Electrical connector and its mating connector

Abstract

An electrical connector and a mating connector thereof, the electrical connector comprising an insulative body and a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal held by the insulative body, the insulative body comprising a base and a first mating body and a second mating body extending forwardly from the base, the first mating body and the second mating body extending forwardly from first opposite corners of a front end surface of the base respectively, the first conductive terminal comprising a first holding portion held by the base and a first contact portion exposed to the first mating body extending forwardly from the first holding portion, the second conductive terminal comprising a second holding portion held by the base and a second contact portion exposed to the second mating body extending forwardly from the second holding portion, the mating connector being hermaphroditic to the electrical connector, such that the electrical connector and the mating connector can be co-molded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an electrical connector and its mating connector, and more particularly to a hermaphroditic electrical connector and its mating connector. Background Technology

[0002] Existing interoperable electrical connectors and their mating connectors typically have different structures, requiring different molds to manufacture plug and socket connectors separately. This results in high connector manufacturing costs and hinders product market competitiveness.

[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to design an improved electrical connector and its mating connector. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide a hermaphroditic electrical connector and its mating connector that can be manufactured in a common mode to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0005] To solve the above problems, this application can adopt the following technical solution: an electrical connector, including an insulating body and a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal fixed to the insulating body, the insulating body including a base and a first mating body and a second mating body extending forward from the base, the first mating body and the second mating body respectively extending forward from a first diagonal of the front end face of the base, the first conductive terminal including a first holding portion fixed to the base and a first contact portion extending forward from the first holding portion and exposed to the first mating body, the second conductive terminal including a second holding portion fixed to the base and a second contact portion extending forward from the second holding portion and exposed to the second mating body.

[0006] Furthermore, the electrical connector further includes a housing covering the insulating body, the base being generally rectangular, the housing including a rectangular base shell surrounding the periphery of the base shell, a first shielding body extending forward from a first diagonal of the base shell covering the first mating body, a second shielding body extending forward from a first diagonal of the base shell covering the second mating body, and a first covering body and a second covering body extending forward from a second diagonal of the base shell respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the first docking body and the second docking body are located inside the first diagonal of the base body, the outer surfaces of the first shielding body and the second shielding body are located inside the first diagonal of the base shell, and the outer surfaces of the first covering body and the second covering body are coplanar with the second diagonal of the base shell.

[0008] Furthermore, the insulating body includes a first insulator and a second insulator with the same structure as the first insulator. The first insulator includes a first substrate and a first mating body extending forward from the first substrate. The second insulator includes a second substrate and a second mating body extending forward from the second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are mated to form a rectangular substrate.

[0009] Furthermore, the first docking body and the second docking body are L-shaped plates that extend forward from the first diagonal of the front end face of the base body, and the openings of the first docking body and the second docking body are opposite each other in the first diagonal direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the first substrate and the second substrate have a first mating surface and a second mating surface that mate with each other. The first mating surface of the first substrate is recessed to form a first retaining groove and a second retaining groove. The second mating surface of the second substrate is recessed to form a third retaining groove opposite to the first retaining groove and a fourth retaining groove opposite to the second retaining groove. The first retaining portion has a first part received in the first retaining groove and a second part received in the third retaining groove. The second retaining portion has a third part received in the second retaining groove and a fourth part received in the fourth retaining groove. In the front-rear direction, the first docking body is located in front of the first retaining groove. The front end of the first part extends to form a first contact portion with elasticity that extends forward out of the first substrate and into the first docking body. The second docking body is located in front of the fourth retaining groove. The front end of the fourth part extends to form a second contact portion with elasticity that extends forward out of the second substrate and into the second docking body.

[0011] Furthermore, the first retaining groove, the second retaining groove, the third retaining groove and the fourth retaining groove are provided with retaining holes, and the side edges of the first retaining part and the second retaining part protrude to form protrusions for inserting into the retaining holes. The first docking body is provided with a first opening that makes way when the first contact part is elastically deformed, and the second docking body is provided with a second opening that makes way when the second contact part is elastically deformed.

[0012] Furthermore, the rear end of the first holding part is provided with a pair of first clamping arms for clamping the cable, and a first clamping opening is formed between the pair of first clamping arms. The rear end of the second holding part is provided with a pair of second clamping arms for clamping the cable, and a second clamping opening is formed between the pair of second clamping arms. The periphery of the base is provided with slots that expose the first clamping opening and the second clamping opening laterally.

[0013] Further, the first shielding body extends forward beyond the first mating body and is bent obliquely inward to form a first guiding portion, and the second shielding body extends forward beyond the second mating body and is bent obliquely inward to form a second guiding portion.

[0014] Further, the mating connector and the electrical connector are of hermaphroditic design.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, in the present application, the electrical connector and the mating connector are of hermaphroditic design, and the insulating bodies, the conductive terminals and the outer shell structures of the electrical connector and the mating connector are all identical so that they can be manufactured in a common mold, which not only has a simple structure but also can effectively reduce the manufacturing cost. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the mating connector of the present utility model in a mated state.

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the mating connector of the present utility model in an unmated state.

[0018] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector / mating connector of the present utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 is a further exploded perspective view of the electrical connector / mating connector of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an exploded perspective view from another viewing angle.

[0021] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the electrical connector / mating connector of the present utility model with the outer shell removed.

[0022] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an exploded view from another viewing angle.

[0023] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and the mating connector of the present utility model with the outer shells removed.

[0024] Figure 9 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the electrical connector and the mating connector with the outer shells removed.

[0025] Figure 10 is a schematic view showing the mating of the conductive terminals of the electrical connector and the mating connector of the present utility model. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0026] The following detailed description of the embodiments will further illustrate the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings described above.

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 10 As shown, this application discloses an electrical connector 100 for mating with a mating connector 200. The electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 1, a first conductive terminal 2a and a second conductive terminal 2b held within the insulating body 1, and a housing 3 covering the insulating body 1. The mating connector 200 has an insulating body 4, a first conductive terminal 5a and a second conductive terminal 5b held within the insulating body 4, and a housing 6 covering the insulating body 4. The electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 are identical in structure, meaning that the insulating body 4, the first conductive terminal 5a, the second conductive terminal 5b, and the housing 6 of the mating connector 200 are all identical to those of the insulating body 1, the first conductive terminal 2a, the second conductive terminal 2b, and the housing 3 of the electrical connector 100.

[0028] The insulating body 1 of the electrical connector 100 includes a generally rectangular base 11 and a first mating body 12 and a second mating body 13 extending forward from the base 11. The first mating body 12 and the second mating body 13 extend forward from the first diagonal corners 110a and 110b of the front end face 110 of the base 11, respectively. The second diagonal corners 110c and 110d of the front end face 110 of the base 11 of the electrical connector 100 do not have mating bodies, but instead form a first receiving portion 14 and a second receiving portion 15. The first conductive terminal 2a includes a first holding portion 21a held in the base 11 and a first contact portion 22a extending forward from the first holding portion 21a and exposed to the first mating body 12. The second conductive terminal 2b includes a second holding portion 21b held in the base 11 and a second contact portion 22b extending forward from the second holding portion 21b and exposed to the second mating body 13. The outer shell 3 is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. The outer shell 3 includes a rectangular base shell 31 surrounding the periphery of the base 11, a first shielding body 32 extending forward from the first diagonal corners 310a and 310b of the base shell 31 and covering the first docking body 12, and a second shielding body 33 covering the second docking body 13, and a first covering body 34 and a second covering body 35 extending forward from the second diagonal corners 310c and 310d of the base shell 31, respectively. The first covering body 34 corresponds to the first receiving portion 14 and the second covering body 35 corresponds to the second receiving portion 15. In this utility model, the first docking body 12 and the second docking body 13 are L-shaped plates extending forward from the first diagonal corners 110a and 110b of the front end face 110 of the base 11. The opening 120 of the first docking body 12 and the opening 130 of the second docking body 13 are arranged opposite to each other in the direction of the first diagonal corners 110a and 110b. Correspondingly, the first shielding body 32 covering the first docking body 12 and the second shielding body 33 covering the second docking body 13 are also L-shaped structures, and the first covering body 34 and the second covering body 35 are also L-shaped structures.

[0029] Similarly, the insulating body 4 of the mating connector 200 includes a generally rectangular base 41 and L-shaped first mating body 42 and second mating body 43 extending forward from the base 41. The first mating body 42 and second mating body 43 extend forward from the first opposite corners 410a and 410b of the front end face 410 of the base 41, respectively. The second opposite corners 410c and 410d of the front end face 410 of the base 41 of the mating connector 200 do not have mating bodies but instead form a first receiving portion 44 and a second receiving portion 45. The first conductive terminal 5a includes a first holding portion 51a fixed to the base 41 and a first contact portion 52a extending forward from the first holding portion 51a and exposed to the first mating body 42. The second conductive terminal 5b includes a second holding portion 51b fixed to the base 41 and a second contact portion 52b extending forward from the second holding portion 51b and exposed to the second mating body 43. The outer shell 6 includes a rectangular base shell 61 surrounding the periphery of the base 41, an L-shaped first shielding body 62 extending forward from the first opposite corners 610a and 610b of the base shell 61 and covering the first docking body 42, a second shielding body 63 covering the second docking body 43, and a first covering body 64 and a second covering body 65 extending forward from the second opposite corners 610c and 610d of the L-shape of the base shell 61, respectively. The first covering body 64 corresponds to the first receiving portion 44, and the second covering body 65 corresponds to the second receiving portion 45.

[0030] When the electrical connector 100 mates with the mating connector 200, the first mating body 12 of the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the second receiving portion 45 of the mating connector 200, while the second mating body 13 of the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the first receiving portion 44 of the mating connector 200. The first mating body 42 of the mating connector 200 is inserted into the second receiving portion 15 of the electrical connector 100, and the second mating body 43 of the mating connector 200 is inserted into the first receiving portion 14 of the electrical connector 100. Simultaneously, the first mating body 12 and the second mating body 43 of the electrical connector 100 are vertically mated, causing the first contact portion 22a of the electrical connector 100 to abut against the second contact portion 52b of the mating connector 200, thus forming an electrical connection. Furthermore, the second mating body 13 and the first mating body 42 of the electrical connector 100 are vertically mated, causing the second contact portion 22b of the electrical connector 100 to abut against the first contact portion 52a of the mating connector 200, thus forming an electrical connection. When the electrical connector 100 mates with the mating connector 200, the second cover 65 of the mating connector 200 covers the first shield 32 of the electrical connector 100, while the first cover 34 of the electrical connector 100 covers the second shield 63 of the mating connector 200.

[0031] Since the electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 are hermaphroditic, the following detailed structural description will focus on the electrical connector 100. The outer surfaces of the first mating body 12 and the second mating body 13 of the electrical connector 100 are located inside the first opposite corners 110a and 110b of the base 11. The outer surfaces of the first shielding body 32 and the second shielding body 33 are located inside the first opposite corners 310a and 310b of the base shell 31. The outer surfaces of the first covering body 64 and the second covering body 65 are located inside the second opposite corners 310c and 310d of the base shell 61. This arrangement allows the covering body of the electrical connector 100 to cover the shielding body of the mating connector 200, and vice versa. In this invention, the first shielding body 32 extends forward beyond the first mating body 12 and bends inward to form a first guide portion 321, and the second shielding body 33 extends forward beyond the second mating body 13 and bends inward to form a second guide portion 331. When the electrical connector 100 mates with the mating connector 200, the first guide portion 321 and the second guide portion 331 facilitate the first shielding body 32 and the second shielding body 33 into the second covering body 65 and the first covering body 64 of the mating connector 200.

[0032] The insulating body 1 includes a first insulator 10a and a second insulator 10b with the same structure as the first insulator 10a. The first insulating body includes a first substrate 101a and a first mating body 12 extending forward from the first substrate 101a. The second insulator 10b includes a second substrate 101b and a second mating body 13 extending forward from the second substrate 101b. The first substrate 101a and the second substrate 101b are mated to form a rectangular substrate 11. A first mating surface 1011a of the first substrate 101a is mated to a second mating surface 1011b of the second substrate 101b. The first mating surface 1011a is recessed to form a first retaining groove 1012 and a second retaining groove 1013. The second mating surface 1011b is recessed to form a third retaining groove 1014 opposite to the first retaining groove 1012 and a fourth retaining groove 1015 opposite to the second retaining groove 1013. The first retaining groove 1012 and the third retaining groove 1014 are joined to accommodate the first retaining part 21a, and the second retaining groove 1013 and the fourth retaining groove 1015 are joined to accommodate the second retaining part 21b. To reliably hold the first retaining part 21a and the second retaining part 21b to the insulating body 1, retaining holes 1016 are formed in the first retaining groove 1012, the second retaining groove 1013, the third retaining groove 1014, and the fourth retaining groove 1015, and the side edges of the first retaining part 21a and the second retaining part 21b protrude to form protrusions 210 for inserting into the retaining holes 1016. A fixing groove 1101 is provided on the outer periphery of the base 11, and correspondingly, the rectangular base shell 31 of the outer shell 3 is provided with a clip 311 that engages with the fixing groove 1101 to keep the outer shell on the insulating body 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the first retaining portion 21a includes a first portion 211a received in the first retaining groove 1012 and a second portion 212a received in the third retaining groove 1014. The second retaining portion 21b has a third portion 211b received in the second retaining groove 1013 and a fourth portion 212b received in the fourth retaining groove 1015. In the front-rear direction, the first docking body 12 is located in front of the first retaining groove 1012. The front end of the first portion 211a extends to form a resilient first contact portion 22a that extends forward from the first base 101a and to the first docking body 12. The second docking body 13 is located in front of the fourth retaining groove 1014. The front end of the fourth portion 212b extends to form a resilient second contact portion 22b that extends forward from the second base 101b and to the second docking body 13. Since the first contact portion 22a and the second contact portion 22b are elastic spring arm structures, the first mating body 12 is provided with a first opening 121 that makes way when the first contact portion 22a elastically deforms, and the second mating body 13 is provided with a second opening 131 that makes way when the second contact portion 22b elastically deforms. The electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 are both connected to a cable (not shown). Taking the electrical connector 100 as an example, the rear end of the first retaining portion 21a is provided with a pair of first clamping arms 213a for clamping the cable (not shown), and a first clamping opening 2130a is formed between the pair of first clamping arms 213a. The rear end of the second retaining portion 21b is provided with a pair of second clamping arms 213b for clamping the cable (not shown), and a second clamping opening 2130b is formed between the pair of second clamping arms 213b. The substrate 11 has approximately circular slots 111 on its periphery, which expose the first clamping port 2130a and the second clamping port 2130b laterally outward. Solder is provided inward through the slots 111 to solder the cable (not shown).

[0034] In this invention, the first insulator 10a and the second insulator 10b of the insulating body 1 constituting the electrical connector 100 have the same structure, the first conductive terminal 2a and the second conductive terminal 2b of the electrical connector 100 have the same structure, and all components of the electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 have the same structure, so that all components of the electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 can be manufactured in the same mold, thereby making the structure of the mating connector simple and the manufacturing cost low, thus giving it a very high competitive advantage.

[0035] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present utility model should still fall within the scope of the present utility model patent.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising an insulating body and a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal held in place by the insulating body, characterized in that: The insulating body includes a substrate and a first mating body and a second mating body extending forward from the substrate. The first mating body and the second mating body extend forward from a first diagonal point on the front end face of the substrate. The first conductive terminal includes a first holding portion fixed to the substrate and a first contact portion extending forward from the first holding portion and exposed to the first mating body. The second conductive terminal includes a second holding portion fixed to the substrate and a second contact portion extending forward from the second holding portion and exposed to the second mating body.

2. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector further includes a housing covering the insulating body. The base is generally rectangular. The housing includes a rectangular base shell surrounding the periphery of the base shell, a first shielding body extending forward from a first diagonal of the base shell to cover the first mating body, a second shielding body extending forward from a first diagonal of the base shell to cover the second mating body, and a first covering body and a second covering body extending forward from a second diagonal of the base shell, respectively.

3. The electrical connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The outer surfaces of the first docking body and the second docking body are located inside the first diagonal of the base body, the outer surfaces of the first shielding body and the second shielding body are located inside the first diagonal of the base shell, and the outer surfaces of the first covering body and the second covering body are coplanar with the second diagonal of the base shell.

4. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating body includes a first insulator and a second insulator with the same structure as the first insulator. The first insulator includes a first substrate and a first mating body extending forward from the first substrate. The second insulator includes a second substrate and a second mating body extending forward from the second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are mated to form a rectangular substrate.

5. The electrical connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The first docking body and the second docking body are L-shaped plates that extend forward from the first diagonal of the front end face of the base body, and the openings of the first docking body and the second docking body are opposite each other in the first diagonal direction.

6. The electrical connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The first substrate and the second substrate have a first mating surface and a second mating surface that mate with each other. The first mating surface of the first substrate is recessed to form a first retaining groove and a second retaining groove. The second mating surface of the second substrate is recessed to form a third retaining groove and a fourth retaining groove opposite to the first retaining groove. The first retaining portion has a first part received in the first retaining groove and a second part received in the third retaining groove. The second retaining portion has a third part received in the second retaining groove and a fourth part received in the fourth retaining groove. In the front-rear direction, the first docking body is located in front of the first retaining groove. The front end of the first part extends to form a first contact portion with elasticity that extends forward out of the first substrate and into the first docking body. The second docking body is located in front of the fourth retaining groove. The front end of the fourth part extends to form a second contact portion with elasticity that extends forward out of the second substrate and into the second docking body.

7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The first retaining groove, the second retaining groove, the third retaining groove and the fourth retaining groove are provided with retaining holes. The side edges of the first retaining part and the second retaining part protrude to form protrusions that can be inserted into the retaining holes. The first mating body is provided with a first opening that makes way when the first contact part is elastically deformed. The second mating body is provided with a second opening that makes way when the second contact part is elastically deformed.

8. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The rear end of the first holding part is provided with a pair of first clamping arms for clamping the cable, and a first clamping opening is formed between the pair of first clamping arms. The rear end of the second holding part is provided with a pair of second clamping arms for clamping the cable, and a second clamping opening is formed between the pair of second clamping arms. The periphery of the base is provided with slots that expose the first clamping opening and the second clamping opening laterally.

9. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The first shield extends forward from the first docking body and bends inward to form a first guide portion, and the second shield extends forward from the second docking body and bends inward to form a second guide portion.

10. A mating connector for mating with the electrical connector of claim 1, characterized in that: The mating connector and the electrical connector are both male and female.

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