Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector and a connector assembly.SOLUTION: The connector comprises an inner housing disposed in the outer housing and having a plurality of mounting slots formed on both lateral sides of the inner housing, two rows of first terminals disposed on the lateral sides of the inner housing, and two pairs of second terminals disposed on the longitudinal ends of the inner housing. Each of the first terminals includes a first elastic structure and each of the second terminals includes a second elastic structure, the first elastic structure is elastically deformable in the lateral direction, and the second elastic structure is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction, so that the inner housing is floatable in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. According to the present invention, the application range of the connector is widened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202410963701.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 17, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly including the connector. [Background technology]

[0003] In the prior art, a connector having a floating function generally includes an outer housing, an inner housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal. In the prior art, the first terminal and the second terminal are respectively arranged on two lateral sides of the inner housing. Each first terminal includes a first fixing portion fixed to the outer housing, a first contact arm embedded in a mounting slot of the inner housing, and a first elastic structure connected between the first fixing portion and the first contact arm. Each second terminal includes a second fixing portion fixed to the outer housing, a second contact arm embedded in a mounting slot of the inner housing, and a second elastic structure connected between the second fixing portion and the second contact arm. In the prior art, both the first elastic structure of the first terminal and the second elastic structure of the second terminal extend in the horizontal and vertical directions, and therefore the second terminal occupies a large horizontal space, increasing the overall space occupied by the connector and limiting the uses of the connector. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising: an outer housing having two side walls opposed to each other in a lateral direction of the outer housing and two end walls opposed to each other in a longitudinal direction of the outer housing; an inner housing disposed on the outer housing and having a plurality of mounting slots formed on both lateral sides of the inner housing; two rows of first terminals disposed on each of the two lateral sides of the inner housing; and two pairs of second terminals disposed on each of the two longitudinal ends of the inner housing. Each of the first terminals includes a first fixing portion fixed to the side wall of the outer housing, a first contact arm embedded in a mounting slot of the inner housing, and a first elastic structure connected between the first fixing portion and the first contact arm, and each of the second terminals includes a second fixing portion fixed to the end wall of the outer housing, a second contact arm embedded in a mounting slot of the inner housing, and a second elastic structure connected between the second fixing portion and the second contact arm, the first elastic structure being elastically deformable in the lateral direction and the second elastic structure being elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction, so that the inner housing can float in the lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the outer housing.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first elastic structure is located between adjacent side walls of the outer housing and the inner housing and extends in the lateral and height directions of the outer housing, and therefore the first elastic structure is elastically deformable in the lateral direction.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first elastic structure is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and two ends of the first elastic structure are connected to the first fixed portion and the first contact arm, respectively.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second elastic structure is located between adjacent side walls of the outer housing and the inner housing and extends in the longitudinal and height directions of the outer housing, and therefore the second elastic structure is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second elastic structure is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and two ends of the second elastic structure are connected to the second fixed portion and the second contact arm, respectively.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first terminals further include first solder pins connected to the lower ends of the first fixing portions, the first solder pins of the first terminals of each row being aligned in a row along the longitudinal direction, the second terminals further include second solder pins connected to the lower ends of the second fixing portions, the second solder pins of each pair of second terminals being aligned in a column along the transverse direction, and when viewed along the longitudinal direction, two columns of the second solder pins are located between the two rows of the first solder pins.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing portion is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the second solder pin is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the height direction, so that the second fixing portion and the second solder pin of the second terminal form an L-shaped plate.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surfaces of the first solder pin and the second solder pin are located in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the height direction, allowing the first solder pin and the second solder pin to be surface-mount soldered to a circuit board.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second elastic structure is located between adjacent end walls of the outer housing and the inner housing and extends in the height direction of the outer housing and in an inclined direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that the second elastic structure is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second elastic structure is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and two ends of the second elastic structure are connected to the second fixed portion and the second contact arm, respectively.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal further includes a first solder pin connected to a lower end of the first fixing portion, and the second terminal further includes a second solder pin connected to a lower end of the second fixing portion, wherein the first solder pin of one of the first terminals and the second solder pins of two of the second terminals in the rows are aligned longitudinally, and the first solder pin of the first terminal of the other row and the second solder pins of the other two second terminals are aligned longitudinally.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing portion is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and the second solder pin is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the height direction Z, and therefore the second fixing portion and the second solder pin of the second terminal form an L-shaped plate.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surfaces of the first solder pin and the second solder pin are located in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the height direction, allowing the first solder pin and the second solder pin to be surface-mount soldered to a circuit board.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a longitudinally extending insertion slot is formed in the inner housing, a mounting slot is in communication with the insertion slot, a first contact arm has a protruding first contact portion, and a second contact arm has a protruding second contact portion, and the first contact portions of two rows of first terminals and the second contact portions of two pairs of second terminals respectively protrude from the mounting slots on two sides of the inner housing into the insertion slot to make electrical contact with both sides of a mating connector inserted into the insertion slot.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first contact arm of one of the first terminals in the rows and the second contact arms of two of the second terminals are aligned longitudinally and are respectively embedded in a plurality of mounting slots on one side of the inner housing, and the first contact arm of the first terminal in the other row and the second contact arms of the other two second terminals are aligned longitudinally and are respectively embedded in a plurality of mounting slots on the other side of the inner housing.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the top of the inner housing protrudes from the top opening of the outer housing to a predetermined height, and the insertion slot is formed in the top surface of the inner housing and extends to a predetermined depth in the height direction of the outer housing.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the inner housing is suspended in the internal cavity of the outer housing by first elastic structures of two rows of first terminals and second elastic structures of two pairs of second terminals, and therefore the inner housing is floatable relative to the outer housing in the lateral direction, the longitudinal direction, and in a height direction perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface of the inner housing is higher than the bottom surface of the outer housing, allowing the inner housing to float vertically relative to the outer housing.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer housing is an overmolded part formed by overmolding the two rows of first terminals and the two pairs of second terminals, such that the outer housing, the two rows of first terminals, and the two pairs of second terminals form an integral part.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal is a signal terminal and the second terminal is a power terminal.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly comprising the connector described above and a mating connector configured to mate with the connector.

[0026] In the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the first elastic structure of the first terminal is elastically deformable in the lateral direction, and the second elastic structure of the second terminal is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction, so that the inner housing can float in the lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the outer housing, thereby expanding the range of application of the connector.

[0027] Furthermore, in the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the second resilient structure of the second terminal is located between adjacent end walls of the outer housing and the inner housing without occupying the space between adjacent side walls of the outer housing and the inner housing, thereby reducing the lateral dimension of the connector.

[0028] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an illustration of an assembly of an inner housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an inner housing, first terminals, and second terminals of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the second terminals not yet attached to the inner housing. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first terminal and a second terminal of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is an illustration of an assembly of an inner housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an illustrative perspective view of an inner housing, first terminals, and second terminals of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where one of the second terminals is not yet attached to the inner housing. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first terminal and a second terminal of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0031] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are diagrammatically shown to simplify the drawings.

[0032] In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising: an outer housing having two laterally opposed side walls and two longitudinally opposed end walls; an inner housing disposed within the outer housing and having a plurality of mounting slots formed on both lateral sides of the inner housing; two rows of first terminals disposed on each of the two lateral sides of the inner housing; and two pairs of second terminals disposed on each of the two longitudinal ends of the inner housing. Each of the first terminals includes a first fixing portion fixed to the side wall of the outer housing, a first contact arm embedded in a mounting slot of the inner housing, and a first elastic structure connected between the first fixing portion and the first contact arm, and each of the second terminals includes a second fixing portion fixed to the end wall of the outer housing, a second contact arm embedded in a mounting slot of the inner housing, and a second elastic structure connected between the second fixing portion and the second contact arm, the first elastic structure being elastically deformable in the lateral direction and the second elastic structure being elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction, so that the inner housing can float in the lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the outer housing.

[0033] According to another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly including the connector described above and a mating connector configured to mate with the connector.

[0034] 1-6 illustrate a first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates an illustrative view of the assembly of an inner housing 2, first terminals 3, and second terminals 4 of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates an illustrative perspective view of an inner housing 2, first terminals 3, and second terminals 4 of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where one of the second terminals 4 has not yet been attached to the inner housing 2. FIG. 6 illustrates an illustrative perspective view of the first terminals 3 and second terminals 4 of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, a connector is disclosed in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector includes an outer housing 1, an inner housing 2, two rows of first terminals 3, and two pairs of second terminals 4. The outer housing 1 has two side walls 11 facing each other in the lateral direction X and two end walls 12 facing each other in the longitudinal direction Y. The inner housing 2 is disposed on the outer housing 1 and has a plurality of mounting slots 21 formed on both sides in the lateral direction X. The two rows of first terminals 3 are disposed on two sides of the inner housing 2 in the lateral direction X, respectively. The two pairs of second terminals 4 are disposed on two ends of the inner housing 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, respectively.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first terminals 3 includes a first fixing portion 32 fixed to the side wall 11 of the outer housing 1, a first contact arm 31 embedded in the mounting slot 21 of the inner housing 2, and a first elastic structure 33 connected between the first fixing portion 32 and the first contact arm 31.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, each second terminal 4 includes a second fixing portion 42 fixed to the end wall 12 of the outer housing 1, a second contact arm 41 embedded in the mounting slot 21 of the inner housing 2, and a second elastic structure 43 connected between the second fixing portion 42 and the second contact arm 41.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic structure 33 is elastically deformable in the lateral direction X, and the second elastic structure 43 is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction Y, and therefore the inner housing 2 is capable of floating in the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y relative to the outer housing 1.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic structure 33 is located between adjacent side walls of the outer housing 1 and the inner housing 2 and extends in the lateral direction X and height direction Z of the outer housing 1, and therefore the first elastic structure 33 is elastically deformable in the lateral direction X.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic structure 33 is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and two ends of the first elastic structure 33 are connected to the first fixed portion 32 and the first contact arm 31, respectively.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the second elastic structure 43 is located between adjacent side walls of the outer housing 1 and the inner housing 2 and extends in the longitudinal direction Y and height direction Z of the outer housing 1, and therefore the second elastic structure 43 is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the second elastic structure 43 is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and the two ends of the second elastic structure 43 are connected to the second fixed portion 42 and the second contact arm 41, respectively.

[0043] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first terminals 3 further include first solder pins 3a connected to the lower ends of the first fixing portions 32, and the first solder pins 3a of the first terminals 3 in each row are aligned in a row along the longitudinal direction Y. The second terminals 4 further include second solder pins 4a connected to the lower ends of the second fixing portions 42, and the second solder pins 4a of each pair of second terminals 4 are aligned in a row along the transverse direction X. When viewed along the longitudinal direction Y, two rows of second solder pins 4a are located between two rows of first solder pins 3a.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the second fixing portion 42 is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y, and the second solder pin 4a is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the height direction Z, and therefore the second fixing portion 42 and the second solder pin 4a of the second terminal 4 form an L-shaped plate.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the first soldering pin 3a and the second soldering pin 4a are located in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the height direction Z, allowing the first soldering pin 3a and the second soldering pin 4a to be soldered to a circuit board (not shown) in a surface-mounted manner.

[0046] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an insertion slot 20 extending in the longitudinal direction Y is formed in the inner housing 2, a mounting slot 21 is in communication with the insertion slot 20, a first contact arm 31 has a protruding first contact portion 3b, and a second contact arm 41 has a protruding second contact portion 4b. The first contact portions 3b of the two rows of first terminals 3 and the second contact portions 4b of the two pairs of second terminals 4 protrude from the mounting slots 21 on two sides of the inner housing 2 into the insertion slot 20, respectively, and make electrical contact with both sides of a mating connector inserted into the insertion slot 20.

[0047] 1 to 6 , in the illustrated embodiment, the first contact arm 31 of the first terminal 3 in one of the rows and the second contact arms 41 of two of the second terminals 4 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y and are respectively embedded in the multiple mounting slots 21 on one side of the inner housing 2. The first contact arm 31 of the first terminal 3 in the other row and the second contact arms 41 of the other two second terminals 4 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y and are respectively embedded in the multiple mounting slots 21 on the other side of the inner housing 2.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper part of the inner housing 2 protrudes from the upper opening of the outer housing 1 to a predetermined height, and the insertion slot 20 is formed on the upper surface of the inner housing 2 and extends to a predetermined depth in the height direction Z of the outer housing 1.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , in the illustrated embodiment, the inner housing 2 is suspended in the internal cavity of the outer housing 1 by the first elastic structures 33 of the two rows of first terminals 3 and the second elastic structures 43 of the two pairs of second terminals 4, and therefore the inner housing 2 is floatable relative to the outer housing 1 in the lateral direction X, the longitudinal direction Y, and the height direction Z perpendicular to the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface of the inner housing 2 is higher than the bottom surface of the outer housing 1, allowing the inner housing to float in height relative to the outer housing.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 1 is an overmolded part formed by overmolding the two rows of first terminals 3 and the two pairs of second terminals 4, and therefore the outer housing 1, the two rows of first terminals 3, and the two pairs of second terminals 4 form an integral part.

[0052] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, the connector assembly including an exemplary connector and a mating connector (not shown), the mating connector being configured to mate with the exemplary connector.

[0053] 7-12 illustrate a second embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates an illustrative view of the assembly of an inner housing 2, first terminals 3, and second terminals 4 of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an illustrative perspective view of an inner housing 2, first terminals 3, and second terminals 4 of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where one of the second terminals 4 has not yet been attached to the inner housing 2. FIG. 12 illustrates an illustrative perspective view of a first terminal 3 and a second terminal 4 of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, a connector is disclosed in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector includes an outer housing 1, an inner housing 2, two rows of first terminals 3, and two pairs of second terminals 4. The outer housing 1 has two side walls 11 facing each other in the lateral direction X and two end walls 12 facing each other in the longitudinal direction Y. The inner housing 2 is disposed on the outer housing 1 and has a plurality of mounting slots 21 formed on both sides in the lateral direction X. The two rows of first terminals 3 are disposed on two sides of the inner housing 2 in the lateral direction X, respectively. The two pairs of second terminals 4 are disposed on two ends of the inner housing 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, respectively.

[0055] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first terminals 3 includes a first fixing portion 32 fixed to the side wall 11 of the outer housing 1, a first contact arm 31 embedded in the mounting slot 21 of the inner housing 2, and a first elastic structure 33 connected between the first fixing portion 32 and the first contact arm 31.

[0056] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, each second terminal 4 includes a second fixing portion 42 fixed to the end wall 12 of the outer housing 1, a second contact arm 41 embedded in the mounting slot 21 of the inner housing 2, and a second elastic structure 43 connected between the second fixing portion 42 and the second contact arm 41.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic structure 33 is elastically deformable in the lateral direction X, and the second elastic structure 43 is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction Y, and therefore the inner housing 2 is capable of floating in the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y relative to the outer housing 1.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic structure 33 is located between adjacent side walls of the outer housing 1 and the inner housing 2 and extends in the lateral direction X and height direction Z of the outer housing 1, and therefore the first elastic structure 33 is elastically deformable in the lateral direction X.

[0059] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic structure 33 is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and two ends of the first elastic structure 33 are connected to the first fixed portion 32 and the first contact arm 31, respectively.

[0060] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the second elastic structure 43 is located between adjacent end walls of the outer housing 1 and the inner housing 2, and extends in the height direction Z of the outer housing 1 and in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. Therefore, the second elastic structure 43 is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction Y and the lateral direction X.

[0061] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the second elastic structure 43 is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and the two ends of the second elastic structure 43 are connected to the second fixed portion 42 and the second contact arm 41, respectively.

[0062] 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the first terminal 3 further includes a first solder pin 3a connected to the lower end of the first fixing portion 32, and the second terminal 4 further includes a second solder pin 4a connected to the lower end of the second fixing portion 42. The first solder pins 3a of the first terminals 3 and two second solder pins 4a of the second terminals 4 in one of the rows are aligned in a line in the longitudinal direction Y, and the first solder pins 3a of the first terminals 3 and the second solder pins 4a of the other two second terminals 4 in the other row are aligned in a line in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the second fixing portion 42 is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the lateral direction X, and the second solder pin 4a is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the height direction Z, so that the second fixing portion 42 and the second solder pin 4a of the second terminal 4 form an L-shaped plate.

[0064] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the first solder pin 3a and the second solder pin 4a are located in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the height direction Z, allowing the first solder pin 3a and the second solder pin 4a to be soldered to a circuit board (not shown) in a surface-mounted manner.

[0065] 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, an insertion slot 20 extending in the longitudinal direction Y is formed in the inner housing 2, a mounting slot 21 is in communication with the insertion slot 20, a first contact arm 31 has a protruding first contact portion 3b, and a second contact arm 41 has a protruding second contact portion 4b. The first contact portions 3b of the two rows of first terminals 3 and the second contact portions 4b of the two pairs of second terminals 4 protrude from the mounting slots 21 on two sides of the inner housing 2 into the insertion slot 20, respectively, and make electrical contact with both sides of a mating connector inserted into the insertion slot 20.

[0066] 7 to 12 , in the illustrated embodiment, the first contact arm 31 of the first terminal 3 in one of the rows and the second contact arms 41 of two of the second terminals 4 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y and are respectively embedded in the multiple mounting slots 21 on one side of the inner housing 2. The first contact arm 31 of the first terminal 3 in the other row and the second contact arms 41 of the other two second terminals 4 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y and are respectively embedded in the multiple mounting slots 21 on the other side of the inner housing 2.

[0067] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper part of the inner housing 2 protrudes from the upper opening of the outer housing 1 to a predetermined height, and the insertion slot 20 is formed on the upper surface of the inner housing 2 and extends to a predetermined depth in the height direction Z of the outer housing 1.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 , in the illustrated embodiment, the inner housing 2 is suspended in the internal cavity of the outer housing 1 by the first elastic structures 33 of the two rows of first terminals 3 and the second elastic structures 43 of the two pairs of second terminals 4, and therefore the inner housing 2 is floatable relative to the outer housing 1 in the lateral direction X, the longitudinal direction Y, and the height direction Z perpendicular to the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y.

[0069] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface of the inner housing 2 is higher than the bottom surface of the outer housing 1, allowing the inner housing to float in height relative to the outer housing.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 1 is an overmolded part formed by overmolding the two rows of first terminals 3 and the two pairs of second terminals 4, and therefore the outer housing 1, the two rows of first terminals 3, and the two pairs of second terminals 4 form an integral part.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal 3 is a signal terminal, and the second terminal 4 is a power terminal.

[0072] 7 to 12, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector includes an exemplary connector and a mating connector (not shown). The mating connector is configured to mate with the exemplary connector.

[0073] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without any contradiction in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0074] While several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0075] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is expressly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A connector, The connector comprises: - an outer housing (1) having two side walls (11) facing each other in a transverse direction X of said outer housing (1) and two end walls (12) facing each other in a longitudinal direction Y of said outer housing (1); an inner housing (2) arranged on the outer housing (1) and having a plurality of mounting slots (21) formed on both sides of the inner housing (2) in the lateral direction X; - two rows of first terminals (3) arranged on two sides of the inner housing (2) in the lateral direction X, respectively; - two pairs of second terminals (4) arranged at two ends of the inner housing (2) in the longitudinal direction Y, respectively; Equipped with Each of the first terminals (3) includes a first fixing portion (32) fixed to the side wall (11) of the outer housing (1), a first contact arm (31) embedded in the mounting slot (21) of the inner housing (2), and a first elastic structure (33) connected between the first fixing portion (32) and the first contact arm (31); Each of the second terminals (4) includes a second fixing portion (42) fixed to the end wall (12) of the outer housing (1), a second contact arm (41) embedded in the mounting slot (21) of the inner housing (2), and a second elastic structure (43) connected between the second fixing portion (42) and the second contact arm (41); the first elastic structure (33) is elastically deformable in the lateral direction X, and the second elastic structure (43) is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction Y, so that the inner housing (2) can float in the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y relative to the outer housing (1); The second elastic structure (43) is located between adjacent end walls of the outer housing (1) and the inner housing (2) and extends in the height direction Z of the outer housing (1) and in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction Y, so that the second elastic structure (43) is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction Y and the lateral direction X.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first elastic structure (33) is located between adjacent side walls of the outer housing (1) and the inner housing (2) and extends in the lateral direction X and the height direction Z of the outer housing (1), and therefore the first elastic structure (33) is elastically deformable in the lateral direction X.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the second elastic structure (43) is bent into one of a U-shape, an N-shape, or an Ω-shape, and two ends of the second elastic structure (43) are connected to the second fixed portion (42) and the second contact arm (41), respectively.

4. The first terminal (3) further includes a first solder pin (3a) connected to a lower end of the first fixing portion (32), and the second terminal (4) further includes a second solder pin (4a) connected to a lower end of the second fixing portion (42); 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein a first solder pin (3a) of one of the first terminals (3) and two second solder pins (4a) of the second terminals (4) in one of the rows are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y, and a first solder pin (3a) of the first terminal (3) in the other row and second solder pins (4a) of the other two second terminals (4) are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y.

5. 5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the second fixing portion (42) is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the lateral direction X, and the second solder pin (4 a) is plate-shaped and perpendicular to the height direction Z, and therefore the second fixing portion (42) and the second solder pin (4 a) of the second terminal (4) form an L-shaped plate.

6. 5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the bottom surfaces of the first solder pin (3a) and the second solder pin (4a) are located in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the height direction Z, allowing the first solder pin (3a) and the second solder pin (4a) to be soldered to a circuit board in a surface-mounted manner.

7. An insertion slot (20) extending in the longitudinal direction Y is formed in the inner housing (2), the mounting slot (21) is in communication with the insertion slot (20), the first contact arm (31) has a protruding first contact portion (3b), and the second contact arm (41) has a protruding second contact portion (4b); 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein first contact portions (3b) of the two rows of first terminals (3) and second contact portions (4b) of the two pairs of second terminals (4) protrude from the mounting slots (21) on the two sides of the inner housing (2) into the insertion slot (20), respectively, to electrically contact both sides of a mating connector inserted into the insertion slot (20).

8. a first contact arm (31) of one of the first terminals (3) in the row and two second contact arms (41) of the second terminals (4) are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y and are respectively embedded in the plurality of mounting slots (21) on one side of the inner housing (2); 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the first contact arms (31) of the first terminals (3) in the other row and the second contact arms (41) of the other two second terminals (4) are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y and are respectively embedded in the multiple mounting slots (21) on the other side of the inner housing (2).

9. 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein an upper portion of the inner housing (2) protrudes from an upper opening of the outer housing (1) to a predetermined height, and the insertion slot (20) is formed on the upper surface of the inner housing (2) and extends to a predetermined depth in the height direction Z of the outer housing (1).

10. 10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner housing (2) is suspended in the internal cavity of the outer housing (1) by the first elastic structures (33) of the two rows of first terminals (3) and the second elastic structures (43) of the two pairs of second terminals (4).

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the bottom surface of the inner housing (2) is higher than the bottom surface of the outer housing (1).

12. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer housing (1) is an overmolded part formed by overmolding the two rows of first terminals (3) and the two pairs of second terminals (4), and therefore the outer housing (1), the two rows of first terminals (3), and the two pairs of second terminals (4) form an integral part.

13. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first terminals (3) are signal terminals and the second terminals (4) are power terminals.

14. 1. A connector assembly comprising: A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a mating connector configured to mate with the connector; A connector assembly comprising:

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