connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector. The connector comprises a housing, a power module and a transmission module. The power module comprises: a circuit board arranged in the housing; a plurality of first terminals arranged in the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board; and a plurality of first cables extending into the housing and respectively electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals via the circuit board. The transmission module comprises: a plurality of second terminals arranged in the housing and comprising high-speed differential signal terminals; and a plurality of second cables extending into the housing and respectively electrically connected to the plurality of second terminals. The connector of the utility model realizes electrical connection between low-speed terminals and cables and other power application requirements through the circuit board integrated in the housing, can reduce the size of the circuit board, save space, reduce costs, and can meet flexible application requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical connection technology, specifically to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, connectors with both high-speed and low-speed signal terminals (such as PCIe connectors) employ a hybrid connection method between the terminals and cables. The high-speed signal terminals are electrically connected to the high-speed cable inserted into the connector housing, while the low-speed signal terminals and the low-speed cable are electrically connected to a circuit board located outside the connector housing. This circuit board is used to implement electrical connections between low-speed signal terminals, electrical connections between low-speed signal terminals and low-speed cables, and other power application requirements, and also to secure the low-speed cable and the connector housing. This existing connection method limits the flexibility of customer applications and requires a large circuit board, resulting in higher costs and a larger footprint. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a housing, a power module, and a transmission module. The power module includes: a circuit board disposed in the housing; a plurality of first terminals disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board; and a plurality of first cables extending into the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals respectively via the circuit board. The transmission module includes: a plurality of second terminals disposed in the housing, including high-speed differential signal terminals; and a plurality of second cables extending into the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of second terminals respectively.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first terminals include power supply terminals and control signal terminals; the plurality of second terminals include ground terminals and the high-speed differential signal terminals configured in pairs.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal and the circuit board are located on one side of the housing in the lateral direction, and the second terminal is located on the other side of the housing in the lateral direction.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite each other in the height direction, one end of the plurality of first cables and one end of the plurality of second cables pass through one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing and are arranged in a row along the transverse direction.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes: a main body portion including a main body wall extending between its front end and rear end, the main body wall defining a receiving cavity; and a cover portion connected to the rear end of the main body wall, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are at least partially inserted into the receiving cavity, the circuit board is at least partially disposed in the cover portion, and one end of the first cable and one end of the second cable are respectively inserted into the cover portion.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover is an injection molded part directly formed on the circuit board, the first cable and the second cable by an injection molding process.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to a mounting panel or the housing of a device.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion includes a pair of connecting ears located at the lateral ends of the housing, wherein mounting holes are formed on the connecting ears to allow bolts to pass through, so that the housing can be fastened to the mounting panel or the housing of the device by the bolts.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board includes a connection hole and a solder pad, the first connection end of the first terminal is fixed by crimping and electrically connected to the connection hole, and one end of the first cable is fixed by soldering and electrically connected to the solder pad.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second connection end of the second terminal is directly connected to the second cable.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a front end and a rear end that are opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, and a slot for inserting a circuit board is formed at the front end of the housing; the first terminal has a first connection end electrically connected to the circuit board and a first contact end for electrical contact with the circuit board, the first contact end being located in the slot and opposite to the first connection end in the longitudinal direction; the second terminal has a second connection end electrically connected to the second cable and a second contact end for electrical contact with the circuit board, the second contact end being located in the slot and opposite to the second connection end in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first terminals are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, the upper row of first terminals and the lower row of first terminals being spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the housing and used for electrical contact with both sides of the board respectively; the plurality of second terminals are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, the upper row of second terminals and the lower row of second terminals being spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the housing and used for electrical contact with both sides of the board respectively.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first contact end of the upper row first terminal and the second contact end of the upper row second terminal are arranged in a row along the transverse direction of the housing; the first contact end of the lower row first terminal and the second contact end of the lower row second terminal are arranged in a row along the transverse direction of the housing.

[0017] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this utility model, the connector achieves electrical connections between low-speed signal terminals, electrical connections between low-speed signal terminals and low-speed cables, and other power application requirements through a small circuit board integrated inside the connector housing. This eliminates the need for the larger circuit boards found in the prior art. The connector can be mounted to a mounting panel made of ordinary board material or directly to the user's equipment housing. Furthermore, both low-speed and high-speed cables are inserted into the connector housing and electrically connected to the terminals. The low-speed and high-speed cables can be arranged neatly and centrally outside the connector housing, facilitating their simultaneous connection to another electrical connector. Therefore, this connector saves space, reduces costs, and meets the flexible application requirements of customers.

[0018] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as seen from one viewpoint. Figure 2 show Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector shown from another perspective; Figure 3 show Figure 1 A partially exploded view of the connector shown. Figure 4 show Figure 1 Another perspective view of the connector shown, in which the main body is not shown; Figure 5 show Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of some terminals, some cables, and the circuit board of the connector shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of this utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall concept of this utility model and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0021] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0022] According to a general technical concept of this utility model, a connector is provided. The connector includes a housing, a power module, and a transmission module. The power module includes: a circuit board disposed in the housing; a plurality of first terminals disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board; and a plurality of first cables extending into the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals respectively via the circuit board. The transmission module includes: a plurality of second terminals disposed in the housing, including high-speed differential signal terminals; and a plurality of second cables extending into the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of second terminals respectively.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as seen from one viewpoint. Figure 2 show Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector shown from another perspective; Figure 3 show Figure 1 A partially exploded view of the connector shown. Figure 4 show Figure 1 Another perspective view of the connector shown, in which the main body 31 is not shown; Figure 5 show Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of some terminals, some cables, and circuit board 4 of the connector shown.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector is disclosed. The connector includes a housing 3, a power module, and a transmission module. The power module includes a circuit board 4, a plurality of first terminals 1, and a plurality of first cables 5. The circuit board 4 is disposed in the housing 3. The plurality of first terminals 1 are disposed in the housing 3 and electrically connected to the circuit board 4. The plurality of first cables 5 extend into the housing 3 and are electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals 1 respectively via the circuit board 4. The transmission module includes a plurality of second terminals 2 and a plurality of second cables 6. The plurality of second terminals 2 are disposed in the housing 3. The plurality of second terminals 2 include high-speed differential signal terminals. The plurality of second cables 6 extend into the housing 3 and are electrically connected to the plurality of second terminals 2 respectively.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the connector is a PCIe (PCI Express) connector. Multiple first terminals 1 include power terminals and control signal terminals. Multiple second terminals 2 include ground terminals and paired high-speed differential signal terminals. The signal transmission rate of the control signal terminals is lower than the signal transmission rate of the high-speed differential signal terminals.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first terminal 1 and the circuit board 4 are located near one side of the housing 3 on the lateral X direction, and the second terminal 2 is located near the other side of the housing 3 on the lateral X direction.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 3 includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite each other in the height direction Z, one end of a plurality of first cables 5 and one end of a plurality of second cables 6 pass through one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing 3 and are arranged in a row along the transverse direction X.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 3 includes a main body 31 and a cover 32. The main body 31 includes a main wall 311 extending between its front and rear ends, defining a receiving cavity 33. The cover 32 is connected to the rear end of the main body wall 311. Specifically, the main body wall 311 has dovetail-shaped grooves 311a on both sides in the height direction Z, and the cover 32 has protrusions 321 on both sides in the height direction Z corresponding to the shape and position of the grooves 311a. The protrusions 321 engage with the grooves 311a to connect the cover 32 to the rear end of the main body wall 311.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the first terminal 1 and the second terminal 2 are at least partially inserted into the receiving cavity 33 and fixed in the main body 31 by, for example, snap-fit. The circuit board 4 is at least partially disposed in the cover 32, and one end of the first cable 5 and one end of the second cable 6 are respectively inserted into the cover 32 to fix the circuit board 4, the first cable 5 and the second cable 6, and to define the outgoing direction of the first cable 5 and the second cable 6.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the cover portion 32 is an injection molded part directly formed on the circuit board 4, the first cable 5 and the second cable 6 by an injection molding process (e.g., overmolding).

[0031] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 3 includes a mounting portion 35, which is adapted to be mounted to a mounting panel or the housing of an equipment.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion 35 includes a pair of connecting ears located at the two ends of the transverse X of the housing 3, and mounting holes 351 are formed on the connecting ears to allow bolts to pass through, so that the housing 3 can be fastened to the mounting panel or the housing of the device by bolts.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 4 includes a connection hole 41 and a solder pad 42. The first connection end 11 of the first terminal 1 is fixed and electrically connected to the connection hole 41 by crimping, and one end of the first cable 5 is fixed and electrically connected to the solder pad 42 by soldering, thereby electrically connecting the first cable 5 to the first terminal 1 via the circuit board 4.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the second connection end 21 of the second terminal 2 is directly connected to the second cable 6, for example, by soldering, plugging, crimping or other means.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 3 has a front end and a rear end opposite each other in the longitudinal Y direction. A slot 34 for inserting a circuit board (not shown) is formed at the front end of the housing 3. The first terminal 1 has a first connection end 11 electrically connected to the circuit board 4 and a first contact end 12 for electrical contact with the circuit board. The first contact end 12 is located in the slot 34 and is opposite to the first connection end 11 in the longitudinal Y direction. The second terminal 2 has a second connection end 21 electrically connected to the second cable 6 and a second contact end 22 for electrical contact with the circuit board. The second contact end 22 is located in the slot 34 and is opposite to the second connection end 21 in the longitudinal Y direction.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 5As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first terminals 1 are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, the upper row of first terminals 1 and the lower row of first terminals 1 being spaced apart and facing each other in the height direction Z of the housing 3, and used for electrical contact with both sides of the circuit board respectively. A plurality of second terminals 2 are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, the upper row of second terminals 2 and the lower row of second terminals 2 being spaced apart and facing each other in the height direction Z of the housing 3, and used for electrical contact with both sides of the circuit board respectively.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first contact end 12 of the upper row first terminal 1 and the second contact end 22 of the upper row second terminal 2 are arranged in a row along the transverse X direction of the housing 3. The first contact end 12 of the lower row first terminal 1 and the second contact end 22 of the lower row second terminal 2 are arranged in a row along the transverse X direction of the housing 3.

[0038] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this utility model, the connector achieves electrical connections between the first terminals 1, electrical connections between the first terminals 1 and the first cable 5, and other power application requirements, such as power functions defined by the PCIe CEM industry standard, through a smaller circuit board 4 integrated inside the housing 3. This eliminates the need for larger circuit boards in the prior art, and the connector can be mounted to a mounting panel made of ordinary board material or directly to the user's device housing. Furthermore, both the first cable 5 and the second cable 6 are inserted into the housing 3 and electrically connected to the terminals. The first cable 5 and the second cable 6 can be arranged neatly and centrally outside the housing 3, facilitating the connection of the first cable 5 and the second cable 6 to another electrical connector. Therefore, this connector saves space, reduces costs, and can meet the flexible application requirements of customers.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0040] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0041] While some embodiments of the general concept of this utility model have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of this utility model, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0042] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, include: Shell (3); The power module includes: Circuit board (4) is disposed in the housing (3); Multiple first terminals (1) are disposed in the housing (3) and electrically connected to the circuit board (4); and Multiple first cables (5) extend into the housing (3) and are electrically connected to the multiple first terminals (1) respectively via the circuit board (4); and The transmission module includes: Multiple second terminals (2) are disposed in the housing (3) and include high-speed differential signal terminals; and Multiple second cables (6) extend into the housing (3) and are electrically connected to the multiple second terminals (2) respectively.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first terminals (1) include power supply terminals and control signal terminals; The plurality of second terminals (2) include a ground terminal and the high-speed differential signal terminals configured in pairs.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first terminal (1) and the circuit board (4) are located on one side of the housing (3) in the lateral (X) direction, and the second terminal (2) is located on the other side of the housing (3) in the lateral (X) direction.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing (3) includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite each other in the height direction (Z), one end of the plurality of first cables (5) and one end of the plurality of second cables (6) pass through one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing (3) and are arranged in a row along the transverse direction (X).

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (3) includes: The main body (31) includes a main body wall (311) extending between its front and rear ends, the main body wall (311) defining a receiving cavity (33); and The cover (32) is connected to the rear end of the main body wall (311). The first terminal (1) and the second terminal (2) are at least partially inserted into the receiving cavity (33), the circuit board (4) is at least partially disposed in the cover (32), and one end of the first cable (5) and one end of the second cable (6) are respectively inserted into the cover (32).

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cover (32) is an injection molded part that is directly formed on the circuit board (4), the first cable (5) and the second cable (6) by injection molding process.

7. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (3) includes a mounting portion (35) adapted to be mounted on a mounting panel or the housing of an equipment.

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mounting portion (35) includes a pair of connecting ears located at the transverse (X) ends of the housing (3), and mounting holes (351) are formed on the connecting ears to allow bolts to pass through, so that the housing (3) can be fastened to the mounting panel or the housing of the device by the bolts.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The circuit board (4) includes a connection hole (41) and a pad (42). The first connection end (11) of the first terminal (1) is fixed by crimping and electrically connected to the connection hole (41). One end of the first cable (5) is fixed by soldering and electrically connected to the pad (42).

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The second terminal (21) of the second terminal (2) is directly connected to the second cable (6).

11. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The housing (3) has a front end and a rear end opposite each other in the longitudinal direction (Y), and a slot (34) for inserting a board is formed at the front end of the housing (3). The first terminal (1) has a first connection end (11) electrically connected to the circuit board (4) and a first contact end (12) for electrical contact with the board, the first contact end (12) being located in the slot (34) and opposite to the first connection end (11) in the longitudinal direction (Y); The second terminal (2) has a second connection end (21) electrically connected to the second cable (6) and a second contact end (22) for electrical contact with the board, the second contact end (22) being located in the slot (34) and opposite to the second connection end (21) in the longitudinal direction (Y).

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The plurality of first terminals (1) are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, the upper row first terminals (1) and the lower row first terminals (1) being spaced apart from each other in the height direction (Z) of the housing (3) and used for electrical contact with the two sides of the board respectively; The plurality of second terminals (2) are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, the upper row second terminals (2) and the lower row second terminals (2) being spaced apart from each other in the height direction (Z) of the housing (3) and used for electrical contact with the two sides of the board respectively.

13. The connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first contact end (12) of the first terminal (1) in the upper row and the second contact end (22) of the second terminal (2) in the upper row are arranged in a row along the transverse (X) direction of the housing (3); The first contact end (12) of the lower row first terminal (1) and the second contact end (22) of the lower row second terminal (2) are arranged in a row along the transverse (X) direction of the housing (3).

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