Modular connector

Abstract

The utility model provides a modular connector comprising a front housing assembly, a rear housing, a first metal housing and a second metal housing, the first metal housing is provided with a sleeve-shaped body, the sleeve-shaped body defines a front embedding opening, and the rear housing is provided with a rear embedding opening. The front housing assembly is a composite structure composed of a front housing and a plurality of contacts. The front fitting opening may be configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type A interface or a Universal Serial Bus Type C interface, and the rear fitting opening may be configured as a card edge slot. Through the above structure, the modular connector can be electrically connected with the circuit board in a non-welding manner, and can be replaced in a simple and rapid manner without causing damage to other adjacent components on the circuit board.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to modular connectors, and more particularly to modular connectors that can be electrically connected to circuit boards in a non-soldering manner and can be easily and quickly replaced. Background Technology

[0002] US Patent 10044130B2 discloses a USB Type-C recessed connector that is mounted on a circuit board via soldering. Recessed connectors are suitable for thin or low-profile electronic devices due to their low mounting height. However, they are difficult to disassemble and the recessed portion is not easily inspected, leading to difficult maintenance and low reliability. Furthermore, the desoldering process for removing the connector may damage adjacent electronic components on the circuit board.

[0003] On the other hand, installing this type of recessed socket connector requires pre-forming countersunk holes on the circuit board, which reduces the strength of the circuit board. Utility Model Content

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a modular connector that can be electrically connected to a circuit board in a non-soldering manner and can be easily and quickly replaced.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide a modular connector that is suitable for thin or low-profile electronic devices, but does not have the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional technology.

[0006] According to the present invention, a modular connector is provided, comprising: a front housing assembly, a rear housing, a first metal housing, and a second metal housing. The first metal housing has a sleeve-shaped body that defines a front fitting opening. The rear housing forms a rear fitting opening that is opposite to the front fitting opening. The front housing assembly and the rear housing are arranged along a first direction. A first connecting object can be fitted into the front fitting opening along the first direction, and a second connecting object can be fitted into the rear fitting opening along the first direction.

[0007] The front housing assembly includes a front housing and a plurality of contacts arranged at a predetermined interval along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and held by the front housing. The front housing has a front housing body and a tongue extending from the front housing body toward the first direction and positioned at the front fitting opening.

[0008] Each contact has a first contact portion and a second contact portion opposite to the first contact portion. The first contact portion is positioned on the tongue and protrudes from the tongue to contact the first connecting object. The second contact portion extends from the front housing body to the rear housing and is positioned in the rear fitting opening to contact the second connecting object.

[0009] The first metal outer shell is engaged with the rear shell, such that the front shell body is sandwiched between the sleeve-shaped body of the first metal outer shell and the rear shell;

[0010] The second metal housing has a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. The front housing portion is fixed to the sleeve-shaped body of the first metal housing, while the rear housing portion is engaged with the rear housing and partially covers the rear housing.

[0011] According to the modular connector of this invention, the front housing is formed by insert molding.

[0012] According to the modular connector of this invention, the front fitting opening is configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type-A (USB Type-A) interface.

[0013] According to the modular connector of the present invention, the plurality of contacts are arranged along the second direction as the upper-row contacts and the lower-row contacts, the upper-row contacts and the lower-row contacts being spaced apart in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction;

[0014] The front housing assembly consists of a first front housing section, a second front housing section, a third front housing section, a grounding member, the above-mentioned contacts, and the following contacts;

[0015] The first front housing portion and the above-mentioned contact members form a first front housing sub-assembly. The first front housing portion is formed by insert injection molding to partially cover the above-mentioned contact members in order to retain the above-mentioned contact members.

[0016] The second front housing portion and the following contact elements form a second front housing sub-assembly. The second front housing portion is formed by insert injection molding to partially cover the following contact elements in order to retain the following contact elements.

[0017] The grounding member is disposed between the first front housing subassembly and the second front housing subassembly. The third front housing portion is formed by injection molding to partially cover the assembly consisting of the first front housing subassembly, the second front housing subassembly and the grounding member, thereby forming the front housing assembly.

[0018] According to the modular connector of this invention, the front fitting opening is configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB Type-C) interface.

[0019] According to the modular connector of the present invention, the grounding member has a plate-shaped body and a grounding contact portion extending from the plate-shaped body into the rear fitting opening.

[0020] According to the modular connector of this utility model, the rear fitting opening is configured as a card edgeslot for inserting a card plate or circuit board that is the second connection object.

[0021] According to the modular connector of this invention, when viewed from the second direction, the central axis of the front fitting opening is aligned with the central axis of the rear fitting opening.

[0022] According to the modular connector of this invention, when viewed from the second direction, the central axis of the front fitting opening is offset from the central axis of the rear fitting opening.

[0023] According to the modular connector of this utility model, the front outer shell portion of the second metal shell has a pair of tabs, and each tab has a fixing hole.

[0024] The modular connector according to this invention can be easily disassembled without the need for a desoldering process, and there is no risk of damaging adjacent electronic components on the circuit board.

[0025] Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains will be able to best understand the technical features, other objectives, and advantages of this utility model after referring to its specification and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is another perspective view of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 The cross section taken by line AA in the middle.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a view showing the front housing assembly and the rear housing of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the front housing assembly of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8This is an exploded perspective view of the front housing assembly of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the second metal housing of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a usage diagram of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0036] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view of the modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 13 This is a rear view of the modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 14 It is along Figure 13 The cross section taken from line BB in the middle.

[0040] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the front housing assembly of the modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 16 This is an exploded perspective view of the front housing assembly of the modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of a modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 18 This is another perspective view of the modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 19 This is an exploded perspective view of the modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 20 This is a rear view of the modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 21 It is along Figure 20 The cross section taken by line CC in the middle.

[0047] Figure 22 This is a perspective view of the front housing assembly of the modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 23 This is a usage diagram of the modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present utility model.

[0049] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0050] 10: Modular connector

[0051] 11: Front housing assembly

[0052] 11a: Front housing body

[0053] 11a1: Activated protrusion

[0054] 11a2: concave part

[0055] 11b: Tongue slice

[0056] 110: Front housing

[0057] 111: First front housing section

[0058] 111A: First front housing sub-assembly

[0059] 112A: Second front housing subassembly

[0060] 112: Second front housing section

[0061] 113: Third front housing section

[0062] 114: Grounding components

[0063] 1140: Plate body

[0064] 1141: Grounding contact part

[0065] 1142: Grounding contact part

[0066] 1143: Positioning hole

[0067] 115: The contact elements listed above

[0068] 1151: First Contact Section

[0069] 1152: Maintenance Section

[0070] 1153: Second Contact Section

[0071] 116: The following contacts

[0072] 1161: First contact part

[0073] 1162: Maintaining Department

[0074] 1163: Second contact part

[0075] 12: Rear housing

[0076] 120: Rear housing body part

[0077] 1200: Rear Fitting Opening

[0078] 1201: First joint protrusion

[0079] 1202: Second junction protrusion

[0080] 1203: Third junctional protrusion

[0081] 1204: A puncture protrusion

[0082] 13: First metal casing

[0083] 130: Sleeve-shaped body

[0084] 1300: Front Fitting Opening

[0085] 131: Contact Arm

[0086] 132:Latch

[0087] 133: Buckle Arm

[0088] 1330: Connecting hole

[0089] 14: Second metal casing

[0090] 140: Outer shell body

[0091] 1401: Lug

[0092] 1402: Fixing hole

[0093] 1403: Positioning hole

[0094] 1404: Joint hole

[0095] 141: Front outer shell

[0096] 1411: Convex plate

[0097] 1412: Fixing hole

[0098] 142: Rear outer shell

[0099] 1421: First mating hole

[0100] 1422: Second mating hole

[0101] 1423: Third mating hole

[0102] 143: Connecting part

[0103] 15: Contact components

[0104] 151: First Contact Section

[0105] 152: Maintaining Section

[0106] 153: Second Contact Section

[0107] 20: Circuit board

[0108] 30: Chassis

[0109] 300: Socket

[0110] 301: Boss

[0111] D1: First Direction

[0112] D2: Second Direction

[0113] D3: Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0114] The connector for modules according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical components or components having the same function are indicated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0115] [First Embodiment]

[0116] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein... Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is another perspective view of the modular connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of a modular connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The modular connector is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The modular connector 10 includes: a front housing assembly 11, a rear housing 12, a first metal shell 13, and a second metal shell 14. The first connecting object and the second connecting object can be engaged with the front end and rear end of the modular connector 10 respectively along the first direction D1 (fitting direction).

[0117] The front housing assembly 11 is a composite component consisting of conductive and insulating components. Specifically, the front housing assembly 11 includes a front housing, a plurality of contacts, and a grounding component 114. The front housing is composed of a first front housing portion 111, a second front housing portion 112, and a third front housing portion 113. The first front housing portion 111, the second front housing portion 112, and the third front housing portion 113 are made of resin or polymer material by insert molding. The plurality of contacts are arranged in two rows at a predetermined spacing along a second direction D2 (spacing direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1, namely, the upper row of contacts 115 and the lower row of contacts 116. The upper row of contacts 115 and the lower row of contacts 116 are separated by a third direction D3 (height direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The contacts are made of conductive material (e.g., copper or copper alloy). Further details of the front housing assembly 11 will be described below.

[0118] The rear housing 12 is disposed behind the front housing assembly 11 in a first direction D1. The rear housing 12 is made of resin or polymer material by injection molding. The body portion 120 of the rear housing 12 has a rear fitting opening 1200 formed at its rear end. In a first embodiment, the rear fitting opening 1200 is configured as a card edge slot for inserting a circuit board or card plate that serves as a second connection object. Figure 4 This is a rear view of the modular connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, the upper contact 115 is located at the upper edge of the rear mating opening 1200, and the lower contact 116 is located at the lower edge of the rear mating opening 1200. The upper contact 115 and the lower contact 116 can respectively make electrical contact with the contact pads formed on both sides of the circuit board.

[0119] The first metal housing 13 has a sleeve-shaped body 130 defining a front engagement opening 1300. In a first embodiment, the front engagement opening 1300 is configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB Type-C) interface for insertion of a USB Type-C plug connector, which is a first connection object. The sleeve-shaped body 130 forms a plurality of contact arms 131 and a plurality of latches 132. The contact arms 131 are used to contact the metal housing of the USB Type-C plug connector inserted into the front engagement opening 1300. The first metal housing 13 further has a plurality of engaging arms 133. The engaging arms 133 extend from the rear edge of the sleeve-shaped body 130, and each engaging arm 133 forms an engagement hole 1330. These engagement holes 1330 will engage with a first engagement protrusion 1201 formed on the rear housing 12 (see...). Figure 6 ) join, in Figure 6Only the first engagement protrusion 1201 formed on the top surface of the rear housing 12 is shown; the first engagement protrusion formed on the bottom surface of the rear housing 12 is not illustrated. The first metal casing 13 is made of an alloy material (e.g., stainless steel). The first metal casing 13 can be formed by stamping and bending a sheet of alloy material.

[0120] The second metal housing 14 has a front housing portion 141 and a rear housing portion 142. The second metal housing 14 is made of an alloy material (e.g., stainless steel). The front housing portion 141 is fixed to the sleeve-shaped body 130 of the first metal housing 13 by laser soldering, while the rear housing portion 142 is joined to and partially covers the rear housing 12. The front housing portion 141 has a pair of tabs 1411, each tab 1411 having a fixing hole 1412. The modular connector 10 can be mounted on the housing of the electronic device housing the circuit board using fasteners such as screws. The bottom surface of the rear housing portion 142 has a first engagement hole 1421, two second engagement holes 1422 are formed on each of the two sides of the rear housing portion 142, and two third engagement holes 1423 are formed on the top surface of the rear housing portion 142. The first engagement hole 1421 of the rear housing portion 142 engages with an engagement protrusion (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the rear housing 12. The second engagement hole 1422 of the rear housing portion 142 will engage with the third engagement protrusion 1203 formed on the side of the rear housing 12 (see...). Figure 6 The third engagement hole 1423 of the rear housing 142 will engage with the second engagement protrusion 1202 formed on the top surface of the rear housing 12 (see...). Figure 6 The rear outer casing portion 142 of the second metal casing 14 can be fixed to the rear casing 12 in this manner.

[0121] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 The cross-section taken by line AA in the diagram. For example... Figure 5 As shown, each of the above-listed contact members 15 has a first contact portion 1151, a holding portion 1152, and a second contact portion 1153. The holding portion 1152 is held by a first front housing portion 111, the first contact portion 1151 extends from one end of the holding portion 1152, and the second contact portion 1153 extends from the other end of the holding portion 1152. Each of the following contact members 16 has a first contact portion 1161, a holding portion 1162, and a second contact portion 1163. The holding portion 1162 is held by a second front housing portion 112, the first contact portion 1161 extends from one end of the holding portion 1162, and the second contact portion 1163 extends from the other end of the holding portion 1162. The second contact portions 1153 and 1163 are configured in a spring-loaded form. The above-listed contact members 15 and the following contact members 16 are mirror-symmetrical to each other.

[0122] In the first embodiment, when viewed from the second direction D2, the central axis A1 of the front mating opening 1300 is aligned with the central axis A2 of the rear mating opening 1200. This configuration is suitable for thin or low-profile electronic devices without the aforementioned disadvantages of recessed connectors.

[0123] Figure 6 This is a view showing the front housing assembly 11 and the rear housing 12 of the modular connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the front housing of the front housing assembly 11 is composed of three components (i.e., a first front housing portion 111, a second front housing portion 112, and a third front housing portion 113). Overall, the front housing includes a front housing body 11a and a tongue 11b, the tongue 11b extending from the front housing body 11a in a first direction D1 and positioned in a front mating opening 1300.

[0124] The front housing body 11a has a locking protrusion 11a1 formed on its side, and a plurality of recesses 11a2 formed on its top and bottom surfaces (only the recesses on the top surface of the front housing body 11a are shown). When the front housing assembly 11 is pressed into the rear housing along the first direction D1, the locking protrusion 11a1 of the front housing body 11a engages with the locking protrusion 1204 formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the rear housing. In this way, the front housing assembly 11 can be fixed to the rear housing 12. The latch 132 of the sleeve-shaped body 130 formed on the first metal housing 13 abuts against the inner side wall of the recess 11a2 to prevent the first metal housing 13 from moving relative to the front housing assembly 11 in the first direction D1. The first contact portion 1151 of the above-mentioned contact member 115 and the first contact portion 1161 of the following contact member 116 are respectively disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the tongue 11b. By joining the first metal outer shell 13 to the rear shell 12, the front shell body 11a is sandwiched between the sleeve-shaped body 130 of the first metal outer shell 13 and the rear shell 12.

[0125] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the front housing assembly 11 of the modular connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of the front housing assembly 11 of the modular connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The third front housing portion is not shown in the image. (See reference...) Figures 7 to 8 Further details of the front housing assembly 11.

[0126] As described above, the front housing assembly 11 includes a front housing (i.e., a first front housing portion 111, a second front housing portion 112, and a third front housing portion 113), a plurality of contacts, and a grounding member 114. Specifically, the first front housing portion 111 is formed by insert molding to partially cover and hold the aforementioned contacts 115. The first front housing portion 111 and the aforementioned contacts 115 constitute a first front housing sub-assembly 111A. Similarly, the second front housing portion 112 and the following contacts 116 constitute a second front housing sub-assembly 112A. The grounding member 114 is disposed between the first front housing sub-assembly 111A and the second front housing sub-assembly 112A. The grounding member 114 has a plate-shaped body 1140 and grounding contacts 1141 and 1142 extending from the plate-shaped body 1140 into a rear fitting opening 1200. The grounding contact 1141 is formed with a shape substantially the same as the second contact 1153 of the contact member 115 listed above, and is arranged in the same row as the second contact 1153. The grounding contact 1142 is formed with a shape substantially the same as the second contact 1163 of the contact member 116 listed below, and is arranged in the same row as the second contact 1163. The grounding member also has a plurality of positioning holes 1143 for positioning the first front housing subassembly 111A or the second front housing subassembly 112A relative to the grounding member 114.

[0127] The first front housing subassembly 111A, the second front housing subassembly 112A, and the grounding component 114 are arranged in accordance with... Figure 8 The assembly formed by stacking the elements in the order shown above and below serves as an insert. Then, the third front housing portion 113 is formed by injection molding, ultimately yielding the desired product. Figure 7 The front housing assembly 11 is shown.

[0128] In this embodiment, the first front housing sub-assembly 111A and the second front housing sub-assembly 112A have the same shape, so the first front housing sub-assembly 111A and the second front housing sub-assembly 112A are interchangeable.

[0129] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the second metal housing 14 of the modular connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 As shown, the front outer shell 141 and the rear outer shell 142 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 143. Similar to the first metal shell 13, the second metal shell 14 can be made as a single piece by stamping and bending a sheet of alloy material.

[0130] Figure 10This is a usage diagram of the modular connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The housing 30 has a socket 300 corresponding to the front mating opening of the modular connector 10. A Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB Type-C) plug connector, serving as the first connection object, can be inserted into the front mating opening of the modular connector 10 via the socket 300. The modular connector 10 is mounted on a boss 301 formed on the housing 30 of the electronic device. A circuit board 20, serving as the second connection object, is inserted into a second mating opening at the rear end of the modular connector 10. The circuit board 20 is housed within the housing 30 and can be the motherboard of the electronic device.

[0131] [Second Embodiment]

[0132] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 The modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein... Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the modular connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view of a modular connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The modular connector is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The modular connector 10 includes: a front housing assembly 11, a rear housing 12, a first metal shell 13, and a second metal shell 14. Descriptions of configurations identical or similar to those in the first embodiment in the second embodiment are omitted.

[0133] Figure 13 This is a rear view of the modular connector 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 It is along Figure 13 The cross-section taken from line BB in the middle. The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the modular connector 10 of the second embodiment is configured such that the front mating opening 1300 is offset relative to the rear mating opening 1200. As Figure 14 As shown, when viewed from the second direction D2, the central axis A1 of the front fitting opening 1300 is not aligned with the central axis A2 of the rear fitting opening 1200.

[0134] To accommodate the offset of the front fitting opening 1300 relative to the rear fitting opening 1200, the shapes of the front housing assembly 11, rear housing 12, first metal outer shell 13, and second metal outer shell 14 in the second embodiment are made slightly different from those of the components in the first embodiment, such as... Figure 12 , Figure 14 As shown. The joining structure and assembly method of each component are largely the same in the second embodiment as in the first embodiment, so they will not be described again.

[0135] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the front housing assembly 11 of the modular connector 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16This is an exploded perspective view of the front housing assembly 11 of the modular connector 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the third front housing portion is not shown.

[0136] Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the shapes of the first front housing subassembly 111A and the second front housing subassembly 112A are different and cannot be interchanged. Compared to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the grounding contact portion 1141 of the grounding member 114 is formed closer to the plate-shaped body 1140, while the grounding contact portion 1142 is further away from the plate-shaped body 1140.

[0137] [Third Embodiment]

[0138] Reference Figure 18 and Figure 19 The modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein... Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the modular connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 This is an exploded perspective view of a modular connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The modular connector is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The modular connector 10 includes: a front housing assembly 11, a rear housing 12, a first metal shell 13, and a second metal shell 14. The first connecting object and the second connecting object can be engaged with the front end and rear end of the modular connector 10 respectively along a first direction D1 (fitting direction). Descriptions of configurations identical or similar to those in the first and second embodiments in the third embodiment are omitted.

[0139] The front housing assembly 11 comprises a front housing 110 and a plurality of contacts 15. The contacts 15 are arranged in a row along a second direction D2. The front housing 110 is formed by insert injection molding to partially cover the contacts 15 to retain them. Each contact 15 includes a first contact portion 151, a retaining portion 152, and a second contact portion 153. The first contact portion 151 extends from one end of the retaining portion 152, and the second contact portion 153 extends from the other end of the retaining portion 152 out of the front housing and is opposite to the first contact portion 151. In a third embodiment, the contacts 15 are configured to contact only one side of the circuit board, which is the second connection object.

[0140] The rear housing 12 is disposed behind the front housing assembly 11 in a first direction D1. The rear housing 12 is made of resin or polymer material by injection molding. The body portion 120 of the rear housing 12 has a rear fitting opening 1200 formed at its rear end. In a third embodiment, the rear fitting opening 1200 is configured as a card edge slot for inserting a circuit board or card plate that serves as a second connection object.

[0141] The first metal housing 13 has a sleeve-shaped body 130 that defines a front engagement opening 1300. In a third embodiment, the front engagement opening 1300 is configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type-A (USB Type-A) interface for insertion of a USB Type-A plug connector, which is the first connection object. The sleeve-shaped body 130 has a plurality of contact arms 131 for contacting the metal housing of the USB Type-A plug connector inserted into the front engagement opening 1300. The first metal housing 13 further has a plurality of engaging arms 133. The engaging arms 133 extend from the rear edge of the sleeve-shaped body 130, and each engaging arm 133 has an engagement hole 1330. These engagement holes 1330 engage with engagement protrusions formed on the rear housing 12.

[0142] The second metal housing 14 has a housing body 140. The housing body 140 is fixed to the first metal housing 13 by laser welding. The housing body 140 has a pair of tabs 1401 positioned in a plane perpendicular to a third direction, and each tab 1401 has a fixing hole 1402. The housing body 140 has a positioning hole 1403, into which a protrusion formed in the rear housing 12 is inserted to prevent the second metal housing 14 from moving relative to the rear housing 12 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction D3. Two engagement holes 1404 are formed on each of the two sides of the housing body 140, which engage with engagement protrusions formed on the sides of the rear housing 12 to prevent the second metal housing 14 from moving relative to the rear housing 12 in a third direction D3. In this way, the second metal housing 14 is joined to the rear housing 12.

[0143] Figure 20 This is a rear view of the modular connector 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 It is along Figure 20 The cross-section taken from line CC. In the third embodiment, the modular connector 10 is configured such that the front mating opening 1300 is slightly offset relative to the rear mating opening 1200. Figure 21 As shown, when viewed from the second direction D2, the central axis A1 of the front fitting opening 1300 is not aligned with the central axis A2 of the rear fitting opening 1200.

[0144] Figure 22 This is a perspective view of the front housing assembly 11 of the modular connector 10 according to the third embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 23 This is an exploded perspective view of the front housing assembly 11 of the modular connector 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] Unlike the first and second embodiments, the front housing assembly 11 of the third embodiment is composed of a single injection-molded part, eliminating the need for multiple injection molding processes. The front housing 110 of the front housing assembly 11 includes a front housing body 11a and a tongue 11b. The tongue 11b extends from the front housing body 11a in a first direction D1 and is positioned in the front fitting opening 1300. The first contact portion 151 of the contact member 15 is positioned on the tongue 11b, and the second contact portion 153 of the contact member 15 extends out of the front housing body 11a. The first metal outer shell 13 and the rear housing 12 are engaged with each other, such that the front housing body 11a is sandwiched between the sleeve body 130 of the first metal outer shell 13 and the rear housing 12.

[0146] Figure 23 This is a usage diagram of the modular connector 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The housing 30 has a socket 300 corresponding to the front mating opening of the modular connector 10. A Universal Serial Bus Type-A (USB Type-A) plug connector, serving as the first connection object, can be inserted into the front mating opening of the modular connector 10 via the socket 300. The modular connector 10 is mounted on a boss 301 formed on the housing 30 of the electronic device. A circuit board 20, serving as the second connection object, is inserted into a second mating opening at the rear end of the modular connector 10.

[0147] Although this utility model has been described and demonstrated with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather to the text of the appended claims. That is, any equivalent variations and modifications made without departing from the claims should still fall within the scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A modular connector, characterized by Comprising: a front housing assembly, a rear housing, a first metal housing having a sleeve-shaped body defining a front insertion opening, and a second metal housing, the rear housing being formed with a rear insertion opening opposite to the front insertion opening, the front housing assembly and the rear housing being arranged along a first direction, a first connection object being insertable along the first direction into the front insertion opening, and a second connection object being insertable along the first direction into the rear insertion opening; the front housing assembly including a front housing and a plurality of contact pieces arranged at a predetermined interval along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and held by the front housing, the front housing having a front housing body and a tongue extending from the front housing body toward the first direction and positioned in the front insertion opening; each contact piece having a first contact portion positioned in the tongue and exposed from the tongue so as to be in contact with the first connection object, and a second contact portion extending from the front housing body into the rear insertion opening so as to be in contact with the second connection object; the first metal housing being engaged with the rear housing such that the front housing body is sandwiched between the sleeve-shaped body of the first metal housing and the rear housing; the second metal housing having a front housing portion fixed to the sleeve-shaped body of the first metal housing, and a rear housing portion engaged with the rear housing and partially covering the rear housing.

2. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein, the front housing is formed by insert injection molding.

3. The modular connector of claim 2, wherein, the front insertion opening is configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type-A interface.

4. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein, the plurality of contact pieces are arranged in an upper row of contact pieces and a lower row of contact pieces along the second direction, the upper row of contact pieces being spaced apart from the lower row of contact pieces in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; the front housing assembly is composed of a first front housing portion, a second front housing portion, a third front housing portion, a grounding member, the upper row of contact pieces, and the lower row of contact pieces; the first front housing portion and the upper row of contact pieces form a first front housing sub-assembly, the first front housing portion being formed by insert injection molding to partially cover the upper row of contact pieces so as to hold the upper row of contact pieces; the second front housing portion and the lower row of contact pieces form a second front housing sub-assembly, the second front housing portion being formed by insert injection molding to partially cover the lower row of contact pieces so as to hold the lower row of contact pieces; the grounding member is disposed between the first front housing sub-assembly and the second front housing sub-assembly, and the third front housing portion is formed by insert injection molding to partially cover a combination of the first front housing sub-assembly, the second front housing sub-assembly, and the grounding member, so as to form the front housing assembly.

5. The modular connector of claim 4, wherein, the front insertion opening is configured as a Universal Serial Bus Type-C interface.

6. The modular connector of claim 4, wherein, the grounding member has a plate-shaped body and a grounding contact portion extending from the plate-shaped body into the rear insertion opening.

7. The modular connector of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the rear insertion opening is configured as a card edge slot for insertion of a card or a circuit board as the second connection object.

8. The modular connector of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when viewed from the second direction, a central axis of the front insertion opening is aligned with a central axis of the rear insertion opening.

9. The modular connector of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, When viewed from the second direction, a central axis of the front fitting opening deviates from a central axis of the rear fitting opening.

10. The modular connector of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The front housing portion of the second metal housing is formed with a pair of tabs, each tab being formed with a fixing hole.

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