Card edge connector

Abstract

A card edge connector (100) is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module card (200) formed with at least two sets of electrically conductive structures to a circuit board (300). The card edge connector comprises: a housing (110) defining a slot (101) into which an electronic module card is inserted; the at least two groups of conductive terminals are positioned in the shell, each group of conductive terminals comprises two rows of conductive terminals, and the two rows of conductive terminals are oppositely arranged and configured to clamp the electronic module card inserted between the two rows of conductive terminals through the slot; and each group of conductive terminals is in electrical contact with a different group of conductive structures on the electronic module card.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of edge card connectors, and more particularly, to edge card connectors that can at least increase connection density. Background Art

[0002] An edge card connector is a board-to-board connector that is typically used to connect an electronic card, such as a memory card, network card, sound card, video card, modem, other peripheral device, or expansion card, etc., to a circuit board (such as a computer motherboard) to achieve data transmission or communication.

[0003] In a conventional edge card connector, usually only two rows of contacts or terminals are provided to hold the electronic card, and it can only contact one side or a single row of contacts of the electronic card. Therefore, the connection density is not high in a limited space. Also, the contacts or terminals are usually connected to the circuit board through soldering tails, and the soldering tails are bent or laterally extended relative to the terminal body, so a large installation area is required. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] In order to overcome at least one of the above and other problems and defects existing in the prior art, the present disclosure is proposed.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an edge card connector for electrically connecting an electronic module card to a circuit board. The electronic module card is formed with at least two sets of conductive structures. The edge card connector includes: a housing defining a slot for inserting the electronic module card therein; and at least two sets of conductive terminals positioned within the housing. Each set of conductive terminals includes two rows of conductive terminals. The two rows of conductive terminals are arranged opposite to each other and are configured to hold the electronic module card inserted between the two rows of conductive terminals through the slot, such that each set of conductive terminals is in electrical contact with a different set of conductive structures on the electronic module card.

[0006] In some embodiments, the slot extends in the length direction of the edge card connector. The conductive terminals of each row of the at least two sets of conductive terminals are arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the edge card connector. And each row of conductive terminals includes a plurality of conductive terminals arranged spaced apart from each other in the length direction. Each conductive terminal has an insertion section and a contact section positioned oppositely in the height direction of the edge card connector. The insertion section is configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board, and the contact section is configured to electrically contact the conductive structure of the inserted electronic module card.

[0007] In some embodiments, the electronic module card is adapted to be inserted between the two rows of conductive terminals of each group of conductive terminals through the slot in an insertion direction parallel to the height direction, and includes a first group of conductive structures and a second group of conductive structures spaced apart from each other, the at least two groups of conductive terminals including the first group of conductive terminals and the second group of conductive terminals; the first group of conductive terminals is adapted to electrically contact the first group of conductive structures of the electronic module card, such that the two rows of conductive terminals of the first group of conductive terminals clamp the electronic module card at the first group of conductive structures; and the second group of conductive terminals is adapted to electrically contact the second group of conductive structures of the electronic module card, such that the two rows of conductive terminals of the second group of conductive terminals clamp the electronic module card at the second group of conductive structures.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second set of conductive terminals are positioned inwardly of the first set of conductive terminals in the width direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first group of conductive structures and the second group of conductive structures of the electronic module card are spaced apart from each other in the insertion direction, and the height of the first group of conductive terminals is greater than the height of the second group of conductive terminals, so that the first contact portions of the first group of conductive terminals configured to electrically contact the first group of conductive structures of the electronic module card are positioned higher than the second contact portions of the second group of conductive terminals configured to electrically contact the second group of conductive structures of the electronic module card.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first group of conductive terminals and the second group of conductive terminals are configured to be inserted into and positioned in the housing from opposite sides of the housing in the height direction, respectively, so that the first contact portions and the second contact portions are exposed in the slots.

[0011] In some embodiments, the shell includes a main body and a plurality of first partition walls extending inward from the main body, and an accommodating groove is defined between adjacent first partition walls, a portion of each conductive terminal of the first group of conductive terminals is positioned in the corresponding accommodating groove, and the contact segment of each of the first group of conductive terminals includes a protruding arm located at its end, and the protruding arm is suitable for resting against the corresponding first partition wall in a manner that causes the conductive terminal to be preloaded.

[0012] In some embodiments, a groove is formed on the first partition wall, and the protruding arm is suitable for abutting against the bottom wall of the groove and sliding along the bottom wall of the groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the card edge connector further comprises a plurality of solder balls arranged on a side of the housing facing the circuit board, each solder ball being connected to a corresponding plug end of a conductive terminal exposed from the housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0014] In some embodiments, the card-edge connector further includes a spacer disposed on a side of the housing facing the circuit board. A plurality of positioning holes are formed in the spacer. Each solder ball is positioned in a corresponding positioning hole, and the insertion end of each conductive terminal is inserted into the corresponding positioning hole to connect to the solder ball.

[0015] In some embodiments, the card-edge connector further includes a cover that is inserted into the housing from the socket side of the slot to at least partially cover the conductive terminals positioned within the housing.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cover is adapted to be positioned between the housing and the electronic module card inserted into the slot such that, in a state where the cover and the electronic module card are inserted into the housing, the conductive terminals positioned within the housing are not visible when viewed from the side where the cover is located.

[0017] In some embodiments, the card-edge connector includes two covers adapted to be detachably disposed on opposite sides of the electronic module card inserted into the slot.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cover includes a cover body and a plurality of legs extending from the cover body in the height direction of the card-edge connector. The cover body is configured to cover the gap between the housing and the electronic module card inserted into the slot, and each leg is configured to be inserted between the housing and a corresponding one of the first set of conductive terminals.

[0019] In some embodiments, each leg abuts against a corresponding one of the first set of conductive terminals or there is a gap between the two. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an electronic module card is inserted into the card-edge connector;

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view schematically showing the structure of a card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where the housing is removed to show the connection between the conductive terminals and the electronic module card;

[0025] Figure 5 is a side view schematically showing the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where the housing is removed to show the connection between the conductive terminals and the electronic module card;

[0026] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view schematically showing a part of the housing of the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view schematically showing a part of the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the connection terminals of the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 10 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the cover of the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 11 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of an electronic module card that is cooperatively connected with the card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0032] Figure 12 is a graph schematically showing a comparison of the impedances of card-edge connectors with different configurations. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The following description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the general concept of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0034] In addition, in the following detailed description, for the sake of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments can be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are illustrated in a schematic manner to simplify the drawings.

[0035] In the following detailed description, directional terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper part", and "lower part", "inner", "outer", etc. are defined according to the accompanying drawings, but the shapes and positions of the components are not limited by these terms and can be adjusted according to actual applications.

[0036] In addition, the terms used herein are for describing exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or restrict the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms. In the present disclosure, terms such as "including", "comprising", "having", and similar terms are used to list features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0037] Although terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and the second element may be referred to as the first element. The term "and / or" includes multiple combinations of related items or any one of the multiple related items.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a card-edge connector, which can be used to establish an electrical connection between various types of electronic components or devices. As shown in the figure, the card-edge connector 100 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can receive and connect an electronic module card 200, such as a memory card (e.g., a memory card such as a DDR card), a network card, a sound card, a video card, a SIM card, a modem, a data acquisition card, other peripheral devices, or an expansion card, etc., to a circuit board 300 (e.g., a PCB, such as a computer motherboard), to achieve data transmission or communication, and can be applied to electronic devices, communication devices, medical devices, industrial electric devices, etc. As an example, the electronic module card 200 can be partially inserted and electrically connected to the card-edge connector 100, and the card-edge connector 100 can be mounted on the circuit board 300 and electrically connected to a conductive structure on the circuit board 300, such as a solder pad or a conductive trace.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the edge card connector 100 mainly includes a housing 110 and at least two sets of conductive terminals 120, 130. The housing 110 can be made of an insulating material such as plastic, and defines a slot 101 having a socket. The slot 101 can extend along the length direction of the edge card connector 100 (such as the X direction in the figure), penetrate a part of the housing 110 in the height direction of the edge card connector 100 (such as the Z direction in the figure), and have a width suitable for receiving the electronic module card 200 in the width direction of the edge card connector 100 (such as the Y direction in the figure). The electronic module card 200 will be inserted into the slot 101 to be electrically connected (such as electrical contact) with the conductive terminals 120, 130 in the housing 110. The conductive terminals 120, 130 are positioned (for example, installed or assembled in a detachable manner) in the housing 110 and have portions (such as the contact portions 123, 133 to be described below) exposed in the slot 101 to be electrically connected (such as electrical contact) with the inserted electronic module card 200.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, corresponding to the at least two sets of conductive terminals 120, 130 provided in the edge card connector 100, at least two sets of conductive structures 220, 230 can be formed on the electronic module card 200 that is cooperatively connected with the edge card connector 100, such as Figures 4 - 6 and Figure 11 shown. Exemplarily, the conductive structures 220, 230 of the electronic module card 200 can include contacts such as conductive pads or conductive traces, such as metal sheets or gold fingers.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, each set of conductive terminals (120, 130) of the edge card connector 100 includes two rows of conductive terminals, and these two rows of conductive terminals are arranged opposite to each other in the housing 110, for example, in the width direction Y, to clamp the electronic module card 200 inserted between these two rows of conductive terminals through the slot 101, so that each set of conductive terminals (120, 130) is in electrical contact with a different set of conductive structures (220, 230) on the electronic module card.

[0042] Compared with a conventional edge card connector provided with only one set or two rows of conductive terminals, the edge card connector provided according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with at least two sets of conductive terminals, and each set of conductive terminals includes two rows of conductive terminals. Therefore, there are at least four rows of conductive terminals electrically connected to the electronic module card, thereby improving the connection or contact density.

[0043] Illustratively, as Figures 4 - 6As shown, each row of at least two sets of conductive terminals 120 and 130 arranged within the housing 110 of the edge connector 100 can be arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y of the edge connector 100. Each row of conductive terminals includes a plurality of conductive terminals arranged spaced apart from each other in the length direction X. Each conductive terminal has a plugging section and a contact section oppositely positioned in the height direction Z of the edge connector 100. The plugging section is used for electrically connecting to the circuit board 300, and the contact section is used for electrically contacting the conductive structure of the inserted electronic module card 200.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as Figures 1 - 6 and Figure 11 shown, the electronic module card 200 is adapted to be inserted into the space between two rows of conductive terminals of each set of conductive terminals (120, 130) through the slot 101 in an insertion direction parallel to the height direction Z of the edge connector 100. And by way of example, the electronic module card 200 may include a first set of conductive structures 220 and a second set of conductive structures 230. The first set of conductive structures 220 and the second set of conductive structures 230 may be spaced apart from each other in the height direction Z or the insertion direction, and the respective conductive structures in each set of conductive structures are arranged spaced apart from each other in the length direction X. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the sets of conductive structures of the electronic module card may be spaced apart from each other in the length direction.

[0045] In the embodiment as Figures 1 - 6 shown, at least two sets of conductive terminals arranged within the housing 110 of the edge connector 100 include a first set of conductive terminals 120 and a second set of conductive terminals 130. The first set of conductive terminals 120 is adapted to electrically contact the first set of conductive structures 220 of the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 101, and the two rows of conductive terminals of the first set of conductive terminals 120 can clamp or hold the electronic module card 200 at the first set of conductive structures 220; the second set of conductive terminals 130 is adapted to electrically contact the second set of conductive structures 230 of the electronic module card 200, and the two rows of conductive terminals of the second set of conductive terminals 130 can clamp or hold the electronic module card 200 at the second set of conductive structures 230. The respective conductive terminals in each set of conductive terminals can be arranged spaced apart from each other in the length direction X. Herein, the conductive terminals in the first set of conductive terminals 120 may also be referred to as the first conductive terminals 120, and the conductive terminals in the second set of conductive terminals 130 may be referred to as the second conductive terminals 130.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figures 4 - 6As shown, the second set of conductive terminals 130 are positioned inside the first set of conductive terminals 120 at intervals in the width direction Y, that is, the two rows of the first conductive terminals 120 are located on opposite sides of the two rows of the second conductive terminals 130 in the width direction Y. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the groups of conductive terminals of the card-edge connector may be spaced apart in the length direction X, and each of the conductive terminals in each group of conductive terminals may also be arranged at intervals in the length direction X.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figures 4 - 6 shown, the height of the first set of conductive terminals 120 is greater than the height of the second set of conductive terminals 130, such that the first set of conductive terminals 120 contact the higher first set of conductive structures 220 of the inserted electronic module card 200 at a higher position, while the second set of conductive terminals 130 contact the lower second set of conductive structures 230 of the inserted electronic module card 200 at a lower position. That is, the contact positions of the groups of conductive terminals of the card-edge connector 100 with the inserted electronic module card 200 are spaced apart or staggered in the height direction, so that the height space of the card-edge connector 100 can be fully utilized to increase the contact density with the electronic module card 200 without increasing the volume of the card-edge connector. Specifically, as Figures 4 - 6 shown, the first contact portion 123 of the first conductive terminal 120 for electrically contacting the first set of conductive structures 220 of the electronic module card 200 is positioned higher in the housing 110 than the second contact portion 133 of the second conductive terminal 130 configured to electrically contact the second set of conductive structures 230 of the electronic module card 200.

[0048] The conductive terminals arranged in the card-edge connector may adopt various forms, and the present disclosure does not particularly limit this. An example of the first conductive terminal 120 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the examples as Figures 4 - 6 and Figure 9 shown, the first conductive terminal 120 generally has an elongated profile, for example, extending generally along the height direction Z of the card-edge connector 100 and installed in the housing 110, mainly including a plugging section 121 and a contact section 122 oppositely positioned in the height direction Z of the card-edge connection 100. The contact section 122 has a contact portion 123 for electrically contacting the conductive structure of the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 101. The contact portion 123 is, for example, in the form of a protrusion. On the other hand, a part of the contact section 122 (such as its end or the protruding arm 128 to be described below) can also be used to abut against the housing 110 to stabilize the assembly of the first conductive terminal 120 in the housing 110. The plugging section 121 has a plugging end 124 for electrically connecting to the circuit board 300 and a mounting section 126 adapted to be assembled in the housing 110. The mounting section 126, for example, has an elongated shape extending along the height direction Z.

[0049] In some examples, a transition section 125 may also be provided between the insertion section 121 and the contact section 122. The transition section 125 may extend obliquely (e.g., obliquely inward in the housing 110 or toward the longitudinal centerline of the slot 101) from the insertion section 121 to the contact section 122, such that the contact portion 123 projects partially into the slot 101 or projects toward the centerline of the slot 101. For example, the transition section 125 extends obliquely such that the insertion section 121 and the transition section 125 may form a generally V-shaped profile, the transition section 125 and the contact section 122 form a reverse V-shaped profile, and the contact portion 123 is formed at the bottom of the V-shaped profile.

[0050] The provision of the inclined transition section 125 may cause the contact portions 123 of two first conductive terminals 120 that are oppositely positioned in the width direction Y to project or approach each other, so as to facilitate clamping of the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 101. At least a part of the first conductive terminal 120, such as the transition section 125, or both the transition section 125 and the contact section 122, may be elastic or in the form of an elastic arm, and the spacing between the contact portions 123 of two first conductive terminals 120 that are oppositely positioned in the width direction Y may be less than the thickness of the electronic module card 200, such that when the electronic module card 200 is inserted between the contact portions 123 of the two first conductive terminals 120, the two first conductive terminals 120 can reliably clamp or hold the electronic module card 200 by virtue of their elasticity, so as to ensure stable and reliable electrical contact between the first conductive terminals 120 and the conductive structure of the electronic module card 200.

[0051] According to the configuration of the conductive terminals, the conductive terminals may be installed in the housing 110 in different ways. For example, in some examples, the first set of conductive terminals 120 and the second set of conductive terminals 130 may be appropriately configured to be inserted and positioned into the housing 110 from opposite sides of the housing 110 in the height direction Z, so as to avoid interference (such as causing misalignment) to the conductive terminals that have been installed in place when installing from the same side of the housing.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figure 7 and 8As shown in the enlarged view, on opposite sides of the housing 110 or its body 111 in the height direction Z (such as the top side and the bottom side in the figure), a plurality of first insertion holes 112 and a plurality of second insertion holes 113 are respectively formed. A part of each first conductive terminal 120 (such as the mounting section 126) is inserted from one side of the housing 110 (and preferably fixed, such as by snap connection) into the corresponding first insertion hole 112, and each second conductive terminal 130 is inserted from the opposite side of the housing 110 (and preferably fixed, such as by snap connection) into the corresponding second insertion hole 113. Thus, compared with the case of opening a larger insertion hole on one side and inside the housing, opening smaller insertion holes on opposite sides of the housing allows a considerable amount of the internal material of the housing to be retained, that is, there is still sufficient insulating material as a dielectric between the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal adjacent in the width direction X to reliably separate the adjacent first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal, ensuring that the signal / current transmission between the two is not interfered with during operation, thereby improving the SI performance of the connector.

[0053] As Figure 7 and 8 shown, the housing 110 includes a body 111 and a plurality of first partition walls 114 extending inward from the body 111. The first partition walls 114 extend, for example, along a part of the height of the housing 110 (such as the upper side part), and a receiving groove 115 is defined between adjacent first partition walls 114. A part of each first conductive terminal 120 (such as the transition section 125 and / or the contact section 122) is positioned and supported in the corresponding receiving groove 115. Similarly, the housing 110 may further include a plurality of second partition walls 116 extending inward from the body 111. The second partition walls 116 extend, for example, along another part of the height of the housing 110 (such as the lower side part), and a receiving groove for receiving and supporting a part of the second conductive terminal 130 is defined between adjacent second partition walls 116. As an example, the first partition walls 114 and the corresponding second partition walls 116 may be formed integrally and extend along substantially the entire height of the housing 110.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as Figures 7 - 9As shown, the contact section 122 of each first conductive terminal 120 includes a protruding arm 128 at its end. The protruding arm 128 is adapted to abut against the housing 110, such as against the corresponding first partition wall 114, so that the first conductive terminal 120 is in a state of preloading when positioned within the housing, thus ensuring that its contact portion is in a posture to contact the electronic module card 200. For example, a groove 1141 may be formed in the upper portion of the first partition wall 114. The protruding arm 128 of the first conductive terminal 120 installed in the housing 110 may abut against the bottom wall of the groove 1141 so that the first conductive terminal 120 is preloaded. And when the electronic module card 200 is inserted, since the contact portion 123 of the first conductive terminal 120 is squeezed, the protruding arm 128 may slide along the bottom wall of the groove 1141, causing the contact portion 123 to move slightly outward, facilitating the smooth insertion of the electronic module card 200 into the slot 101. In addition, the abutment of the protruding arm 128 of the first conductive terminal 120 against the groove 1141 of the housing 110 or its first partition wall 114 can keep the first conductive terminal 120 firmly held in the housing 110 without wobbling in the length direction X.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the edge card connector 100 may further include a plurality of solder balls 140, such as tin balls, disposed on a side of the housing 110 facing the circuit board 300. Each solder ball 140 is connected to the exposed insertion end of a corresponding conductive terminal (such as the insertion end 124 of the first conductive terminal 120 and the insertion end 134 of the second conductive terminal 130) protruding from the housing 110 and is adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit board 300. In other words, different from the conventional conductive terminals connected to the circuit board through long welding tails, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, each conductive terminal is connected to the circuit board 300 through the solder balls 140. The solder balls 140 occupy a smaller connection area, saving space, and the solder balls 140 can ensure stable contact and connection with the conductive terminals and the circuit board, avoiding poor contact between the long welding tails and the circuit board due to the unevenness of the welding surface, thereby further improving the SI performance of the connector.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the edge card connector 100 may further include a spacer 150 disposed on a side of the housing 110 facing the circuit board 300. A plurality of positioning holes may be formed in the spacer 150. Each solder ball 140 is positioned in a corresponding positioning hole to ensure that the solder ball 140 is held in place by the spacer 150, and the insertion end of each conductive terminal is inserted into the corresponding positioning hole to connect the solder ball 140. The arrangement of the spacer 150 can also prevent any part of the conductive terminal from directly contacting the circuit board, such that only the solder balls 140 connected to the conductive terminals are exposed on the side of the spacer 150 facing the circuit board 300, as Figure 3 shown.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as Figures 1 - 2 , 4-6 and Figure 10 shown, the card-edge connector 100 may further include a cover 160. The cover 160 is inserted into the housing 110 from the socket side of the slot 101 to at least partially cover the conductive terminals positioned within the housing 110, thereby protecting the conductive terminals from dust and the like and preventing components around the connector from damaging the conductive terminals. As shown in the figure, a portion of the cover 160 may be positioned between the housing 110 and the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 101, such that in the state where the cover 160 and the electronic module card 200 are inserted into the housing 110, when viewed from the side where the cover 160 is located, the respective conductive terminals positioned within the housing 110 are substantially invisible. For example, two covers 160 may be arranged on opposite sides of the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 101 to cover the respective conductive terminals positioned on both sides of the longitudinal center line of the slot 101.

[0058] Exemplarily, as Figures 4 - 6 and Figure 10 shown, the cover 160 may include a cover body 161 and a plurality of legs 162 extending (downward) from the cover body 161 along the height direction of the card-edge connector 100. The cover body 161 is adapted to cover the gap between the housing 110 and the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 110, while each leg is adapted to be inserted between the housing 110 and the corresponding first conductive terminal 120. For example, the leg 162 is positioned in the receiving groove 115 to partially fill the gap between the housing 110 and the first conductive terminal 120. The cover 160 may be detachably connected to the housing 110 (e.g., by means of an elastic arm 163 with a hook). Thus, in addition to providing coverage and protection for the conductive terminals within the housing, the arrangement of the cover may also enhance the strength of the housing. Moreover, since the insulating material of a portion of the cover (such as the legs) fills the gap in the housing, the dielectric properties around the conductive terminals can be improved, and the impedance of the connector can be reduced.

[0059] As Figures 4 - 6As shown, a gap G may exist between each leg 162 of the cover 160 and a portion of the corresponding first conductive terminal 120. For example, the shape of the leg 162 may match the contour of a portion of the first conductive terminal 120, and may have, for example, an inclined surface 165 facing the transition section 125 of the first conductive terminal 120. As an example, the gap G may be 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.2 mm or less, depending on the specific application. In a preferred embodiment, the gap G is small or non-existent, and the leg 162 or its inclined surface 165 may abut against the transition section 125 of the first conductive terminal 120, whereby the transition section 125 and the contact section 122 of the first conductive terminal 120 can be pressed against the electronic module card 200 inserted into the slot 101 to more reliably make electrical contact with and clamp the electronic module card 200.

[0060] Furthermore, Figure 12 A comparative example of the impedance of a connector with such a cover and a connector without such a cover is schematically shown. Curve A represents the impedance curve of an exemplary connector without such a cover, curve B represents the impedance curve of an exemplary connector with such a cover and having a certain gap G, and curve C represents the impedance curve of an exemplary connector with such a cover and having substantially no such gap G. It can be seen that the impedance of the connector with such a cover is reduced relative to the impedance of the connector without such a cover, and the impedance of the connector with such a cover and having substantially no such gap G can be further reduced. Therefore, the arrangement of such a cover in the housing can also reduce the impedance of the connector and further improve its electrical performance.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made therein without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In addition, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the terms "comprising", "including", "having" used herein do not exclude other elements or steps. Also, any element numbers in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A card-edge connector (100) for electrically connecting an electronic module card (200) to a circuit board (300), wherein the electronic module card is formed with at least two sets of conductive structures, characterized in that, The edge card connector includes: a housing (110) defining a slot (101) for inserting an electronic module card therein; and at least two sets of conductive terminals positioned within the housing, each set of conductive terminals including two rows of conductive terminals, the two rows of conductive terminals being arranged opposite to each other and configured to clamp the electronic module card inserted through the slot between the two rows of conductive terminals, such that each set of conductive terminals is in electrical contact with a different set of conductive structures on the electronic module card.

2. The edge card connector according to claim 1, wherein the slot extends in the length direction of the edge card connector, the rows of conductive terminals of the at least two sets of conductive terminals are arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the edge card connector, and each row of conductive terminals includes a plurality of conductive terminals arranged spaced apart from each other in the length direction, each conductive terminal having a plug-in section and a contact section positioned oppositely in the height direction of the edge card connector, the plug-in section being configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board, and the contact section being configured to electrically contact the conductive structure of the inserted electronic module card.

3. The edge card connector according to claim 2, wherein the electronic module card is adapted to be inserted through the slot between the two rows of conductive terminals of each set of conductive terminals in an insertion direction parallel to the height direction, and includes a first set of conductive structures (220) and a second set of conductive structures (230) spaced apart from each other, the at least two sets of conductive terminals include a first set of conductive terminals (120) and a second set of conductive terminals (130), the first set of conductive terminals is adapted to be in electrical contact with the first set of conductive structures of the electronic module card, such that the two rows of conductive terminals of the first set of conductive terminals clamp the electronic module card at the first set of conductive structures, and the second set of conductive terminals is adapted to be in electrical contact with the second set of conductive structures of the electronic module card, such that the two rows of conductive terminals of the second set of conductive terminals clamp the electronic module card at the second set of conductive structures.

4. The edge card connector according to claim 3, wherein the second set of conductive terminals is positioned inside the first set of conductive terminals in the width direction.

5. The edge card connector according to claim 4, wherein the first set of conductive structures (220) and the second set of conductive structures (230) of the electronic module card are spaced apart from each other in the insertion direction, and the height of the first set of conductive terminals is greater than the height of the second set of conductive terminals, such that a first contact portion (123) of the first set of conductive terminals configured to be in electrical contact with the first set of conductive structures of the electronic module card is positioned higher than a second contact portion (133) of the second set of conductive terminals configured to be in electrical contact with the second set of conductive structures of the electronic module card.

6. The edge card connector according to claim 5, wherein the first set of conductive terminals and the second set of conductive terminals are configured to be inserted and positioned into the housing from opposite sides in the height direction of the housing respectively, such that the first contact portion and the second contact portion are exposed in the slot.

7. The edge card connector according to claim 3, wherein The housing includes a body (111) and a plurality of first partition walls extending inwardly from the body. A receiving groove is defined between adjacent first partition walls. A portion of each conductive terminal of the first set of conductive terminals is positioned in a corresponding receiving groove, and The contact section of each of the first set of conductive terminals includes a protruding arm (128) at its end, and the protruding arm is adapted to abut against the corresponding first partition wall in such a way that the conductive terminal is pre-loaded.

8. The card-edge connector according to claim 7, wherein A groove (1141) is formed in the first partition wall, and the protruding arm is adapted to abut against the bottom wall of the groove and is adapted to slide along the bottom wall of the groove.

9. The card-edge connector according to any one of claims 3-8, wherein The card-edge connector further includes a plurality of solder balls (140) arranged on a side of the housing facing the circuit board. Each solder ball is connected to a plug end of a corresponding conductive terminal exposed from the housing and is adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit board.

10. The card-edge connector according to claim 9, wherein The card-edge connector further includes a spacer plate (150) arranged on a side of the housing facing the circuit board. A plurality of positioning holes are formed in the spacer plate. Each solder ball is positioned in a corresponding positioning hole, and the plug end of each conductive terminal is inserted into the corresponding positioning hole to connect the solder ball.

11. The card-edge connector according to any one of claims 1-8 and 10, wherein The card-edge connector further includes a cover (160), and the cover is inserted into the housing from the socket side of the slot to at least partially cover the conductive terminals positioned in the housing.

12. The card-edge connector according to claim 11, wherein The cover is adapted to be positioned between the housing and the electronic module card inserted into the slot, so that in a state where the cover and the electronic module card are inserted into the housing, the conductive terminals positioned in the housing are not visible when viewed from the side where the cover is located.

13. The card-edge connector according to claim 10, wherein, The card-edge connector includes two covers adapted to be detachably arranged on opposite sides of the electronic module card inserted into the slot.

14. The card-edge connector according to claim 12 or 13, wherein The cover includes a cover body (161) and a plurality of legs (162) extending from the cover body in the height direction of the card-edge connector. The cover body is configured to cover the gap between the housing and the electronic module card inserted into the slot, and each leg is configured to be inserted between the housing and a corresponding one of the conductive terminals in the first set of conductive terminals.

15. The card edge connector according to claim 14, characterized in that, Each leg and a corresponding one of the conductive terminals in the first set of conductive terminals abut against each other or there is a gap (G) between the two.

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