Connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises a connector and a plurality of matching modules. The connector includes: a housing; and a plurality of rows of terminals disposed in the housing. And the plurality of matching modules are inserted into the shell and are electrically contacted with the plurality of rows of terminals respectively. At least one of the two adjacent matching modules is provided with a limiting feature used for limiting the plugging sequence of the two adjacent matching modules, so that the two adjacent matching modules can only be plugged into the connector one by one according to the preset plugging sequence and can only be pulled out of the connector one by one according to the preset pulling sequence. In the utility model, a plurality of matching modules cannot be plugged together. Therefore, according to the utility model, the plugging force during matching can be reduced, and the use is very convenient.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a kind of connector and the connector assembly comprising the connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, the connector usually includes a housing and a plurality of rows of terminals disposed in the housing. The housing has an insertion cavity allowing insertion of a mating connector, and one end of the plurality of rows of terminals extends into the insertion cavity to mate with the inserted mating connector. However, when the number of terminals is too large, it can cause excessive insertion and extraction force, and a dedicated insertion tool is required to achieve the insertion and extraction operation between the connector and the mating connector, which is inconvenient for actual use. SUMMARY

[0003] The utility model aims to solve at least one aspect of the above problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the utility model, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector and a plurality of mating modules. The connector includes a housing and a plurality of rows of terminals disposed in the housing. The plurality of mating modules are inserted into the housing and electrically contact the plurality of rows of terminals respectively. A restriction feature is formed on at least one of the two adjacent mating modules to restrict the insertion and extraction order of the two adjacent mating modules, so that the two adjacent mating modules can only be inserted into the connector one by one in a predetermined insertion order and can only be extracted from the connector one by one in a predetermined extraction order.

[0005] According to one exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the mating module includes an insulator adapted to be inserted into the housing and a row of mating terminals disposed in the insulator and adapted to mate with a row of terminals. The insulator has a flange portion located outside the housing, so that the mating module can be inserted and extracted by gripping the flange portion. The restriction feature is formed on the flange portion.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the flange portion of one of the two adjacent mating modules is contained and hidden in the flange portion of the other mating module, so that the one mating module cannot be extracted from the housing by gripping the flange portion of the insulator of the one mating module before the other mating module is extracted from the housing.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a containing recess is formed on the flange portion of the insulator of the other mating module, and the flange portion of the one mating module is contained and hidden in the containing recess of the insulator of the other mating module.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, a blocking step is formed on the flange of one of the two adjacent mating modules, and a blocking flange is formed on the flange of the other of the two adjacent mating modules; the blocking flange abuts against the blocking step, so that one of the two adjacent mating modules must be pulled out of the housing after the other mating module is pulled out of the housing.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the housing has a plurality of slots arranged in the height direction thereof and extending in the lateral and longitudinal directions thereof, and the plurality of rows of terminals are fixed to the housing with one end of each row of terminals extending into a corresponding one of the slots for electrically contacting a row of mating terminals of a mating module inserted into the one slot.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the slot has a top wall and a bottom wall opposite in the height direction, and a guide rib extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the top wall and / or the bottom wall of the slot; the insulator has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite in the height direction, and a guide groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the insulator is formed on the top surface and / or the bottom surface of the insulator; the guide groove cooperates with the guide rib on the housing for guiding the mating module to be inserted into the slot of the housing and positioning the mating module in the lateral direction of the housing.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the slot has a left wall and a right wall opposite in the lateral direction, and a clamping groove is formed on the left wall and the right wall of the slot, respectively; the insulator has a left side surface and a right side surface opposite in the lateral direction thereof, and an elastic buckle is formed on the left side surface and the right side surface of the insulator, respectively; the elastic buckle comprises an elastic arm and a protrusion formed on the elastic arm, and the protrusion engages with the clamping groove on the housing to lock the mating module in the slot of the housing.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the other end of each row of terminals extends out of the housing and has a soldering leg adapted to be soldered to a circuit board; the soldering legs of each row of terminals are arranged in a row in the lateral direction, and the soldering legs of adjacent two rows of terminals are adjacent in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the connector includes two rows of terminals adjacent to each other, and the shell has two slots adjacent to each other; the plurality of mating modules includes an upper mating module and a lower mating module respectively inserted into the upper slot and the lower slot of the shell; one end of the upper row of terminals of the connector extends into the upper slot for electrical contact with one row of mating terminals of the upper mating module; and one end of the lower row of terminals of the connector extends into the lower slot for electrical contact with one row of mating terminals of the lower mating module.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a receiving recess is formed at the bottom of the flange portion of the upper mating module, and the flange portion of the lower mating module is received and hidden in the receiving recess of the upper mating module, so that the lower mating module cannot be pulled out of the lower slot by clamping the flange portion of the lower mating module before the upper mating module is pulled out of the upper slot.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a blocking flange is formed on the bottom surface of the flange portion of the upper mating module, and a blocking step is formed on the top surface of the flange portion of the lower mating module; the blocking flange of the upper mating module abuts against the blocking step of the lower mating module, so that the lower mating module can be pulled out of the lower slot only after the upper mating module is pulled out of the upper slot.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the mating module further includes a ribbon cable having one row of core wires, one end of which is inserted into the insulator and electrically connected to the one row of mating terminals.

[0017] According to another aspect of the utility model, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector and a plurality of board cards. The connector includes a shell and a plurality of rows of terminals arranged in the shell. The plurality of board cards are inserted into the shell and electrically contact the plurality of rows of terminals respectively. A limiting member for limiting the insertion and removal sequence of adjacent two board cards is arranged on at least one of the adjacent two board cards, so that the adjacent two board cards can be inserted into the connector one by one only in a predetermined insertion sequence and can be pulled out of the connector one by one only in a predetermined removal sequence.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the limiting member is a bolt, a mounting hole for mounting the bolt is formed on one of the adjacent two board cards, and a notch for avoiding the bolt is formed on the other of the adjacent two board cards; the bolt is mounted in the mounting hole of the one board card and abuts against the other board card, so that the other board card can be pulled out of the shell only after the one board card is pulled out of the shell.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the shell has multiple slots arranged in its height direction and extending in its lateral and longitudinal directions, one end of each row of terminals in the multiple rows of terminals extends into a corresponding one of the slots for electrically contacting a row of contact pads on an inserted board card.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the connector includes two rows of terminals adjacent to each other in the upper and lower directions, the shell has two slots adjacent to each other in the upper and lower directions; the multiple board cards include an upper board card and a lower board card inserted into the upper slot and the lower slot of the shell respectively; one end of the upper row of terminals of the connector extends into the upper slot for electrically contacting the upper board card inserted into the upper slot; one end of the lower row of terminals of the connector extends into the lower slot for electrically contacting the lower board card inserted into the lower slot.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, a mounting hole for mounting the bolt is formed on the rear end of the upper board card, and a notch for avoiding the bolt is formed on the rear end of the lower board card; the bolt is mounted to the mounting hole of the upper board card and abuts against the rear side edge of the lower board card, so that the lower board card can be pulled out of the lower slot only after the upper board card is pulled out of the upper slot.

[0022] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present utility model, the multiple mating modules or the multiple board cards can only be inserted and pulled out one by one in a predetermined order, and cannot be inserted and pulled out together. Therefore, the present utility model can reduce the insertion and pulling force during mating, and is very convenient to use.

[0023] Other purposes and advantages of the present utility model will be apparent from the following description of the present utility model made with reference to the accompanying drawings, and can help to have a comprehensive understanding of the present utility model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, in which a lower mating module is inserted into a lower slot of a shell, and an upper mating module is pulled out of an upper slot of the shell;

[0026] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solutions of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the description, identical or similar reference numerals indicate identical or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings is intended to explain the general inventive concept of the present application and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0031] In addition, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the accompanying drawings.

[0032] According to one general inventive concept, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector and a plurality of mating modules. The connector includes a housing and a plurality of rows of terminals disposed into the housing. The plurality of mating modules are inserted into the housing and respectively electrically contact the plurality of rows of terminals. Limiting features are formed on at least one of two adjacent mating modules for limiting the insertion and extraction order of the two adjacent mating modules, such that the two adjacent mating modules can only be inserted into the connector one by one in a predetermined insertion order and can only be extracted from the connector one by one in a predetermined extraction order.

[0033] According to another general inventive concept, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector and a plurality of board cards. The connector includes a housing and a plurality of rows of terminals disposed into the housing. The plurality of board cards are inserted into the housing and respectively electrically contact the plurality of rows of terminals. Limiting members are disposed on at least one of two adjacent board cards for limiting the insertion and extraction order of the two adjacent board cards, such that the two adjacent board cards can only be inserted into the connector one by one in a predetermined insertion order and can only be extracted from the connector one by one in a predetermined extraction order.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connector 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application; Figure 2The diagram shows an exploded view of a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the lower mating module 2” is inserted into the lower slot 11” of the housing 10, and the upper mating module 2’ is pulled out from the upper slot 11’ of the housing 10. Figure 3 An exploded view of connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 This shows a longitudinal sectional view of connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector assembly is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a connector 1 and a plurality of mating modules 2. The connector 1 includes a housing 10 and multiple rows of terminals 12. The multiple rows of terminals 12 are disposed in the housing 10. The plurality of mating modules 2 are inserted into the housing 10 and make electrical contact with the multiple rows of terminals 12 respectively.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the two adjacent mating modules 2 is provided with a limiting feature for restricting the insertion and removal order of the two adjacent mating modules 2, such that the two adjacent mating modules 2 can only be inserted into the connector 1 one by one in a predetermined insertion order and can only be removed from the connector 1 one by one in a predetermined removal order.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating module 2 includes an insulator 20 and a row of mating terminals (not shown). The insulator 20 is adapted to be inserted into the housing 10 of the connector 1. The row of mating terminals is disposed in the insulator 20 and adapted to mate with a row of terminals 12 of the connector 1. The insulator 20 has a flange 21 located outside the housing 10, allowing the mating module 2 to be inserted or removed by gripping the flange 21, the aforementioned limiting features being formed on the flange 21 of the insulator 20.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the flange portion 21” of one of the two adjacent mating modules 2” is accommodated and hidden in the flange portion 21’ of the other mating module 2’, such that one mating module 2” cannot be pulled out of the housing 10 by the flange portion 21 of the insulator 20 of one mating module 2” before the other mating module 2’ is pulled out of the housing 10.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a receiving recess 201 is formed on the flange portion 21' of the insulator 20 of another mating module 2', and the flange portion 21' of the insulator 20 of one mating module 2' is received and hidden in the receiving recess 201 of the insulator 20 of the other mating module 2'.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a blocking step 15 is formed on the flange portion 21 of one of the two adjacent mating modules 2, and a blocking flange 25 is formed on the flange portion 21 of the other of the two adjacent mating modules 2. The blocking flange 25 abuts against the blocking step 15 to define the relative position between the two adjacent mating modules 2. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the blocking flange 25 abuts against the blocking step 15, ensuring that one of the two adjacent mating modules 2” can only be pulled out of the housing 10 after the other mating module 2’ has been pulled out of the housing 10.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 has a plurality of slots 11 spaced apart in its height direction Z and extending in its transverse X and longitudinal Y directions. Multiple rows of terminals 12 are fixed to the housing 10, with one end of each row of terminals 12 extending into a corresponding slot 11 for electrical contact with a row of mating terminals of a mating module 2 inserted into a slot 11.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the slot 11 has a top wall and a bottom wall opposite each other in the height direction Z, and guide ribs 14 extending longitudinally Y are formed on the top wall and / or bottom wall of the slot 11. The insulator 20 has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite each other in the height direction Z, and guide grooves 24 extending longitudinally Y are formed on the top surface and / or bottom surface of the insulator 20. The guide grooves 24 cooperate with the guide ribs 14 on the housing 10 to guide the mating module 2 into the slot 11 of the housing 10 and to position the mating module 2 in the lateral X direction of the housing 10.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the slot 11 has a left wall and a right wall opposite each other in the transverse X direction, and a slot 13 is formed on the left wall and the right wall of the slot 11, respectively. The insulator 20 has a left side and a right side opposite each other in the transverse X direction, and an elastic buckle 23 is formed on the left side and the right side of the insulator 20, respectively. The elastic buckle 23 includes an elastic arm 23b and a protrusion 23a formed on the elastic arm 23b. The protrusion 23a engages with the slot 13 on the housing 10 to lock the mating module 2 in the slot 11 of the housing 10.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each row of terminals 12 has its other end extending from the housing 10 and having solder feet 12a suitable for soldering to a circuit board. The solder feet 12a of each row of terminals 12 are arranged in a row along the transverse direction X, and the solder feet 12a of adjacent rows of terminals 12 are adjacent in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes two rows of terminals 12 arranged above and below each other, and the housing 10 has two slots 11 arranged above and below each other. The plurality of mating modules 2 includes an upper mating module 2' and a lower mating module 2" respectively inserted into the upper slot 11' and the lower slot 11" of the housing 10. One end of the upper row of terminals 12' of the connector 1 extends into the upper slot 11' for electrical contact with a row of mating terminals of the upper mating module 2'. One end of the lower row of terminals 12" of the connector 1 extends into the lower slot 11" for electrical contact with a row of mating terminals of the lower mating module 2".

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes two rows of terminals 12 arranged above and below each other, and the housing 10 has two slots 11 arranged above and below each other. The plurality of mating modules 2 includes an upper mating module 2' and a lower mating module 2" respectively inserted into the upper slot 11' and the lower slot 11" of the housing 10. One end of the upper row of terminals 12' of the connector 1 extends into the upper slot 11' for electrical contact with a row of mating terminals of the upper mating module 2'. One end of the lower row of terminals 12" of the connector 1 extends into the lower slot 11" for electrical contact with a row of mating terminals of the lower mating module 2". Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a receiving recess 201 is formed at the bottom of the flange portion 21' of the upper mating module 2', and the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" is received and hidden in the receiving recess 201 of the upper mating module 2', so that the lower mating module 2" cannot be pulled out of the lower slot 11" by gripping the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" before the upper mating module 2' is pulled out of the upper slot 11'. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the insertion and removal of the upper mating module 2' and the lower mating module 2" are in a sequence. The lower mating module 2" needs to be inserted into the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the upper mating module 2', and the upper mating module 2' needs to be pulled out of the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the lower mating module 2".

[0047] As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a receiving recess 201 is formed at the bottom of the flange portion 21' of the upper mating module 2', and the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" is received and hidden in the receiving recess 201 of the upper mating module 2', so that the lower mating module 2" cannot be pulled out of the lower slot 11" by gripping the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" before the upper mating module 2' is pulled out of the upper slot 11'. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the insertion and removal of the upper mating module 2' and the lower mating module 2" are in a sequence. The lower mating module 2" needs to be inserted into the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the upper mating module 2', and the upper mating module 2' needs to be pulled out of the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the lower mating module 2". Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a receiving recess 201 is formed at the bottom of the flange portion 21' of the upper mating module 2', and the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" is received and hidden in the receiving recess 201 of the upper mating module 2', so that the lower mating module 2" cannot be pulled out of the lower slot 11" by gripping the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" before the upper mating module 2' is pulled out of the upper slot 11'. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the insertion and removal of the upper mating module 2' and the lower mating module 2" are in a sequence. The lower mating module 2" needs to be inserted into the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the upper mating module 2', and the upper mating module 2' needs to be pulled out of the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the lower mating module 2".

[0048] As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a receiving recess 201 is formed at the bottom of the flange portion 21' of the upper mating module 2', and the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" is received and hidden in the receiving recess 201 of the upper mating module 2', so that the lower mating module 2" cannot be pulled out of the lower slot 11" by gripping the flange portion 21" of the lower mating module 2" before the upper mating module 2' is pulled out of the upper slot 11'. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the insertion and removal of the upper mating module 2' and the lower mating module 2" are in a sequence. The lower mating module 2" needs to be inserted into the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the upper mating module 2', and the upper mating module 2' needs to be pulled out of the housing 10 of the connector 1 before the lower mating module 2". Figure 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating module 2 further includes a ribbon cable 22, one end of the ribbon cable 22 is inserted into the insulator 20 and has a row of core wires 220. A row of mating terminals are respectively electrically connected with a row of core wires 220 of the ribbon cable 22. For example, the mating terminals can be crimped onto the ribbon cable 22.

[0049] Figure 6 A perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 An exploded view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0050] Figure 6 and Figures 1 to 4 The connector shown is Figure 5 The main difference between the connectors shown is the type of object they mate with. Figure 6 and Figures 1 to 4 The connector shown is for mating with board 3. Figure 5 The connector shown is used for mating with mating module 2.

[0051] like Figure 6 and Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector assembly is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a connector 1 and multiple circuit boards 3. The connector 1 includes a housing 10 and multiple rows of terminals 12 (not shown, but can be found in [reference needed]). Figure 5 Multiple rows of terminals 12 are disposed within the housing 10. Multiple circuit boards 3 are inserted into the housing 10 and make electrical contact with the multiple rows of terminals 12 respectively.

[0052] like Figure 6 and Figure 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the two adjacent boards 3 is provided with a limiting member for restricting the insertion and removal order of the two adjacent boards 3, so that the two adjacent boards 3 can only be inserted into the connector 1 one by one in a predetermined insertion order and can only be removed from the connector 1 one by one in a predetermined removal order.

[0053] like Figure 6 and Figure 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned limiting member can be a bolt 31. A mounting hole for mounting the bolt 31 is formed on one of the two adjacent plates 3, plate 3', and a notch 32 for avoiding the bolt 31 is formed on the other of the two adjacent plates 3, plate 3''. The bolt 31 is installed in the mounting hole of one plate 3' and abuts against the other plate 3'', such that the other plate 3'' can only be removed from the housing 10 after one plate 3' has been removed from the housing 10.

[0054] like Figure 6 and Figure 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 has a plurality of slots 11 spaced apart in its height direction Z and extending in its transverse direction X and longitudinal direction Y. One end of each row of terminals 12 extends into a corresponding slot 11 for electrical contact with a row of contact pads 3a on the inserted board 3.

[0055] likeFigure 6 and Figure 5 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes two rows of terminals 12 adjacent to each other, and the housing 10 has two slots 11 adjacent to each other. A plurality of boards 3 includes an upper board 3' and a lower board 3" inserted into the upper slot 11' and the lower slot 11" of the housing 10 respectively. One end of the upper row of terminals 12' of the connector 1 extends into the upper slot 11' for electrical contact with the upper board 3' inserted into the upper slot 11'. One end of the lower row of terminals 12" of the connector 1 extends into the lower slot 11" for electrical contact with the lower board 3" inserted into the lower slot 11".

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes two rows of terminals 12 adjacent to each other, and the housing 10 has two slots 11 adjacent to each other. A plurality of boards 3 includes an upper board 3' and a lower board 3" inserted into the upper slot 11' and the lower slot 11" of the housing 10 respectively. One end of the upper row of terminals 12' of the connector 1 extends into the upper slot 11' for electrical contact with the upper board 3' inserted into the upper slot 11'. One end of the lower row of terminals 12" of the connector 1 extends into the lower slot 11" for electrical contact with the lower board 3" inserted into the lower slot 11". Figure 6 ​ As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes two rows of terminals 12 adjacent to each other, and the housing 10 has two slots 11 adjacent to each other. A plurality of boards 3 includes an upper board 3' and a lower board 3" inserted into the upper slot 11' and the lower slot 11" of the housing 10 respectively. One end of the upper row of terminals 12' of the connector 1 extends into the upper slot 11' for electrical contact with the upper board 3' inserted into the upper slot 11'. One end of the lower row of terminals 12" of the connector 1 extends into the lower slot 11" for electrical contact with the lower board 3" inserted into the lower slot 11".

[0057] Therefore, in the present application, the insertion and removal of the upper board 3' and the lower board 3" is in a sequence. During insertion, the lower board 3" must be inserted into the lower slot 11" first, and then the upper board 3' can be inserted into the upper slot 11'. During removal, the upper board 3' must be removed from the upper slot 11' first, and then the lower board 3" can be removed from the lower slot 11".

[0058] It is understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments are exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make improvements, and the structures described in various embodiments can be freely combined without structural or principle conflicts, and these changes shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0059] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplarily illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present application, and cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application.

[0060] Although some embodiments of the general concept of the present application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the present application, and the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0061] It should be noted that the word "comprise" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "one" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference in the claims should not be understood as limiting the scope of the present application.​

Claims

1. A connector assembly characterized by, Comprises: a connector (1) comprising: a housing (10); and a plurality of rows of terminals arranged in the housing (10); and a plurality of mating modules (2) inserted into the housing (10) and respectively in electrical contact with the plurality of rows of terminals, a restriction feature is formed on at least one of two adjacent mating modules (2) for restricting the insertion and extraction order of the two adjacent mating modules (2), so that the two adjacent mating modules (2) can only be inserted into and extracted from the connector (1) one by one in a predetermined insertion and extraction order.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: the mating module (2) comprises: an insulator (20) adapted to be inserted into the housing (10); and a row of mating terminals arranged in the insulator (20) and adapted to be mated with a row of terminals, the insulator (20) has a flange portion (21) located outside the housing (10), so that the mating module (2) can be inserted and extracted by gripping the flange portion (21), and the restriction feature is formed on the flange portion (21).

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: the flange portion of one of the two adjacent mating modules (2) is accommodated and hidden in the flange portion of the other mating module, so that the one mating module cannot be extracted from the housing (10) by gripping the flange portion (21) of the insulator (20) of the one mating module before the other mating module is extracted from the housing (10).

4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: an accommodation recess (201) is formed on the flange portion of the insulator (20) of the other mating module, and the flange portion of the one mating module is accommodated and hidden in the accommodation recess (201) of the insulator (20) of the other mating module.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: a blocking step (15) is formed on the flange portion (21) of one of the two adjacent mating modules (2), and a blocking flange (25) is formed on the flange portion (21) of the other mating module (2), the blocking flange (25) abuts against the blocking step (15) to define the relative position between the two adjacent mating modules (2).

6. The connector assembly of any of claims 2-5, wherein: the housing (10) has a plurality of insertion slots (11) arranged at intervals in the height direction (Z) thereof and extending in the lateral direction (X) and the longitudinal direction (Y) thereof, the plurality of rows of terminals are fixed to the housing (10) and one end of each row of terminals extends into a corresponding one of the insertion slots (11) for electrical contact with a row of mating terminals of a mating module (2) inserted into the one insertion slot (11).

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: the insertion slot (11) has opposite top and bottom walls in the height direction (Z), and a guide rib (14) extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) is formed on the top and / or bottom wall of the insertion slot (11). The insulator (20) has opposite top and bottom surfaces in the height direction (Z), and a guide groove (24) extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the insulator (20) is formed on the top and / or bottom surface of the insulator (20); The guide groove (24) cooperates with the guide rib (14) on the housing (10) to guide the mating module (2) to be inserted into the slot (11) of the housing (10) and positioned in the transverse direction (X) of the housing (10).

8. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The slot (11) has opposite left and right walls in the transverse direction (X), and a clamping groove (13) is formed on the left and right walls of the slot (11), respectively; The insulator (20) has opposite left and right side surfaces in the transverse direction (X) thereof, and a resilient catch (23) is formed on the left and right side surfaces of the insulator (20), respectively; The resilient catch (23) includes a resilient arm (23b) and a protrusion (23a) formed on the resilient arm (23b), and the protrusion (23a) engages with the clamping groove (13) on the housing (10) to lock the mating module (2) in the slot (11) of the housing (10).

9. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The other end of each row of terminals extends out of the housing (10) and has a soldering leg (12a) adapted to be soldered to a circuit board; The soldering legs (12a) of each row of terminals are arranged in a row in the transverse direction (X), and the soldering legs (12a) of adjacent two rows of terminals are adjacent in the longitudinal direction (Y).

10. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The connector (1) includes two rows of upper and lower adjacent terminals, and the housing (10) has two slots (11) of upper and lower adjacent slots; The plurality of mating modules (2) includes an upper mating module and a lower mating module inserted into the upper slot (11') and the lower slot (11") of the housing (10), respectively; One end of the upper row of terminals (12') of the connector (1) extends into the upper slot (11') for electrically contacting with one row of mating terminals of the upper mating module; One end of the lower row of terminals (12") of the connector (1) extends into the lower slot (11") for electrically contacting with one row of mating terminals of the lower mating module.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The mating module (2) further includes: A ribbon cable (22) having one end inserted into the insulator (20) and having one row of cores (220), The one row of mating terminals are electrically connected with the one row of cores (220) of the ribbon cable (22), respectively.

12. A connector assembly characterized by, Comprising: A connector (1) including: A housing (10); and A plurality of rows of terminals arranged in the housing (10); and A plurality of board cards (3) inserted into the housing (10) and electrically contacting with the plurality of rows of terminals, respectively, At least one of the two adjacent boards (3) is provided with a limiting member for limiting the insertion and extraction sequence of the two adjacent boards (3), so that the two adjacent boards (3) can only be inserted into the connector (1) and extracted from the connector (1) in a predetermined sequence.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein: the limiting member is a bolt (31), and the one of the two adjacent boards (3) is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the bolt (31), and the other of the two adjacent boards (3) is provided with a notch (32) for avoiding the bolt (31); the bolt (31) is mounted in the mounting hole of the one of the two adjacent boards (3) and abuts against the other of the two adjacent boards (3), so that the other of the two adjacent boards (3) can only be extracted from the housing (10) after the one of the two adjacent boards (3) is extracted from the housing (10).

14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein: the housing (10) has a plurality of slots (11) arranged in its height direction (Z) and extending in its lateral direction (X) and longitudinal direction (Y), one end of each of the plurality of rows of terminals extends into a corresponding one of the slots (11) for electrically contacting a row of contact pads (3a) on an inserted board (3).

15. The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein: the connector (1) includes two rows of terminals adjacent to each other in an upper row and a lower row, and the housing (10) has two slots (11) adjacent to each other in an upper slot and a lower slot; the plurality of boards (3) includes an upper board (3’) and a lower board (3”) inserted into the upper slot (11’) and the lower slot (11”) of the housing (10) respectively; one end of the upper row of terminals (12’) of the connector (1) extends into the upper slot (11’) for electrically contacting the upper board (3’) inserted into the upper slot (11’); one end of the lower row of terminals (12”) of the connector (1) extends into the lower slot (11”) for electrically contacting the lower board (3”) inserted into the lower slot (11”).

16. The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein: the upper board (3’) is provided with a mounting hole at its rear end for mounting the bolt (31), and the lower board (3”) is provided with a notch (32) at its rear end for avoiding the bolt (31); the bolt (31) is mounted to the mounting hole of the upper board (3’) and abuts against the rear side of the lower board (3”), so that the lower board (3”) can only be extracted from the lower slot (11”) after the upper board (3’) is extracted from the upper slot (11’).

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