Orthogonal electrical connector and electronic system

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electric connector. The electric connector comprises a circuit board and a conductive terminal held in an insulating shell, the circuit board includes a first edge portion extending in a transverse direction, first conductive pads arranged on the first edge portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, a second edge portion extending in the vertical direction and exceeding the first edge portion, and second conductive pads arranged on the second edge portion in the transverse direction. One end of each conductive terminal is arranged on the corresponding first conductive pad. The electrical connector also includes a member having a first channel and a second channel aligned in a vertical direction. The member holds and accommodates the insulating housing in the first channel and is intended to be secured to another circuit board such that the second channel is located between the first channel and the another circuit board in the vertical direction. The electrical connector is adapted to fit in a compact space in an electronic system, while improving mechanical strength and enabling sufficient heat dissipation. The utility model further relates to an electronic system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to the field of electrical connectors, and more particularly to an electrical connector and an electronic system including such an electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is often easier and more cost-effective to manufacture an electronic system as separate electronic sub-assemblies, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), that can be connected together through electrical connectors. Having separable electrical connectors allows components of electronic systems manufactured by different manufacturers to be easily assembled. Separable electrical connectors also allow components to be easily replaced after system assembly to replace defective components or upgrade the system with higher performance components.

[0003] Conventional arrangements for interconnecting several printed circuit boards typically use one printed circuit board as a main board. Other printed circuit boards, known as daughter boards or daughter cards, are connected to the main board via electrical connectors to achieve the interconnection of these circuit boards.

[0004] In servers and other powerful computers, it is desirable to connect add-in cards as daughter cards to the main board. For example, the add-in card can be orthogonal to the main board. Multiple add-in cards can be arranged adjacent to and parallel to each other on the main board. Orthogonal connectors are configured to support the interconnection of the add-in card and the main board.

[0005] Orthogonal connectors are typically designed and manufactured according to specific specifications to mate with add-in cards and meet signal and / or power transmission requirements. Such specifications are, for example, standards related to the Enterprise and Data Center Standard Form Factor (EDSFF), such as SFF-TA-1002. Designing orthogonal connectors to meet specific application requirements presents various challenges. Orthogonal connectors must have various characteristics that meet the mechanical requirements of the electronic system. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] In view of this, this application proposes a novel electrical connector to meet the requirements of an electronic system.

[0007] In one aspect, the present application provides an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include: an insulating housing; a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing, each conductive terminal including a first mating end, a second mating end opposite to the first mating end, and an intermediate portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end; and a circuit board. The circuit board includes: a first edge portion extending along a transverse direction; a plurality of first conductive pads arranged on the first edge portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction; a second edge portion extending along the vertical direction and extending beyond the first edge portion; and a plurality of second conductive pads arranged on the second edge portion in the transverse direction. The second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is disposed on a corresponding first conductive pad among the plurality of first conductive pads.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows being opposite to and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, the first edge portion includes two surfaces opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first conductive pads are provided on the two surfaces, the first edge portion is positioned between the two rows of the second mating ends such that each of the two surfaces faces a corresponding row of the two rows.

[0009] In some embodiments, the insulating housing includes a first surface, a first arm portion and a second arm portion respectively extending from the first surface along the transverse direction and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend out from the first surface and are located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first arm portion includes a first groove, and the second arm portion includes a second groove, the first groove and the second groove are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction and extend along the transverse direction respectively, the first edge portion includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other in the vertical direction, the first end portion is received in the first groove, and the second end portion is received in the second groove so that the first edge portion is held between the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the first groove in the first arm portion and the second groove in the second arm portion includes a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion further includes a channel extending from the outer side of the corresponding first wall along the longitudinal direction through the first wall into the corresponding groove. The electrical connector further includes a plurality of locking members, each of the plurality of locking members being inserted into the channel of the corresponding arm portion and extending into the corresponding groove to engage with the first edge portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the circuit board further includes a plurality of locking pads disposed on the first edge portion. Each of the plurality of locking pads faces the channel of the corresponding arm portion of the first arm portion and the second arm portion and is aligned with the channel, and the corresponding locking member is soldered to the locking pad.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is soldered to a corresponding first conductive pad.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion further includes a protrusion protruding from the second wall of the corresponding groove along the longitudinal direction into the corresponding groove. The protrusion and the first wall clamp the corresponding end of the first end portion and the second end portion therebetween.

[0014] In some embodiments, the insulating housing further includes a second surface opposite to the first surface in the transverse direction and a slot recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the transverse direction. The slot is elongated in the vertical direction. The first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are bent into the slot and are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction. The two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the circuit board.

[0016] In some embodiments, the circuit board is a first circuit board. The electrical connector further includes a member that houses and holds the insulating housing therein, and the member is configured to be mounted on a second circuit board.

[0017] In some embodiments, the member includes a first channel and a second channel each extending along the lateral direction, the first channel and the second channel being arranged along the vertical direction and at least partially separated from each other in the vertical direction. The insulating housing is received and held in the first channel of the member. When the member is mounted on the second circuit board, the vertical direction is perpendicular to the surface of the second circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel and the second circuit board in the vertical direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a partition wall located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction. The partition wall at least partially separates the first channel and the second channel. The first channel is located between the top wall and the partition wall, and the second channel is located between the partition wall and the bottom wall. The insulating housing is held in the first channel by the top wall and the partition wall.

[0019] In some embodiments, the insulating housing includes a first end face and a second end face opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion and a second protrusion respectively protruding from the first end face and the second end face in the vertical direction. The member further includes a first receiving groove recessed from the first channel into the top wall in the vertical direction and extending along the lateral direction, and a second receiving groove recessed from the first channel into the partition wall in the vertical direction and extending along the lateral direction. The member further includes a first side face and a second side face opposite to each other in the lateral direction. The first channel and the second channel each extend from the first side face through the member along the lateral direction to the second side face. The first channel includes a first opening at the first side face and a second opening at the second side face. The insulating housing is inserted into the first channel from the second opening along the lateral direction, such that the first protrusion is received in the first receiving groove and engages with the end of the first receiving groove, and the second protrusion is received in the second receiving groove and engages with the end of the second receiving groove to limit further insertion of the insulating housing along the lateral direction towards the first opening.

[0020] In some embodiments, the insulating housing further includes a first snap member disposed at the first end face and a second snap member disposed at the second end face. The member further includes a first recess recessed from the first channel into the top wall and a second recess recessed from the first channel into the partition wall. When the first protrusion and the second protrusion are respectively engaged with the end of the first receiving groove and the end of the second receiving groove, the first snap member snaps into the first recess, and the second snap member snaps into the second recess to restrict the withdrawal of the insulating housing along the lateral direction towards the second opening.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first edge portion of the first circuit board is located within the first channel, the second edge portion of the first circuit board is located outside the member, and is aligned with the opening of the second channel in the vertical direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first circuit board includes a board body having a corner, a first side extending along the vertical direction, and a second side extending along the lateral direction. The first side and the second side intersect at the corner. The first edge portion extends from the first side along the lateral direction, and the second edge portion extends from the second side along the vertical direction. The member further includes a first side face and a second side face opposite to each other in the lateral direction. The first channel and the second channel each extend from the first side face along the lateral direction through the member to the second side face. The first channel includes a first opening at the first side face and a second opening at the second side face. The end of the partition wall is indented into the member relative to the second side face in the lateral direction to leave a space for communicating the first channel and the second channel therebetween. The insulating housing and the first edge portion of the first circuit board are inserted into the first channel from the second opening, and a section of the board body including the first side is located within the member and extends from the first channel through the space to the second channel. The corner is positioned in the second channel. The member further includes a shelf disposed in the second channel, and the shelf supports a section of the second side at the corner in the vertical direction.

[0023] In some embodiments, the shelf includes a support surface for supporting the section of the second side and a pair of protrusions protruding from the support surface along the vertical direction. The pair of protrusions are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the lateral direction, and receive and hold the corner therebetween.

[0024] In some embodiments, the board body further includes a third edge portion extending from the board body along the vertical direction opposite to the second edge portion and exceeding the first edge portion, the member further includes a third receiving groove recessed into the top wall from the first channel and extending along the transverse direction, and at least a part of the third edge portion is received in the third receiving groove.

[0025] In some embodiments, the end portion of the partition wall includes a notch recessed into the partition wall from the space along the transverse direction, and a section of the first side of the board body is received in the notch.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the member is mounted on the second circuit board, the outer surface of the bottom wall faces the surface of the second circuit board, the member further includes a first protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the bottom wall along the vertical direction and configured to be placed on the surface of the second circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the second circuit board.

[0027] In some embodiments, the member further includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall are opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, and each extends between the top wall and the bottom wall along the vertical direction. The member further includes a second protrusion protruding outward from the first side wall along the longitudinal direction and a third protrusion protruding outward from the second side wall along the longitudinal direction. The second protrusion and the third protrusion each include a mounting hole extending along the vertical direction for receiving a fastener for fixing the member to the second circuit board, and the second protrusion and the third protrusion are staggered relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first protrusion of the member includes a bottom surface configured to contact the surface of the second circuit board. The member further includes a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other in the lateral direction. The first channel and the second channel each extend from the first side surface through the member in the lateral direction to the second side surface. The first channel includes a first opening at the first side surface and a second opening at the second side surface. The insulating housing further includes a second surface and a slot that is recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface in the lateral direction. The slot is elongated in the vertical direction. The first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are bent into the slot and are arranged in two rows that each extend in the vertical direction. The two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the lateral direction. The insulating housing is inserted into the first channel from the second opening in the lateral direction such that the slot is exposed at the first opening. The vertical distance from the midpoint of the slot in the vertical direction to the bottom surface of the first protrusion of the member is 26.5 mm.

[0029] In some embodiments, the member is a metal casing.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second edge portion of the first circuit board is configured to be inserted into another electrical connector mounted on the second circuit board such that each of the plurality of second conductive pads mates with a corresponding conductive terminal of the another electrical connector.

[0031] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the first circuit board.

[0032] In another aspect, the present application provides an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include: an insulating housing; a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing, each conductive terminal including a first mating end, a second mating end opposite to the first mating end, and an intermediate portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end; a member including a first channel and a second channel each extending along a transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel being arranged in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, the member accommodating and holding the insulating housing in the first channel; and a circuit board including a first edge portion, a plurality of first conductive pads on the first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a plurality of second conductive pads on the second edge portion. The first edge portion is positioned in the first channel, and the second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is disposed on a corresponding first conductive pad among the plurality of first conductive pads. The second edge portion is located outside the member and is aligned with the opening of the second channel in the vertical direction.

[0033] In some embodiments, the member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a partition wall located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction, the partition wall at least partially separating the first channel and the second channel in the vertical direction, the first channel being located between the top wall and the partition wall, and the second channel being located between the partition wall and the bottom wall, the insulating housing being held in the first channel by the top wall and the partition wall.

[0034] In some embodiments, the insulating housing includes a first end face and a second end face opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the first end face and the second end face respectively in the vertical direction. The member further includes a first receiving groove recessed from the first channel into the top wall in the vertical direction and extending in the transverse direction, and a second receiving groove recessed from the first channel into the partition wall in the vertical direction and extending in the transverse direction. The member further includes a first side face and a second side face opposite to each other in the transverse direction. The first channel and the second channel each extend from the first side face in the transverse direction through the member to the second side face. The first channel includes a first opening at the first side face and a second opening at the second side face. The insulating housing is inserted into the first channel from the second opening in the transverse direction, such that the first protrusion is received in the first receiving groove and engages with an end of the first receiving groove, and the second protrusion is received in the second receiving groove and engages with an end of the second receiving groove to limit further insertion of the insulating housing in the transverse direction towards the first opening.

[0035] In some embodiments, the insulating housing further includes a first snap member provided at the first end face and a second snap member provided at the second end face. The member further includes a first recess recessed from the first channel into the top wall and a second recess recessed from the first channel into the partition wall. When the first protrusion and the second protrusion respectively engage with the end of the first receiving groove and the end of the second receiving groove, the first snap member snaps into the first recess, and the second snap member snaps into the second recess to limit withdrawal of the insulating housing in the transverse direction towards the second opening.

[0036] In some embodiments, the circuit board includes a board body having a corner, a first side extending along the vertical direction, and a second side extending along the horizontal direction. The first side and the second side intersect at the corner. The first edge portion extends from the first side along the horizontal direction, and the second edge portion extends from the second side along the vertical direction and extends beyond the first edge portion. The member further includes a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other in the horizontal direction. The first channel and the second channel each extend from the first side surface along the horizontal direction through the member to the second side surface. The first channel includes a first opening at the first side surface and a second opening at the second side surface. The end of the partition wall is indented into the member relative to the second side surface in the horizontal direction to leave a communicating space between the first channel and the second channel. The insulating housing and the first edge portion of the circuit board are inserted into the first channel from the second opening, and a section of the board body including the first side is located in the member and extends from the first channel through the space to the second channel. The corner is positioned in the second channel. The member further includes a shelf disposed in the second channel, and the shelf supports a section of the second side at the corner in the vertical direction.

[0037] In some embodiments, the shelf includes a support surface for supporting the section of the second side and a pair of protrusions protruding from the support surface along the vertical direction. The pair of protrusions are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and receive and hold the corner therebetween.

[0038] In some embodiments, the board body further includes a third edge portion extending from the board body along the vertical direction opposite to the second edge portion and extending beyond the first edge portion. The member further includes a receiving groove recessed from the first channel into the top wall and extending along the horizontal direction. At least a part of the third edge portion is received in the receiving groove.

[0039] In some embodiments, the end of the partition wall includes a notch recessed from the space into the partition wall along the horizontal direction, and a section of the first side of the board body is received in the notch.

[0040] In some embodiments, the circuit board is a first circuit board, and the component is configured to be mounted on a second circuit board. When the component is mounted on the second circuit board, the vertical direction is perpendicular to the surface of the second circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel and the second circuit board in the vertical direction.

[0041] In some embodiments, the component includes a top wall and a bottom wall that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction. When the component is mounted on the second circuit board, the outer surface of the bottom wall faces the surface of the second circuit board. The component further includes a first protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom wall along the vertical direction and is configured to rest on the surface of the second circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the second circuit board.

[0042] In some embodiments, the component further includes a first side wall and a second side wall that are opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and each extends between the top wall and the bottom wall along the vertical direction. The component further includes a second protrusion that protrudes outward from the first side wall along the longitudinal direction, and a third protrusion that protrudes outward from the second side wall along the longitudinal direction. The second protrusion and the third protrusion each include a mounting hole that extends along the vertical direction for receiving a fastener for fixing the component to the second circuit board, and the second protrusion and the third protrusion are staggered relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0043] In some embodiments, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction. The two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The first edge portion includes two surfaces that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first conductive pads are provided on the two surfaces. The first edge portion is positioned between the two rows of the second mating ends such that each of the two surfaces faces a corresponding row of the two rows.

[0044] In some embodiments, the insulating housing includes a first surface, and a first arm portion and a second arm portion that respectively extend from the first surface along the horizontal direction and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend out from the first surface and are located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and the first edge portion is held therebetween by the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

[0045] In some embodiments, the insulating housing further includes a second surface and a slot that is recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the transverse direction. The slot is elongated in the vertical direction. The first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are bent into the slot and are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction. The two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0046] In some embodiments, the second mating end of each conductive terminal of the plurality of conductive terminals is soldered to a corresponding first conductive pad.

[0047] In some embodiments, the plurality of first conductive pads are arranged along the vertical direction on the first edge portion, and the plurality of second conductive pads are arranged along the transverse direction on the second edge portion.

[0048] In some embodiments, the member is a metal jacket.

[0049] In some embodiments, each first conductive pad of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the circuit board.

[0050] In another aspect, the present application provides an electronic system. The electronic system may include: a first circuit board; and a first electrical connector. The first electrical connector may include: an insulating housing including a slot that is recessed into the insulating housing along a transverse direction and is elongated in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction; a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing, each conductive terminal including a first mating end, a second mating end opposite to the first mating end, and an intermediate portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals being exposed in the slot; and a member including a first channel and a second channel each extending along the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel being arranged along the vertical direction. The member houses and holds the insulating housing in the first channel, and the member is fixed on the surface of the first circuit board such that the vertical direction is perpendicular to the surface of the first circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel and the first circuit board in the vertical direction.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector includes a second circuit board. The second circuit board includes a first edge portion, a plurality of first conductive pads on the first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a plurality of second conductive pads on the second edge portion. The first edge portion is positioned within the first channel, and the second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is disposed on a corresponding one of the plurality of first conductive pads. The second edge portion is located outside the member and is aligned with the opening of the second channel in the vertical direction. The second edge portion is configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector mounted on the first circuit board.

[0052] In some embodiments, the member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a partition wall located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction. The partition wall at least partially separates the first channel and the second channel in the vertical direction. The first channel is located between the top wall and the partition wall, and the second channel is located between the partition wall and the bottom wall. The insulating housing is held in the first channel by the top wall and the partition wall.

[0053] In some embodiments, the second circuit board includes a board body having a corner, a first side edge extending along the vertical direction, and a second side edge extending along the horizontal direction. The first side edge and the second side edge intersect at the corner. The first edge portion extends from the first side edge along the horizontal direction, and the second edge portion extends from the second side edge along the vertical direction and extends beyond the first edge portion. The member further includes a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other in the horizontal direction. The first channel and the second channel each extend from the first side surface along the horizontal direction through the member to the second side surface. The first channel includes a first opening at the first side surface and a second opening at the second side surface. The end of the partition wall is indented into the member relative to the second side surface in the horizontal direction to leave a space communicating the first channel and the second channel therebetween. The insulating housing and the first edge portion of the second circuit board are inserted into the first channel from the second opening, and a section of the board body including the first side edge is located in the member and extends from the first channel through the space to the second channel. The corner is positioned in the second channel. The member further includes a shelf disposed in the second channel, and the shelf supports a section of the second side edge at the corner in the vertical direction.

[0054] In some embodiments, the shelf includes a support surface for supporting a section of the second side edge and a pair of protrusions protruding from the support surface along the vertical direction. The pair of protrusions are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, and receive and hold the corner portion therebetween.

[0055] In some embodiments, the board body further includes a third edge portion extending from the board body along the vertical direction opposite to the second edge portion and extending beyond the first edge portion. The member further includes a third receiving groove recessed into the top wall from the first channel and extending along the transverse direction. At least a portion of the third edge portion is received in the third receiving groove.

[0056] In some embodiments, the member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction. The outer surface of the bottom wall faces the surface of the first circuit board. The member further includes a first protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the bottom wall along the vertical direction and placed on the surface of the first circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the first circuit board.

[0057] In some embodiments, the member further includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, and each extending along the vertical direction between the top wall and the bottom wall. The member further includes a second protrusion protruding outward from the first side wall along the longitudinal direction and a third protrusion protruding outward from the second side wall along the longitudinal direction. The second protrusion and the third protrusion each include a mounting hole extending along the vertical direction. The second protrusion and the third protrusion are staggered relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The electronic system further includes a fastener disposed in the mounting hole and connected to the first circuit board to fix the member to the first circuit board.

[0058] In some embodiments, the electronic system includes a plurality of the first electrical connectors. The members of the plurality of first electrical connectors are fixed on the first circuit board and arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction such that the slots of the insulating housings of the plurality of first electrical connectors face the same direction. The second protrusion of one member and the third protrusion of another member in each adjacent pair of members in the row are adjacent to and staggered with each other in the longitudinal direction, and the distance between the longitudinal centerlines of the slots of each adjacent pair of the first electrical connectors is 9.2 mm.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows being opposite to and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the first edge portion includes two surfaces opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first conductive pads are provided on the two surfaces, the first edge portion being positioned between the two rows of the second mating ends such that each of the two surfaces faces a corresponding row of the two rows.

[0060] In some embodiments, the insulating housing includes a first surface, a first arm portion and a second arm portion respectively extending from the first surface along the horizontal direction and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend out from the first surface and are located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and the first edge portion is held therebetween by the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

[0061] In some embodiments, the insulating housing further includes a second surface, the slot is recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the horizontal direction, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are bent into the slot and are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows being opposite to and spaced apart from each other across the slot in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

[0062] In some embodiments, the second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is soldered to a corresponding first conductive pad.

[0063] In some embodiments, the plurality of first conductive pads are arranged along the vertical direction on the first edge portion, and the plurality of second conductive pads are arranged along the horizontal direction on the second edge portion.

[0064] In some embodiments, the member is a metal sheath.

[0065] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the second circuit board.

[0066] These techniques can be used alone or in any suitable combination. The foregoing summary is provided by way of illustration and is not meant to be limiting. Description of the Drawings

[0067] The above and other aspects of the present application will be more thoroughly understood and recognized in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are only schematic and not drawn to scale. In different drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, for the sake of brevity, not all components or parts of the electrical connector, circuit board, and electronic system according to the present application are shown or marked in the drawings. It should be understood that the dimensions, proportional relationships, and the number of components in the drawings are not limitations on the present application. In the drawings:

[0068] Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an electronic system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0069] Figure 2A is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0070] Figure 2B is Figure 2A another perspective view of the electrical connector;

[0071] Figure 2C is Figure 2A yet another perspective view of the electrical connector;

[0072] Figure 2D is Figure 2A yet another perspective view of the electrical connector;

[0073] Figure 2E is Figure 2A a front elevation view of the electrical connector;

[0074] Figure 3A is Figure 2A a partially exploded view of the electrical connector, showing the components, sub-connectors, and circuit board of the electrical connector;

[0075] Figure 3B is Figure 2A another partially exploded view of the electrical connector;

[0076] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view along line 4A-4A of Figure 2A ;

[0077] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view along line 4B-4B of Figure 2A ;

[0078] Figure 5A is a perspective view showing Figure 2A the electrical connector, in which the components are removed to show the sub-connectors and circuit board assembled together;

[0079] Figure 5B is a perspective view showing Figure 2AAnother perspective view of the electrical connector, wherein the member is removed to show the sub-connector and the circuit board assembled together;

[0080] Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 5A line 5C-5C;

[0081] Figure 6A is Figure 3A a perspective view of the sub-connector;

[0082] Figure 6B is Figure 6A another perspective view of the sub-connector;

[0083] Figure 6C is Figure 6A yet another perspective view of the sub-connector;

[0084] Figure 6D is Figure 6A still another perspective view of the sub-connector;

[0085] Figure 6E is Figure 6A a partially exploded view of the sub-connector, showing the insulating housing, the terminal assembly, and the locking member of the sub-connector;

[0086] Figure 7A is Figure 6E a perspective view of the insulating housing shown;

[0087] Figure 7B is Figure 7A an enlarged view of the area 7B circled by the dashed box in;

[0088] Figure 8A is Figure 6E a perspective view of the terminal assembly;

[0089] Figure 8B is Figure 8A another perspective view of the terminal assembly;

[0090] Figure 9A is Figure 3A a perspective view of the member;

[0091] Figure 9B is Figure 9A another perspective view of the member;

[0092] Figure 9C is Figure 9A yet another perspective view of the member;

[0093] Figure 9D is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 9A line 9D-9D;

[0094] Figure 10A schematically shows a plurality of Figure 2A isometric view of an electronic system in which the shown electrical connector is mounted on another circuit board; and

[0095] Figure 10B is Figure 10A top view of the electronic system of Detailed Description

[0096] Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. The electrical connector must have characteristics that meet the mechanical requirements of the electronic system. As an example, when the electrical connector is installed in an electronic system, the electrical connector must be reliably set in the electronic system. As another example, when there are restrictions on the space for deploying the electrical connector in the electronic system, the size of the electrical connector must meet such space restrictions. As yet another example, the electrical connector needs to have sufficient heat dissipation capacity. As still another example, it is desirable for the electrical connector to have a small footprint on the circuit board of the electronic system.

[0097] The inventors have recognized and realized such a design technique for an electrical connector that has characteristics that meet the mechanical requirements of an electronic system. This technique can achieve such an electrical connector that is taller, thinner, lighter in weight, has sufficient / enhanced mechanical strength, while meeting the physical requirements of standards such as the EDSFF standard (e.g., SFF-TA-1002). This technique would be particularly advantageous in a positive interconnection system.

[0098] The electrical connector may include a sub-connector having an insulating housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing. Each conductive terminal may include a first mating end, a second mating end opposite the first mating end, and an intermediate portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end. The insulating housing includes a slot that is elongated in a vertical direction. The first mating end of the conductive terminal may be exposed in the slot. The electrical connector may further include a circuit board. The circuit board may include a first edge portion extending along a transverse direction, a plurality of first conductive pads arranged on the first edge portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, a second edge portion extending along the vertical direction and extending beyond the first edge portion, and a plurality of second conductive pads arranged on the second edge portion in the transverse direction. The second mating end of each conductive terminal is disposed on a corresponding first conductive pad on the first edge portion.

[0099] Since the second edge portion of the circuit board extends along the vertical direction and extends beyond the first edge portion, the assembly formed by the sub-connector and the circuit board can have a relatively high height in the vertical direction. Such an assembly is suitable for being assembled in a compact space in an electronic system while being able to achieve sufficient heat dissipation. Such an assembly can meet the space requirements and heat dissipation requirements in the electronic system. Such an assembly is particularly suitable for meeting the physical requirements of the EDSFF standard (e.g., SFF-TA-1002).

[0100] The circuit board is the first circuit board. The electrical connector may further include a member that can receive and hold the insulating housing therein, and the member may be configured to be mounted on a second circuit board such as a main board. The member may include a first channel and a second channel each extending along the transverse direction. The first channel and the second channel are arranged along the vertical direction and are at least partially separated from each other in the vertical direction. The insulating housing can be received and held in the first channel of the member. When the member is mounted on the second circuit board, the vertical direction is perpendicular to the surface of the second circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel (and the insulating housing in the first channel) and the second circuit board in the vertical direction. That is, the second channel is located between the sub-connector and the second circuit board in the vertical direction.

[0101] With such a configuration, the assembly (i.e., the electrical connector) formed by the sub-connector, the circuit board, and the member can have a relatively high height in the vertical direction. Such an electrical connector is structurally compact, suitable for being assembled in a compact space in an electronic system while being able to achieve sufficient heat dissipation. Such an electrical connector can meet the space requirements and heat dissipation requirements in the electronic system. Such an electrical connector is particularly suitable for meeting the physical requirements of the EDSFF standard (SFF-TA-1002).

[0102] In some electronic systems, a cooling fan may be provided to allow air to flow through the circuit board and electrical components of the electronic system. The second channel of the member of the electrical connector can be used as an air flow channel to allow air to pass through it. Since an air flow channel is provided between the sub-connector and the second circuit board, the resistance of the electrical connector to air flow is reduced, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance. In addition, since the second channel is formed, the weight of the member and the electrical connector can be reduced. In addition, the member can reliably and firmly support the sub-connector and the first circuit board above the second circuit board, thereby improving the connection reliability of the electrical connector to the second circuit board.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first edge portion of the first circuit board is located within the first channel. The second edge portion of the first circuit board is located outside the component and is aligned with the opening of the second channel in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the second channel can direct the air flowing through the second channel to the second edge portion of the first circuit board, that is, to the portion where the first circuit board mates with another electrical connector on the second circuit board, to help dissipate the heat generated at the mating portion. This configuration can improve the heat dissipation performance of the electronic system.

[0104] When the component is mounted on the second circuit board, the outer surface of the bottom wall of the component can face the surface of the second circuit board. In some embodiments, the component may include a first protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom wall in the vertical direction and is configured to rest on the surface of the second circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the second circuit board. With this configuration, the occupied space of the component on the second circuit board can be reduced, and the heat dissipation performance of the electronic system can be improved.

[0105] The component may include a first side wall and a second side wall that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and each extends between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the component may include a second protrusion that protrudes outward from the first side wall in the longitudinal direction, and a third protrusion that protrudes outward from the second side wall in the longitudinal direction. The second protrusion and the third protrusion each include a mounting hole that extends in the vertical direction for receiving a fastener for fixing the component to the second circuit board. The second protrusion and the third protrusion are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, when a plurality of electrical connectors are mounted on the second circuit board, the protrusions of adjacent two electrical connectors can be arranged offset from each other. In this way, a plurality of electrical connectors can be arranged on the second circuit board with a higher density to achieve a high-density and small-pitch connector layout.

[0106] Some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments do not impose any limitation on the present application. In addition, the features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0107] Figure 1 An electronic system 1 including a circuit board 3, an electrical connector 5, and an electrical connector 10 is schematically shown according to some embodiments of the present application. Figures 2A to 9D The configuration of the electrical connector 10 is shown in detail. Figures 10A to 10B An electronic system 1' including a circuit board 3 and a plurality of electrical connectors 10 is shown. For the sake of clarity and conciseness of description, in Figures 1 to 10BThe transverse direction X-X, the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and the vertical direction Z-Z are defined. The transverse direction X-X, the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and the vertical direction Z-Z are perpendicular to each other. The transverse direction X-X generally refers to the length direction of the electrical connector 10. The longitudinal direction Y-Y generally refers to the width direction of the electrical connector 10. The vertical direction Z-Z generally refers to the height direction of the electrical connector 10.

[0108] As Figure 1 shown, the electronic system 1 may include a circuit board 3, an electrical connector 5, and an electrical connector 10. The circuit board 3 may be a main board of a server, a switch, or other computing device. The electrical connector 5 may be an on-board connector that is mounted and connected to the circuit board 3. The electrical connector 5 may be mechanically fixed to the circuit board 3 and electrically connected to the conductive structure (e.g., conductive pads or conductive vias) of the circuit board 3. The electrical connector 5 may provide an electrical interface for electrically connecting the electrical connector 10 to the circuit board 3.

[0109] The electrical connector 10 may be configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrical connector 5 and an electrical component (not shown). The electrical component may be, for example, another circuit board. Exemplarily, the other circuit board may be a plug-in card such as a solid state drive (SSD), a network interface card (NIC), a graphics processing unit (GPU). The electrical connector 10 may be fixed to the circuit board 3 (e.g., on the surface 3a of the circuit board 3) and cooperate with the electrical connector 5 to be electrically connected to the circuit board 3 through the electrical connector 5. Another circuit board such as a plug-in card may be inserted into a slot (to be described below) of the electrical connector 10 to cooperate with the electrical connector 10. In this way, the other circuit board may be electrically connected to the circuit board 3 through the electrical connector 10 and the electrical connector 5 to achieve signal and / or power transmission between the other circuit board and the circuit board 3. The other circuit board and the circuit board 3 may be orthogonal to each other. The electrical connector 10 may be referred to as an orthogonal connector.

[0110] It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the electrical connector 10 may be configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrical connector 5 and another electrical connector such as a plug connector, which may be mounted on another circuit board or attached with a cable.

[0111] Figures 2A to 9D The configuration of the electrical connector 10 is shown in detail. As Figure 3A and Figure 3B shown, the electrical connector 10 may include a sub-connector 100, a circuit board 200, and a member 300. As Figures 2A to 2EAs shown, a portion of the sub - connector 100 and the circuit board 200 can be accommodated and held in the member 300. As will be described below, the member 300 can be configured to be fixed to the surface 3a of the circuit board 3, thereby holding the sub - connector 100 and the circuit board 200 fixed relative to the circuit board 3.

[0112] Figures 6A to 8B The configuration of the sub - connector 100 is shown in detail. As Figures 6A to 6E shown, the sub - connector 100 can include an insulating housing 400, a terminal assembly 500 disposed in the insulating housing 400, and a locking member 600. The terminal assembly 500 can include a plurality of conductive terminals (or may be referred to as "conductive elements" or "contacts") 510 and a terminal holding member 520. The insulating housing 400 and the terminal holding member 520 can be made of insulating materials respectively. Examples of insulating materials suitable for manufacturing the insulating housing 100 and the terminal holding member 520 include, but are not limited to, plastics, nylons, liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), polyphenylene sulfides (PPSs), high - temperature nylons, or polyphenylene ethers (PPOs) or polypropylenes (PPs). Each of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can be formed of a conductive material. The conductive material suitable for manufacturing the conductive terminals 510 can be a metallic material, such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0113] The insulating housing 400 can include a first face 401 and a second face 402 that are opposite to each other in the lateral direction X - X, a third face 403 and a fourth face 404 that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y - Y, and a fifth face 405 and a sixth face 406 that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction Z - Z. The first face 401 can also be referred to as the mounting face, the second face 402 can also be referred to as the mating face, the third face 403 and the fourth face 404 can also be referred to as the first side face and the second side face respectively, and the fifth face 405 and the sixth face 406 can also be referred to as the first end face and the second end face respectively.

[0114] As Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6E shown, the insulating housing 400 can include a slot 410 that is recessed into the insulating housing 400 from the second face 402 along the lateral direction X - X. The slot 410 can be elongated in the vertical direction Z - Z. As will be described below, another circuit board such as a plug - in card or a plug connector can be inserted into the slot 410 of the insulating housing 400 to establish an electrical connection with the conductive terminals 510 of the sub - connector 100. The slot 410 is configured to receive an edge portion of a plug - in card or a plug portion of a plug connector. Although the insulating housing 400 is shown as including a single slot 410, it should be understood that the insulating housing 400 can include more than one slot. For example, a plurality of slots can be spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction Z - Z.

[0115] In some embodiments, asFigure 6E , Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown in ,

[0116] , multiple conductive terminals 510 can be held in place relative to each other by a terminal holding member 520 to form a terminal assembly 500. The terminal assembly 500 can be disposed in an insulating housing 400 to hold the multiple conductive terminals 510 in the insulating housing 400.

[0116] As Figure 8A and Figure 8B best shown in Figure 8A and Figure 8B , each conductive terminal 510 includes a first mating end 511, a second mating end 512 opposite the first mating end 511, and an intermediate portion 513 connecting the first mating end 511 and the second mating end 512. The intermediate portion 513 extends between the first mating end 511 and the second mating end 512. Each conductive terminal 510 can provide an electrical conduction path from the first mating end 511 via the intermediate portion 513 to the second mating end 512. As will be described in detail below, the first mating end 511 can be configured to establish an electrical connection with a mating conductive structure (e.g., a conductive pad or a conductive terminal) on another circuit board such as a plug-in card or another plug connector, while the second mating end 512 can be configured to establish an electrical connection with a mating conductive structure (e.g., a conductive pad) on the circuit board 200 of the electrical connector 10. The second mating end 512 can also be referred to as a mounting end or a tail end.

[0117] As Figure 6E , Figure 8A and Figure 8B shown in Figure 6E , Figure 8A , and Figure 8B , the intermediate portions 503 of the multiple conductive terminals 510 can be at least partially held by the terminal holding member 520 such that the multiple conductive terminals 510 are held in place relative to each other by the terminal holding member 520. Exemplarily, the terminal holding member 520 can be molded around the intermediate portions 503 of the multiple conductive terminals 510, or the terminal holding member 520 can be formed with terminal channels, and the intermediate portions 503 of the terminal holding member 520 can be inserted and held in the terminal channels. The multiple conductive terminals 510 can be arranged in two terminal rows each extending along the vertical direction Z-Z, and the two terminal rows are opposite and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The conductive terminals 510 in each terminal row are aligned and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z-Z. The terminal holding member 520 can include a single piece or multiple pieces connected together.

[0118] As Figure 8A and Figure 8B shown in Figure 8A and Figure 8B , the first mating ends 511 of the multiple conductive terminals 510 can be arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction Z-Z, and the two rows are opposite and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The first mating ends 511 in each row are aligned and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z-Z. In addition, asFigure 8A and Figure 8B As shown in Figure 8B , the second mating ends 512 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction Z-Z, the two rows being opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The second mating ends 512 in each row are aligned with each other and spaced apart in the vertical direction Z-Z.

[0119] The plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be configured to transmit power and / or signals. For example, each row of terminals may include pairs of signal terminals and ground terminals that space adjacent pairs of the signal terminals apart from each other. The pairs of signal terminals may be configured as differential signal pairs for transmitting differential signals. Specifically, one of a pair of signal terminals may be excited by a first voltage, and the other may be excited by a second voltage. The voltage difference between a pair of signal terminals represents the signal. As another example, the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may include power terminals configured to transmit power. The signal terminals, ground terminals, and power terminals may have substantially the same configuration. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the configuration of the illustrated conductive terminals 510. The plurality of conductive terminals 510 of the electrical connector 10 may have any suitable configuration to achieve the transmission of power and / or signals.

[0120] As Figure 7A shown, the insulating housing 400 may include a space 420 recessed into the insulating housing 400 from the first face 401 along the transverse direction X-X. The space 420 may communicate with the slot 410. The terminal assembly 500 may be inserted into and held in the space 420, and the first mating ends 511 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be positioned in the slot 410. The insulating housing 400 may include a recess 430 recessed into the insulating housing 400 from the space 420 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The terminal holding member 520 may include a protrusion 521. When the terminal assembly 500 is inserted into the space 420 of the insulating housing 400, the protrusion 521 engages with the recess 430 so that the terminal assembly 500 is held in the space 420. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. The terminal assembly 500 may be held in the insulating housing 400 by any suitable means or mechanism.

[0121] As Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, when the terminal assembly 500 is disposed in the insulating housing 400, the first mating ends 511 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can be bent into the slots 410 and are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction Z-Z as described above. The two rows of the first mating ends 511 face each other and are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y across the slots 410. As an example, an edge portion of another circuit board, such as a plug-in card, can be inserted into the slots 410 and positioned between the two rows of the first mating ends 511 such that mating conductive pads on the edge portion contact the first mating ends 511 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510. In this way, a separable electrical connection can be established between the sub-connector 100 and the other circuit board. As another example, a plug portion of a plug connector can be inserted into the slots 410 and positioned between the two rows of the first mating ends 511 such that the mating ends of the mating conductive terminals on the plug portion contact the first mating ends 511 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510. In this way, a separable electrical connection can be established between the sub-connector 100 and the plug connector. Although the insulating housing 400 is shown as including a single slot 410 and all of the first mating ends 511 of the conductive terminals 510 are disposed in the slot 410, it should be understood that the insulating housing 400 can include a plurality of slots and the first mating ends 511 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can be respectively disposed in corresponding slots among the plurality of slots.

[0122] As Figure 6C and Figure 6D shown, when the terminal assembly 500 is disposed in the insulating housing 400, the second mating ends 512 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can protrude from the first surface 401 and are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction Z-Z as described above. The two rows of the second mating ends 512 face each other and are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y.

[0123] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The configuration of the circuit board 200 is shown in detail. The circuit board 200 can also be referred to as a printed circuit board (PCB). As Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, the circuit board 200 may include a first edge portion 210 extending along the lateral direction X-X, a plurality of first conductive pads 230 arranged on the first edge portion 210 along the vertical direction Z-Z (the vertical direction Z-Z is perpendicular to the lateral direction X-X), a second edge portion 220 extending along the vertical direction Z-Z and extending beyond the first edge portion 210, and a plurality of second conductive pads 240 arranged on the second edge portion 220 along the lateral direction X-X. That is, the first edge portion 210 and the second edge portion 220 extend along orthogonal directions. The first edge portion 210 may extend along the vertical direction Z-Z, and the second edge portion 220 may extend along the lateral direction X-X. Each of the plurality of first conductive pads 230 may be electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad 240 among the plurality of second conductive pads 240 through a corresponding conductive structure such as a conductive trace or a conductive layer of the circuit board 200.

[0124] As will be specifically described below, the first conductive pads 230 may be configured to establish an electrical connection with the second mating ends 512 of the corresponding conductive terminals 510 of the sub-connector 100. The first edge portion 210 includes a first surface 211 and a second surface 212 that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and the plurality of first conductive pads 230 are disposed on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212. Specifically, a first portion of the plurality of first conductive pads 230 is disposed on the first surface 211 and arranged along the vertical direction Z-Z. A second portion of the plurality of first conductive pads 230 is disposed on the second surface 212 and arranged along the vertical direction Z-Z. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. The first edge portion 210 may have first conductive pads only on one of its surfaces.

[0125] The second edge portion 220 is configured to be inserted into the electrical connector 5 mounted on the circuit board 3 so that each of the plurality of second conductive pads 240 cooperates with a corresponding conductive terminal (not shown) of the electrical connector 5 to establish an electrical connection between the circuit board 200 and the electrical connector 5. The second edge portion 220 may be referred to as the insertion portion of the circuit board 200. The second edge portion 220 includes a first surface 221 and a second surface 222 that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and the plurality of second conductive pads 240 are disposed on the first surface 221 and the second surface 222. Specifically, a first portion of the plurality of second conductive pads 240 is disposed on the first surface 221 and arranged along the vertical direction Z-Z. A second portion of the plurality of second conductive pads 240 is disposed on the second surface 222 and arranged along the vertical direction Z-Z. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. The second edge portion 220 may have second conductive pads only on one of its surfaces.

[0126] It should be understood that the first conductive pad 230 and the second conductive pad 240 are not limited to the rectangular shape shown in the figure, but can have any suitable shape. It should also be understood that although the first conductive pad 230 and the second conductive pad 240 are shown as separate conductive pads, in other partial embodiments, the first conductive pad 230 and / or the second conductive pad 240 can be a continuous conductive region. In this case, the first mating ends 511 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can be connected to the same first conductive pad 230, and / or the plurality of conductive terminals of the electrical connector 5 can be connected to the same second conductive pad 240.

[0127] The circuit board 200 can be connected to the sub-connector 100. The circuit board 200 can be fixedly arranged relative to the insulating housing 400. In some embodiments, as will be specifically described below, the insulating housing 400 can be fixed on the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200. As Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown, the second mating end 512 of each of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can be arranged on and in contact with the corresponding first conductive pad 230 among the plurality of first conductive pads 230 on the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200. In this way, an electrical connection can be established between the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200. The sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200 can form an assembly (this assembly can also be referred to as an "electrical connector"). The second edge portion 220 of the circuit board 200 extends along the vertical direction Z-Z and extends beyond the first edge portion 210, so the assembly formed by the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200 can have a relatively high height in the vertical direction Z-Z. Such an assembly is suitable for being assembled in a compact space in an electronic system, while being able to achieve sufficient heat dissipation. In other words, such an assembly can meet the space requirements and heat dissipation requirements in an electronic system. Such an assembly is particularly suitable for meeting the physical requirements of the EDSFF standard (for example, SFF-TA-1002).

[0128] As Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown, the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 is positioned between two rows of the second mating ends 512 of the conductive terminals 510, such that each of the first surface 221 and the second surface 222 of the first edge portion 210 faces the corresponding row in the two rows. Each second mating end 512 is positioned on and in contact with the corresponding first conductive pad 230. For each conductive terminal 510, the second mating end 512 can extend bendably from the middle portion 513 to press against the corresponding first conductive pad 230. In some embodiments, as Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, for each conductive terminal 510, the second mating end 512 can be soldered (e.g., by surface mount technology) to the corresponding first conductive pad 230. In other exemplary embodiments, for each conductive terminal 510, the second mating end 512 can be elastically pressed against the corresponding first conductive pad 230 such that contact is maintained between the second mating end 512 and the corresponding first conductive pad 230 solely by elastic pressure.

[0129] In some embodiments, as Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown, the insulating housing 400 can include a first arm portion 440 and a second arm portion 450 to receive and hold the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200. The first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450 extend from the first surface 401 along the transverse direction X-X and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z-Z. As Figures 6C to 6D shown, the second mating ends 512 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 can protrude from the first surface 401 and be located between the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450. As Figures 6C to 6D and Figures 7A to 7B shown, the first arm portion 440 can include a first groove 441, and the second arm portion 450 can include a second groove 451. The first groove 441 is recessed into the first arm portion 440 along the vertical direction Z-Z and extends along the transverse direction X-X. The second groove 451 is recessed into the second arm portion 450 along the vertical direction Z-Z and extends along the transverse direction X-X. The first groove 441 and the second groove 451 can be arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction Z-Z. The first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 is inserted between the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450 such that the first end portion 213 and the second end portion 214 ( Figure 3A and Figure 3B ) of the first edge portion 210 that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction Z-Z are respectively received in the first groove 441 and the second groove 451, so that the first edge portion 210 is held therebetween by the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450. In this way, the circuit board 200 can be fixedly arranged relative to the insulating housing 400. In other words, the insulating housing 400 can be mounted on the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200. The first surface 401 of the insulating housing 400 faces the edge of the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200.

[0130] As Figure 7B best shown, the first groove 441 of the first arm portion 440 includes a first wall 441a and a second wall 441b that face each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y and a bottom wall 441c that extends between the first wall 441a and the second wall 441b. In some embodiments, as Figure 7BAs shown, the first arm portion 440 may include a channel 443 that extends from the outer side of the first wall 441a along the longitudinal direction Y-Y through the first wall 441a to the first groove 441. The locking member 600 may also be referred to as a circuit board lock. The locking member 600 may be inserted into the channel 443 of the first arm portion 440 and extend into the first groove 441 to engage with the first edge portion 210 to hold the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400. The engagement of the locking member 600 with the first edge portion 210 can at least limit the movement of the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400 along the transverse direction X-X. With this configuration, the circuit board 200 can be reliably held in place relative to the insulating housing 400. In some embodiments, as Figure 5C and Figure 6E shown, the locking member 600 may include a barb feature 601 to enhance the engagement with the inner wall of the channel 443.

[0131] In some embodiments, as Figure 3A and Figure 5C shown, the circuit board 200 may include a locking pad 250 provided on the first edge portion 210. As Figure 5C best shown, the locking pad 250 faces the channel 443 of the first arm portion 440 and is aligned with the channel 443. The locking member 600 is soldered to the locking pad 250 to hold the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400. With this configuration, the connection reliability between the circuit board 200 and the sub-connector 100 can be improved. For example, a reflow soldering technique may be employed to solder the second mating end 512 of the conductive terminal 510 to the corresponding first conductive pad 230 of the first edge portion 210 in the same soldering process while soldering the locking member 600 to the locking pad 250. With this configuration, the efficiency of assembling the circuit board 200 and the sub-connector 100 together can be improved.

[0132] It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. The locking member 600 may engage with other suitable structures of the first edge portion 210 to hold the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400. For example, in some other embodiments, the first edge portion 210 may include a jack (not shown), and a part of the locking member 600 may be inserted into the jack to hold the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400.

[0133] In some embodiments, as Figure 7B shown, the first arm portion 440 may include a protrusion 445 that protrudes from the second wall 441b of the first groove 441 into the first groove 441 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The protrusion 445 may be in the form of a rib and extend along the transverse direction X-X. The first wall 441a may be flat. As Figure 5CAs shown, the protrusion 445 and the first wall 441a can clamp the first end 213 of the first edge portion 210 therebetween. The protrusion 445 and the first wall 441a can restrict the movement of the first end 213 of the first edge portion 210 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. In this way, the first end 213 of the first edge portion 210 can be firmly held in the first groove 441.

[0134] As Figure 6C , Figure 6D and Figure 7A shown, the configuration of the second arm portion 450 can be similar to the configuration of the first arm portion 440. Another locking member 600 can be disposed in the second arm portion 450 in a similar manner to engage with the first edge portion 210, thereby holding the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400. For the sake of brevity, the details of these identical parts will not be described again. It can be envisioned that each of the first groove 441 of the first arm portion 440 and the second groove 451 of the second arm portion 450 may include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and each of the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450 further includes a channel extending from the outside of the corresponding first wall along the longitudinal direction Y-Y through the first wall into the corresponding groove. The locking member 600 can be inserted into the channel of the corresponding arm portion and extend into the corresponding groove to engage with the first edge portion 210, thereby holding the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400. Each of the first groove 441 of the first arm portion 440 and the second groove 451 of the second arm portion 450 may further include a protrusion protruding from the corresponding second wall along the longitudinal direction Y-Y into the groove. The protrusion and the first wall clamp the corresponding end of the first end 213 and the second end 214 of the first edge portion 210 therebetween. In this way, the movement of the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y can be restricted. Each of the locking pads 250 on the first edge portion 210 can face and be aligned with the channel of the corresponding arm portion of the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450, and the corresponding locking member 600 can be welded to the locking pad 250. When the first edge portion 210 is held between the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450, the first end 213 of the first edge portion 210 can engage with the bottom wall 441c of the first groove 441, and the second end 214 can engage with the bottom wall (not labeled) of the second groove 451 to restrict the movement of the first edge portion 210 relative to the insulating housing 400 along the vertical direction Z-Z.

[0135] Although it is described above that the plurality of conductive terminals 510 are held in place relative to each other by the terminal holding member 520 to form the terminal assembly 500, and the terminal assembly 500 is disposed in the insulating housing 400 to hold the plurality of conductive terminals 510 in the insulating housing 400, it should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. In other partial embodiments, the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be arranged and held in the insulating housing 400 in any other manner. For example, the insulating housing 400 may be directly molded around the plurality of conductive terminals 510, or the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be directly inserted into the terminal channels formed in the insulating housing 400.

[0136] Although it is described above that the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 is held by the first arm portion 440 and the second arm portion 450 of the insulating housing 400, it should be understood that the circuit board 200 may be mechanically coupled to the insulating housing 400 by any other suitable means. In addition, in other partial embodiments, as will be specifically described below, the circuit board 200 may be held in place relative to the insulating housing 400 by the member 300.

[0137] Although it is described above that the second mating ends 512 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 protrude from the first surface 401, it should be understood that the second mating ends 512 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be located within the insulating housing 400. For example, the insulating housing 400 may include a slot that is recessed into the insulating housing 400 from the first surface 401 along the transverse direction X-X, and the second mating ends 512 of the plurality of conductive terminals 510 may be bent into the slot and arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction Z-Z. The two rows of the second mating ends 512 are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. In this case, the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 may be inserted into the slot and positioned between the two rows of the second mating ends 512. The second mating end 512 of each conductive terminal 510 may be in electrical contact with the corresponding first conductive pad 230.

[0138] As Figures 2A to 2E and Figures 4A to 4B shown, the member 300 may receive and hold the insulating housing 400 of the sub-connector 100 therein. Accordingly, the conductive terminals 510 of the sub-connector 100 are also held in the member 300. As Figure 1As shown, the member 300 can be fixed to the circuit board 3. As described above, the circuit board 200 is fixedly arranged relative to the insulating housing 400. Therefore, the member 300 can hold the sub-connector 100 (which includes the insulating housing 400 and the conductive terminals 510) and the circuit board 200 fixed relative to the circuit board 3. When the member 300 is mounted on the circuit board 3, the vertical direction Z-Z is perpendicular to the surface 3a of the circuit board 3. That is to say, the electrical connector 10 is fixedly oriented on the circuit board 3 with the vertical direction Z-Z perpendicular to the surface 3a of the circuit board 3. The elongation direction of the slot 410 of the insulating housing 400 is also perpendicular to the surface 3a of the circuit board 3.

[0139] Figures 9A to 9D The configuration of the member 300 is shown in detail. The member 300 can also be referred to as a holder or a shell. As Figures 9A to 9D shown, the member 300 can include a top wall 310 and a bottom wall 320 that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction Z-Z, a first side surface 330 and a second side surface 340 that are opposite to each other in the lateral direction X-X, and a first side wall 350 and a second side wall 360 that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The first side wall 350 and the second side wall 360 each extend between the top wall 310 and the bottom wall 320 along the vertical direction Z-Z. In some embodiments, the member 300 can be made of a metal material. In other words, the member 300 can be a metal shell.

[0140] The member 300 can include a first channel 371 and a second channel 372 that each extend along the lateral direction X-X. The first channel 371 and the second channel 372 can also be referred to as the first port and the second port, respectively. The first channel 371 and the second channel 372 can each extend from the first side surface 330 along the lateral direction X-X through the member 300 to the second side surface 340. As Figure 9D shown, the first channel 371 can include a first opening 371a at the first side surface 330 and a second opening 371b at the second side surface 340. The second channel 372 can include a third opening 372a at the first side surface 330 and a fourth opening 372b at the second side surface 340. The first channel 371 and the second channel 372 are arranged along the vertical direction Z-Z and are at least partially separated from each other in the vertical direction Z-Z.

[0141] The insulating housing 400 can be received and held within the first channel 371 of the member 300. When the member 300 is mounted onto the circuit board 3, the second channel 372 is located between the first channel 371 and the circuit board 3 in the vertical direction Z-Z. With this configuration, the assembly formed by the sub-connector 100, the circuit board 200, and the member 300 (i.e., the electrical connector 10) can have a relatively high height in the vertical direction Z-Z. This electrical connector 10 is structurally compact and suitable for being assembled in a compact space within an electronic system, while enabling sufficient heat dissipation. In other words, the electrical connector 10 can meet the space requirements and heat dissipation requirements in an electronic system. This electrical connector 10 is particularly suitable for meeting the physical requirements of the EDSFF standard (SFF-TA-1002). In some electronic systems, a cooling fan may be provided to allow air to flow through the circuit boards and electrical components of the electronic system. The second channel 372 can be used as an air flow channel to allow air to pass therethrough. Since an air flow channel is provided between the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 3, the resistance of the electrical connector 10 to air flow is reduced, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance. In addition, since the second channel 372 is formed, the weight of the member 300 and the electrical connector 10 can be reduced. Moreover, the member 300 can reliably and firmly support the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200 above the circuit board 3, thereby improving the connection reliability of the electrical connector 10 to the circuit board 3.

[0142] When the member 300 is mounted onto the circuit board 3, the bottom wall 320 of the member 300 is closer to the surface 3a of the circuit board 3 than the top wall 310 in the vertical direction Z-Z. The member 300 may include a partition wall 380 located between the top wall 310 and the bottom wall 320 in the vertical direction Z-Z. The partition wall 380 at least partially separates the first channel 371 and the second channel 372. The first channel 371 is located between the top wall 310 and the partition wall 380, and the second channel 372 is located between the partition wall 380 and the bottom wall 320.

[0143] In some embodiments, as Figure 4A shown, the insulating housing 400 can be held within the first channel 371 by the top wall 310 and the partition wall 380 of the member 300. Specifically, as Figures 6A to 6D shown, the insulating housing 400 may include a first protrusion 405a protruding in the vertical direction Z-Z from the fifth surface 405 and a second protrusion 406a protruding in the vertical direction Z-Z from the sixth surface 406. Although three first protrusions 405a and two second protrusions 406a are shown in the figure, it should be understood that the number of the first protrusions 405a and the second protrusions 406a is not limited thereto. The insulating housing 400 may include at least one first protrusion 405a and at least one second protrusion 406a. As Figure 9B and Figure 9DAs shown, the member 300 may include a first receiving groove 311 that is recessed from the first channel 371 into the top wall 310 in the vertical direction Z-Z and extends in the lateral direction X-X. The number of the first receiving grooves 311 corresponds to the number of the first protrusions 405a of the insulating housing 400. As Figure 9B and Figure 9D shown, the member 300 may include a second receiving groove 381 that is recessed from the first channel 371 into the partition wall 380 in the vertical direction Z-Z and extends in the lateral direction X-X. The number of the second receiving grooves 381 corresponds to the number of the second protrusions 406a of the insulating housing 400.

[0144] The insulating housing 400 may be inserted into the first channel 371 from the second opening 371b of the first channel 371 in the lateral direction X-X. The first protrusion 405a is received in the corresponding first receiving groove 311 and engages with the end of the corresponding first receiving groove 311 (as Figure 4A shown), and the second protrusion 406a is received in the corresponding second receiving groove 381 and engages with the end of the corresponding second receiving groove 381 to limit the further insertion of the insulating housing 400 in the lateral direction X-X toward the first opening 371a.

[0145] In some embodiments, as Figures 6A to 6D shown, the insulating housing 400 may include a first locking member 405b provided at the fifth surface 405 and a second locking member 406b provided at the sixth surface 406. As Figures 9B to 9D shown, the member 300 may include a first recess 313 recessed from the first channel 371 into the top wall 310 and a second recess 323 recessed from the first channel 371 into the partition wall 380. When the first protrusion 405a and the second protrusion 406a engage with the ends of the first receiving groove 311 and the second receiving groove 381 respectively, the first locking member 405b snaps into the first recess 313, and the second locking member 406b snaps into the second recess 323 to limit the withdrawal of the insulating housing 400 in the lateral direction X-X toward the second opening 371b. Through the protrusion-receiving groove and the locking member-recess configuration, the member 300 can reliably hold the insulating housing 400 in the lateral direction X-X, and thus reliably hold the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200. In addition, this configuration can improve the assembly efficiency of the electrical connector 10.

[0146] In one of these embodiments, the top wall 310 of the member 300 may have an opening 314 extending in the vertical direction Z-Z so that the first locking member 405b snapped into the first recess 313 can be accessed and released from the outside, thereby allowing the insulating housing 400 to be withdrawn in the lateral direction X-X toward the second opening 371b.

[0147] In some embodiments, when the insulating housing 400 is inserted into the first channel 371, the first protrusion 405a and the second protrusion 406a can slide along the corresponding first receiving groove 311 and the corresponding second receiving groove 381 respectively to guide the movement of the insulating housing 400 along the transverse direction X-X.

[0148] As Figure 9B shown, the first receiving groove 311 can include two side walls 311a and 311b that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction and a bottom wall 311c that extends between the two side walls 311a and 311b. As Figure 9A shown, the second receiving groove 381 can include two side walls 381a and 381b that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction and a bottom wall 318c that extends between the two side walls 381a and 381b. In some embodiments, the first protrusion 405a can engage with the two side walls 311a and 311b of the corresponding first receiving groove 311, and the second protrusion 406a can engage with the two side walls 381a and 381b of the corresponding second receiving groove 381 to limit the movement of the insulating housing 400 relative to the member 300 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. With this configuration, the member 300 can reliably hold the insulating housing 400 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and thus reliably hold the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200. In addition, this configuration can improve the assembly efficiency of the electrical connector 10. The third surface 403 and the fourth surface 404 of the insulating housing 400 can be spaced apart from the first side wall 350 and the second side wall 360 of the member 300 respectively so that air can flow through therebetween, thereby helping to dissipate the heat emitted by the sub-connector 100. The insulating housing 400 can include heat dissipation holes (not shown) that extend through the third surface 403 and the fourth surface 404 from the inside along the longitudinal direction Y-Y.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 405a can engage with the bottom wall 311c of the first receiving groove 311, and the second protrusion 406a can engage with the bottom wall 318c of the second receiving groove 381 to limit the movement of the insulating housing 400 relative to the member 300 along the vertical direction Z-Z. With this configuration, the member 300 can reliably hold the insulating housing 400 in the vertical direction Z-Z, and thus reliably hold the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200. In addition, this configuration can improve the assembly efficiency of the electrical connector 10.

[0150] In some embodiments, as Figures 5A to 5CAs shown, before the sub-connector 100 is inserted into the first channel 371 of the member 300, the circuit board 200 can be connected to the sub-connector 100. Subsequently, the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 can be inserted into the first channel 371 of the member 300 together with the sub-connector 100. The insulating housing 400 is accommodated and held within the first channel 371 of the member 300 as described above. Thus, the circuit board 200 can be held in place relative to the member 300 by the insulating housing 400. As Figure 4A shown, the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 is located within the first channel 371. As Figures 2A to 2D and Figure 4A shown, the second edge portion 220 of the circuit board 200 is located outside the member 300 and is aligned with the openings of the second channel 372 (i.e., the third opening 372a and the fourth opening 372b) in the vertical direction Z-Z. That is, the second edge portion 220 of the circuit board 200 and the second channel 372 of the member 300 are in positions having the same height in the vertical direction Z-Z. With this configuration, the second channel 372 can guide the air flowing through the second channel 372 to the second edge portion 220 of the circuit board 200, that is, to the portion where the circuit board 200 mates with the electrical connector 5 on the circuit board 3, to help evacuate the heat generated at this mating portion. This configuration can improve the heat dissipation performance of the electronic system 1.

[0151] As Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 4A shown, the circuit board 200 can include a board body 201 having a first side edge 201a extending along the vertical direction Z-Z, a second side edge 201b extending along the transverse direction X-X, and a corner portion 203. The first side edge 201a and the second side edge 201b intersect at the corner portion 203. The first edge portion 210 extends from the first side edge 201a along the transverse direction X-X, and the second edge portion 220 extends from the second side edge 201b along the vertical direction Z-Z and extends beyond the first edge portion 210. Thus, the first edge portion 210 and the second edge portion 220 extend from the board body 201 along orthogonal directions. The board body 201 of the circuit board 200 defines a main plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y-Y (i.e., parallel to the transverse direction X-X and the vertical direction Z-Z), and the first edge portion 210 and the second edge portion 220 extend on this main plane. The board body 201 can include a third edge portion 205 extending from the board body 201 along the vertical direction Z-Z opposite to the second edge portion 220 and extending beyond the first edge portion 210. The third edge portion 205 can include two surfaces 205a and 205b opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and a third side edge 205c extending between the two surfaces 205a and 205b and along the transverse direction X-X.

[0152] In some embodiments, the board body 201 of the circuit board 200 can be held by the member 300 to improve the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector 10. For example, when connecting the electrical connector 10 to the electrical connector 5 on the circuit board 3 or separating the electrical connector 10 from the electrical connector 5, the member 300 can provide support to the board body 201 of the circuit board 200 to reliably hold the circuit board 200 in place relative to the member 300.

[0153] In some embodiments, as Figure 9D shown, the end of the partition wall 380 is indented into the member 300 in the lateral direction X-X relative to the second side surface 340, leaving a space 373 communicating between the first channel 371 and the second channel 372. As Figures 9A to 9D shown, the member 300 can include a shelf 390 disposed in the second channel 372. The shelf 390 can be spaced apart from the partition wall 380 in the vertical direction Z-Z. The shelf 390 can divide the air flow in the second channel 372 into two parts, one part flowing towards the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 and the other part flowing towards the second edge portion 220 of the circuit board 200.

[0154] As Figure 4A shown, when the insulating housing 400 and the first edge portion 210 of the circuit board 200 are inserted into the first channel 371, a section of the board body 201 including the first side edge 201a is located in the member 300 and extends from the first channel 371 through the space 373 to the second channel 372. The corner 203 is positioned in the second channel 372 and is supported by the shelf 390 in the vertical direction Z-Z. Specifically, the shelf 390 supports a section of the second side edge 201b at the corner 203 in the vertical direction Z-Z. With this configuration, the shelf 390 can provide support and limitation on one side of the board body 201 (i.e., at the corner 203) in the vertical direction Z-Z.

[0155] In some embodiments, the member 300 can include a third receiving groove 315 that is recessed into the top wall 310 from the first channel 371 and extends along the lateral direction X-X. As Figure 9B and Figure 9D shown, the third receiving groove 315 and one of the first receiving grooves 311 can be the same receiving groove. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. The third receiving groove 315 can be an additional groove. The third receiving groove 315 can include two side walls (i.e., side wall 311a and side wall 311b in the figure) that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y and a bottom wall (i.e., bottom wall 311c in the figure) that extends between the two side walls. As Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, at least a portion of the third edge portion 205 is received in the third receiving groove 315 such that the third side edge 205c engages with the bottom wall of the third receiving groove 315. With this configuration, the top wall 310 of the member 300 can provide support and limitation on the other side of the plate body 201 in the vertical direction Z-Z (i.e., at the third side edge 205c).

[0156] Through the engagement between the shelf 390 and the second side edge 201b and the engagement between the third side edge 205c of the third edge portion 205 and the bottom wall of the third receiving groove 315, the member 300 can reliably hold the plate body 201 in the vertical direction Z-Z. This configuration can improve the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector 10.

[0157] It should be understood that in other partial embodiments, the edge of the third edge portion 205 can be flush with the edge of the first edge portion 210 in the vertical direction Z-Z. That is to say, the third side edge 205c of the third edge portion 205 can be flush with the first end portion 213 of the first edge portion 210. In this case, the third side edge 205c of the third edge portion 205 can engage with the surface of the top wall 310 of the member 300.

[0158] In some embodiments, as Figures 9A to 9C shown, the shelf 390 can include a support surface 390a for supporting a section of the second side edge 201b and a pair of protrusions 390b and 390c protruding from the support surface 390a along the vertical direction Z-Z. The protrusions 390b and 390c can be in the form of ribs respectively, and each extends along the transverse direction X-X. The protrusions 390b and 390c are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. As Figure 4B shown, the protrusions 390b and 390c can receive and hold the corner portion 203 therebetween. With this configuration, support and limitation can be provided to the plate body 201 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y to limit the movement of the plate body 201 relative to the member 300 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. This configuration can improve the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector 10.

[0159] In some embodiments, as Figure 4A and Figure 4B shown, when at least a portion of the third edge portion 205 is received in the third receiving groove 315, two surfaces 205a and 205b of the third edge portion 205 respectively engage with two side walls of the third receiving groove 315. With this configuration, support and limitation can be provided to the plate body 201 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y to limit the movement of the plate body 201 relative to the member 300 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. This configuration can improve the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector 10.

[0160] In some embodiments, asFigure 9A and Figure 9D As shown in Figure 9D , the end portion of the partition wall 380 adjacent to the second side surface 340 may include a notch 383 that is recessed into the partition wall 380 from the space 373 along the lateral direction X-X. As Figure 4A and Figure 4B shown in Figure 4B , a section of the first side edge 201a of the plate body 201 can be received in the notch 383 to restrict the movement of the plate body 201 relative to the member 300 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. With this configuration, it is possible to provide support and limit for the plate body 201 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y to reliably hold the plate body 201 relative to the member 300. This configuration can improve the mechanical reliability of the electrical connector 10.

[0161] In some embodiments, as Figure 9B and Figure 9D shown in Figure 9D , the member 300 may include a first protrusion 301 that protrudes from the outer surface 320a of the bottom wall 320 along the vertical direction Z-Z and is configured to be placed on the surface 3a of the circuit board 3. The first protrusion 301 may be integrally formed with the bottom wall 320. As Figure 1 shown in Figure 1 , when the member 300 is fixed on the surface 3a of the circuit board 3, the first protrusion 301 can space the outer surface 320a of the bottom wall 320 from the surface 3a of the circuit board 3 by a gap G. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the occupied space of the member 300 on the circuit board 3 and improve the heat dissipation performance of the electronic system 1.

[0162] Due to the configuration of the member 300, the mating port (slot 410) of the electrical connector 10 can be at a relatively high position. In some embodiments, as Figure 2E shown in Figure 2E , the vertical distance D from the midpoint 410a of the slot 410 in the vertical direction Z-Z to the bottom surface 301a of the first protrusion 301 of the member 300 can be greater than 25 mm. For example, the vertical distance D can be 26.5 mm. In other partial embodiments, the distance from the midpoint 410a of the slot 410 to the outer surface 320a of the bottom wall 320 of the member 300 can be greater than 25 mm. For example, this vertical distance can be 26.5 mm.

[0163] In some embodiments, as Figure 9B and Figure 9CAs shown, the component 300 may include a second protrusion 302 protruding outward from the first sidewall 350 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and a third protrusion 303 protruding outward from the second sidewall 360 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The second protrusion 302 and the third protrusion 303 may be integrally formed with the first sidewall 350 and the second sidewall 360 respectively. Each of the second protrusion 302 and the third protrusion 303 includes a mounting hole 304 extending along the vertical direction Z-Z for receiving a fastener (not shown) for fixing the component 300 to the circuit board 3. Exemplarily, the mounting hole 304 may be a threaded hole, and the fastener may be a threaded fastener such as a bolt or a screw. The circuit board 3 may include mating mounting holes (not shown) such as threaded holes or through holes. The fastener may be inserted through the corresponding mounting hole 304 of the component 300 into the mating mounting hole of the circuit board 3. With this configuration, the electrical connector 10 and the circuit board 3 can be reliably and firmly connected together.

[0164] In one of these embodiments, as Figure 9B and Figure 9C shown, the second protrusion 302 and the third protrusion 303 may be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. With this configuration, when a plurality of electrical connectors 10 are mounted on the circuit board 3, the protrusions of adjacent two electrical connectors 10 can be offset from each other. In this way, a plurality of electrical connectors 10 can be arranged on the circuit board 3 with a higher density to achieve a high-density and small-pitch connector layout.

[0165] Figure 10A and Figure 10B Schematically shows an electronic system 1' including a circuit board 3 and three electrical connectors 10 mounted on the circuit board 3. As Figure 10B shown, when three electrical connectors 10 are mounted on the circuit board 3, the three electrical connectors 10 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction Y-Y such that the slots 410 of the insulating housing 400 of the first electrical connector 10 face the same direction. Since the second protrusion 302 and the third protrusion 303 of each electrical connector 10 are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, the protrusions 302 and 303 of every two adjacent electrical connectors 10 can be adjacent to and staggered with each other. With this arrangement, the three electrical connectors 10 can be arranged on the circuit board 3 with a higher density. The pitch P between two adjacent electrical connectors 10 may be less than 11 mm or less than 10 mm, and may be, for example, 9.2 mm. The pitch P may refer to the pitch between the longitudinal centerlines (parallel to the vertical direction Z-Z) of the slots 410 of two adjacent first electrical connectors 10.

[0166] Although the circuit board 200 is described above as being connected to the sub-connector 100 before the sub-connector 100 is inserted into the member 300, it should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. In other partial embodiments, the circuit board 200 can also be inserted into the member 300 and connected to the sub-connector 100 after the sub-connector 100 is inserted into the member 300. The member 300 can hold the circuit board 200 and the insulating housing 400 fixed relative to each other.

[0167] It should be understood that although the sub-connector 100, the circuit board 200, and the member 300 are described above as components of the sub-connector 100, it should be understood that this is only for convenience of description. In other partial embodiments, the sub-connector 100 and the circuit board 200 can form an electronic assembly, or the sub-connector 100 and the member 300 can form an electronic assembly.

[0168] It should also be understood that although the insulating housing 400 and the plurality of conductive terminals 510 are described above as components of the sub-connector 100, it should be understood that this is only for convenience of description. In other partial embodiments, the concept of the sub-connector 100 can be omitted.

[0169] It should be understood that the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", "fifth", and "sixth" are only used to distinguish one element, component, or part from another element, component, or part, but these elements, components, and parts should not be limited by such terms.

[0170] The present application has been described in detail above in conjunction with specific embodiments. Obviously, the above description and the embodiments shown in the drawings should be understood as being exemplary and do not constitute a limitation on the present application. For those skilled in the art, various variations or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these variations or modifications do not depart from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, characterized in that: The electrical connector comprises: Insulating housing; a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing, each conductive terminal comprising a first mating end, a second mating end opposite to the first mating end, and a middle portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end; and A circuit board, the circuit board comprising: a first edge portion extending along a transverse direction; a plurality of first conductive pads arranged on the first edge portion along a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral direction; a second edge portion extending along the vertical direction and beyond the first edge portion; and a plurality of second conductive pads arranged along the lateral direction on the second edge portion; Wherein, the second mating end of each conductive terminal among the plurality of conductive terminals is disposed on a corresponding first conductive pad among the plurality of first conductive pads.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows being opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction; as well as The first edge portion includes two surfaces opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first conductive pads are arranged on the two surfaces, and the first edge portion is positioned between the two rows of the second mating end so that each of the two surfaces faces a corresponding row of the two rows.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The insulating housing comprises a first surface, and a first arm portion and a second arm portion respectively extending from the first surface along the transverse direction and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend from the first surface and are located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the first arm portion comprises a first groove, and the second arm portion comprises a second groove, the first groove and the second groove are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction and respectively extend along the transverse direction; as well as The first edge portion includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other in the vertical direction, the first end portion is received in the first groove, and the second end portion is received in the second groove so that the first edge portion is held therebetween by the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the first groove of the first arm portion and the second groove of the second arm portion includes a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the longitudinal direction; Each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion further includes a channel extending from an outer side of the corresponding first wall through the first wall along the longitudinal direction into the corresponding groove; as well as The electrical connector further includes a plurality of locking members, each of which is inserted into the channel of the corresponding arm portion and extends into the corresponding groove to engage with the first edge portion.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The circuit board further includes a plurality of locking pads disposed on the first edge portion, each of the plurality of locking pads facing and aligned with the channel of a corresponding arm portion of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and a corresponding locking member is welded to the locking pad; and / or The second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is soldered to the corresponding first conductive pad; and / or Each of the first and second arm portions further includes a protrusion protruding from the second wall of the corresponding groove into the corresponding groove along the longitudinal direction, the protrusion and the first wall clamping a corresponding end of the first and second ends therebetween.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The insulating housing further comprises a second surface opposite to the first surface in the transverse direction and a slot recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the transverse direction, the slot being elongated in the vertical direction, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals being bent into the slot and arranged into two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows being opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in the longitudinal direction; and / or Each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the circuit board.

7. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The circuit board is a first circuit board; and The electrical connector further includes a member that receives and holds the insulating housing therein and is configured to be mounted on a second circuit board.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The member includes a first channel and a second channel each extending along the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel being arranged along the vertical direction and at least partially separated from each other in the vertical direction; The insulating housing is received and retained in the first passage of the member; as well as When the member is mounted on the second circuit board, the vertical direction is perpendicular to a surface of the second circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel and the second circuit board in the vertical direction.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a partition wall located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction, the partition wall at least partially partitioning the first channel and the second channel, the first channel being located between the top wall and the partition wall, and the second channel being located between the partition wall and the bottom wall; and The insulating housing is held in the first channel by the top wall and the partition wall.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The insulating housing includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion and a second protrusion respectively protruding from the first end surface and the second end surface in the vertical direction; The member further includes a first receiving groove recessed into the top wall along the vertical direction from the first passage and extending along the lateral direction, and a second receiving groove recessed into the partition wall along the vertical direction from the first passage and extending along the lateral direction; The member further includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel each extending through the member from the first side along the transverse direction to the second side, the first channel including a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side; as well as The insulating shell is inserted into the first channel from the second opening along the lateral direction, so that the first protrusion is received in the first receiving groove and engages with the end of the first receiving groove, and the second protrusion is received in the second receiving groove and engages with the end of the second receiving groove to limit further insertion of the insulating shell toward the first opening along the lateral direction.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The insulating housing further comprises a first buckle arranged at the first end surface and a second buckle arranged at the second end surface; The member further includes a first recessed portion recessed from the first passage into the top wall and a second recessed portion recessed from the first passage into the partition wall; as well as When the first protrusion and the second protrusion are respectively engaged with the end of the first receiving groove and the end of the second receiving groove, the first latch is snapped into the first recess and the second latch is snapped into the second recess to limit the withdrawal of the insulating shell along the lateral direction toward the second opening.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first edge portion of the first circuit board is located in the first channel; and The second edge portion of the first circuit board is located outside the member and is aligned with the opening of the second passage in the vertical direction.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first circuit board includes a board body, the board body having a corner, a first side extending along the vertical direction, and a second side extending along the transverse direction, the first side and the second side intersect at the corner, the first edge portion extends from the first side along the transverse direction, and the second edge portion extends from the second side along the vertical direction; The member further includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel each extending through the member from the first side along the transverse direction to the second side, the first channel including a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side; The end of the partition wall is retracted into the member relative to the second side surface in the transverse direction to leave a space between the first channel and the second channel to connect them; The first edge portion of the insulating housing and the first circuit board is inserted into the first passage from the second opening, and a section of the board body including the first side edge is located in the member and extends from the first passage through the space to the second passage, and the corner is positioned in the second passage; as well as The member further includes a shelf disposed in the second channel, the shelf supporting a portion of the second side at the corner in the vertical direction.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that: The shelf includes a supporting surface for supporting the section of the second side and a pair of protrusions protruding from the supporting surface along the vertical direction, the pair of protrusions being spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction and receiving and holding the corner therebetween.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The plate body further includes a third edge portion extending from the plate body along the vertical direction opposite to the second edge portion and beyond the first edge portion; The member further includes a third receiving groove recessed from the first passage into the top wall and extending along the lateral direction; and At least a portion of the third edge portion is received in the third receiving groove.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The end portion of the partition wall includes a notch that is recessed from the space into the partition wall along the lateral direction, and a section of the first side of the plate main body is received in the notch.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the member is mounted on the second circuit board, the outer surface of the bottom wall faces the surface of the second circuit board; as well as The member further includes a first protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom wall in the vertical direction and is configured to be placed on the surface of the second circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the second circuit board.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The member further includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall being opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction and each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall along the vertical direction; as well as The component also includes a second protrusion protruding outward from the first side wall along the longitudinal direction, and a third protrusion protruding outward from the second side wall along the longitudinal direction, the second protrusion and the third protrusion each including a mounting hole extending along the vertical direction for receiving a fastener for fixing the component to the second circuit board, and the second protrusion and the third protrusion are staggered relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The first protrusion of the member includes a bottom surface configured to contact the surface of the second circuit board, the member further includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the lateral direction, the first channel and the second channel each extend through the member from the first side along the lateral direction to the second side, the first channel includes a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side; The insulating housing further comprises a second surface and a slot recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the transverse direction, the slot is elongated in the vertical direction, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are bent into the slot and arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, the insulating housing is inserted into the first passage from the second opening along the transverse direction so that the slot is exposed at the first opening; as well as A vertical distance from a midpoint of the slot along the vertical direction to the bottom surface of the first protrusion of the member is 26.5 mm.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The member is a metal casing; and / or The second edge portion of the first circuit board is configured to be inserted into another electrical connector mounted on the second circuit board so that each of the plurality of second conductive pads mates with a corresponding conductive terminal of the other electrical connector; and / or Each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the first circuit board.

21. An electrical connector, characterized in that: The electrical connector comprises: Insulating housing; A plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing, each conductive terminal comprising a first mating end, a second mating end opposite to the first mating end, and a middle portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end; A component, the component comprising a first channel and a second channel each extending in a transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel being arranged in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, the component accommodating and retaining the insulating housing in the first channel; and A circuit board, the circuit board comprising a first edge portion, a plurality of first conductive pads on the first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a plurality of second conductive pads on the second edge portion; wherein the first edge portion is positioned within the first channel, and the second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is disposed on a corresponding first conductive pad of the plurality of first conductive pads; The second edge portion is located outside the component and is aligned with the opening of the second channel in the vertical direction.

22. The electrical connector according to claim 21, characterized in that: The member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a partition wall located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction, the partition wall at least partially partitioning the first channel and the second channel in the vertical direction, the first channel being located between the top wall and the partition wall, and the second channel being located between the partition wall and the bottom wall; and The insulating housing is held in the first channel by the top wall and the partition wall.

23. The electrical connector according to claim 22, characterized in that: The insulating housing includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion and a second protrusion respectively protruding from the first end surface and the second end surface in the vertical direction; The member further includes a first receiving groove recessed into the top wall along the vertical direction from the first passage and extending along the lateral direction, and a second receiving groove recessed into the partition wall along the vertical direction from the first passage and extending along the lateral direction; The member further includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel each extending through the member from the first side along the transverse direction to the second side, the first channel including a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side; as well as The insulating shell is inserted into the first channel from the second opening along the lateral direction, so that the first protrusion is received in the first receiving groove and engages with the end of the first receiving groove, and the second protrusion is received in the second receiving groove and engages with the end of the second receiving groove to limit further insertion of the insulating shell toward the first opening along the lateral direction.

24. The electrical connector according to claim 23, characterized in that: The insulating housing further comprises a first buckle arranged at the first end surface and a second buckle arranged at the second end surface; The member further includes a first recessed portion recessed from the first passage into the top wall and a second recessed portion recessed from the first passage into the partition wall; as well as When the first protrusion and the second protrusion are respectively engaged with the end of the first receiving groove and the end of the second receiving groove, the first latch is snapped into the first recess and the second latch is snapped into the second recess to limit the withdrawal of the insulating shell along the lateral direction toward the second opening.

25. The electrical connector according to claim 22, characterized in that: The circuit board includes a board body, the board body having a corner, a first side extending along the vertical direction, and a second side extending along the transverse direction, the first side and the second side intersect at the corner, the first edge portion extends from the first side along the transverse direction, and the second edge portion extends from the second side along the vertical direction and exceeds the first edge portion; The member further includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel each extending through the member from the first side along the transverse direction to the second side, the first channel including a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side; The end of the partition wall is retracted into the member relative to the second side surface in the transverse direction to leave a space between the first channel and the second channel to connect them; The insulating housing and the first edge portion of the circuit board are inserted into the first passage from the second opening, and a section of the board body including the first side edge is located in the member and extends from the first passage through the space to the second passage, and the corner portion is positioned in the second passage; as well as The member further includes a shelf disposed in the second channel, the shelf supporting a portion of the second side at the corner in the vertical direction.

26. The electrical connector according to claim 25, characterized in that: The shelf includes a supporting surface for supporting the section of the second side and a pair of protrusions protruding from the supporting surface along the vertical direction, the pair of protrusions being spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction and receiving and holding the corner therebetween.

27. The electrical connector according to claim 25, characterized in that: The plate body further includes a third edge portion extending from the plate body along the vertical direction opposite to the second edge portion and beyond the first edge portion; The member further includes a receiving groove recessed from the first passage into the top wall and extending along the lateral direction; as well as At least a portion of the third edge portion is received in the receiving groove.

28. The electrical connector according to claim 25, characterized in that: The end portion of the partition wall includes a notch that is recessed from the space into the partition wall along the lateral direction, and a section of the first side of the plate main body is received in the notch.

29. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that: The circuit board is a first circuit board; and The member is configured to be mounted on a second circuit board, wherein the vertical direction is perpendicular to a surface of the second circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel and the second circuit board in the vertical direction when the member is mounted on the second circuit board.

30. The electrical connector according to claim 29, characterized in that: The member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction; When the member is mounted on the second circuit board, the outer surface of the bottom wall faces the surface of the second circuit board; as well as The member further includes a first protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom wall in the vertical direction and is configured to be placed on the surface of the second circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the second circuit board.

31. The electrical connector according to claim 30, characterized in that: The member further includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall being opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction and each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall along the vertical direction; as well as The component also includes a second protrusion protruding outward from the first side wall along the longitudinal direction, and a third protrusion protruding outward from the second side wall along the longitudinal direction, the second protrusion and the third protrusion each including a mounting hole extending along the vertical direction for receiving a fastener for fixing the component to the second circuit board, and the second protrusion and the third protrusion are staggered relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

32. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that: The second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, the first edge portion includes two surfaces opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first conductive pads are provided on the two surfaces, the first edge portion is positioned between the two rows of the second mating ends so that each of the two surfaces faces a corresponding row of the two rows; and / or The insulating housing comprises a first surface and a first arm portion and a second arm portion respectively extending from the first surface along the lateral direction and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend from the first surface and are located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and the first edge portion is held between the first arm portion and the second arm portion; and / or The insulating housing further comprises a second surface and a slot recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the transverse direction, the slot being elongated in the vertical direction, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals being bent into the slot and arranged into two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows being opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction; and / or The second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is soldered to the corresponding first conductive pad; and / or The plurality of first conductive pads are arranged along the vertical direction on the first edge portion, and the plurality of second conductive pads are arranged along the transverse direction on the second edge portion; and / or The component is a metal casing; and / or Each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the circuit board.

33. An electronic system, characterized in that: The electronic system comprises: a first circuit board; and A first electrical connector, the first electrical connector comprising: An insulating housing, the insulating housing comprising a slot recessed into the insulating housing along a transverse direction and elongated in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction; a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating housing, each conductive terminal comprising a first mating end, a second mating end opposite to the first mating end, and a middle portion connecting the first mating end and the second mating end, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals being exposed in the slot; and A member, the member comprising a first channel and a second channel each extending along the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel being arranged along the vertical direction; Wherein, the component accommodates and holds the insulating shell in the first channel, and the component is fixed on the surface of the first circuit board so that the vertical direction is perpendicular to the surface of the first circuit board, and the second channel is located between the first channel and the first circuit board in the vertical direction.

34. The electronic system according to claim 33, characterized in that: The first electrical connector includes a second circuit board, the second circuit board includes a first edge portion, a plurality of first conductive pads on the first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a plurality of second conductive pads on the second edge portion; The first edge portion is positioned within the first channel, and the second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is disposed on a corresponding first conductive pad of the plurality of first conductive pads; as well as The second edge portion is located outside the member and is aligned with the opening of the second channel in the vertical direction, and the second edge portion is configured to be mated with a second electrical connector mounted on the first circuit board.

35. The electronic system according to claim 34, characterized in that: The member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and a partition wall located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the vertical direction, the partition wall at least partially partitioning the first channel and the second channel in the vertical direction, the first channel being located between the top wall and the partition wall, and the second channel being located between the partition wall and the bottom wall; and The insulating housing is held in the first channel by the top wall and the partition wall.

36. The electronic system according to claim 35, characterized in that: The second circuit board includes a board body, the board body having a corner, a first side extending along the vertical direction, and a second side extending along the transverse direction, the first side and the second side intersect at the corner, the first edge portion extends from the first side along the transverse direction, and the second edge portion extends from the second side along the vertical direction and exceeds the first edge portion; The member further includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the transverse direction, the first channel and the second channel each extending through the member from the first side along the transverse direction to the second side, the first channel including a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side; The end of the partition wall is retracted into the member relative to the second side surface in the transverse direction to leave a space between the first channel and the second channel to connect them; The first edge portions of the insulating housing and the second circuit board are inserted into the first passage from the second opening, and a section of the board body including the first side edge is located in the member and extends from the first passage through the space to the second passage, and the corner portion is positioned in the second passage; as well as The member further includes a shelf disposed in the second channel, the shelf supporting a portion of the second side at the corner in the vertical direction.

37. The electronic system according to claim 36, characterized in that: The shelf includes a supporting surface for supporting the section of the second side and a pair of protrusions protruding from the supporting surface along the vertical direction, the pair of protrusions being spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction and receiving and holding the corner therebetween.

38. The electronic system according to claim 36, characterized in that: The plate body further includes a third edge portion extending from the plate body along the vertical direction opposite to the second edge portion and beyond the first edge portion; The member further includes a third receiving groove recessed from the first passage into the top wall and extending along the lateral direction; and At least a portion of the third edge portion is received in the third receiving groove.

39. The electronic system according to any one of claims 33 to 38, characterized in that: The member includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to each other in the vertical direction, an outer surface of the bottom wall facing the surface of the first circuit board; as well as The member further includes a first protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom wall in the vertical direction and is seated on the surface of the first circuit board to space the outer surface of the bottom wall from the surface of the first circuit board.

40. The electronic system according to claim 39, characterized in that: The member further includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall being opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction and each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall along the vertical direction; The member further comprises a second protrusion protruding outwardly from the first side wall along the longitudinal direction, and a third protrusion protruding outwardly from the second side wall along the longitudinal direction, the second protrusion and the third protrusion each comprising a mounting hole extending along the vertical direction, and the second protrusion and the third protrusion are staggered relative to each other in the longitudinal direction; as well as The electronic system further includes a fastener disposed in the mounting hole and connected to the first circuit board to secure the component to the first circuit board.

41. The electronic system according to claim 40, characterized in that: The electronic system comprises a plurality of the first electrical connectors, the components of the plurality of the first electrical connectors being fixed on the first circuit board and arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction, so that the slots of the insulating housings of the plurality of the first electrical connectors face the same direction; as well as The second protrusion of one of every two adjacent components in the row and the third protrusion of the other component are adjacent to each other and staggered in the longitudinal direction, and the spacing between the longitudinal center lines of the slots of every two adjacent first electrical connectors is 9.2 mm.

42. The electronic system according to any one of claims 34 to 38, characterized in that: The second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction, the first edge portion includes two surfaces opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first conductive pads are provided on the two surfaces, the first edge portion is positioned between the two rows of the second mating ends so that each of the two surfaces faces a corresponding row of the two rows; and / or The insulating housing comprises a first surface and a first arm portion and a second arm portion respectively extending from the first surface along the lateral direction and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the second mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals extend from the first surface and are located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and the first edge portion is held between the first arm portion and the second arm portion; and / or The insulating housing further comprises a second surface, the slot is recessed into the insulating housing from the second surface along the transverse direction, the first mating ends of the plurality of conductive terminals are bent into the slot, and are arranged in two rows each extending along the vertical direction, the two rows are opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other across the slot in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the transverse direction; and / or The second mating end of each of the plurality of conductive terminals is soldered to the corresponding first conductive pad; and / or The plurality of first conductive pads are arranged along the vertical direction on the first edge portion, and the plurality of second conductive pads are arranged along the transverse direction on the second edge portion; and / or The component is a metal casing; and / or Each of the plurality of first conductive pads is electrically connected to a corresponding second conductive pad of the plurality of second conductive pads through a corresponding conductive structure of the second circuit board.

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