when the corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component is inserted into the slot.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mounting ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend from a bottom surface of the holding member along the vertical direction, and the bottom surface faces a surface of the circuit board when the mounting ends are mounted to the circuit board.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first arm portion and the second arm portion respectively include a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface facing the surface of the circuit board when the mounting end is mounted to the circuit board, and the bottom surface of the retaining member is flush with the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface.

[0018] In some embodiments, the mounting ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend from the bottom surface of the retaining member along the vertical direction, and the bottom surface faces the surface of the circuit board when the mounting ends are mounted to the circuit board, and the first elastic latch arm and the second elastic latch arm extend from a top surface of the retaining member opposite to the bottom surface along the vertical direction adjacent to the first end surface and the second end surface, respectively.

[0019] In some embodiments, the retaining member includes a plurality of channels extending through the retaining member along the vertical direction, each of the plurality of channels being configured to surround and retain the middle portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive terminals between the bend segment and the mounting end.

[0020] In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive terminals include a plurality of first conductive terminals, which are arranged into at least one row along the longitudinal direction. For the middle portion of each of the first conductive terminals, the bent section is a first bent section, and the middle portion also includes a first straight section connecting the first bent sections and oriented along the vertical direction, a second straight section connecting the mounting end and oriented along the vertical direction, and a second bent section connecting the first straight section and the second straight section. The first straight sections of the first conductive terminals in each of the at least one row are coplanar with a plane substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction, and the second bent sections of two adjacent first conductive terminals in each row are bent oppositely to each other along the transverse direction relative to the plane, so that the second straight sections of the two adjacent first conductive terminals are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, the plurality of first conductive terminals are arranged along the longitudinal direction into two rows opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other, the second bent segment of one of the two adjacent first conductive terminals in one of the two rows is bent toward the other of the two rows, and the second bent segment of the other of the two adjacent first conductive terminals is bent away from the other row.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second straight segments of the two adjacent first conductive terminals are at the same distance from the plane.

[0023] In some embodiments, the lengths of the first conductive terminals in each row of the at least one row from the mating end to the mounting end are the same.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first conductive terminal is configured as a signal terminal for transmitting a signal.

[0025] In some embodiments, the plurality of channels include a plurality of first channels, each of the first channels includes a first channel portion configured to surround and retain the second straight segment of the middle portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of first conductive terminals.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first channel also includes a second channel portion connected to the first channel portion in the vertical direction, the second channel portion is configured to receive the second bent segment and the first straight segment of the corresponding first conductive terminal, and the size of the first channel and the size of the corresponding first conductive terminal are designed so that the corresponding first conductive terminal can be inserted into the second channel portion from the top surface of the retaining member, so that the mounting end passes through the second channel portion and the first channel portion and extends from the bottom surface of the retaining member opposite to the top surface, so that the second straight segment is received in the first channel portion, and so that the second bent segment and the first straight segment are received in the second channel portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cross-section of the second channel portion perpendicular to the vertical direction is T-shaped, and the T-shape includes a narrow portion and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion along the lateral direction, and the narrow portion is configured to allow the mounting end, the second straight segment and the second curved segment of the corresponding first conductive terminal to be inserted therein, while blocking the first straight segment of the corresponding first conductive terminal from being inserted therein, and at least a portion of the narrow portion is aligned with the first channel portion in the vertical direction, and the wide portion is configured to receive the first straight segment of the corresponding first conductive terminal and limit the movement of the first straight segment along the lateral direction.

[0028] In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive terminals include a plurality of second conductive terminals, the middle portion of each of the plurality of second conductive terminals also includes a straight segment connecting the bent segment and the mounting end and oriented along the vertical direction, the plurality of channels include a plurality of second channels, each of the plurality of second channels is configured to surround and retain at least a portion of the straight segment of a corresponding one of the plurality of second conductive terminals.

[0029] In some embodiments, the plurality of second conductive terminals are arranged along the longitudinal direction into a first row and a second row opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other, the length of the straight segment of the second conductive terminals in the first row along the vertical direction is greater than the length of the straight segment of the second conductive terminals in the second row along the vertical direction, and each of the plurality of second channels is configured to surround and hold the straight segment of a corresponding one of the second conductive terminals in the first row and the second row over substantially the entire length of the straight segment along the vertical direction.

[0030] In some embodiments, the straight segment of each of the second conductive terminals includes a first sub-segment connecting the curved segment and a second sub-segment connecting the first sub-segment and the mounting end, the width of the first sub-segment along the longitudinal direction is greater than the width of the second sub-segment along the longitudinal direction, and each of the second channels includes a narrow portion and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion along the vertical direction, the narrow portion is configured to surround and hold the second sub-segment of the straight segment of the corresponding first conductive terminal while blocking the first sub-segment from being inserted therein, and the wide portion is configured to surround and hold the first sub-segment of the straight segment of the corresponding first conductive terminal.

[0031] In some embodiments, the second conductive terminal is configured as a power terminal for transmitting power.

[0032] In some embodiments, the mounting end is straight along the vertical direction.

[0033] These techniques may be used alone or in any suitable combination.The foregoing summary is provided by way of illustration and is not meant to be limiting.

[0034] According to the present application, when the electrical connector is installed on the circuit board, and / or when the electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector when the electrical connector has been installed on the circuit board, it is possible to effectively avoid bending or even breaking of part of the middle portion of the conductive terminal adjacent to the mounting end, thereby improving the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The above and other aspects of the present application will be more thoroughly understood and appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic only and are not drawn to scale. In different drawings, the same components are represented by the same reference numerals. In addition, for the sake of brevity, not all components of the electrical connector are shown or labeled in the drawings. It should be understood that the size, proportional relationship and number of components of the components or parts in the drawings are not intended to limit the present application. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to some embodiments of the present application, the electrical connector comprising an insulating housing, a conductive terminal and an insulating retaining member;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the electrical connector;

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of an electrical connector;

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A front view of an electrical connector;

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top view of an electrical connector;

[0041] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 a rear view of an electrical connector;

[0042] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of an electrical connector;

[0043] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 , but the retaining member of the electrical connector is removed;

[0044] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of an insulating housing of an electrical connector;

[0045] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Another perspective view of the insulating housing;

[0046] Fig.11 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line II;

[0047] Fig.12 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II;

[0048] Fig.13 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of ;

[0049] Fig.14A yes Figure 1 , but the insulating housing of the electrical connector is removed to show the assembled state of the conductive terminals and the retaining member;

[0050] Fig. 14B It is along Fig.14A A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of ;

[0051] Fig.15 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a retaining member of an electrical connector;

[0052] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 Another perspective view of the retaining member;

[0053] Fig.17A yes Fig.15 A top view of a retaining member;

[0054] Fig. 17B yes Fig.17A An enlarged view of the area A outlined by the dashed line in FIG.

[0055] Fig.18 yes Fig.15 A bottom view of a retaining member;

[0056] Fig.19 yes Figure 1 A side view of a first conductive terminal among the conductive terminals of the electrical connector;

[0057] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D They are Figure 1 A perspective view of four types of first conductive terminals among the conductive terminals of the electrical connector; and

[0058] Fig.21A and Fig.21B They are Figure 1 A perspective view of two types of second conductive terminals among the conductive terminals of an electrical connector.

[0059] List of reference numerals:

[0060] XX Horizontal direction

[0061] YY Vertical direction

[0062] ZZ vertical direction

[0063] 1 Electrical connector

[0064] 100 Insulation housing

[0065] 101 Subject

[0066] 101a First surface of the main body

[0067] 101b Second surface of the main body

[0068] 102a First end of the main body

[0069] 102b Second end of the body

[0070] 103 slots

[0071] 110 First arm

[0072] 111 First arm surface

[0073] 112 top surface of the first arm portion

[0074] 113 Bottom surface of the first arm portion

[0075] 115 First holding slot

[0076] 117 First recess

[0077] 120 Second arm

[0078] 121 Second arm surface

[0079] 122 top surface of the second arm portion

[0080] 123 Bottom surface of the second arm portion

[0081] 200 Conductive terminal

[0082] 201 first conductive terminal

[0083] 201a First row

[0084] 201b 2nd row

[0085] 202 second conductive terminal

[0086] 202a A second conductive terminal of the first type

[0087] 202b A second conductive terminal of the second type

[0088] 210 Mating end

[0089] 215 Second holding slot

[0090] 217 Second recess

[0091] 220 Mounting end

[0092] 230 Middle

[0093] 231 Bend Section

[0094] 232 first straight section of the first conductive terminal

[0095] 233 The second straight section of the first conductive terminal

[0096] 234 second bending section of the first conductive terminal

[0097] 235 Straight section of the second conductive terminal

[0098] 235a The first sub-segment of the straight segment of the second conductive terminal

[0099] 235b The second sub-segment of the straight segment of the second conductive terminal

[0100] 2011 Base of the second conductive terminal

[0101] 2012 Reinforcement

[0102] 300 Retaining member

[0103] 301 First end surface

[0104] 302 second end surface

[0105] 303 Top surface of the holding member

[0106] 304 Bottom surface of holding member

[0107] 305 Front surface of the holding member

[0108] 306 Rear surface of holding member

[0109] 310 first elastic latch arm

[0110] 310a First locking end

[0111] 320 Second elastic latch arm

[0112] 320a Second locking end

[0113] 330 First protrusion

[0114] 340 Second protrusion

[0115] 350 channels

[0116] 351 First Channel

[0117] 351a The first channel portion of the first channel

[0118] 351b Second channel portion of first channel

[0119] 3511 Narrow part of the second channel

[0120] 3512 Wide part of the second channel section

[0121] 352 Second Channel

[0122] 3521 The narrow part of the second channel

[0123] 3522 Wide part of the second channel DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0124] The inventors have recognized and appreciated a design technique for an electrical connector having mechanical reliability. An insulating retaining member is mounted to an insulating housing and surrounds and retains at least a portion of the middle portion of each of a plurality of conductive terminals between the bent section and the mounting end. This configuration can effectively avoid bending or even breaking of a portion of the middle portion of the conductive terminal adjacent to the mounting end when the electrical connector is mounted on a circuit board and / or when an electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector when the electrical connector has been mounted on the circuit board, thereby improving the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector.

[0125] The inventors have also recognized and appreciated a design technique that can reduce the space occupied by the electrical connector on the circuit board while ensuring signal transmission performance. The signal terminals are arranged in at least one row along the longitudinal direction. The mounting ends of two adjacent signal terminals in each row are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the signal terminals can be arranged in a more compact manner while ensuring the spacing between the signal terminals. Sufficient spacing can reduce crosstalk between the signal terminals. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the space occupied by the electrical connector on the circuit board while ensuring signal transmission performance, thereby providing a high-performance electrical connector with a small footprint.

[0126] The inventors have also recognized and appreciated design techniques that can improve the production and assembly efficiency of electrical connectors. A plurality of conductive terminals are configured to be inserted into the body of an insulating housing along a lateral direction. A retaining member is configured to be inserted between a first arm and a second arm of the insulating housing along a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction so as to be retained by the first arm and the second arm. Compared to first molding a terminal retaining member around a conductive terminal when manufacturing a conventional connector, and then loading the assembly consisting of the terminal retaining member and the conductive terminal into an insulating housing together, or molding an insulating housing around the assembly consisting of the terminal retaining member and the conductive terminal, the configuration of the electrical connector according to the present application can improve production and assembly efficiency.

[0127] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present application in any way. In addition, the features in the embodiments of the present application may be combined with each other in the absence of conflict.

[0128] Figures 1 to 21BAn electrical connector 1 according to some embodiments of the present application is shown. The electrical connector 1 is used to establish an electrical connection between a circuit board (not shown) and an electrical component (not shown). As shown, the electrical connector 1 is configured as a socket connector. For example, the circuit board may be a first circuit board (also referred to as a "first printed circuit board" or "first PCB"), and the electrical component may be a second circuit board (also referred to as a "second printed circuit board" or "second PCB"). In this case, the first circuit board may be a mainboard, and the second circuit board may be a daughter card such as a solid state drive (SSD) card, a wireless communication card, or a radio frequency module. The electrical connector 1 may be mounted to the first circuit board, and the corresponding conductive portion of the second circuit board may be inserted into the electrical connector 1, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board through the electrical connector 1. For another example, the electrical component may be a plug connector. The electrical connector 1 may be mounted to the circuit board, and the corresponding conductive portion of the plug connector may be inserted into the electrical connector 1, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the circuit board and the plug connector through the electrical connector 1.

[0129] like Figure 3 As best shown, the electrical connector 1 may include an insulating housing 100 and a plurality of conductive terminals (or may be referred to as “conductive elements”) 200 disposed in the insulating housing 100 .

[0130] For the sake of clarity and simplicity of description, a transverse direction XX, a longitudinal direction YY and a vertical direction ZZ are defined. The transverse direction XX, the longitudinal direction YY and the vertical direction ZZ may be perpendicular to each other. The transverse direction XX generally refers to the width direction of the electrical connector 1. The longitudinal direction YY generally refers to the length direction of the electrical connector 1. The vertical direction ZZ generally refers to the height direction of the electrical connector 1.

[0131] like Figures 1 to 13 As shown, the insulating housing 100 may include a body 101. The body 101 may be made of an insulating material. Examples of insulating materials suitable for making the body 101 include, but are not limited to, plastic, nylon, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO) or polypropylene (PP).

[0132] like Figures 1 to 8 , Figures 10 to 14B and Figures 19 to 21BAs shown, each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may include a mating end 210, a mounting end 220 opposite to the mating end 210, and an intermediate portion 230 extending between the mating end 210 and the mounting end 220. Each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may be formed by a conductive material. The conductive material suitable for manufacturing the conductive terminal 200 may be a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper or a copper alloy. The mating end 210 may be configured to cooperate with a corresponding conductive portion of an electrical component such as the aforementioned second circuit board or a plug connector, and the mounting end 220 may be configured to be mounted to a circuit board such as the aforementioned first circuit board. The mounting end 220 may be straight along the vertical direction ZZ. Specifically, the first circuit board may include a conductive portion such as a conductive pad or a conductive through hole, and the mounting end 220 of the conductive terminal 200 may be configured to be connected to the conductive portion of the first circuit board by any suitable process known in the art (e.g., press fit or welding). For example, the second circuit board may include a conductive portion disposed at or near an edge of the second circuit board, and may be inserted into the electrical connector 1 so that the conductive portion of the second circuit board contacts the mating end 210 of the conductive terminal 200. In this way, the conductive terminal 200 can establish an electrical connection between the conductive portion of the first circuit board and the conductive portion of the second circuit board, thereby achieving signal and / or power transmission. For another example, the plug connector may include a conductive portion disposed on a tongue, which may be inserted into the electrical connector 1 so that the conductive portion on the tongue contacts the mating end 210 of the conductive terminal 200. In this way, the conductive terminal 200 can establish an electrical connection between the conductive portion of the circuit board and the conductive portion of the plug connector, thereby achieving signal and / or power transmission.

[0133] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 , Figures 11 to 13 and Figures 19 to 21B As best shown, the middle portion 230 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may include a bent section 231, which is bent so that the mounting end 220 and the mating end 210 of the conductive terminal 200 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. When the plurality of conductive terminals 200 are disposed in the insulating housing 100, the mounting end 220 is oriented along the vertical direction ZZ, and the mating end 210 is oriented along the lateral direction XX substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction ZZ. With this configuration, the electrical connector 1 can be mounted on a circuit board along the vertical direction ZZ, and mate with a corresponding conductive portion of an electrical component along the lateral direction XX, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical component and the circuit board.

[0134] Since the middle portion 230 of the conductive terminal 200 is bent, when the electrical connector 1 is mounted on a circuit board, and / or when an electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector 1 when the electrical connector 1 has been mounted on a circuit board, it is easy for the middle portion 230 of the conductive terminal 200 adjacent to the mounting end 220 to be partially bent or even broken. In order to avoid this situation, the electrical connector 1 may include an insulating retaining member 300. The retaining member 300 is mounted to the insulating housing 100, and surrounds and retains at least a portion of the middle portion 230 of each conductive terminal 200 in the plurality of conductive terminals 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220. As used herein, the term "surrounding" means completely (i.e., 360 degrees) surrounded in a cross-sectional plane.

[0135] By this configuration, when the electrical connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board, and / or when the electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector 1 when the electrical connector 1 has been mounted on the circuit board, the retaining member 300 can prevent the portion of the middle portion 230 adjacent to the mounting end 220 (for example, the portion of the middle portion 230 of the conductive terminal 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220) from deflecting relative to the vertical direction ZZ by surrounding and retaining the at least one section of the middle portion 230 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220, thereby effectively avoiding the portion of the middle portion 230 adjacent to the mounting end 220 from bending or even breaking. Compared with conventional electrical connectors, the electrical connector 1 has improved mechanical reliability. In addition, as will be described in detail below, since the retaining member 300 is mounted to the insulating housing 100 and surrounds and retains the at least one section of the middle portion 230 of the conductive terminal 200, the retaining member 300 can help retain the conductive terminal 200 in place relative to the insulating housing 100.

[0136] The holding member 300 may be made of an insulating material. Examples of insulating materials suitable for manufacturing the holding member 300 include, but are not limited to, plastic, nylon, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO) or polypropylene (PP).

[0137] The middle portion 230 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may extend from the main body 101 of the insulating housing 100 along the lateral direction XX, and bend to extend to the mounting end 220 along the vertical direction ZZ. In other words, the bent section 231 of the middle portion 230 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 and the mounting end 220 are located outside the main body 101. Figures 1 to 13As shown, the body 101 may include a first surface 101a and a second surface 101b opposite to each other in a transverse direction XX and a first end 102a and a second end 102b opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction YY. The middle portion 230 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may extend from the first surface 101a of the body 101 along the transverse direction XX and bend to extend to the mounting end 220 along the vertical direction ZZ. The mating end 210 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may be configured to be inserted into the body 101 from the first surface 101a along the transverse direction XX. At least a portion of the middle portion 230 between the mating end 210 and the bent section 231 may be retained by the body 101 to help retain the conductive terminal 200 in place relative to the insulating housing 100. For example, at least a portion of the middle portion 230 between the mating end 210 and the bent section 231 may include a barb portion to engage with a wall of a channel formed in the body 101. The main body 101 may also include a slot 103 recessed into the main body 101 along the transverse direction XX from the second surface 101b. The slot 103 is configured to receive the corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component. The mating ends 210 of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 are exposed in the slot 103 to establish an electrical connection with the corresponding conductive portion when the corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component is inserted into the slot 103. The conductive terminal 200 can be held in place relative to the insulating housing 100 by surrounding and holding at least one section of the middle portion 230 of the conductive terminal 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220 and the main body 101 holding at least one section of the middle portion 230 between the mating end 210 and the bent section 231. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto.

[0138] like Figures 1 to 13 As shown, the insulating housing 100 may also include a first arm 110 and a second arm 120. The first arm 110 and the second arm 120 extend from the main body 101 along the transverse direction XX to opposite sides of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 in the longitudinal direction YY, respectively. In some examples, the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 are positioned adjacent to the first end 102a and the second end 102b of the main body 101, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 may be formed integrally with the main body 101, for example, by injection molding. For example, the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 may extend from the first surface 101a of the main body 101. It should be understood that the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 may also be formed separately from the main body 101 and connected to the main body 101. The first arm 110 and the second arm 120 may be formed of the same or different material as the main body 101.

[0139] The holding member 300 is disposed between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 and is held in place relative to the insulating housing 100 by the first arm 110 and the second arm 120. That is, when the holding member 300 is disposed between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 and is held by the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 restrict the holding member 300 from moving relative to the insulating housing 100 along the lateral direction XX, the longitudinal direction YY, and the vertical direction ZZ. With this configuration, the holding member 300 can be reliably fixed to the insulating housing 100, so that the holding member 300 reliably holds the plurality of conductive terminals 200.

[0140] In some embodiments, the holding member 300 may be configured to be inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 along the vertical direction ZZ to be held by the first arm 110 and the second arm 120. As will be described in detail below, this configuration can improve the manufacturing and assembly efficiency of the electrical connector 1.

[0141] like Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 7 , Figures 11 to 13 and FIG. 14A to FIG. 18 As shown, the holding member 300 may include a first end surface 301 and a second end surface 302 opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction YY, a top surface 303 and a bottom surface 304 opposite to each other in the vertical direction ZZ, and a front surface 305 and a rear surface 306 opposite to each other in the transverse direction XX. The mounting ends 220 of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 extend from the bottom surface 304 of the holding member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ. When the electrical connector 1 is mounted on a circuit board (in this case, the mounting ends 220 of the conductive terminals 200 are mounted on the circuit board), the bottom surface 304 of the holding member 300 faces the surface of the circuit board.

[0142] like Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 10As shown, the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 of the insulating housing 100 may include a first arm surface 111 and a second arm surface 121, respectively. The first arm surface 111 and the second arm surface 121 are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction YY. When the holding member 300 is arranged between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the first end surface 301 of the holding member 300 faces the first arm surface 111 of the first arm 110, the second end surface 302 of the holding member 300 faces the second arm surface 121 of the second arm 120, and the front surface 305 of the holding member 300 faces the first surface 101a of the insulating housing 100. The first arm 110 may include a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 113 opposite to each other in the vertical direction ZZ, and the second arm 120 may include a top surface 122 and a bottom surface 123 opposite to each other in the vertical direction ZZ. When the electrical connector 1 is mounted on a circuit board (i.e., the mounting end 220 of the conductive terminal 200 is mounted on the circuit board), the bottom surface 113 of the first arm 110 and the bottom surface 123 of the second arm 120 face the aforementioned surface of the circuit board. In some examples, the bottom surface 304 of the retaining member 300 may be flush with the bottom surface 113 of the first arm 110 and the bottom surface 123 of the second arm 120. That is, the bottom surface 304 of the retaining member 300, the bottom surface 113 of the first arm 110, and the bottom surface 123 of the second arm 120 may together define the mounting interface of the electrical connector 1. With this configuration, the retaining member 300 can be retained by the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 without increasing the height of the electrical connector 1 along the longitudinal direction YY.

[0143] In some embodiments, Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figures 8 to 18As shown, the retaining member 300 may include a first elastic latch arm 310 and a second elastic latch arm 320. The first elastic latch arm 310 may include a first locking end 310a extending beyond the first end surface 301 in the longitudinal direction YY, and the second elastic latch arm 320 may include a second locking end 320a extending beyond the second end surface 302 in the longitudinal direction YY. The first arm portion 110 of the insulating housing 100 may include a first retaining groove 115 recessed from the first arm portion surface 111 into the first arm portion 110, and the second arm portion 120 may include a second retaining groove 125 recessed from the second arm portion surface 121 into the second arm portion 120. The first elastic latch arm 310, the second elastic latch arm 320, the first retaining groove 115 and the second retaining groove 125 can be configured so that when the retaining member 300 is inserted between the first arm portion 110 and the second arm portion 120, the first locking end 310a engages with the first retaining groove 115 in the vertical direction ZZ, and the second locking end 320a engages with the second retaining groove 125 in the vertical direction ZZ to limit the withdrawal of the retaining member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ.

[0144] Alternatively, the first elastic latch arm 310, the second elastic latch arm 320, the first retaining groove 115 and the second retaining groove 125 can be configured so that while the first locking end 310a is engaged with the first retaining groove 115 in the vertical direction ZZ and the second locking end 320a is engaged with the second retaining groove 125 in the vertical direction ZZ to limit the withdrawal of the retaining member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ, the retaining member 300 is restricted from being further inserted along the vertical direction ZZ. It should be understood that the movement of the retaining member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the vertical direction ZZ can be restricted by any other suitable features.

[0145] Alternatively or additionally, the first elastic latch arm 310, the second elastic latch arm 320, the first retaining groove 115, and the second retaining groove 125 may also be configured such that when the retaining member 300 is inserted between the first arm portion 110 and the second arm portion 120, the first locking end 310a engages with the first retaining groove 115 in the transverse direction XX, and the second locking end 320a engages with the second retaining groove 125 in the transverse direction XX to restrict the retaining member 300 from moving relative to the insulating housing 100 along the transverse direction XX. It is contemplated that in some examples, the first elastic latch arm 310, the second elastic latch arm 320, the first retaining groove 115, and the second retaining groove 125 may be used as a guide feature to guide the insertion of the retaining member 300 between the first arm portion 110 and the second arm portion 120. For example, when the retaining member 300 is initially inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the first locking end 310a can be engaged with the first retaining groove 115 in the transverse direction XX, and the second locking end 320a can be engaged with the second retaining groove 125 in the transverse direction XX to guide the insertion of the retaining member 300 and limit the movement of the retaining member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the transverse direction XX. In other partial examples, only when the first locking end 310a is engaged with the first retaining groove 115 in the vertical direction ZZ and the second locking end 320a is engaged with the second retaining groove 125 in the vertical direction ZZ, the first locking end 310a is engaged with the first retaining groove 115 in the transverse direction XX, and the second locking end 320a is engaged with the second retaining groove 125 in the transverse direction XX to limit the movement of the retaining member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the transverse direction XX.

[0146] The first elastic latch arm 310 and the second elastic latch arm 320 may extend from the top surface 303 of the retaining member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ adjacent to the first end surface 301 and the second end surface 302, respectively. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto, and the first elastic latch arm 310 and the second elastic latch arm 320 may be arranged in any other suitable manner to achieve at least one of the above functions.

[0147] Alternatively or additionally, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figures 6 to 10 and FIG. 14A to FIG. 18As shown, the holding member 300 may include a first protrusion 330 protruding from the first end surface 301 along the longitudinal direction YY, and a second protrusion 340 protruding from the second end surface 302 along the longitudinal direction YY. The first arm 110 of the insulating housing 100 may include a first recess 117 recessed from the first arm surface 111 into the first arm 110, and the second arm 120 may include a second recess 127 recessed from the second arm surface 121 into the second arm 120. As shown, the first recess 117 and the second recess 127 may extend from the bottom surface 304 of the holding member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ, respectively. The first protrusion 330, the second protrusion 340, the first recess 117 and the second recess 127 can be configured so that when the retaining member 300 is inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 so that the first locking end 310a engages with the first retaining groove 115 in the vertical direction ZZ and the second locking end 320a engages with the second retaining groove 125 in the vertical direction ZZ to limit the withdrawal of the retaining member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ, the first protrusion 330 engages with the first recess 117 in the vertical direction ZZ, and the second protrusion 340 engages with the second recess 127 in the vertical direction ZZ to limit further insertion of the retaining member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ. By means of the first elastic latch arm 310, the second elastic latch arm 320, the first retaining groove 115, the second retaining groove 125, the first protrusion 330, the second protrusion 340, the first recess 117 and the second recess 127, the retaining member 300 can be restricted from moving relative to the insulating shell 100 along the vertical direction ZZ when the retaining member 300 is inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 along the vertical direction ZZ.

[0148] Alternatively or additionally, the first protrusion 330, the second protrusion 340, the first recess 117, and the second recess 127 can be configured to limit the movement of the retaining member 300 along the lateral direction XX relative to the insulating housing 100. In some examples, the first protrusion 330, the second protrusion 340, the first recess 117, and the second recess 127 can be used as a guide feature to guide the insertion of the retaining member 300 between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120. For example, the first recess 117 and the second recess 127 can be in the form of guide grooves extending from the bottom surface 304 of the retaining member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ, respectively. When the holding member 300 is initially inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the first protrusion 330 can engage with the first recess 117 in the transverse direction XX, and the second protrusion 340 can engage with the second recess 127 in the transverse direction XX to guide the insertion of the holding member 300 and restrict the holding member 300 from moving relative to the insulating housing 100 along the transverse direction XX. In other examples, only when the holding member 300 is inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 so that the first locking end 310a is engaged with the first holding groove 115 in the vertical direction ZZ and the second locking end 320a is engaged with the second holding groove 125 in the vertical direction ZZ, the first protrusion 330 is engaged with the first recess 117 in the transverse direction XX, and the second protrusion 340 is engaged with the second recess 127 in the transverse direction XX to restrict the holding member 300 from moving relative to the insulating housing 100 along the transverse direction XX. It should be understood that the movement of the retaining member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the lateral direction XX may be limited by any other suitable features.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first end surface 301 and the second end surface 302 of the holding member 300 and the first arm surface 111 and the second arm surface 121 of the insulating housing 100 may be configured to restrict the holding member 300 from moving relative to the insulating housing 100 along the longitudinal direction YY. Figure 1 and Figures 5 to 7 As shown, when the holding member 300 is inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the first end surface 301 engages with the first arm surface 111 in the longitudinal direction YY, and the second end surface 302 engages with the second arm surface 121 in the longitudinal direction YY to limit the movement of the holding member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the longitudinal direction YY. It should be understood that the movement of the holding member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the longitudinal direction YY can be limited by any other suitable features.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 330, the second protrusion 340, the first recess 117, and the second recess 127 may also be configured to limit the movement of the holding member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the longitudinal direction YY. Specifically, the first protrusion 330, the second protrusion 340, the first recess 117, and the second recess 127 may be configured so that when the holding member 300 is inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the first protrusion 330 engages with the first recess 117 in the longitudinal direction YY, and the second protrusion 340 engages with the second recess 127 in the longitudinal direction YY to limit the movement of the holding member 300 relative to the insulating housing 100 along the longitudinal direction YY.

[0151] It will be appreciated that the features described above for limiting movement of the retaining member 300 relative to the insulative housing 100 may be used in any suitable combination.

[0152] like Figures 1 to 7 and Figures 11 to 18 As shown, the holding member 300 may include a plurality of channels 350 extending through the holding member 300 along the vertical direction ZZ. Each channel 350 may be configured to surround and hold the at least one section of the middle portion 230 of a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220. In some embodiments, the channel 350 may be configured to surround and hold the entire length of the middle portion 230 of the corresponding one of the conductive terminals 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220. In other embodiments, the channel 350 may be configured to surround and hold a portion of the length of the middle portion 230 of the corresponding one of the conductive terminals 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220, such as a portion of the middle portion 230 adjacent to the mounting end 220 or a portion adjacent to the bent section 231.

[0153] like Figures 1 to 8 , Figures 11 to 14B , Figures 19 to 21B As shown, the plurality of conductive terminals 200 include a first conductive terminal 201 (or referred to as a "first type conductive terminal") and a second conductive terminal 202 (or referred to as a "second type conductive terminal"). The first conductive terminal 201 can be configured as a signal terminal for transmitting a signal, and the second conductive terminal 200 is configured as a power terminal for transmitting power. Therefore, the electrical connector 1 can be a hybrid electrical connector capable of transmitting signals and power.

[0154] like Figure 3 to Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 to Figure 12 , Fig.14A and Fig.19As shown, the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may include a plurality of first conductive terminals 201. Similar to what is described above in conjunction with the conductive terminals 200, each first conductive terminal 201 includes a mating end 210, a mounting end 220 opposite to the mating end 210, and an intermediate portion 230 extending between the mating end 210 and the mounting end 220. The intermediate portion 230 may include a bent section 231, which is bent so that the mounting end 220 and the mating end 210 of the first conductive terminal 201 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. When the first conductive terminal 201 is disposed in the insulating housing 100, the mounting end 220 is oriented along the vertical direction ZZ, and the mating end 210 is oriented along the lateral direction XX. As shown in FIG. Figures 19 to 20D As best shown, for the middle portion 230 of each first conductive terminal 201, the bent section 231 is a first bent section 231, and the middle portion 230 also includes a first straight section 232 connected to the first bent section 231 and oriented along the vertical direction ZZ, a second straight section 233 connected to the mounting end 220 and oriented along the vertical direction ZZ, and a second bent section 234 connecting the first straight section 232 and the second straight section 233.

[0155] A plurality of first conductive terminals 201 can be arranged in at least one row along the longitudinal direction YY. The first straight segments 232 of the first conductive terminals 201 in each of the at least one row are coplanar with a plane substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction XX, and the second curved segments 234 of two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in each row are bent oppositely to each other along the transverse direction XX relative to the plane, so that the second straight segments 233 of the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction YY. This enables the mounting ends 220 of the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 to be offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction YY. In this way, the first conductive terminals 201 can be arranged in a more compact manner while ensuring the spacing between the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201. Sufficient spacing can reduce the crosstalk between the first conductive terminals 201. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the occupied space of the electrical connector 1 on the circuit board while ensuring the signal transmission performance of the electrical connector 1, thereby providing a high-performance and small-occupying electrical connector 1.

[0156] In some embodiments, Figure 3 to Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 to Figure 12 , Fig.14A and Fig.19 As shown, the plurality of first conductive terminals 201 are arranged along the longitudinal direction YY into two rows opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other, namely, a first row 201a and a second row 201b. The first straight segments 232 of the first conductive terminals 201 in the first row 201a are coplanar with a plane P1 substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction XX (e.g., Fig.192 (schematically indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 ), and the first straight segments 232 of the first conductive terminals 201 in the second row 201b are coplanar with a plane P2 substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction XX. The second curved segments 234 of two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in the first row 201a are bent oppositely to each other along the transverse direction XX relative to the plane P1, so that the second straight segments 233 of the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction YY. The second curved segments 234 of two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in the second row 201b are bent oppositely to each other along the transverse direction XX relative to the plane P2, so that the second straight segments 233 of the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction YY. The second curved segment 234 of one of the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in one of the first row 201a and the second row 201b is bent toward the other of the two rows, and the second curved segment 234 of the other of the two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 is bent away from the other row.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second straight segments 233 of two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in each row of at least one row are at the same distance from the plane. Figure 3 to Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 to Figure 12 , Fig.14A and Fig.19 As shown, the first distance between the second straight segments 233 of two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in the first row 201a and the plane P1 is the same, and the second distance between the second straight segments 233 of two adjacent first conductive terminals 201 in the second row 201b and the plane P2 is the same. The first distance and the second distance can be the same or different.

[0158] In some embodiments, the lengths of the first conductive terminals 201 from the mating end 210 to the mounting end 220 in each of at least one row are the same. Figure 3 to Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 to Figure 12 , Fig.14A and Fig.19 As shown, the lengths of the first conductive terminals 201 in the first row 201a from the mating end 210 to the mounting end 220 are all the same, and the lengths of the first conductive terminals 201 in the second row 201b from the mating end 210 to the mounting end 220 are all the same. In this case, the first row 201a and the second row 201b can have four shapes of first conductive terminals 201, which are shown in FIG. 20A to FIG. 20Dand are labeled with "2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014", wherein the conductive terminal 2011 and the conductive terminal 2012 are two adjacent first conductive terminals in the second row 201b, and the conductive terminal 2013 and the conductive terminal 2014 are two adjacent first conductive terminals in the first row 201a.

[0159] like Figures 1 to 7 and Figures 11 to 18 As shown, the plurality of channels 350 include a plurality of first channels 351. Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig. 14B As best shown, each first channel 351 includes at least a first channel portion 351a. The first channel portion 351a is configured to surround and hold the second straight section 233 of the middle portion 230 of a corresponding one of the plurality of first conductive terminals 201. With this configuration, when the electrical connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board, and / or when the electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector 1 when the electrical connector 1 has been mounted on the circuit board, the retaining member 300 can prevent the portion of the middle portion 230 of the first conductive terminal 201 adjacent to the mounting end 220 (e.g., the portion of the middle portion 230 of the first conductive terminal 201 between the curved section 231 and the mounting end 220) from deflecting relative to the vertical direction ZZ by surrounding and holding the second straight section 233 of the first conductive terminal 201, thereby effectively preventing the portion of the middle portion 230 adjacent to the mounting end 220 from being bent or even broken. In addition, since the retaining member 300 is mounted to the insulating housing 100 and surrounds and retains the second straight section 233 of the middle portion 230 of the first conductive terminal 201, the retaining member 300 can help retain the first conductive terminal 201 in place relative to the insulating housing 100. In addition, in the case where the first conductive terminal 201 is configured as a signal terminal for transmitting a signal, the retaining member 300 can effectively control the gap between it and the first conductive terminal 201, thereby ensuring that the size of the gap meets the expected signal transmission requirements.

[0160] In some embodiments, Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig. 14B As best shown, the first channel 351 may also include a second channel portion 351b that communicates with the first channel portion 351a in the vertical direction ZZ. The second channel portion 351b may be configured to receive the second curved segment 234 and the first straight segment 232 of the middle portion 230 of a corresponding first conductive terminal 201. As described above, due to the presence of the second curved segment 234, the second straight segment 233 is offset relative to the first straight segment 232 in the vertical direction ZZ. This means that, as shown in FIG. FIG. 17A to FIG. 18As shown, the dimension of the second channel portion 351b along the transverse direction XX is greater than the dimension of the first channel portion 351a along the transverse direction XX. The dimension of the first channel 351 and the dimension of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals 201 are designed so that the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals 201 can be inserted into the second channel portion 351b from the top surface 303 of the holding member 300, so that the mounting end 220 passes through the second channel portion 351b and the first channel portion 351a and extends from the bottom surface 304 of the holding member 300, so that the second straight segment 233 is received in the first channel portion 351a, and the second curved segment 234 and the first straight segment 232 are received in the second channel portion 351b. When the second straight segment 233 is received in the first channel portion 351a, the first channel portion 351a surrounds and holds the second straight segment 233.

[0161] In one of these embodiments, Fig. 17B As best shown, the cross section of the second channel portion 351b of the first channel 351 perpendicular to the vertical direction ZZ is T-shaped. The T-shape includes a narrow portion 3511 and a wide portion 3512 extending from the narrow portion 3511 along the transverse direction XX. That is, the width of the wide portion 3512 along the longitudinal direction YY is greater than the width of the narrow portion 3511 along the longitudinal direction YY. Figure 8 As best shown, the width of the first straight segment 232 of the corresponding first conductive terminal 201 along the longitudinal direction YY is greater than the width of the second curved segment 234 along the longitudinal direction YY, and greater than the width of the second straight segment 233 along the longitudinal direction YY. The narrow portion 3511 can be configured to allow the mounting end 220, the second straight segment 233, and the second curved segment 234 of the corresponding first conductive terminal 201 to be inserted therein, while blocking the first straight segment 232 of the corresponding first conductive terminal 201 from being inserted therein. Specifically, the width of the mounting end 220, the second straight segment 233, and the second curved segment 234 of the corresponding first conductive terminal 201 along the longitudinal direction YY is less than the width of the narrow portion 3511 along the longitudinal direction YY, and the width of the first straight segment 232 along the longitudinal direction YY is greater than the width of the narrow portion 3511 along the longitudinal direction YY. At least a portion of the narrow portion 3511 is aligned with the first channel portion 351a in the vertical direction ZZ ( Fig. 17B). The wide portion 3512 can be configured to receive the first straight segment 232 of a corresponding first conductive terminal 201 and limit the movement of the first straight segment 232 along the transverse direction XX. The dimension of the wide portion 3512 along the transverse direction XX can be slightly larger than the dimension of the first straight segment 232 along the transverse direction XX to limit the movement of the first straight segment 232 along the transverse direction XX. In this way, the wide portion 3512 surrounds and holds the first straight segment 232. When the mating end 210 of the first conductive terminal 201 is subjected to a force along the transverse direction XX (for example, when mating or unmating an electrical component with the electrical connector 1), the wide portion 3512 can limit the movement of the first straight segment 232 along the transverse direction XX to prevent the portion of the middle portion 230 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220 from deflecting relative to the vertical direction ZZ, thereby effectively avoiding bending or even breaking.

[0162] like Figure 3 to Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Fig.13 , Fig.14A and FIG. 21A to FIG. 21B As shown, the plurality of conductive terminals 200 may include a plurality of second conductive terminals 202. It should be understood that Figure 8 , Fig.13 , Fig. 14B , Fig.21A and Fig.21B The second conductive terminal 202 shown is only an exemplary form of the second conductive terminal, and the present application is not limited thereto. The second conductive terminal 202 can be in any other suitable form.

[0163] exist Figure 8 , Fig.13 , Fig. 14B , Fig.21A and Fig.21B In the embodiment, only two second conductive terminals 202 (respectively indicated as "201a" and "202b") are shown. Each second conductive terminal 202 may include a base 2021 ( Fig.21A and Fig.21B) A plurality of first fingers extending along the transverse direction XX and oriented along the transverse direction XX, and a plurality of second fingers extending from the base 2021 opposite to the plurality of first fingers and bent to be oriented along the vertical direction ZZ. The base 2021 can be received and held by the main body 101 of the insulating housing 100. The ends of the plurality of first fingers serve as mating ends of the second conductive terminals 202 and are indicated by “210”. The ends of the plurality of second fingers serve as mounting ends of the second conductive terminals 202 and are indicated by “220”. Therefore, it can be understood that, similar to the above description in conjunction with the conductive terminals 200, each second conductive terminal 202 includes a mating end 210, a mounting end 220 opposite to the mating end 210, and an intermediate portion 230 extending between the mating end 210 and the mounting end 220. The middle portion 230 may include a bent section 231, which is bent so that the mounting end 220 and the mating end 210 of the first conductive terminal 201 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. When the second conductive terminal 202 is disposed in the insulating housing 100, the mounting end 220 is oriented along the vertical direction ZZ, and the mating end 210 is oriented along the lateral direction XX.

[0164] The middle portion 230 of each of the second conductive terminals 202 further includes a straight segment 235 connecting the bent segment 231 and the mounting end 220 and oriented along the vertical direction ZZ. The plurality of channels 350 includes a plurality of second channels 352, each of the plurality of second channels 352 being configured to surround and hold at least a portion of the straight segment 235 of a corresponding second conductive terminal 202 of the plurality of second conductive terminals 202. With this configuration, when the electrical connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board, and / or when the electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector 1 when the electrical connector 1 has been mounted on the circuit board, the retaining member 300 can prevent the portion of the middle portion 230 of the second conductive terminal 202 adjacent to the mounting end 220 from deflecting relative to the vertical direction ZZ by surrounding and holding the at least a portion of the straight segment 235 of the second conductive terminal 202, thereby effectively preventing the portion of the middle portion 230 adjacent to the mounting end 220 from being bent or even broken. Furthermore, because the retaining member 300 is mounted to the insulating housing 100 and surrounds and retains the straight segment 235 of the intermediate portion 230 of the second conductive terminal 202 , the retaining member 300 can help retain the second conductive terminal 202 in position relative to the insulating housing 100 .

[0165] like Figure 8 , Fig.13 , Fig. 14B , Fig.21A and Fig.21BAs shown, the two second conductive terminals 202 are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other. The length of the straight segment 235 of the second conductive terminal 202a along the vertical direction ZZ is greater than the length of the straight segment 235 of the second conductive terminal 202b along the vertical direction ZZ. Each second channel 352 is configured to surround and hold the straight segment 235 along substantially the entire length of the corresponding straight segment 235 along the vertical direction ZZ.

[0166] It should be understood that there may be a plurality of second conductive terminals 202 in any suitable form, and these second conductive terminals 202 may be arranged at least along the longitudinal direction YY into a first row and a second row that are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other. The length of the straight segments 235 of the second conductive terminals 202 in the first row along the vertical direction ZZ may be greater than the length of the straight segments 235 of the second conductive terminals 202 in the second row 202b along the vertical direction ZZ. Each of the plurality of second channels 352 is configured to surround and hold the straight segment 235 of a corresponding one of the second conductive terminals 202 in the first row and the second row over substantially the entire length of the straight segment 235 along the vertical direction ZZ. As used in the present application, the term "substantially the entire length" refers to, for example, a majority of the length, or nearly all, or all, or an amount ranging from about 80% to about 100%. In this way, when the mating end 210 of the second conductive terminal 202 is subjected to a force along the transverse direction XX (for example, when the electrical component is mated or unmated with the electrical connector 1), the second channel 352 can limit the movement of the straight section 235 along the transverse direction XX to prevent the portion of the middle portion 230 between the curved section 231 and the mounting end 220 from deflecting relative to the vertical direction ZZ, thereby effectively avoiding bending or even breaking. It should also be understood that there may be only one row of second conductive terminals 202.

[0167] In some embodiments, the straight section 235 of each second conductive terminal 202 includes a first sub-segment 235a connecting the curved section 231 and a second sub-segment 235b connecting the first sub-segment 235a and the mounting end 220. The width of the first sub-segment 235a along the longitudinal direction YY is greater than the width of the second sub-segment 235b along the longitudinal direction YY. Each second channel 352 may include a narrow portion 3521 and a wide portion 3522 extending from the narrow portion 3521 along the vertical direction ZZ. The width of the wide portion 3522 along the longitudinal direction YY is greater than the width of the narrow portion 3521 along the longitudinal direction YY. The narrow portion 3521 may be configured to surround and hold the second sub-segment 235b of the straight section 235 of the corresponding first conductive terminal 201, while blocking the first sub-segment 235a from being inserted therein. The width of the narrow portion 3521 along the longitudinal direction YY is less than the width of the first sub-segment 235a along the longitudinal direction YY. The wide portion 3522 is configured to surround and hold the first sub-segment 235a of the straight segment 235 of the corresponding first conductive terminal 201. That is, the size of the second channel 352 and the size of the corresponding second conductive terminal 202 are designed so that the corresponding second conductive terminal 202 can be inserted into the wide portion 3522 from the top surface 303 of the retaining member 300, so that the mounting end 220 passes through the wide portion 3522 and the narrow portion 3521 and extends from the bottom surface 304 of the retaining member 300 opposite to the top surface 303, so that the second sub-segment 235b is received in the narrow portion 3521, and the first sub-segment is received in the wide portion 3522. Through this configuration, the narrow portion 3521 can provide support for the straight segment 235 of the second conductive terminal 202, limit the straight segment 235 from moving along the vertical direction ZZ in the second channel 352, and further prevent the second conductive terminal 202 from being bent or even broken.

[0168] In some embodiments, each second conductive terminal 202 may include a reinforcement member 2022 mounted on the base 2021 and extending from the base 2021 to the mating end 210. The reinforcement member 2022 may enhance the strength of the second conductive terminal 202 at the mating end 210. The reinforcement member 2022 may be formed of a material such as stainless steel. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto, and there may be no reinforcement member 2022.

[0169] The present application also proposes a method for assembling the electrical connector 1 described above. The method includes first loading a plurality of conductive terminals 200 (including a first conductive terminal 201 and a second conductive terminal 202) into an insulating housing 100. For example, the mating end 210 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 is inserted into the main body 101 from the first surface 101a of the main body 101 of the insulating housing 100 along the transverse direction XX. At least a section of the middle portion 230 between the mating end 210 and the bent section 231 can be held by the main body 101. Subsequently, a retaining member 300 is inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 of the insulating housing 100 along the vertical direction ZZ to be held by the first arm 110 and the second arm 120. The retaining member 300 surrounds and holds at least a section of the middle portion 230 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 between the bent section 231 and the mounting end 220. Compared to the manufacturing of traditional connectors in which a terminal retaining component is first molded around the conductive terminal and then the combination of the terminal retaining component and the conductive terminal is loaded into an insulating housing or an insulating housing is molded around the combination of the terminal retaining component and the conductive terminal, the configuration of the electrical connector 1 according to the present application can improve production and assembly efficiency.

[0170] It should be understood that the holding member 300 can be configured to be inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 of the insulating housing 100 along other directions. For example, the holding member 300 can be configured to be inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 along the transverse direction XX. In this case, the plurality of conductive terminals 200 can be mounted on the holding member 300 first, and then the combination of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 and the holding member 300 can be inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 along the transverse direction XX. The holding member 300 can also be molded around the plurality of conductive terminals 200 first, and then the combination of the plurality of conductive terminals 200 and the holding member 300 can be inserted between the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 along the transverse direction XX. It should also be understood that in addition to being mounted to the insulating housing 100 through the first arm 110 and the second arm 120, the holding member 300 can also be mounted to the insulating housing 100 by any other suitable mechanism.

[0171] It should also be understood that the electrical connector 1 may have only the first conductive terminal 201 or the second conductive terminal 202 , or may have any other suitable type of conductive terminals.

[0172] It should also be understood that the electrical connector 1 may include any suitable mechanism for fixing the electrical connector 1 to the circuit board. For example, the electrical connector 1 may include a locking piece for fixing the main body 101 of the insulating housing 100 to the circuit board.

[0173] It should also be understood that the electrical connector 1 can be configured as any other suitable type of connector. The electrical connector 1 can be configured as a plug connector, and the mating end 210 of the conductive terminal 200 can be exposed at the plug portion. For another example, the electrical connector 1 can be configured as a cable connector, and the mating end 210 of the conductive terminal 200 can be connected to a cable.

[0174] Such changes, modifications and improvements are all within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

[0175] All definitions, as defined and used, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0176] Numerical values ​​and ranges may be described in the specification and claims as approximate or exact numerical values ​​or ranges. For example, in some cases, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" may be used to refer to a value. Such references are intended to include the value referenced and plus or minus reasonable variations of that value.

[0177] In the claims and the above description, all transitional phrases such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", "holding", "consisting of" and the like shall be understood as open-ended, i.e., meaning including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0178] Unless explicitly stated, the claims should not be construed as limited to the described order or elements. It should be understood that various changes in form and details may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents are claimed for protection.

[0179] It should be understood that the terms “first” and “second” are only used to distinguish one element, component or section from another element, component or section, but these elements, components and sections should not be limited by such terms.

[0180] The present application has been described in detail above in conjunction with specific embodiments. Obviously, the above description and the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings should be understood as exemplary and do not constitute a limitation to the present application. For those skilled in the art, various modifications or changes can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications or changes do not depart from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection between a circuit board and an electrical component, characterized in that: The electrical connector comprises: Insulating housing; a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulating housing, each of the plurality of conductive terminals comprising a mating end, a mounting end opposite to the mating end, and an intermediate portion extending between the mating end and the mounting end, the mating end being configured to mate with a corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component, and the mounting end being configured to be mounted to the circuit board, the intermediate portion comprising a bent section bent so that the mounting end and the mating end are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other; and An insulating holding member is mounted to the insulating housing and surrounds and holds at least a portion of the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals between the bent section and the mounting end.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting end is oriented along a vertical direction, and the mating end is oriented along a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction; as well as The insulating housing comprises: a main body, the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals extending from the main body along the lateral direction and bent to extend to the mounting end along the vertical direction; and a first arm portion and a second arm portion, the first arm portion and the second arm portion respectively extending from the body along the transverse direction to opposite sides of the plurality of conductive terminals in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction; The retaining member is disposed between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and is held in position relative to the insulating housing by the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The body comprises a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the first arm portion and the second arm portion are located adjacent to the first end and the second end, respectively; and / or The first arm portion and the second arm portion are integrally formed with the body, the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of conductive terminals protrudes from a first surface of the body, and the first arm portion and the second arm portion extend from the first surface of the body.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The holding member is configured to be inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion along the vertical direction.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The retaining member includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and a first resilient latching arm and a second resilient latching arm, the first resilient latching arm includes a first locking end extending beyond the first end surface in the longitudinal direction, and the second resilient latching arm includes a second locking end extending beyond the second end surface in the longitudinal direction; The first arm portion includes a first arm portion surface and a first retaining groove recessed from the first arm portion surface into the first arm portion, and the second arm portion includes a second arm portion surface and a second retaining groove recessed from the second arm portion surface into the second arm portion, the first arm surface and the second arm surface being opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction; When the holding member is disposed between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first end surface faces the first arm portion surface, and the second end surface faces the second arm portion surface; as well as The first elastic latch arm, the second elastic latch arm, the first retaining groove and the second retaining groove are configured so that when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first locking end engages with the first retaining groove in the vertical direction and the second locking end engages with the second retaining groove in the vertical direction to limit the withdrawal of the retaining member along the vertical direction.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The retaining member further includes a first protrusion protruding from the first end surface along the longitudinal direction and a second protrusion protruding from the second end surface along the longitudinal direction; The first arm portion further includes a first recessed portion recessed from a surface of the first arm portion into the first arm portion, and the second arm portion further includes a second recessed portion recessed from a surface of the second arm portion into the second arm portion; as well as The first protrusion, the second protrusion, the first recess and the second recess are configured so that when the first locking end engages with the first retaining groove in the vertical direction and the second locking end engages with the second retaining groove in the vertical direction, the first protrusion engages with the first recess in the vertical direction and the second protrusion engages with the second recess in the vertical direction to limit further insertion of the retaining member along the vertical direction.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first protrusion, the second protrusion, the first recess and the second recess are also configured so that when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm and the second arm, the first protrusion engages with the first recess in the lateral direction and the second protrusion engages with the second recess in the lateral direction to limit the movement of the retaining member relative to the insulating shell along the lateral direction.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first elastic latch arm, the second elastic latch arm, the first retaining groove and the second retaining groove are also configured so that when the retaining member is inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first locking end engages with the first retaining groove in the transverse direction and the second locking end engages with the second retaining groove in the transverse direction to limit the movement of the retaining member relative to the insulating housing along the transverse direction.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the retaining member is inserted between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first end surface engages with the first arm portion surface in the longitudinal direction, and the second end surface engages with the second arm portion surface in the longitudinal direction to limit the movement of the retaining member relative to the insulating housing along the longitudinal direction.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: For each of the plurality of conductive terminals: The intermediate portion extends from the first surface of the body; The mating end is configured to be inserted into the body from the first surface along the lateral direction; and At least a section of the intermediate portion between the mating end and the curved section is held by the main body.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The body further comprises a second surface opposite to the first surface and a slot recessed into the body from the second surface along the lateral direction, the slot being configured to receive the corresponding conductive portion of the electrical component; and The mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are exposed in the slot to establish electrical connection with the corresponding conductive portions of the electrical component when the corresponding conductive portions are inserted into the slot.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting ends of the plurality of conductive terminals protrude from a bottom surface of the holding member in the vertical direction, and the bottom surface faces a surface of the circuit board when the mounting ends are mounted to the circuit board.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first arm portion and the second arm portion respectively include a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface facing the surface of the circuit board when the mounting end is mounted to the circuit board, and the bottom surface of the retaining member is flush with the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting ends of the multiple conductive terminals extend from the bottom surface of the retaining member along the vertical direction, and the bottom surface faces the surface of the circuit board when the mounting ends are mounted to the circuit board, and the first elastic latch arm and the second elastic latch arm extend from the top surface of the retaining member opposite to the bottom surface along the vertical direction adjacent to the first end surface and the second end surface, respectively.

15. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that: The retaining member includes a plurality of channels extending through the retaining member along the vertical direction, each of the plurality of channels being configured to surround and retain the at least one section of the middle portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive terminals between the bent section and the mounting end.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 15, characterized in that: The plurality of conductive terminals include a plurality of first conductive terminals, and the plurality of first conductive terminals are arranged in at least one row along the longitudinal direction; For the middle portion of each of the first conductive terminals, the curved segment is a first curved segment, and the middle portion further includes a first straight segment connecting the first curved segments and oriented along the vertical direction, a second straight segment connecting the mounting end and oriented along the vertical direction, and a second curved segment connecting the first straight segment and the second straight segment; as well as The first straight segments of the first conductive terminals in each of the at least one row are coplanar with a plane substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction, and the second bent segments of two adjacent first conductive terminals in each row are bent opposite to each other along the transverse direction relative to the plane so that the second straight segments of the two adjacent first conductive terminals are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, characterized in that: The plurality of first conductive terminals are arranged in two rows opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, the second bent section of one of two adjacent first conductive terminals in one of the two rows is bent toward the other row, and the second bent section of the other of the two adjacent first conductive terminals is bent away from the other row; and / or The distances between the second straight segments of the two adjacent first conductive terminals and the plane are the same; and / or The lengths of the first conductive terminals in each row of the at least one row from the mating end to the mounting end are the same; and / or The first conductive terminal is configured as a signal terminal for transmitting a signal.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: The plurality of channels include a plurality of first channels, each of the first channels includes a first channel portion configured to surround and retain the second straight segment of the intermediate portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of first conductive terminals.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 18, characterized in that: The first channel further includes a second channel portion in communication with the first channel portion in the vertical direction, the second channel portion being configured to receive the second curved segment and the first straight segment of the corresponding one first conductive terminal; as well as The size of the first channel and the size of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals are designed so that the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals can be inserted into the second channel portion from the top surface of the retaining member, so that the mounting end passes through the second channel portion and the first channel portion and extends from the bottom surface of the retaining member opposite to the top surface, so that the second straight section is received in the first channel portion, and so that the second curved section and the first straight section are received in the second channel portion.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 19, characterized in that: The cross section of the second channel portion perpendicular to the vertical direction is T-shaped, and the T-shape includes a narrow portion and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion along the transverse direction; The narrow portion is configured to allow the mounting end, the second straight segment, and the second curved segment of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals to be inserted thereinto, while blocking the first straight segment of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals from being inserted thereinto, and at least a portion of the narrow portion is aligned with the first channel portion in the vertical direction; and The wide portion is configured to receive the first straight segment of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals and limit movement of the first straight segment along a lateral direction.

21. The electrical connector according to claim 15, characterized in that: The plurality of conductive terminals include a plurality of second conductive terminals, the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second conductive terminals further including a straight segment connecting the bent segment and the mounting end and oriented along the vertical direction; as well as The plurality of channels include a plurality of second channels, each of the plurality of second channels being configured to surround and retain at least a portion of the straight segment of a corresponding one of the plurality of second conductive terminals.

22. The electrical connector according to claim 21, characterized in that: The plurality of second conductive terminals are arranged along the longitudinal direction into a first row and a second row opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other; The length of the straight segment of the second conductive terminal in the first row along the vertical direction is greater than the length of the straight segment of the second conductive terminal in the second row along the vertical direction; as well as Each of the plurality of second channels is configured to surround and retain the straight segment of a corresponding one of the second conductive terminals in the first and second rows over substantially an entire length of the straight segment along the vertical direction.

23. The electrical connector according to claim 21, characterized in that: The straight section of each second conductive terminal includes a first sub-segment connecting the curved section and a second sub-segment connecting the first sub-segment and the mounting end, wherein the width of the first sub-segment along the longitudinal direction is greater than the width of the second sub-segment along the longitudinal direction; Each of the second channels includes a narrow portion and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion along the vertical direction; The narrow portion is configured to surround and hold the second sub-segment of the straight segment of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals, while blocking the first sub-segment from being inserted therein; as well as The wide portion is configured to surround and retain the first sub-segment of the straight segment of the corresponding one of the first conductive terminals.

24. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that: The second conductive terminal is configured as a power terminal for transmitting power.

25. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that: The mounting end is straight along the vertical direction.

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