Highly reliable, versatile modular electrical connector and its module

Abstract

We provide highly reliable, versatile modular electrical connectors and their modules. [Solution] The connector comprises a housing and a plurality of types of modules. The housing includes a latch for holding the modules in place and a key member for indicating the type of module and preventing insertion of the wrong module. The modules may include a plurality of types of power terminals and one or more types of signal terminals. The module housing holds the plurality of types of terminals in place. In a plug configuration, the connector includes a cover attached to the housing, a locking member attached to the cover and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position, a slider that can be moved by the locking member in a direction perpendicular to the connector mating direction after insertion of the mating components, and a CPA that can be moved from a pre-installed position to an installed position to hold the locking member in the locked position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority and benefits of Chinese Patent Application No. 202520059262.9, filed on 8 January 2025. This application also claims priority and benefits of Chinese Patent Application No. 202510031746.7, filed on 8 January 2025. This application also claims priority and benefits of Chinese Patent Application No. 202411403126.3, filed on 30 September 2024. This application also claims priority and benefits of Chinese Patent Application No. 202422404537.6, filed on 30 September 2024. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] (Field of invention) This application relates in general to interconnection systems, including electrical connectors used to interconnect electronic assemblies, and more specifically to electrical connectors for harsh environments such as those inside vehicles. [Background technology]

[0003] Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is generally easier and more cost-effective to manufacture electronic systems as separate electronic assemblies that can be joined together with electrical connectors. Electrical connectors can be used to interconnect assemblies so that they can function together as part of an electronic system. For example, electrical connectors may be mounted on circuit boards in two assemblies, and the two assemblies are connected by mating the electrical connectors. In other electronic systems, it may not be practical to join circuit boards by directly mating electrical connectors on two circuit boards. For example, when assembling an electronic system, these circuit boards may be separated by a very large distance, making direct connection between the electrical connectors mounted on these circuit boards impossible.

[0004] In some electronic systems, connections between assemblies can be made by cables. These cables can be terminated with electrical connectors that can be mated with electrical connectors mounted on a circuit board. Thus, connections between assemblies can be made by connecting electrical connectors, which are part of a cable assembly, to electrical connectors mounted on a circuit board. In other electronic system architectures, an electrical connector terminating one cable can be mated with another electrical connector terminating another cable.

[0005] An example of an electronic system in which assemblies are connected by cables is the modern automobile. For example, an automobile includes electronic control units (ECUs) for controlling various vehicle systems such as the engine, transmission control unit (TCU), security system, emission control, lighting, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), entertainment system, navigation system, and camera system. Electronic control units may be manufactured as separate assemblies and connected via one or more vehicle networks formed by cables wired between these assemblies. To simplify automobile manufacturing, assemblies may be manufactured separately and then connected via cables that terminate other cables or electrical connectors that allow connection to mating electrical connectors mounted on printed circuit boards within the assemblies.

[0006] Such electrical connectors are typically designed and manufactured according to specific specifications to achieve mating with each other and to meet signal and / or power transmission requirements. Designing electrical connectors that meet the needs of a particular application presents various challenges. Electrical connectors must have various properties to meet the mechanical requirements of the electronic system. [Overview of the project]

[0007] A part of this disclosure relates to a highly reliable, versatile, modular electrical connector and its modules.

[0008] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a housing having a longitudinally elongated groove, a first restraining structure at least partially located within the groove, and a space having openings at the front and rear of the housing; a cover attached to the rear of the housing; a locking member attached to the cover and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position; and a slider disposed within the groove of the housing and longitudinally movable between a first position and a second position by the locking member, wherein the slider includes a second restraining structure configured to engage with the first restraining structure of the housing such that the slider can be restrained in the first position before the second restraining structure of the slider is disengaged from the first restraining structure of the housing.

[0009] Optionally, the first restraint structure of the housing and the second restraint structure of the slider are configured to be disengaged from each other by a mating component for the electrical connector.

[0010] Optionally, the first restraint structure protrudes into a groove in the housing, and the second restraint structure comprises an elastic arm that latches to the first restraint structure at a first position of the slider.

[0011] Optionally, the slider may have a plurality of cam slots extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction, each of which is open at the front of the housing in a first position of the slider to receive the cam pin of the mating component for an electrical connector, and is blocked at the front of the housing in a second position of the slider to hold the cam pin of the mating component therein.

[0012] Optionally, the cover includes a side wall and a first projection and a second projection, the first projection and the second projection projecting outward from the side wall and positioned such that a locking member can pivot between the first projection and the second projection.

[0013] Optionally, the cover includes a third projection configured to engage with a locking member and generate an indicator that the locking member is in the pre-locked position.

[0014] Optionally, the cover comprises a groove and a protruding structure above the groove, and the electrical connector comprises a connector position guarantee (CPA) device located within the groove of the cover and partially below the protruding structure, wherein the CPA device is movable between a pre-installed position and an installed position.

[0015] Optionally, the CPA device is configured to be held in a pre-installed position by a cover and to be movable to the installation position by pivoting a locking member to the locked position.

[0016] Optionally, the CPA device includes an elastic arm configured to engage with the cover's overhang structure to hold it in a pre-installed position, and to be disengaged from the cover's overhang structure by a locking member that is pivoted to a locked position.

[0017] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a plurality of modules arranged in the space of a housing, each of which comprises a module housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held by the module housing, and the housing comprises a plurality of latches, each configured to engage with each of the plurality of modules.

[0018] Optionally, the cover is hinged to the housing, allowing the rear of the housing to be opened and the module replaced without having to remove the hinge.

[0019] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector comprises a housing comprising a plurality of cavities, each having an opening at the front and rear of the housing, and a plurality of latches, each extending into each of the cavities; a plurality of types of modules, each of which comprises a module housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held by the module housing, and each of which engages with a latch of a plurality of latches in each of the cavities of the housing; and a plurality of key members, each of which has an identification feature indicating the type of module in each of the cavities.

[0020] Optionally, multiple key members are arranged adjacent to the openings of multiple cavities and are configured to form their respective openings for each module to prevent the insertion of incorrect modules.

[0021] Optionally, the key members are aligned in a first row longitudinally and adjacent to the rear of the housing, and the latches of the housing are aligned in a second row adjacent to and parallel to the first row.

[0022] Optionally, the housing has a longitudinally extending groove, and the electrical connector is positioned within the groove of the housing and includes a slider that is longitudinally movable between a first position and a second position, the slider including a plurality of cam slots extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction.

[0023] Optionally, the housing is arranged in a third row parallel to a first row and comprises a plurality of cam pins separated from the key members of the first row by latches of the second row, each of the plurality of cam pins positioned between adjacent cavities of a plurality of cavities.

[0024] Some embodiments relate to electrical connectors. The electrical connector may include a housing member, a plurality of conductive terminals at least partially disposed within the housing member, a locking member attached to the housing member and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position, and a connector position guarantee (CPA) device disposed on the housing member, wherein the CPA device is constrained to a pre-installed position by the housing member and is movable to the installed position by pivoting the locking member to the locked position.

[0025] Optionally, the housing member comprises a groove and an overhanging structure above the groove, and the CPA device comprises a first elastic arm configured to engage with the overhanging structure of the housing member and be held in a pre-installed position, and to be disengaged from the overhanging structure of the housing member by a locking member pivoted to a locked position.

[0026] Optionally, the overhanging structure is configured to restrain the locking member in the locked position.

[0027] Optionally, the locking member includes a projection configured to engage with the first elastic arm of the CPA device in order to disengage the first elastic arm of the CPA device from the overhanging structure of the housing member and release the CPA device from its pre-installed position.

[0028] Optionally, the housing member includes a recess configured to restrict the movement of the second elastic arm of the CPA, thereby restraining the CPA device in a locked position.

[0029] Optionally, the protruding structure of the housing member includes an engaging portion configured to extend into the opening of the CPA device to restrain the CPA device in a locked position.

[0030] Some embodiments relate to modules for electrical connectors. The module may comprise a housing having a plurality of channels extending through it; a plurality of terminals disposed within the plurality of channels of the housing, each of the plurality of terminals having a mating end, a tail end, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the tail end, and the plurality of terminals comprising a plurality of types of power terminals including a first type having a first width in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the module, and a second type having a second width smaller than the first width in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of signal terminals having a third width smaller than the second width in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] Optionally, the housing comprises multiple elastic arms that extend into each of the multiple channels and engage with each terminal located within each channel, thereby holding each terminal within its respective channel.

[0032] Optionally, the module may include a terminal position guarantee (TPA) device mounted on the front of the housing, the TPA device comprising a plurality of projections extending to contact each elastic arm of the housing and limit the deflection of each elastic arm.

[0033] Optionally, the multiple elastic arms of the housing are arranged in pairs, with a first elastic arm extending into the upper channel and a second elastic arm extending into the lower channel, and the multiple protrusions of the TPA device extend between the same pair of first and second elastic arms.

[0034] Some embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a module housing for an electrical connector. The method may include providing a plurality of types of tool pins, each type of which corresponds to one of a plurality of types of terminals configured to be placed within the module housing; aligning the plurality of types of tool pins according to desired positions of the plurality of types of terminals; and flowing housing material around the aligned plurality of types of tool pins to form the module housing.

[0035] Optionally, aligning multiple types of tool pins according to desired positions of multiple types of terminals includes stacking multiple types of tool pins within an organizer.

[0036] Optionally, stacking multiple types of toolpins within an organizer may involve providing one or more spacers to fill any gaps between the multiple types of toolpins and the organizer.

[0037] Optionally, the plurality of tool pins include a first plurality of tool pins, each type of which corresponds to one of a first plurality of terminals configured to be located in a first portion of the module housing, and a second plurality of tool pins, each type of which corresponds to one of a second plurality of terminals configured to be located in a second portion of the module housing.

[0038] Optionally, the first multiple types of tool pins are stacked in a first direction, the second multiple types of tool pins are stacked in a first direction, the first and second parts of the module housing are stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second multiple types of tool pins are the same as or different from the first multiple types of tool pins.

[0039] Optionally, providing a plurality of types of tool pins includes providing a plurality of types of tool pins according to the following formula. A * W T1 +B * W T2 +C * W T3 +D * W T4 ≦W Max In the formula, A is the number of tool pins of the first type, B is the number of tool pins of the second type, C is the number of tool pins of the third type, D is the number of tool pins of the fourth type, and W T1 is the width of the tool pins of the first type in the first direction, W T2 is the width of the tool pins of the second type in the first direction, W T3 is the width of the tool pins of the third type in the first direction, W T4 is the width of the tool pins of the fourth type in the first direction, W Max is equal to the width of the organizer slot in the first direction.

[0040] Optionally, W T1 , W T2 , W T3 , W T4 each is within the range of 1 mm to 6 mm.

[0041] Optionally, W Max is within the range of 20 mm to 25 mm.

[0042] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may comprise: a first housing configured to establish an electrical connection with a second electrical connector and to mate in a mating direction with a second housing of the second electrical connector; and a slider disposed within the first housing and configured to slide relative to the first housing in a sliding direction intersecting the mating direction between a first position and a second position, wherein the slider has a cam slot configured to receive a cam pin provided on the second housing such that when the slider is in the first position, the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position. The slider can be constrained to a first position by the first housing before the second housing is positioned in the initial mating position.

[0043] Optionally, the first housing comprises a first restraint structure, and the slider comprises a second restraint structure, wherein the first and second restraint structures engage with each other when the slider is in a first position and before the second housing is positioned in its initial mating position, thereby restricting the slider from sliding in the sliding direction from the first position to the second position.

[0044] Optionally, one of the first and second restraining structures is made contact by a release structure provided on the second housing when the second housing is positioned in the initial fitting position, thereby disengaging from the other of the first and second restraining structures, and thereby allowing the slider to slide in the sliding direction from the first position to the second position.

[0045] Optionally, the first housing further comprises a sliding groove configured to accommodate a slider, the first restraint structure being a beam extending into the sliding groove, and the second restraint structure being an elastic arm, the elastic arm engaging with the beam when the slider is in a first position and before the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position, and the elastic arm being contacted by a release structure of the second housing so as to be biased to disengage from the beam when the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position.

[0046] Optionally, the first housing further comprises a first receiving groove communicating with a sliding groove and configured to receive a release structure of the second housing when the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position, wherein a portion of the elastic arm extends into the first receiving groove when the slider is in a first position and before the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position, and the portion of the elastic arm is contacted by the release structure of the second housing when the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position, thereby biasing the elastic arm to disengage from the beam.

[0047] Optionally, the elastic arm is provided with a barb that engages with the beam and extends into the first receiving groove when the slider is in the first position and before the second housing is positioned in the initial mating position, and the barb is contacted by the release structure of the second housing when the second housing is positioned in the initial mating position, thereby biasing the elastic arm to disengage from the beam, and a portion of the barb that is contacted by the release structure is formed to have a chamfered surface.

[0048] Optionally, the first housing further comprises a receiving section enclosing a receiving space for receiving the second housing, the first receiving groove recesses toward the receiving section from the receiving space in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the fitting direction and extends in the fitting direction, and the release structure is a rib provided on the second housing and extending in the fitting direction.

[0049] Optionally, the engagement between the first and second constraint structures further restricts the slider from sliding away from the first position to the second position when the slider is in the first position.

[0050] Optionally, the slider further comprises a third restraint structure, which, when the slider is in a first position, engages with the first restraint structure to restrict the slider from sliding away from the first position in the sliding direction to the second position.

[0051] Optionally, the housing further comprises a fourth restraint structure, the second restraint structure engaging with the fourth restraint structure when the slider is in a first position, restricting the slider from sliding away from the first position in the sliding direction to the second position.

[0052] Optionally, the first housing further comprises a sliding groove extending in the sliding direction and configured to accommodate a slider, wherein, when viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the sliding direction, the sliding groove has a first narrow section and a second wider section extending from the first section, and the cross section of the slider perpendicular to the sliding direction and the cross section of the sliding groove perpendicular to the sliding direction coincide in shape with each other, so that the slider is held in the sliding groove and slides guided by the sliding groove.

[0053] Optionally, the first housing further comprises a housing section enclosing a housing space for receiving the second housing, wherein the first section of the sliding groove recesses into the housing section from the housing space in a vertical direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, and the second section extends from the first section vertically and away from the housing space.

[0054] Optionally, the sliding direction is perpendicular to the fitting direction.

[0055] Optionally, the cam slot is configured such that when the slider is slid from a first position to a second position, it biases the cam pin received in the cam slot, causing it to move in the mating direction relative to the first housing, thereby moving the second housing in the mating direction from the initial mating position to the mating position.

[0056] Optionally, the first housing comprises a sliding groove, a mating surface, and an opening, the sliding groove being configured to accommodate a slider, the first housing being configured to mate with the second housing of the second electrical connector at the mating surface, the opening recessing into the first housing from the mating surface in the mating direction and communicating with the sliding groove, and the cam slot comprising an entry section, the entry section being aligned with the opening in the mating direction to receive the cam pin of the second housing when the slider is in a first position, and the entry section being offset from the opening in the mating direction when the slider is slid away from the first position.

[0057] Optionally, the electrical connector further comprises a cover attached to a first housing, and a locking member pivotably attached to the cover and coupled to the slider to drive the slider to slide in accordance with a pivoting motion, wherein the slider cannot be driven by the locking member when the slider is restrained in a first position by the first housing.

[0058] Optionally, the cover comprises a side wall and a pivot shaft projecting outward from the side wall. The locking member is an arm, the first end of which is pivotably attached to the pivot shaft, so that the arm is pivotable between a pre-lock position and a locked position about the pivot shaft, the first end of which has gear teeth formed, and the slider has rack teeth formed opposite to the first end, the gear teeth meshing with the rack teeth so that when the arm pivots between the pre-lock position and the locked position, the slider is driven to slide between a first position and a second position.

[0059] Optionally, the cover further comprises a first projection projecting outward from the side wall, the first projection being configured to engage with the arm when the arm is in the pre-lock position, thereby restricting the arm from pivoting beyond the pre-lock position and further away from the locked position.

[0060] Optionally, the cover further comprises a second projection projecting outward from the side wall, the second projection being configured to engage with the arm when the arm is in the locked position, thereby restricting the arm from pivoting beyond the locked position and further away from the pre-locked position.

[0061] Optionally, the cover further comprises an elastic tab projecting outward from the side wall, the elastic tab being configured to be pressed down by the arm when the arm is pivoted away from the locked position toward the pre-locked position, allowing the arm to move beyond the elastic tab toward the pre-locked position, resetting the arm when it is in the pre-locked position, and blocking the arm from pivoting from the pre-locked position toward the locked position, the elastic tab being further configured to be manually pressed down to allow the arm to pivot from the pre-locked position toward the locked position.

[0062] Optionally, the cover further comprises a third projection projecting outward from the side wall, and the arm further comprises an opening, the third projection of the cover being received into the opening of the arm when the arm is pivoted to the pre-lock position, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, and tactile indication that the arm has been pivoted to the pre-lock position.

[0063] Optionally, the pivot shaft comprises a shaft body extending axially and a projection projecting radially from the shaft body, the projection spaced axially from the side wall of the cover, and the first end having a bearing portion comprising a bore passing through the bearing portion axially and a notch recessing radially inward from the bore into the bearing portion, the shaft body extending through the bore, the bearing portion being supported on the shaft body between the projection of the pivot shaft and the side wall of the cover, the notch and projection being shaped to match each other such that when the arm is in a locking position between a pre-lock position and a locked position the notch and projection are aligned axially, allowing the first end to be attached to and disengaged from the pivot shaft, and when the arm is in any other pivot position they are offset axially, blocking the first end from being attached to and disengaged from the pivot shaft.

[0064] Optionally, the first housing comprises mating faces and a rear face opposite to each other in the mating direction, the first housing is for mating with the second housing of the second electrical connector at the mating faces, and the cover is pivotably attached to the first housing and pivotable relative to the first housing between a closed position and an open position, the cover blocks the rear face of the first housing when in the closed position and allows access to the rear face of the first housing when in the open position.

[0065] Optionally, the cover comprises a first pivot structure at a first corner, and the first housing further comprises a side wall extending between a mating surface and a rear surface, and a second pivot structure provided on the side wall, wherein the first and second pivot structures are coupled to each other such that the cover is pivotably attached to the side wall of the first housing.

[0066] Optionally, the electrical connector further comprises at least one module housed in a first housing, the cable of at least one module extending outward from the first housing on the rear surface, the cover comprising a first exit structure at a second corner diagonally positioned from a first corner, the first housing comprising a second exit structure, and when the cover is in the closed position, the first and second exit structures collectively define a cable exit from which the cable of at least one module is drawn out of the electrical connector, the cover further comprises a first snap structure adjacent to and / or positioned on the first exit structure, the first housing further comprises a second snap structure adjacent to and / or positioned on the second exit structure, and the first and second snap structures are configured to cooperate with each other to hold the cover in the closed position when the cover is in the closed position.

[0067] Optionally, the electrical connector further comprises a plurality of modules having distinct first identification features, the first housing comprising a plurality of cavities, each configured to accommodate a corresponding one of the plurality of modules, each cavity having an entrance and a plurality of key members having distinct second identification features, each of the plurality of key members positioned at the entrance of a corresponding one of the plurality of cavities, the second identification feature of the key member positioned at the entrance of each cavity being associated with the first identification feature of a corresponding one of the plurality of modules to be mounted in the cavity, indicating a corresponding mounting relationship between the cavity and the corresponding module.

[0068] Optionally, the first identifying feature of multiple modules may be in the form of color, symbol, graph, text, or a combination thereof.

[0069] Optionally, the second identifying feature of the multiple key members may be in the form of color, symbol, graphics, text, or a combination thereof.

[0070] Optionally, for each module, the module comprises a module housing, the first identifying feature is a first structural feature provided on the module housing, and for each key member, the second identifying feature is a second structural feature configured to define a portion around the entrance of the corresponding cavity, the shape of which the second structural feature is complementary to the first structural feature of the corresponding module, such that the corresponding module enters the cavity only through the entrance.

[0071] Some embodiments relate to electrical connectors. An electrical connector may comprise a housing having a plurality of modules having a first distinguishable feature and a plurality of cavities, each configured to accommodate a corresponding one of the plurality of modules, the housing having an entrance; and a plurality of key members having a second distinguishable feature, each of the plurality of key members positioned at the entrance of a corresponding one of the plurality of cavities. The second distinguishable feature of the key member positioned at the entrance of each cavity is associated with the first distinguishable feature of a corresponding one of the plurality of modules to be mounted in the cavity, indicating a corresponding mounting relationship between the cavity and the corresponding module.

[0072] Optionally, the first identifying feature of multiple modules may be in the form of color, symbol, graph, text, or a combination thereof.

[0073] Optionally, the second identifying feature of the multiple key members may be in the form of color, symbol, graphics, text, or a combination thereof.

[0074] Optionally, for each module, the module comprises a module housing, the first identifying feature is a first structural feature provided on the module housing, and for each key member, the second identifying feature is a second structural feature configured to define a portion around the entrance of the corresponding cavity, the shape of which the second structural feature is complementary to the first structural feature of the corresponding module, such that the corresponding module enters the cavity only through the entrance.

[0075] Optionally, the first structural feature is a projection extending outward from the module housing, a groove recessed into the module housing, or a combination thereof, and the second structural feature is a projection extending outward from the key member, a groove recessed into the key member, or a combination thereof.

[0076] Optionally, each of the multiple key members is detachably positioned at a corresponding entrance to one of the multiple cavities.

[0077] Optionally, the housing comprises a notch recessed into the interior of the housing at the entrance of each of the multiple cavities, and a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion facing each other on either side of the notch, with each key member positioned in the notch at the entrance of the cavity and held between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

[0078] Optionally, for each cavity, the entrance is recessed laterally into the housing, the first and second retaining parts face each other in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, and each comprises a laterally extending slot and a bayonet positioned in the slot, the key member comprises a body and a first and second insertion part projecting longitudinally from two opposite ends of the body, the first and second insertion parts each having projections projecting vertically perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions, and the first and second insertion parts of each key member are inserted into the slots of the first and second retaining parts at the entrance of the corresponding cavity, such that the projection of the first and second insertion parts snap into the bayonet of the first and second retaining parts, respectively.

[0079] Optionally, the housing comprises mating and rear surfaces opposite each other in the lateral direction, the entrances to a plurality of cavities recess inward from the rear surface in the lateral direction, and for each cavity, the housing comprises a flange structure projecting into the cavity to engage with the module housing of the module when the module is placed in the cavity, thereby restricting further movement of the module toward the mating surface, and / or the housing comprises a snap structure projecting into the cavity to engage with the module housing of the module when the module is placed in the cavity, thereby restricting the movement of the module toward the entrance.

[0080] Optionally, for at least one of a plurality of modules, the module comprises a module housing having a subcavity and a terminal subassembly that holds one or more conductive terminals and is detachably disposed within the subcavity.

[0081] Optionally, the multiple modules include one or more of the following: signal modules, power modules, and hybrid modules.

[0082] Some embodiments relate to electrical connectors. An electrical connector may include a housing with a sliding groove, a locking member mounted on a cover and configured to pivot relative to the cover between a pre-locked position and a locked position, and a connector position holding (CPA) device disposed within the sliding groove and configured to slide relative to the cover between a pre-set position and a set position. Before the locking member is pivoted to the locked position, the CPA device may be constrained to the pre-set position by the cover, and when the locking member is in the locked position, the locking member can release the CPA device, allowing the CPA device to slide from the pre-set position toward the set position.

[0083] Optionally, the CPA device comprises a base and at least one first elastic arm extending from the base, and the cover further comprises an overhanging structure positioned above the CPA device and having at least one stop structure, wherein each of the at least one first elastic arm engages with a corresponding one of the at least one stop structure to restrict the CPA device from sliding from the pre-installed position toward the installed position while the CPA device is in a pre-installed position and the locking member is pivoted toward the locked position.

[0084] Optionally, when the CPA device is in a pre-installed position and the locking member is in a locked position, the locking member contacts at least one first elastic arm, biasing each of the first elastic arms to disengage from the corresponding stop structure, thereby allowing the CPA device to slide from the pre-installed position toward the installed position.

[0085] Optionally, at least one stop structure of the overhanging structure comprises at least one opening, and before the CPA device is in the pre-installed position and the locking member is pivoted to the locked position, each portion of at least one first elastic arm is received into the corresponding one of the at least one opening to restrict the CPA device from sliding from the pre-installed position toward the installed position, and the locking member comprises at least one release projection, and when the CPA device is in the pre-installed position and the locking member is in the locked position, each of the at least one release projection enters the corresponding one of the at least one opening and contacts the corresponding portion of the first elastic arm, pushing the corresponding portion of the first elastic arm out of the opening.

[0086] Optionally, for each first elastic arm, a portion of the first elastic arm is a first projection positioned on the first elastic arm.

[0087] Optionally, the cover comprises a pivot shaft, the locking member comprises an arm pivotably attached to the pivot shaft, and at least one release projection is located on the arm.

[0088] Optionally, at least one release projection engages with the cover when the locking member is in the pre-locked position, restricting the locking member from pivoting beyond the pre-locked position and further away from the locked position.

[0089] Optionally, the CPA device further comprises a second elastic arm extending from the base, the sliding groove having a bottom for supporting the CPA device, and the cover further comprising a stop recess recessed into the cover from the bottom of the sliding groove, the second elastic arm engaging with the wall of the stop recess when the CPA device is in the pre-installed position to restrict the CPA device from sliding away from the pre-installed position.

[0090] Optionally, the CPA device further comprises a third elastic arm extending from a base, the third elastic arm having a second projection of a rounded shape, the sliding groove having a bottom for supporting the CPA device, and the cover further comprising a first receiving recess and a second receiving recess recessed into the cover from the bottom of the sliding groove, the second projection being received in the first receiving recess when the CPA device is in a pre-installed position, and the second projection being received in the second receiving recess when the CPA device is in an installed position.

[0091] Optionally, the overhang structure further comprises a fourth elastic arm configured to be pressed down by the locking member when the locking member is pivoted away from the pre-locked position toward the locked position, thereby enabling the locking member to move beyond the fourth elastic arm toward the locked position, and enabling the locking member to be reset when the locking member is in the locked position to block it from pivoting from the locked position toward the pre-locked position, wherein the fourth elastic arm is further configured to be manually pressed down to enable the locking member to pivot from the locked position toward the pre-locked position.

[0092] Optionally, the fourth elastic arm extends above the sliding groove, allowing the CPA device to be pushed down when in the pre-installed position and to block the fourth elastic arm from being pushed down when in the installed position.

[0093] Optionally, the sliding groove has a bottom for supporting the CPA device, and the fourth elastic arm has a fixed end fixed above the sliding groove, a free end opposite the fixed end, and an engaging portion adjacent to or located at the free end and projecting from the fourth elastic arm toward the bottom of the sliding groove, and when the CPA device is in the installation position, the base is located below the engaging portion to block the fourth elastic arm from being pushed down.

[0094] Optionally, the base of the CPA device is provided with an opening, and when the CPA device is in a pre-installed position, the opening is aligned with the engaging portion, and when the fourth elastic arm is pushed down toward the bottom of the sliding groove, the engaging portion moves toward the bottom of the sliding groove and enters at least partially into the opening; when the CPA device is in the installed position, the opening is offset from the engaging portion, and the base blocks the engaging portion from moving toward the bottom of the sliding groove.

[0095] Optionally, the engaging portion is pressed against the base when the CPA device is in the installation position.

[0096] Optionally, the cover comprises a pair of pivot shafts, the locking member comprises a crossbar and a pair of arms, each arm comprising a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end of each of the pair of arms pivotably attached to a corresponding one of the pair of pivot shafts, the second ends of the pair of arms are connected by the crossbar, and the fourth elastic arm further comprises a stopper adjacent to or positioned at the free end and protruding from the fourth elastic arm opposite to the engaging portion, the crossbar contacts the stopper and pushes down the fourth elastic arm when the locking member is pivoted from the pre-locked position to the locked position, the fourth elastic arm resets when the locking member is in the locked position, and the stopper blocks the crossbar from pivoting from the locked position to the pre-locked position.

[0097] Optionally, the protruding structure is an integrally formed part of the cover.

[0098] Optionally, a first housing configured to mate in a mating direction with a second housing of a second electrical connector; a slider disposed within the first housing and configured to slide relative to the first housing in a sliding direction intersecting the mating direction between a first position and a second position, comprising a cam slot configured to receive a cam pin provided in the second housing when the slider is in a first position, thereby positioning the second housing in an initial mating position, the cam slot further configured to bias the cam pin received in the cam slot to move relative to the first housing in a mating direction when the slider is slid from the first position to the second position, thereby moving the second housing in a mating direction from the initial mating position to the mating position; a cover attached to the first housing; a locking member coupled to the slider to drive the slider to slide in response to a rotational operation; when the locking member pivots between a pre-locked position and a locked position, the slider is driven to slide between a first position and a second position.

[0099] Some embodiments relate to modules for electrical connectors. The module may comprise an insulating module housing including a plurality of terminal channels, each extending in the mating direction, and a plurality of types of terminals, each having a mating end, at least partially positioned in one of the plurality of terminal channels, such that the terminal is held by the module housing. The plurality of types of terminals include a first terminal having a mating end having a first width in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, a second terminal having a mating end having a second width in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second width is greater than the first width, and a third terminal having a mating end having a third width in the longitudinal direction, wherein the third width is greater than the second width.

[0100] Optionally, the multiple types of terminals further include a fourth terminal having a mating end having a fourth width in the longitudinal direction, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width.

[0101] Optionally, multiple types of terminals are arranged in multiple groups spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, with each group having a single terminal or a pair of terminals, where the pair of terminals are of the same type, and the mating ends of the pair of terminals are aligned and spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0102] Optionally, the module housing further comprises mating faces and a rear face opposite to each other in the mating direction, each terminal channel extending through the module housing from the rear face to the mating face, and the mating end of each terminal is configured to be inserted into the corresponding terminal channel from the rear face and is provided with a first stopper, the module housing further comprises a plurality of elastic arms, each of the plurality of elastic arms having a second stopper and projecting into a corresponding one of the plurality of terminal channels, thereby the second stopper engaging with the first stopper of the mating end positioned in the corresponding terminal channel, thereby restricting the mating end from being pulled out toward the rear face in the mating direction.

[0103] Optionally, the module further comprises a TPA device mounted on the module housing, (i) a first group of a plurality of groups comprising a pair of first terminals, a plurality of elastic arms comprising a pair of first elastic arms positioned vertically between the mating ends of the pair of first terminals, the pair of first elastic arms spaced apart vertically from each other and each projecting toward the corresponding mating ends of the first terminals, the module housing further comprising a first receiving channel extending from the mating surface to a position between the pair of first elastic arms, and the TPA device comprising a first receiving (ii) a first projection inserted into a channel and in contact with a pair of first elastic arms to limit the deflection of the pair of first elastic arms away from the mating ends of the corresponding first terminals, and / or (ii) a second group of a plurality of groups comprises a pair of second terminals, the plurality of elastic arms comprises a pair of second elastic arms positioned vertically between the mating ends of the pair of second terminals, the pair of second elastic arms spaced apart vertically from each other and each projecting toward the mating ends of the corresponding second terminals, and the module housing comprises a pair of second elastic arms from the mating surface The TPA device further comprises a second receiving channel extending to a position between the arms, and the TPA device comprises a second projection inserted into the second receiving channel and in contact with a pair of second elastic arms to limit the deflection of the pair of second elastic arms away from the mating ends of the corresponding second terminals, and / or (iii) a third group of a plurality of groups comprises a pair of third terminals, the plurality of elastic arms comprising a pair of third elastic arms positioned vertically between the mating ends of the pair of third terminals, the pair of third elastic arms spaced vertically apart from each other and in contact with the mating ends of the corresponding third terminals Each protrudes toward and the module housing further comprises a third receiving channel extending from the mating surface to a position between the pair of third elastic arms, the TPA device comprising a third projection inserted into the third receiving channel and in contact with the pair of first elastic arms to limit the deflection of the pair of third elastic arms away from the mating ends of the corresponding third terminals, and / or (iv) a fourth group of the plurality of groups comprising a single fourth terminal, the plurality of elastic arms comprising a pair of fourth elastic arms positioned on either side of the mating ends of the fourth terminal in the vertical direction,Each of the pair of fourth elastic arms protrudes toward the mating end of the fourth terminal, and the module housing further comprises a pair of fourth receiving channels, each of which extends from the mating surface toward the corresponding side of the pair of fourth elastic arms facing away from the mating end of the fourth terminal, and the TPA device comprises a pair of fourth projections, each of which is inserted into the corresponding one of the pair of fourth receiving channels and contacts the corresponding fourth elastic arm to limit the deflection of the corresponding fourth elastic arm away from the mating end of the fourth terminal.

[0104] Optionally, each terminal channel has a first opening on its mating surface, and the module housing includes a third stop portion extending into the terminal channel at the first opening of each terminal channel, the third stop portion engaging with the tip of a mating end positioned within the terminal channel to restrict the mating end from being disengaged from the first opening in the mating direction.

[0105] Optionally, the TPA device comprises a body and a plurality of second openings extending through the body in a mating direction, the body being positioned on a mating surface, and each of the plurality of second openings being aligned in a mating direction with a corresponding first opening of a plurality of terminal channels.

[0106] Optionally, the group comprises at least one first group, at least one second group, at least one third group, and at least one fourth group, where each first group has a pair of first terminals, each second group has a pair of second terminals, each third group has a pair of third terminals, and each fourth group has a single fourth terminal; the mating ends of one first terminal in each first group, one second terminal in each second group, and one third terminal in each third group are aligned with a first line parallel to the longitudinal direction; the mating ends of other first terminals in each first group, another second terminal in each second group, and another third terminal in each third group are aligned with a second line parallel to the first line; and the mating ends of the fourth terminals in each fourth group are positioned vertically between the first and second lines.

[0107] Optionally, the mating end of each terminal is configured to be in the form of a receptacle, fully positioned within the corresponding terminal channel, and the longitudinal width of the mating end is the longitudinal internal width of the receptacle.

[0108] Optionally, each terminal further has a tail end located opposite the mating end and configured for attaching a cable.

[0109] Optionally, the module housing further comprises a longitudinally elongated slot recessed into the module housing from the mating surface in the mating direction, the slot being configured to receive the projection of the mating module when the module is mated with the mating module.

[0110] Optionally, the mating end of each terminal is configured to be in the form of a pin, partially protruding from the mating surface in the mating direction, and the width of the mating end in the longitudinal direction is the width of the pin in the longitudinal direction.

[0111] Optionally, each terminal further has a tail end located opposite the mating end and configured for mounting to a circuit board.

[0112] Optionally, the module housing further comprises longitudinally elongated projections that protrude from the mating surface beyond the mating ends of multiple types of terminals in the mating direction, and the projections are configured to be inserted into slots in the mating module when the module is mated with the mating module.

[0113] Optionally, the housing portion of a module housing for arranging multiple types of terminals is divided into multiple sub-parts, the multiple sub-parts being continuous in the longitudinal direction, and each of the multiple sub-parts forming a terminal channel for arranging a mating end of a corresponding terminal from a plurality of groups, the multiple groups including a first group having a first terminal, a second group having a second terminal, a third group having a third terminal, and a fourth group having a fourth terminal, and the number of the first, second, third, and fourth groups satisfying the following formula. A * W1+B * W2+C * W3+D * W4≦W Max In the formula, A is the number of the first group, B is the number of the second group, C is the number of the third group, D is the number of the fourth group, W1 is the minimum longitudinal width of the first subpart of the multiple subparts corresponding to the first group, W2 is the minimum longitudinal width of the second subpart of the multiple subparts corresponding to the second group, W3 is the minimum longitudinal width of the third subpart of the multiple subparts corresponding to the third group, W4 is the minimum longitudinal width of the fourth subpart of the multiple subparts corresponding to the fourth group, and W Max It is 22.86 mm.

[0114] Optionally, W1 is 2 mm.

[0115] Optionally, W2 is 2.54 mm.

[0116] Optionally, W3 is 3mm.

[0117] Optionally, W4 is 5.5mm.

[0118] Optionally, the module is configured to be detachably located within the housing of the electrical connector.

[0119] Optionally, the first terminal is a signal terminal.

[0120] Optionally, the second terminal can be either a signal terminal or a power terminal.

[0121] Optionally, the third terminal is a power terminal.

[0122] Optionally, the fourth terminal is a power terminal.

[0123] Some embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a module of a module housing for an electrical connector. The method may include providing a plurality of types of tool pins, each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of types of terminals arranged in the module housing; aligning the plurality of types of tool pins according to terminal positions in the module housing where the plurality of types of terminals are arranged; and flowing housing material around the plurality of types of tool pins to form the module housing.

[0124] Optionally, each tool pin has a base, and aligning multiple types of tool pins according to terminal positions includes providing an organizer with longitudinally extending slots and stacking the bases of multiple types of tool pins longitudinally within the slots according to terminal positions.

[0125] Optionally, the bases of multiple types of toolpins may have different base widths in the longitudinal direction, each type of toolpin base may have a fixed base width, the slots may have a fixed slot width in the longitudinal direction, and stacking multiple types of toolpin bases in a slot may include making the longitudinal width of the stack of multiple types of toolpin bases less than or equal to the slot width.

[0126] Optionally, stacking multiple types of toolpin bases within a slot further includes providing spacers to fill the gap between the stack and the end wall of the slot when the width of the stack is less than the width of the slot.

[0127] Optionally, the module housing comprises a plurality of terminal channels, each extending in a mating direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and each terminal of a plurality of types has a mating end that is at least partially positioned in one of the plurality of terminal channels, the slot width is equal to the maximum longitudinal portion of the housing portion of the module housing, and the plurality of terminal channels can be arranged, and for each tool pin, the base width of the base is equal to the minimum width of the sub-part of the housing portion in the longitudinal direction, and the sub-part is used to form a terminal channel for arranging the mating end of the terminal corresponding to the tool pin.

[0128] Optionally, multiple types of terminals are arranged in multiple groups spaced apart longitudinally within the module housing, each group having a single terminal or a pair of terminals, the pair of terminals being of the same type, and the mating ends of the pair of terminals being aligned and spaced apart vertically perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction. The multiple groups include a first group having a first terminal, a second group having a second terminal, a third group having a third terminal, and a fourth group having a fourth terminal, the housing is divided into multiple sub-parts longitudinally, the multiple sub-parts are continuous longitudinally, and each sub-part is used to form a terminal channel for arranging the mating end of a corresponding terminal from the multiple groups, and providing multiple types of tool pins includes providing multiple types of tool pins according to the following formula: A * W T1 +B * W T2 +C * W T3 +D * W T4 ≤W Max Here, A is the number of first toolpins corresponding to the first group, B is the number of second toolpins corresponding to the second group, C is the number of third toolpins corresponding to the third group, D is the number of fourth toolpins corresponding to the fourth group, and W T1 is the base width of the first tool pin, W T2 is the base width of the second tool pin, W T3 is the base width of the third tool pin, W T4 is the base width of the fourth tool pin, W Max This is the slot width, which is equal to 22.86 mm.

[0129] Optionally, W T1 It is 2 mm.

[0130] Optionally, W T2 It is 2.54 mm.

[0131] Optionally, W T3 It is 3mm.

[0132] Optionally, W T4 It is 5.5 mm.

[0133] Optionally, the module housing comprises a plurality of terminal channels, each extending in a mating direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with each terminal of a plurality of types having a mating end at least partially positioned in one of the plurality of terminal channels, and each tool pin further comprises at least one beam extending from the base in the mating direction, with each of the at least one beam being contoured to conform to the shape of the terminal channel to position the mating end of the terminal corresponding to the tool pin, and flowing housing material around the plurality of types of tool pins includes flowing housing material around the beams of the plurality of types of tool pins to form the plurality of terminal channels.

[0134] Optionally, multiple types of terminals are arranged in multiple groups spaced apart longitudinally within the module housing, each group having a single terminal or a pair of terminals, the pair of terminals being of the same type, the mating ends of the pair of terminals being aligned and spaced apart vertically perpendicular to the mating direction and longitudinal direction, each tool pin corresponding to one of the multiple groups, and the number of at least one beam of the tool pin corresponding to the number of mating ends of the terminals in the corresponding group.

[0135] Optionally, a first group of a plurality of groups comprises a pair of first terminals, and the module housing further comprises a pair of first elastic arms positioned vertically between the mating ends of the pair of first terminals and engaging therewith, and a plurality of types of tool pins include a first tool pin corresponding to a first group, and at least one beam of the first tool pin comprises a pair of first beams, and the method further comprises providing a first complementary tool pin and positioning a first portion of the first complementary tool pin vertically between a pair of first beams of the first tool pin to define a first space between each first beam and the first portion, each first space having a shape corresponding to the shape of the corresponding first elastic arm of the module housing, and forming the module housing includes flowing housing material into the first space.

[0136] Optionally, a second group of a plurality of groups comprises a single second terminal, and the module housing further comprises a pair of second elastic arms positioned on both sides vertically of the mating end of the second terminal and engaging with the mating end, and the plurality of tool pins include a second tool pin corresponding to a second group, and at least one beam of the second tool pin comprises a single second beam, and the method further comprises providing a second complementary tool pin, and positioning a second portion and a third portion of the second complementary tool pin on both sides vertically of the second beam of the second tool pin, respectively, defining a second space between the second portion and the second beam, and defining a third space between the third portion and the second beam, wherein the shapes of the second space and the third space correspond to the shapes of the corresponding second elastic arms of the module housing, respectively, and forming the module housing includes flowing housing material into the second space and the third space.

[0137] These techniques can be used individually or in any suitable combination. The above outline is provided as an example and is not intended to be limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0138] The attached drawings may not be drawn to a consistent scale. In the drawings, each of the identical or nearly identical components illustrated in various figures may be represented by similar numbers. For clarity, not all components may be labeled in all drawings. In the drawings, [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of a part of an electronic system including a first electrical connector (e.g., a plug connector), a second electrical connector (e.g., a receptacle connector), and a circuit board, according to several embodiments, looking toward the mating interface of the first electrical connector, showing the first and second electrical connectors in a separated state, as well as the second electrical connector mounted on the circuit board. [Figure 1B] Another perspective view of the electronic system in Figure 1A, looking toward the mating interface of the second electrical connector. [Figure 2A] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the electronic system, showing the first and second electrical connectors in their initial mating state. [Figure 2B] Figure 2A is a top view of the electronic system. [Figure 2C] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line marked "2C-2C" in Figure 2A. [Figure 3A] Figure 1A is another perspective view of the electronic system, showing the first and second electrical connectors in a partially mated state. [Figure 3B] Figure 3A is a top view of the electronic system. [Figure 3C] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line marked "3C-3C" in Figure 3A. [Figure 4A] Figure 1A is yet another perspective view of the electronic system, showing the first and second electrical connectors in a mated state. [Figure 4B] Figure 4A is a top view of the electronic system. [Figure 4C] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line marked "4C-4C" in Figure 4A. [Figure 5A]This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line marked "5A-5A" in Figure 1A. [Figure 5B] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "5B" in Figure 5A. [Figure 5C] This is an enlarged view of region 5B, showing the second housing 21 in its initial mating position. [Figure 6] Figure 1A is an exploded perspective view of the first electrical connector, showing the first housing, two sliders, a locking member, a cover, multiple modules, multiple key members, and a connector position guarantee (CPA) device. [Figure 7A] Figure 6 is a top front perspective view of the first housing of the first electrical connector. [Figure 7B] Figure 7A is a bottom front perspective view of the first housing. [Figure 7C] Figure 7A is an upper rear perspective view of the first housing. [Figure 7D] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "7D" in Figure 7C. [Figure 7E] Figure 7A is a rear side view of the first housing. [Figure 7F] This is a magnified view of the area marked "7F" in Figure 7E. [Figure 7G] Figure 7A is a rear view of the first housing. [Figure 7H] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line marked "7H-7H" in Figure 7G. [Figure 8A] Figure 7C is a perspective view of the first housing, showing the key member shown in Figure 6 assembled to the first housing. [Figure 8B] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "8B" in Figure 8A. [Figure 8C] Figure 7E is a perspective view of the first housing, showing the key member shown in Figure 6 assembled to the first housing. [Figure 8D] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "8D" in Figure 8C. [Figure 9A] Figure 7C is a perspective view of the first housing, showing the key member and module assembled to the first housing. [Figure 9B] Figure 7E is a perspective view of the first housing, showing the key member and module assembled to the first housing. [Figure 10A] This is a top front perspective view of the first module of a group of connection modules. [Figure 10B] Figure 10A is a rear perspective view of the module housing of the first module. [Figure 10C] Figure 10A is an exploded perspective view of the first module, showing the first terminal subassembly, the second terminal subassembly, the module housing, and the TPA device. [Figure 10D] Figure 10C is an exploded perspective view of the first terminal subassembly, showing a terminal retaining member, multiple conductive terminals, and multiple cables. [Figure 10E] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the multiple modules shown. [Figure 10F] This is a front perspective view of an alternative module that may be used for the first electrical connector. [Figure 10G] Figure 10F is a rear perspective view of the module. [Figure 10H] This is a front perspective view of another alternative module that may be used for the first electrical connector. [Figure 10I] Figure 10H is a partially exploded perspective view of the module. [Figure 10J] This is a front perspective view of yet another alternative module that may be used for the first electrical connector. [Figure 10K] Figure 10J is a partially exploded perspective view of the module. [Figure 11A] This is a top perspective view of the upper slider, one of the two sliders shown in Figure 6. [Figure 11B] This is a bottom perspective view of the upper slider in Figure 11A. [Figure 11C] This is a bottom view of the upper slider in Figure 11A. [Figure 12A]Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover. [Figure 12B] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "12B" in Figure 12A. [Figure 12C] Figure 12A is another perspective view of the cover. [Figure 12D] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "12D" in Figure 12C. [Figure 13A] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the locking member. [Figure 13B] Figure 13A is another perspective view of the locking member. [Figure 14A] This is a perspective view of the first key member among the multiple key members shown in Figure 6. [Figure 14B] This is another perspective view of the first key member in Figure 14A. [Figure 15A] This is a perspective view of the CPA device shown in Figure 6. [Figure 15B] Figure 15A is another perspective view of the CPA device. [Figure 16A] This is a perspective view of the first electrical connector, showing the CPA device in its pre-installed position and the locking member in its locked position. [Figure 16B] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "16B" in Figure 16A. [Figure 16C] This is an enlarged view of area 16B, showing the CPA device located at the installation site. [Figure 16D] This is a top view of region 16B. [Figure 16E] This is a magnified view of the area marked "16E" in Figure 16A. [Figure 16F] This is an enlarged view of area 16B in a state where the locking member is hidden. [Figure 16G] Figure 16A is a perspective view of the first electrical connector, showing that the locking member and CPA device are hidden and the cover is in the closed position. [Figure 16H] Figure 16G is a perspective view of the first electrical connector, showing the cover in the open position. [Figure 17A]This is a cross-sectional view of region 16B taken along the line marked "17A-17A" in Figure 16D. [Figure 17B] Figure 17A is a cross-sectional view showing the CPA device at its installation location. [Figure 17C] This is a cross-sectional view of region 16B taken along the line marked "17C-17C" in Figure 16D. [Figure 17D] Figure 17C is a cross-sectional view showing the CPA device at its installation location. [Figure 17E] This is a cross-sectional view of region 16B taken along the line marked "17E-17E" in Figure 16D. [Figure 17F] Figure 17E is a cross-sectional view showing the CPA device at its installation location. [Figure 18A] This is a front view of three alternative versions of the first electrical connector. [Figure 18B] This is a front view of three alternative versions of the first electrical connector. [Figure 18C] This is a front view of three alternative versions of the first electrical connector. [Figure 19A] Figure 1A is a rear bottom perspective view of the second electrical connector shown. [Figure 19B] Figure 19A is a partially disassembled top front perspective view of the second electrical connector, showing the second housing and multiple modules. [Figure 20A] Figure 19B is a front perspective view of the second housing. [Figure 20B] Figure 20A is a rear perspective view of the second housing. [Figure 20C] This is a top front perspective view of an alternative module that may be used for a second electrical connector. [Figure 20D] Figure 20C is a rear and bottom perspective view of the module. [Figure 20E] Figure 20C is a cross-sectional view of the replacement module, showing the replacement module located within the second housing. [Figure 21A] This is a perspective view of the alternative version of the second electrical connector. [Figure 21B]Front views of two other alternative versions of the second electrical connector. [Figure 21C] Front views of two other alternative versions of the second electrical connector. [Figure 22A] This is a front perspective view of yet another alternative module that may be used for the first electrical connector. [Figure 22B] Figure 22A is a rear perspective view of the module. [Figure 22C] Figure 22A is an exploded perspective view of the module, showing the module housing, multiple types of terminals, and terminal position retention (TPA) device, along with the relative positional relationships between the multiple types of terminals within the module housing. [Figure 22D] Figure 22C is a rear view of the module, with multiple types of terminals hidden inside. [Figure 22E] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "22E" in Figure 22C. [Figure 22F] Figure 22A is a front view of the module. [Figure 23] Figure 22A is a front view of the module, showing the module's TPA device hidden and the mating surface of the module housing. [Figure 24A] This is a cross-sectional view of module 22A taken along the line marked "24A-24A" in Figure 22F. [Figure 24B] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "24B" in Figure 24A. [Figure 24C] This is a cross-sectional view of the module in Figure 22A, taken along the line marked "24C-24C" in Figure 22F. [Figure 24D] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "24D" in Figure 24C. [Figure 24E] This is a cross-sectional view of the module in Figure 22A, taken along the line marked "24E-24E" in Figure 22F. [Figure 24F] This is a magnified view of the area within the dashed box marked "24F" in Figure 24E. [Figure 24G]This is a cross-sectional view of the module in Figure 22A, taken along the line marked "24G-24G" in Figure 22F. [Figure 24H] This is a magnified view of the area marked "24H" in Figure 24G. [Figure 25] Figure 22C is a front perspective view of the module housing shown. [Figure 26] Figure 25 is a rear perspective view of the module housing. [Figure 27] Figure 22C is a rear perspective view of the TPA device shown. [Figure 28A] This is a front perspective view of yet another alternative module that may be used for a second electrical connector. [Figure 28B] Figure 28A is a rear perspective view of the module. [Figure 28C] Figure 28A is an exploded perspective view of the module, showing the module housing, multiple types of terminals, a first retaining member, and a second retaining member. [Figure 28D] Figure 28C is another perspective view of the module. [Figure 29A] Figure 28C is a perspective view of a group of conductive terminals among several types of terminals, showing the relative positions of the group of conductive terminals within the module housing. [Figure 29B] This is another perspective view of the group of conductive terminals in Figure 29A. [Figure 30A] Figure 22C is a perspective view of the toolkit for manufacturing the module housing, showing the toolkit in an assembled or in-use state. [Figure 30B] Figure 30A is a perspective view of the toolkit, showing a module housing formed using the toolkit. [Figure 30C] This is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line marked "30C-30C" in Figure 30A. [Figure 30D] This is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line marked "30D-30D" in Figure 30B. [Figure 30E]This is an enlarged perspective view of the area within the dashed box marked "30E" in Figure 30C. [Figure 30F] Figure 30D is an enlarged perspective view of the area within the dashed box marked "30F". [Figure 31A] Figure 30A is a partially exploded perspective view of the tool kit, showing the first organizer, the second organizer, multiple types of tool pins, multiple types of complementary tool pins, the outer mold, and the tool insertion plate. [Figure 31B] Figure 31A is another perspective view of the toolkit. [Figure 32] Figure 30A is an exploded perspective view of the first organizer, multiple types of tool pins, and spacers of the toolkit shown. [Figure 33] Figure 32 is a rear view of the assembly of the first organizer, multiple types of tool pins, and spacers. [Figure 34A] Figure 33 is a perspective view of the first toolpin. [Figure 34B] Figure 33 is a perspective view of the second toolpin. [Figure 34C] Figure 33 is a perspective view of the third toolpin. [Figure 34D] Figure 33 is a perspective view of the fourth toolpin. [Figure 35] This is a perspective view of multiple types of complementary tool pins and tool insertion plates, showing the relative positions of multiple types of complementary tool pins and tool insertion plates within the second organizer, with the second organizer hidden. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0139] The inventors have recognized and understood connector design techniques that can operate in harsh environments such as those encountered in automobiles, in order to provide highly reliable and cost-effective electrical connectors. Cost-effectiveness can be achieved by modular connectors that can be easily adapted to multiple applications. The connector may include a connector housing configured to accommodate multiple types of modules, thereby enabling a common platform to support different electrical and mechanical configurations (e.g., interfaces). Each module includes a module housing configured to accommodate multiple types of terminals, such as power terminals, signal terminals, and / or ground terminals, thereby enabling the connector to be customized for a specific application while still relying on standardized components. This modularity reduces manufacturing costs and inventory requirements, and enhances reliability by allowing proven terminal designs to be reused across different connector systems. Furthermore, the modular design facilitates field assembly, maintenance, and replacement, which is particularly valuable in automotive applications where serviceability and long-term performance are critical.

[0140] The inventors have further recognized and understood various technologies applicable to components of connector systems for simultaneously providing reliable power in the vicinity of high-speed signal transmission paths. Such technologies can enable highly reliable, easy-to-assemble and maintain electrical connectors and connector assemblies that can operate to achieve mating with other electrical connectors, while meeting the mechanical requirements specified by standards such as USCAR.

[0141] According to aspects of this disclosure, the electrical connector may be a modular hybrid electrical connector for providing signal transmission and / or power transmission. Such electrical connectors can be manufactured economically and still operate reliably in harsh environments such as those encountered in automobiles, and are suitable for interconnecting assemblies in automotive networks. The technology may enable a modular electrical connector system in which groups of components (e.g., modules or terminal subassemblies) can be combined to form an electrical connector in any of several configurations. This modularity can reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the types of electrical connectors described herein.

[0142] According to aspects of this disclosure, a connector may include a housing and a plurality of types of modules. The housing may include a latch for holding a module in place and a key member for indicating the type of module and preventing insertion of the wrong module. A module may include a plurality of types of power terminals and one or more types of signal terminals. A module housing may be configured to hold a plurality of types of terminals in place. The connector may include a cover attached to the housing, a locking member attached to the cover and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position, a slider that can be moved by the locking member in a direction perpendicular to the connector mating direction after insertion of the mating components, and a CPA that can be moved from a pre-installed position to an installed position to hold the locking member in the locked position.

[0143] According to aspects of this disclosure, a first electrical connector may be configured to establish an electrical connection with a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector may include a first housing and a slider disposed within the first housing. The first housing may be configured to mate with the second housing of the second electrical connector in the mating direction. The slider may be movable between a first position and a second position in a direction intersecting the mating direction with respect to the first housing. The slider may be configured to be constrained to a first position by the first housing before the second housing is positioned in an initial mating position. The slider may include a cam slot configured to receive a cam pin provided on the second housing when the slider is in the first position and to be blocked to hold the cam pin internally when the slider is in the second position.

[0144] This configuration allows the cam pin of the second housing to be accurately and smoothly inserted into the corresponding cam slot of the slider without requiring adjustment of the slider when the second housing is positioned in its initial mating position. This configuration facilitates mating between the first and second electrical connectors, thereby improving the connection reliability and assembly efficiency of the electronic system. Furthermore, this configuration allows the first electrical connector to meet the mechanical requirements specified by standards such as USCAR.

[0145] In some embodiments, the cam slot may be configured to bias a cam pin received in the cam slot as the slider is slid from a first position to a second position, thereby moving it in the mating direction relative to the first housing, and thereby moving the second housing in the mating direction from an initial mating position to a mating position.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector may include a cover mounted on the rear of the first housing and a locking member mounted on the cover and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position. The locking member may be coupled to a slider and configured to drive the slider to slide between a first position and a second position. The combination of the slider and the locking member allows mating between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector to be achieved with a lower mating force. For example, the slider and the locking member may be drivably connected to each other by, for example, gear teeth and rack teeth. When the slider is constrained to the first position by the first housing, the slider does not need to be driven by the locking member. The locking member may be constrained to the pre-locked position by the slider and prevented from pivoting.

[0147] The cover may include a side wall and a first projection and a second projection, the first projection and the second projection projecting outward from the side wall and positioned such that a locking member can pivot between the first projection and the second projection. The cover may further include a third projection configured to engage with the locking member and to produce an indicator that the locking member is in the pre-locked position. The cover may be hinged to the housing, allowing the rear of the housing to be opened and the module replaced without disengaging the hinge.

[0148] This configuration ensures that the locking member is securely held in the pre-locked position before the second housing is positioned in the initial mating position. This configuration facilitates the mating of the first and second electrical connectors, thereby improving the connection and assembly efficiency of the electronic system. This configuration can prevent the locking member from pivoting excessively beyond either the pre-locked or locked position.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector may also include a connector position guarantee (CPA) device. The CPA device may be located in a sliding groove of the cover and configured to be movable relative to the cover between a pre-installed position and an installed position. The CPA device may be constrained to the pre-installed position by the cover before a locking member is pivoted to the locked position, and when the locking member is in the locked position, the locking member can release the CPA device, allowing it to move from the pre-installed position toward the installed position.

[0150] Such a configuration ensures that the CPA device is securely held in its pre-installed position before the second electrical connector is moved to the mating position relative to the first electrical connector, thereby preventing accidental movement of the CPA device. This configuration also allows the user to verify whether the locking member has reached the locked position.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector may include key members that are removably held by the housing above a cavity configured to hold a module. Each key member may include identification features indicating the type of module in its respective cavity. The key members may be configured to form their respective openings for each module to prevent incorrect module insertion. The key members may be aligned in a first row adjacent to the rear of the housing. The latches of the housing configured to hold the modules may be aligned in a second row adjacent to and parallel to the first row.

[0152] Such a configuration allows users to more easily and quickly determine the one-to-one corresponding mounting relationship between the module and the cavity of the first housing when assembling and / or maintaining the first electrical connector, thereby enabling them to accurately install the module into the corresponding cavity. This configuration can improve the assembly and / or maintenance efficiency of the first electrical connector at a low cost.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second electrical connector may include a module configured to mate with a module of the first electrical connector. The two mated modules may include at least two types of conductive terminals configured to mate with each other, such as pin terminals and receptacle terminals. The conductive terminals may also have different versions of tails, which may be configured to be attached to a circuit board or cable conductor. Different mating and mounting configurations can be used in combination to form a board-mount module or cable termination module having a mating interface that enables the mutual mating of modules. For example, a board-mount module may mate with a cable termination module, or two cable termination modules may mate with each other.

[0154] In some embodiments, the module may include a module housing having a subcavity and a terminal subassembly that holds one or more conductive terminals and is detachably disposed within the subcavity. This configuration allows different shapes and / or types of conductive terminals to be incorporated into the module by replacing the manufactured mold parts, thereby improving flexibility of use. Terminal subassemblies having different shapes (including sizes) and / or types of conductive terminals can share a single module housing, thereby reducing the effort associated with mold development. The module housing can also be reused by replacing the terminal subassembly that carries different types of conductive terminals, thereby saving energy and reducing emissions.

[0155] In some embodiments, the module may include a module housing for holding multiple types of terminals. The terminals may be positioned at desired locations within the module housing as required by individual applications. The terminals may include multiple types of power terminals and one or more types of signal terminals. Different types of terminals may be distinguishable by their respective widths in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the module. The module housing may include elastic arms extending into their respective channels to hold the terminals internally. A terminal position guarantee (TPA) device may be mounted on the front of the module housing. The TPA device may include projections extending to contact each elastic arm of the housing and limit the deflection of each elastic arm.

[0156] In some embodiments, the module housing may be formed using stackable tool pins. The tool pins may be configured to "typeset" the number and position of terminals. The tool pins may be aligned in the mold at the desired position of each terminal. The housing may be formed by injecting housing material into the mold and allowing it to flow around the tool pins.

[0157] Such methods and toolkits enable the manufacture of module housings for different terminal configurations using a single set of toolkits, thereby significantly reducing the effort associated with mold development. Such methods and toolkits can also allow for flexible customization of module housings to meet the needs of individual applications, using a single, identical set of toolkits. Such methods enable the reuse of toolkits, thereby reducing development and manufacturing costs.

[0158] Several embodiments of this application are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are not intended to form any limitations on this application. Furthermore, the features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other without contradiction.

[0159] Figures 1A to 5C show an electronic system 1 including a first electrical connector 10, a second electrical connector 20, and a circuit board 30, according to several embodiments. Figures 6 to 18C show embodiments of the first electrical connector 10. Figures 19A to 21C show embodiments of the second electrical connector 20. Figures 22A to 29B show alternative versions of modules that may be used for the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. Figures 30A to 35 show exemplary methods for manufacturing module housings for modules.

[0160] For clarity and conciseness of explanation, the lateral direction XX, longitudinal direction YY, and vertical direction ZZ may be defined in Figures 1A to 35. The lateral direction XX, longitudinal direction YY, and vertical direction ZZ may be orthogonal to each other. The lateral direction XX may refer to the longitudinal direction of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. The longitudinal direction YY may refer to the width direction of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. The vertical direction ZZ may refer to the height direction of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20.

[0161] The electronic system 1 may be used for signal and / or power transmission applications. For example, the electronic system 1 may be used in applications such as automobiles. For example, the electronic system 1 may be part of an automobile system such as radar, LiDAR, high-speed signal transmission systems (e.g., 5G), engine, transmission control unit (TCU), security system, emission control, lighting, advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs), entertainment system, navigation system, and camera. The first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 may constitute a connector assembly for establishing an electrical connection between two electrical components to enable signal transmission (e.g., high data rate transmission) and / or power transmission between them.

[0162] For example, the first electrical component may be the circuit board 30 shown in the figure. In some embodiments, the circuit board 30 may be a “printed circuit board” or “PCB”. In some embodiments, the circuit board 30 may be a motherboard, such as the motherboard of an automobile's ECU. The ECU may be configured to control various different vehicle systems such as radar, LiDAR, engine, TCU, security system, emission control, lighting, ADASs, entertainment system, navigation system, and camera. It should be understood that the circuit board 30 may be any suitable type of circuit board, and any suitable type of electronic component may be mounted on the circuit board 30. Furthermore, only a portion of the circuit board 30 is shown in the figure.

[0163] The second electrical component may be any suitable electrical component connected to the first electrical component (e.g., the circuit board 30). For example, the second electrical component may be a sensor (e.g., a camera, radar, or LiDAR), an actuator, a display, or any other device of the automobile.

[0164] Although the second electrical component is not shown, it should be understood that the second electrical component may be located at a very large distance from the first electrical component. The connection between the first and second electrical components may be achieved by a cable.

[0165] The first electrical connector 10 may include a module that can be terminated with a cable that can be connected to a second electrical component. In this way, the first electrical connector 10 can be electrically connected to the second electrical component via the cable. The first electrical connector 10 may also be a cable connector.

[0166] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the second electrical connector 20 may be a board connector that is mounted to and connected to the circuit board 30. For example, the second electrical connector 20 may be mechanically fixed to the surface 31 of the circuit board 30 and be able to establish an electrical connection with a conductive structure (not shown) of the circuit board 30, such as a conductive through-hole or conductive pad. The second electrical connector 20 may also include a module that can be electrically connected (e.g., by surface mount technology (SMT) or through-hole technology (THT)) to a corresponding conductive structure of the circuit board 30 in order to establish an electrical connection between the second electrical connector 20 and the circuit board 30. The module of the second electrical connector 20 may also provide an electrical interface for electrically connecting the first electrical connector 10 to the circuit board 30.

[0167] The first electrical connector 10 may be configured to mate with the second electrical connector 20 to establish an electrical connection between them. For example, the module of the first electrical connector 10 may be mate with the module of the second electrical connector 20, and the housing structure of the first electrical connector 10 may be mate with the housing structure of the second electrical connector 20, thereby establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. In this way, the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 can establish an electrical connection between the first electrical component (e.g., a circuit board 30) and the second electrical component to achieve signal transmission and / or power transmission.

[0168] In the illustrated example, the first electrical connector 10, the second electrical connector 20, the first electrical component, and the second electrical component together may constitute the electronic system 1. The first electrical connector 10 may be a plug connector, and the second electrical connector 20 may be a receptacle connector. It should be understood that the use of the electronic system 1 and connector assembly according to this application is not limited to automotive applications and may be used in any suitable application scenario.

[0169] The first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 may be configured to mate with each other in the mating direction to establish an electrical and mechanical connection between them. The mating direction may be parallel to the transverse direction XX. It should be understood that the orientation of the mating direction is not limited thereto.

[0170] During mating of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, the user can first move the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 from a separated state (for example, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B) to an initial mated state (as shown in Figures 2A to 2C). As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are separated from each other in the separated state. For example, the separated state may be the state before mating the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are in the initial mated state. In this case, the second electrical connector 20 is positioned in the initial mated position relative to the first electrical connector 10. It should be understood that positioning the second electrical connector 20 in its initial mating position relative to the first electrical connector 10 can be achieved by moving the first electrical connector 10 toward the second electrical connector 20, moving the second electrical connector 20 toward the first electrical connector 10, or moving the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 toward each other.

[0171] Once the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are in their initial mating position, the user may move the second electrical connector 20 in the mating direction relative to the first electrical connector 10 (this direction may be parallel to the lateral direction XX, as described above) until the second electrical connector 20 is fully mated with the first electrical connector 10.

[0172] For example, the user can move the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 from the initial mating state shown in Figures 2A to 2C to the partially mated state shown in Figures 3A to 3C. Compared to the initial mating state, in the partially mated state, the second electrical connector 20 is closer to the first electrical connector 10 in the mating direction. The second electrical connector 20 is moved to the partially mated position relative to the first electrical connector 10.

[0173] Next, the user can move the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 from the partially mated state shown in Figures 3A to 3C to the fully mated state shown in Figures 4A to 4C. Compared to the partially mated state, in the fully mated state, the second electrical connector 20 is closer to the first electrical connector 10 in the mating direction. The second electrical connector 20 is moved to the mating position relative to the first electrical connector 10. In the mated state, the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are fully mated, thereby establishing a reliable electrical and mechanical connection between them.

[0174] Further embodiments of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are described below.

[0175] Figures 1A to 4C show the assembled first electrical connector 10, and Figure 6 shows the first electrical connector 10 partially disassembled. As shown in Figures 1A to 4C and Figure 6, the first electrical connector 10 may include a first housing 100, a slider 200, a locking member 300, a cover 400, a plurality of modules 501 to 504, a plurality of key members 601 to 604, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device 700.

[0176] The first housing 100 may be formed from a metallic material, an insulating material, or any other suitable material. As shown in Figure 1A, the first housing 100 may be configured to house a plurality of modules 501 to 504. As shown in Figures 7A to 7H, the first housing 100 may include mating surfaces 101 and a rear surface 102 that are opposite to each other in the lateral direction XX. The first housing 100 may be configured to mate with the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 at the mating surface 101 to establish a mechanical connection between the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20.

[0177] As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7H, the first housing 100 can further include a receiving space 103 recessed into the first housing 100 in the lateral direction X-X from the fitting surface 101, and a plurality of cavities 111 to 114 recessed into the first housing 100 in the lateral direction X-X from the rear surface 102. The plurality of cavities 111 to 114 may include a first cavity 111, a second cavity 112, a third cavity 113, and a fourth cavity 114. It should be understood that the number of cavities may not be limited to this. Each of the plurality of cavities 111 to 114 may extend in the lateral direction X-X and communicate with the receiving space 103, and may be configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of modules 501 to 504. The portion of the first housing 100 that defines the plurality of cavities 111 to 114 may be referred to as the base portion of the first housing 100, and the portion of the first housing 100 that defines the receiving space 103 may be referred to as the receiving portion of the first housing 100. The receiving portion of the first housing 100 is a portion that surrounds the receiving space 103. In the illustrated example, the plurality of cavities 111 to 114 are formed in the base portion of the first housing 100, and the receiving space 103 is formed in the receiving portion of the first housing 100. The receiving portion of the first housing 100 extends in the lateral direction X-X from the base portion. The plurality of cavities 111 to 114 may be arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, or may be separated by a partition wall 115 of the base portion of the first housing 100 for every two adjacent cavities. It should be understood that the arrangement of the cavities may not be limited to this. The receiving space 103 may be a single space extending in the longitudinal direction Y-Y. The receiving space 103 may be configured to receive a part of the housing of the second electrical connector 20.

[0178] The first electrical connector 10 may be a modular hybrid electrical connector or a cable connector. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of modules 501-504 may include a first module 501, a second module 502, a third module 503, and a fourth module 504. The first module 501, the second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504 are each configured to be assembled into the first cavity 111, the second cavity 112, the third cavity 113, and the fourth cavity 114 of the first housing 100, respectively.

[0179] FIGS. 10A-10D show an embodiment of the first module 501. As shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, the first module 501 may include a module housing 510 and at least one terminal sub-assembly disposed within the module housing 510, which in this example includes two terminal sub-assemblies, namely a first terminal sub-assembly 511 and a second terminal sub-assembly 512.

[0180] The module housing 510 may be formed from a metallic material, an insulating material, or any other suitable material. The module housing 510 may include mating surfaces 510a and mounting surfaces 510b that are opposite each other in the lateral direction X-X, and first sub-cavities 510c and second sub-cavities 510d that are each recessed into the module housing 510 from the mounting surface 510b in the lateral direction X-X. Openings are formed in the mating surface 510a for each of the first sub-cavity 510c and the second sub-cavity 510d.

[0181] As shown in Figures 10C and 10D, the first terminal subassembly 511 may include a terminal retaining member 5111, a plurality of conductive terminals 5112, and a plurality of cables 5113. The terminal retaining member 5111 may be formed from an insulating material. The conductive terminals 5112 may be formed from a conductive material. For example, as shown in Figure 10D, the conductive terminals 5112 may be in the form of crimp terminals configured to terminate at the cables 5113. The conductive terminals 5112 may include a mating end 5112a and a crimp end 5112b opposite the mating end 5112a. One end of the conductor of the cable 5113 can be attached to and held by the crimp end 5112b. In this way, a mechanical and electrical connection can be established between the conductive terminals 5112 and the cables 5113. It should be understood that the method of connection between the conductive terminals 5112 and the cables 5113 is not limited thereto, and other techniques such as soldering may be used. Only a segment of cable 5113, not the entire cable 5113, is shown in the figure. It should be understood that the other end of the conductor of cable 5113 may be connected to the corresponding conductive structure of the second electrical component described above. Furthermore, although cable 5113 is described herein as being part of the first terminal subassembly 511, it should be understood that cable 5113 may be a separate component. The mating end 5112a of the conductive terminal 5112 is shown in Figure 10D in the form of a receiving portion for receiving a pin, but it should be understood that the specific form of the mating end of the conductive terminal may not be limited to this.

[0182] As shown in Figure 10C, a plurality of conductive terminals 5112 may be arranged on and held by the terminal retaining member 5111. The mating ends 5112a of the conductive terminals 5112 may be exposed at the aperture 5111a of the terminal retaining member 5111, allowing the mating ends 5112a of the conductive terminals 5112 to mate with the mating ends of the mating conductive terminals of the second electrical connector 20. The crimp ends 5112b of the conductive terminals 5112 may be located within the terminal retaining member 5111.

[0183] As shown in Figure 10A, when the first terminal subassembly 511 is positioned within the first subcavity 510c, the aperture 5111a of the terminal retaining member 5111 may be exposed by the opening of the first subcavity 510c at the mating surface 510a, and as a result, the mating end 5112a of the conductive terminal 5112 can mate with the mating end of the mating conductive terminal of the second electrical connector 20. Although the mating end 5112a of the conductive terminal 5112 is shown in the figure as being located within the aperture 5111a, this application is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that in some embodiments, the mating end 5112a of the conductive terminal 5112 may protrude from the aperture 5111a.

[0184] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 10C and 10D, the first terminal subassembly 511 may be configured to be removably located within the module housing 510. Such a configuration of the first module 501 allows conductive terminals of different shapes (including sizes) and / or types to be assembled into the first module 501 by terminal retaining members 5111 having the same or substantially the same external dimensions. This may allow conductive terminals of different shapes and / or types to be assembled into the first module 501 by replacing the manufactured mold parts. This helps to improve the usability of the first module 501. Terminal subassemblies having conductive terminals of different shapes (including sizes) and / or types can share one same module housing 510, thereby reducing the effort associated with mold development. The module housing 510 can be made reusable by replacing the terminal subassemblies carrying conductive terminals of different shapes and / or types. In this way, energy can be saved and emissions can be reduced.

[0185] For example, the first terminal subassembly 511 may be removably assembled in a snap-fit ​​manner within the first subcavity 510c of the module housing 510. Alternatively or additionally, the first module 501 may include a terminal position retention (TPA) device 520 configured to removably hold the first terminal subassembly 511 within the first subcavity 510c. As shown in Figures 10C and 10D, the first terminal subassembly 511 includes a first notch 5111b, and the module housing 510 includes a second notch 510e. When the first terminal subassembly 511 is positioned within the first subcavity 510c, the first notch 5111b aligns with the second notch 510e (for example, in the vertical direction ZZ). As shown in Figure 10A, the TPA device 520 can be inserted into the first notch 5111b via the second notch 510e to hold the first terminal subassembly 511 within the first subcavity 510c. Furthermore, the first terminal subassembly 511 can be released from the module housing 510 by removing the TPA device 520 from the first notch 5111b, which allows the first terminal subassembly 511 to be removed from the first subcavity 510c.

[0186] While the first terminal subassembly 511 has been described as being assembled into the first subcavity 510c through an opening in the mounting surface 510b, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first terminal subassembly 511 may also be assembled into the first subcavity 510c through an opening in the mating surface 510a.

[0187] Although the first terminal subassembly 511 has been described as holding a plurality of conductive terminals 5112, this application is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that in some embodiments the first terminal subassembly 511 may hold a single conductive terminal.

[0188] Furthermore, while the plurality of conductive terminals 5112 have been described above as being held within the module housing 510 by the first terminal subassembly 511, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive terminals 5112 may be directly disposed within the module housing 510. In this case, the module housing 510 may be formed from an insulating material. The plurality of conductive terminals 5112 may be directly inserted into the module housing 510, or the module housing 510 may be overmolded around the plurality of conductive terminals 5112.

[0189] For example, Figures 10H to 10K show two versions of modules 5081 and 5082, whose conductive terminals are located directly within the module housing. For example, as shown in Figures 10H and 10I, module 5081 includes a module housing 5081a, an upper row of terminals 5081b, a lower row of terminals 5081c, and a TPA (Terminal Position Holder) device 5081d. Each terminal of the upper row of terminals 5081b may be assembled into the terminal channel 5081a2 of the module housing 5081a through an opening located on the mounting surface of the module housing 5081a opposite the mating surface 5081a1. The TPA device 5081d is attached to the module housing 5081a at the mating surface 5081a1 and can securely hold the upper row of terminals 5081b within the module housing 5081a. For a detailed explanation of how the TPA device 5081d of module 5081 cooperates with the module housing 5081a and the upper row of terminals 5081b, refer to the method by which the TPA device of module 509 cooperates with the module housing and terminals, as described below in relation to Figures 22A to 27. The lower row of terminals 5081c can also be assembled into the terminal channel 5081a3 of module housing 5081a through an opening located on the mounting surface.

[0190] Similar to module 5081, module 5082 may include a module housing 5082a, upper row terminals 5082b, lower row terminals 5082c, and a TPA (Terminal Position Holder) device 5082d, as shown in Figures 10J and 10K. The upper row terminals 5082b of module 5082 shown in Figures 10J and 10K are identical to the multiple conductive terminals 5112 of module 501 shown in Figures 10C and 10D, except that the upper row terminals 5082b are directly located within the module housing 5082a. The upper row terminals 5082b and lower row terminals 5082c of module 5082 may be located within the module housing 5082a in a similar manner to the upper row terminals 5081b and lower row terminals 5081c of module 5081. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0191] Such configurations of modules 5081 and 5082 allow conductive terminals of different shapes and / or types to be assembled into modules 5081 and 5082 by replacing manufactured mold parts. This helps improve the usability of modules 5081 and 5082. Terminal subassemblies with conductive terminals of different shapes (including sizes) and / or types can share one same module housing, thereby reducing the effort associated with mold development. The module housing can be made reusable by replacing terminal subassemblies that carry conductive terminals of different shapes and / or types. In this way, energy can be saved and emissions can be reduced.

[0192] As shown in Figure 10C, the configuration of the second terminal subassembly 512 may be similar to that of the first terminal subassembly 511, and may be located in the second subcavity 510d of the module housing 510 in a similar manner to that of the first terminal subassembly 511. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated. The difference between the second terminal subassembly 512 and the first terminal subassembly 511 may be the shape and / or type of the conductive terminals. For example, the first terminal subassembly 511 may include high-speed signal terminals such as differential signal terminals, while the second terminal subassembly 512 may include low-speed signal terminals and / or power terminals.

[0193] As shown in Figure 1A, the first module 501 may be located in the first cavity 111 of the first housing 100, and a portion of the first module 501 may extend into the housing space 103, thereby exposing the mating surface 510a of the first module 501 into the housing space 103 of the first housing 100. When the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are fully mated with each other, the corresponding module of the second electrical connector 20 can be mated with the first module 501 to establish an electrical connection between them.

[0194] As shown in Figure 10E, the configurations of the second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504 of the first electrical connector 10 may be the same as those of the first module 501. The second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504 may be arranged in the corresponding cavities 112-114 in the same manner as the first module 501. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0195] The differences between the first module 501, the second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504 of the first electrical connector 10 may be differences in the shape and / or type of the conductive terminals or terminal subassemblies within the modules. It should be understood that the modules of the first electrical connector 10 are not limited to including modules 501-504. For example, as shown in Figures 10F and 10G, modules 505, 506, and 507 are alternative versions of modules that may be used in the first electrical connector 10.

[0196] Multiple modules 501-507 may include one or more signal modules, power modules, and hybrid modules. For example, modules 501-507 may be one or more of the power / signal integrated type, NETbridge integrated type, NETbridge+power integrated type, Mini Fakra integrated type, and Mini Fakra+power integrated type. Signals in the power / signal integrated type may include one or more signals such as the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus, FlexRay bus, and Media Oriented System Transport (MOST) bus. As another example, the power terminal blade type in modules 501-507 is 0.5 * 0.4, 0.63 * 0.63, 1.2 * 0.6, 2.8 * 0.8, 9.5 * 1.2 may be one or more of the above, or any suitable type.

[0197] Multiple modules 501-507 may be held by a single identical housing (e.g., a first housing 100). The first housing 100 can function as a carrier or frame for holding the multiple modules 501-507. When the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are mated, the first housing 100 can ensure the precise alignment and secure locking of the multiple modules 501-507 with the mating module of the second electrical connector 20.

[0198] Although modules 501-504 are shown in Figure 1A as being arranged in a 1x4 array within the first electrical connector 10, it should be understood that the first electrical connector 10 may have any number and arrangement of modules. Figures 18A-18C show three variations of the first electrical connector 10. As shown in Figures 18A and 18B, the modules of electrical connector 1810 may be arranged in a 1x6 array, and as shown in Figure 18C, the modules of electrical connector 1830 may be arranged in a 2x3 array. Furthermore, the type of modules of electrical connector 1820 shown in Figure 18B may differ from the type of modules of electrical connector 1810.

[0199] Figures 1A to 4C and 19A show the assembled second electrical connector 20, and Figure 19B shows the second electrical connector 20 partially disassembled. As shown in Figures 1A to 4C, 19A, and 19B, the second electrical connector 20 may comprise a second housing 21 and a plurality of modules 51 to 54 arranged within the second housing 21.

[0200] The second housing 21 may be formed of a metal material, an insulating material, or other suitable materials. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 19A, the second housing 21 is configured to accommodate a plurality of modules 51 to 54. As shown in FIGS. 19B to 20B, the second housing 21 includes a fitting surface 21a and a rear surface 21b that are on opposite sides in the lateral direction X-X, a plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 that are recessed into the second housing 21 in the lateral direction X-X from the fitting surface 21a, and a plurality of cavities 71 to 74 that are recessed into the second housing 21 in the lateral direction X-X from the rear surface 21b. The plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 can include a first accommodation space 61, a second accommodation space 62, a third accommodation space 63, and a fourth accommodation space 64, and the plurality of cavities 71 to 74 can include a first cavity 71, a second cavity 72, a third cavity 73, and a fourth cavity 74. Each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 communicates with a corresponding one of the plurality of cavities 71 to 74. Each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 is configured to accommodate a corresponding one of the plurality of modules 51 to 54. The portion of the second housing 21 that defines the plurality of cavities 71 to 74 may be referred to as a base portion 21d of the second housing 21, and the portion of the second housing 21 that defines the plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 may be referred to as an accommodation portion 21c of the second housing 21. In the illustrated example, the plurality of cavities 71 to 74 are formed in the base portion 21d of the second housing 21, and the plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 are formed in the accommodation portion 21c of the second housing 21. The accommodation portion 21c of the second housing 21 extends from the base portion 21d. The plurality of accommodation spaces 61 to 64 may be arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and two adjacent accommodation spaces are partitioned by a partition wall 21c1 (FIG. 20A) of the accommodation portion 21c of the second housing 21. The plurality of cavities 71 to 74 may be arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, and two adjacent cavities may be partitioned by a partition wall 21d1 (FIG. 20B) of the base portion 21d of the second housing 21.

[0201] As shown in Figures 19A and 19B, the multiple modules 51-54 may include a first module 51, a second module 52, a third module 53, and a fourth module 54. The first module 51, the second module 52, the third module 53, and the fourth module 54 are configured to be assembled into the first cavity 71, the second cavity 72, the third cavity 73, and the fourth cavity 74 of the second housing 21, respectively. The configurations of modules 51-54 may be similar to the configurations of the modules of the first electrical connector 10, and may be arranged in the corresponding cavities in a similar manner. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0202] The first difference between the module configuration of the second electrical connector 20 and the module configuration of the first electrical connector 10 is that modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 are configured to mate with modules 501-504 of the first electrical connector 10, respectively. For example, the mating ends of the conductive terminals of modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 are configured to establish an electrical connection with the mating ends of the conductive terminals of the modules of the first electrical connector 10. For example, the mating ends of each conductive terminal of modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 and the mating ends of the conductive terminals of the corresponding modules of the first electrical connector 10 may have complementary shapes (e.g., male and female shapes). The module housings of modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 and the module housings of modules 501-504 of the first electrical connector 10 may have complementary shapes (e.g., male and female shapes).

[0203] A second difference between the module configuration of the second electrical connector 20 and the module configuration of the first electrical connector 10 is that modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 are configured to be mounted on the circuit board 30 to establish an electrical connection with the circuit board 30. For example, the ends of the conductive terminals of modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 opposite to the mating ends (e.g., mounting ends and / or tail ends) are configured to be electrically connected to a conductive structure on the circuit board 30 (e.g., by SMT or THT), rather than being configured to be terminated with a cable like the crimp ends of the conductive terminals of the modules of the first electrical connector 10.

[0204] It should be understood that the module of the second electrical connector 20 may also be a cable module. In this case, the second electrical connector 20 is also a cable connector. For example, Figure 21A shows an exemplary version in which the second electrical connector 20 is a cable connector.

[0205] The second electrical connector 20 is shown as a right-angle connector. This application is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that in some embodiments the second electrical connector 20 may be a vertical connector or a straddle-mount connector.

[0206] It should be understood that the modules of the second electrical connector 20 are not limited to including modules 51-54. For example, as shown in Figures 20C and 20D, modules 55, 56, and 57 are alternative versions of modules that may be used in the second electrical connector 20. Modules 55-57 may be configured to mate with the aforementioned modules 505-507.

[0207] In some embodiments, the mating modules of the second electrical connector 20 may include protective structures or features for protecting the mating ends of terminals in the form of pins. For example, as shown in Figures 19B and 20C, each of modules 52, 56, and 57 may have projections 52b, 56b, and 57b (which may be in the form of tabs, for example) protruding from its module housing. For example, each mating surface of modules 52, 56, and 57 may have protruding terminal mating ends and projections 52b, 56b, and 57b. The projections may extend beyond the terminal mating ends in the mating direction (e.g., lateral direction XX). When each of modules 52, 56, and 57 is positioned within the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20, the projections 52b, 56b, and 57b define a sufficiently small gap between the projection and the inner wall of the housing space (e.g., “61-64”) of the second housing 21, thereby preventing a user’s finger or similar tool from touching the terminal mating end as it extends into the second housing 21 from the opening of the mating surface 21a, and thereby protecting the terminal mating end from damage.

[0208] For example, Figure 20E shows the case where module 57 of the second electrical connector 20 is positioned within the housing space 61 of the second housing 21, from the perspective of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction YY. In Figure 20E, structure FG is configured to simulate a state in which a user's finger or similar tool extends from the opening of the mating surface 21a into the housing space 61 of the second housing 21. As shown in Figure 20E, when module 57 is positioned within the second housing 21, the projection 57b defines a sufficiently small gap between the projection 57b and the inner wall 61a of the housing space 61 of the second housing 21, preventing a user's finger or similar tool (see structure FG) from touching the terminal mating end when extending from the opening of the mating surface 21a into the second housing 21, thereby protecting the terminal mating end from damage.

[0209] Therefore, the modules of the first electrical connector 10 may include receiving structures or features for receiving the projections 52b, 56b, and 57b of the mating module of the second electrical connector 20. For example, as shown in Figures 10E and 10F, each of modules 502, 506, and 507 may have slots 502b, 506b, and 507b recessed into the module housing. When modules 502, 506, and 507 are mated with modules 52, 56, and 57, respectively, the projections 52b, 56b, and 57b can be received by the slots 502b, 506b, and 507b, respectively.

[0210] The mating modules of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 may be of the same type.

[0211] Multiple modules 51-57 may be held by a single identical housing (e.g., a second housing 21). The second housing 21 can function as a carrier or frame for holding the multiple modules 51-57. When the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are mated, the second housing 21 can ensure accurate alignment and secure locking between the multiple modules 51-57 and the mating module of the first electrical connector 10.

[0212] While modules 51-54 are shown in Figure 1B as being arranged in a 1x4 array within the second housing 21, it should be understood that the second electrical connector 20 may have any number and arrangement of modules. Figures 21B and 21C show two variations of the second electrical connector 20. As shown in Figures 21B and 21C, the modules of electrical connector 2121 may be arranged in a 2x3 array, and the modules of electrical connector 2122 may be arrayed in a 1x6 array.

[0213] The first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10 may be configured to mate with the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 in the mating direction in order to establish a mechanical connection between the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20.

[0214] For example, referring to Figures 2A to 4C, when the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are in the initial mating state shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 may be partially inserted in the mating direction (here, the lateral direction XX) into the housing space 103 of the housing portion of the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10. In the illustrated example, the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 may be partially received in the housing space 103 of the housing portion of the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10 in the mating direction. The second electrical connector 20 is positioned in the initial mating position relative to the first electrical connector 10. In this case, for example, each of the multiple modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 may be partially inserted in the mating direction into one of the multiple housing spaces 61 to 64 of the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20. There may be no contact between the mating ends of the conductive terminals of the modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 and the mating ends of the conductive terminals of the modules 51 to 54 of the second electrical connector 20.

[0215] Referring to Figures 3A to 3C, compared to the initial mating state, in the partially mated state, the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 may be further inserted into the housing space 103 of the housing portion of the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10 in the mating direction. The second electrical connector 20 is moved to a partially mated position relative to the first electrical connector 10. In this case, each of the multiple modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 may be partially inserted or further inserted in the mating direction into the corresponding one of the multiple housing spaces 61 to 64 of the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20. In the partially mated state, initial contact may be established between the mating ends of the conductive terminals of modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 and the mating ends of the corresponding conductive terminals of modules 51 to 54 of the second electrical connector 20.

[0216] Referring to Figures 4A to 4C, compared to the partially mated state, in the mated state, the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 may be further inserted in the mating direction into the housing space 103 of the housing portion of the first electrical connector 10. For example, most or all of the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 may be inserted into the housing space 103 of the housing portion of the first housing 100. The second electrical connector 20 is moved to the mated position relative to the first electrical connector 10. In this case, each of the multiple modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 may be further inserted in the mating direction into the corresponding one of the multiple housing spaces 61 to 64 of the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20. In the mated state, a final or completed contact may be established between the mating ends of the conductive terminals of modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 and the mating ends of the corresponding conductive terminals of modules 51 to 54 of the second electrical connector 20, thereby putting the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 in a mated state.

[0217] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 20A, a ledge 21e may be provided at the joint between the housing portion 21c and the base portion 21d of the second housing 21. As shown in Figure 4C, when the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are mated, the ledge 21e contacts the front end of the housing portion of the first housing 100 to prevent the second electrical connector 20 from moving further toward the first electrical connector 10, thereby preventing damage to the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20.

[0218] The first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 may have a mechanism that cooperates to facilitate mating between the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. Such a mechanism makes mating between the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 easier, thereby improving connection and assembly efficiency. Some examples of such mechanisms are described below.

[0219] As shown in Figure 6, the first electrical connector 10 may comprise two sliders located within the first housing 100. The sliders 200 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a metal or plastic material. The two sliders 200 may function as drive elements for driving the second electrical connector 20 to move in the mating direction. Each slider 200 may be configured to slide relative to the first housing 100 in a sliding direction intersecting the mating direction (lateral direction XX) between a first position shown in Figures 2C and 5A and a second position shown in Figure 4C. Each slider 200 can be driven to slide (for example, by a locking member 300). The sliding direction is shown in Figures 2C and 4C as being oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction YY, but it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto, and the sliding direction may be any suitable direction intersecting the mating direction.

[0220] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the first position of the slider 200 refers to the position of the slider 200 as shown in Figures 2C and 5A, and the second position of the slider 200 refers to the position of the slider 200 as shown in Figure 4C.

[0221] As shown in Figures 2C, 3C, 4C, 5A, and 7B, the first housing 100 may include two sliding grooves 120. Each sliding groove 120 is configured to accommodate a corresponding slider 200 and guide the slider 200 to slide within it. As best shown in Figure 5A, the two sliders 200 may be positioned on opposite sides of the housing space 103 in the vertical direction ZZ and facing each other in the vertical direction ZZ. The configurations of the two sliders 200 may be mirror images of each other. The slider 200 located on the upper side in Figure 5A may be referred to as the "upper slider". The slider 200 located on the lower side in Figure 5A may be referred to as the "lower slider". The configurations of the upper and lower sliders may be mirror images of each other.

[0222] Figures 11A to 11C show an embodiment of the upper slider 200. The upper slider 200 may include a cam slot 210. The cam slot 210 may be configured to receive a cam pin 25 provided on the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 and to bias the cam pin 25 to move in the mating direction (lateral direction XX) relative to the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10.

[0223] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 19A to 20B, the cam pin 25 is provided in the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 and may protrude from the outer surface of the housing portion 21c. For example, the cam pin 25 may be formed integrally with the second housing 21. The operation of the cam pin 25 can cause movement of the second housing 21. The cam pins 25 are arranged at equal intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction YY, so that the forces acting on the second housing 21 (which may be tensile force when the second housing 21 is fitted with the first housing 100 and compressive force when the second housing 21 is disengaged from the first housing 100) are evenly distributed.

[0224] The upper slider 200 is shown as including three cam slots 210. The number of cam pins 25 in the second housing 21 may correspond to the number of cam slots 210. Each cam slot 210 may include an entry section 210a, a retaining section 210b, and a guide section 210c extending between the entry section 210a and the retaining section 210b. The entry section 210a may open in the mating direction to receive the cam pins 25 of the second housing 21. The retaining section 210b is used to receive and hold the cam pins 25 and restrict their movement in the mating direction. The retaining section 210b may extend in the sliding direction (longitudinal direction YY). The guide section 210c may extend obliquely to the sliding direction and, as the upper slider 200 slides in the sliding direction, the guide section 210c biases the cam pins 25 to move in the mating direction.

[0225] For example, as shown in Figure 2C, when the upper slider 200 is in the first position, the cam slot 210 can receive the cam pin 25 of the second housing 21. The cam pin 25 is received in the entry section 210a of the cam slot 210. In this case, the second electrical connector 20 is positioned in the initial mating position relative to the first electrical connector 10, and the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are in the initial mating state. In this case, the second housing 21 is also positioned in the initial mating position relative to the first housing 100. For example, the cam slot 210 may be configured to receive the cam pin 25 of the second housing 21 when the upper slider 200 is in the first position as shown in Figure 2C, thereby positioning the second housing 21 in the initial mating position.

[0226] Next, as shown in Figure 3C, when the upper slider 200 is slid in the sliding direction (longitudinal direction YY) from the first position to the second position, the cam pin 25 enters the guide section 210c of the cam slot 210 and is pulled toward the first housing 100 in the mating direction (lateral direction XX) by the guide section 210c, thereby further inserting the second housing 21 into the first housing 100 as described above. In this case, the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are in a partially mated state.

[0227] Next, as shown in Figure 4C, when the upper slider 200 reaches the second position, the cam pin 25 enters the retaining section 210b of the cam slot 210 and is held by the retaining section 210b. In this case, the second electrical connector 20 is moved to a mating position with respect to the first electrical connector 10, and the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are mated together. In this case, the second housing 21 is also moved to a mating position with respect to the first housing 100.

[0228] When the upper slider 200 is slid from the first position to the second position, the cam slot 210 can be biased to move the cam pin 25 received therein in the mating direction relative to the first housing 100, thereby moving the second housing 21 from the initial mating position to the mating position relative to the first housing 100. This allows the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 to be mated, for example, mated together to establish a desired electrical connection.

[0229] It should be understood that when the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are mated together, the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 can be disengaged from each other by sliding the upper slider 200 from the second position shown in Figure 4C to the first position shown in Figure 2C. This process is the reverse of the process of moving the second housing 21 from the initial mating position to the mating position. For the sake of brevity, similar details may not be repeated.

[0230] As shown in Figure 5A, the first housing 100 and the upper slider 200 of the first electrical connector 10 may be configured to cooperate with each other, so that the upper slider 200 can be restrained in a first position by the first housing 100 before the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 is positioned in the initial mating position. For example, before the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position, the upper slider 200 can be held in a first position by the first housing 100 without sliding. In this way, the upper slider 200 can be restrained in a first position before the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are placed in the initial mating position, thereby ensuring that the cam pin 25 of the second housing 21 can be accurately and smoothly inserted into the corresponding cam slot 210 of the upper slider 200 without the need to adjust the position of the upper slider 200 when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position. This configuration makes it easier to operate the mating of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, thereby improving the connection and assembly efficiency of the electronic system 1. This configuration allows the first electrical connector 10 to meet the mechanical requirements of specifications such as USCAR.

[0231] As shown in Figures 2C and 5C, when the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 is positioned in the initial mating position, the second housing 21 may disengage the upper slider 200 from the first housing 100, thereby allowing the upper slider 200 to slide in the sliding direction from a first position to a second position. In some embodiments, the second housing 21 may disengage the upper slider 200 from the first housing 100 by contacting the upper slider 200. It should be understood that this application is not limited thereto, and in some embodiments, the second housing 21 may disengage the upper slider 200 from the first housing 100 by contacting the first housing 100, or by contacting both the upper slider 200 and the first housing 100.

[0232] In some examples, the first housing 100 may include a first restraining structure, and the upper slider 200 may include a second restraining structure. When the upper slider 200 is in a first position and the second housing 21 is not yet in an initial fitting position (Figure 5A), the first and second restraining structures engage with each other to restrict the upper slider 200 from sliding from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction.

[0233] One of the first and second restraining structures may be made contact by a release structure provided on the second housing 21 when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial fitting position, thereby disengaging from the other of the first and second restraining structures, and thereby allowing the upper slider 200 to slide in the sliding direction from the first position to the second position.

[0234] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5A-5C and 7B, the first restraint structure of the first housing 100 may be in the form of a beam 121 extending into the sliding groove 120. The beam 121 may extend, for example, in the lateral direction XX. For example, the beam 121 may be formed integrally with the first housing 100. The beam 121 may be positioned adjacent to the end of the sliding groove 120 in the longitudinal direction YY. When the upper slider 200 is in the first position, the upper slider 200 is closer to the end of the sliding groove 120 than to the opposite end of the sliding groove 120 in the longitudinal direction YY. It should be understood that this application is not limited thereto.

[0235] As shown in Figures 5A to 5C and Figures 11A to 11C, the second restraint structure of the upper slider 200 may be in the form of an elastic arm 220. The elastic arm 220 may extend from the body of the upper slider 200 in a cantilevered manner. The elastic arm 220 may be formed integrally with the upper slider 200.

[0236] As shown in Figure 5B, when the upper slider 200 is in the first position and the second housing 21 is not yet in the initial fitting position, the elastic arm 220 engages with the beam 121, restricting the upper slider 200 from sliding from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction. As shown in Figure 5C, when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial fitting position, the elastic arm 220 is contacted by the release structure of the second housing 21 (labeled "26" in Figure 5C) and biased to disengage from the beam 121. For example, in the absence of biasing force, the elastic arm 220 may be held in the position engaged with the beam 121 by its own elasticity (Figure 5B), and when contacted by the release structure of the second housing 21, the release structure can bias the elastic arm 220 against the elastic force of the elastic arm 220 to the position disengaged from the beam 121 (Figure 5C).

[0237] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5B, 7A, and 7B, the first housing 100 may include a first receiving groove 130 that communicates with the sliding groove 120 and is configured to receive the release structure of the second housing 21 when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial fitting position. For example, the first receiving groove 130 may extend in the fitting direction (lateral direction XX). The first receiving groove may be located adjacent to the beam 121.

[0238] As shown in Figure 5B, when the upper slider 200 is in the first position and the second housing 21 is not yet positioned in the initial mating position, a portion of the elastic arm 220 may extend into the first receiving groove 130. As shown in Figure 5C, when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position, the release structure of the second housing 21 may be received in the first receiving groove 130, and a portion of the elastic arm 220 is contacted by the release structure of the second housing 21, thereby biasing the elastic arm 220 to disengage from the beam 121. The first receiving groove 130 provides a guiding and recording function to ensure that when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position, the release structure of the second housing 21 can make accurate and smooth contact with the elastic arm 220, thereby disengaging the elastic arm 220 from the beam 121.

[0239] In some examples, as shown in Figures 5B, 5C, 11B, and 11C, the elastic arm 220 may include a barb 221. The barb 221 may function as the aforementioned portion of the elastic arm 220. For example, as shown in Figure 5B, when the upper slider 200 is in a first position and the second housing 21 is not yet positioned in the initial mating position, the barb 221 of the elastic arm 220 may engage with the beam 121 and extend into the first receiving groove 130. As shown in Figure 5C, when the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position, the barb 221 is contacted by the release structure of the second housing 21, thereby biasing the elastic arm 220 to disengage from the beam 121.

[0240] As shown in Figures 11B and 11C, a portion of the barb 221 to be contacted by the release structure may be formed with a chamfered surface 222. The chamfered surface 222 may face toward the entrance of the first receiving groove 130. Such a configuration allows the release structure of the second housing 21 to contact and bias the elastic arm 220 with less force and less wear, thereby improving the operability and service life of the first electrical connector 10. For example, the barb 221 may be provided at the free end of the elastic arm 220. However, the application may not be limited thereto. In some embodiments, the barb 221 may be located on any suitable portion of the elastic arm 220, for example, in the middle portion of the elastic arm 220.

[0241] It should be understood that the aforementioned portion of the elastic arm 220 may be a different portion of the elastic arm 220 from the barb 221, for example, another projection of the elastic arm 220.

[0242] In some examples, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the first receiving groove 130 of the first housing 100 may recess from the housing space 103 into the housing portion of the first housing 100 in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction (vertical direction ZZ) and extend in the fitting direction. As shown in Figures 1A to 2C, 5C, and 19A to 20B, the release structure of the second housing 21 may be in the form of a rib 26 provided on the second housing 21 and extending in the fitting direction. The rib 26 may protrude outward from the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21.

[0243] When the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position, the rib 26 may be received within the first receiving groove 130, and a portion of the elastic arm 220 is contacted by the rib 26, thereby biasing the elastic arm 220 to disengage from the beam 121. This cooperation between the first receiving groove 130 and the rib 26 allows the housing portion 21c of the second housing 21 to be guided into the housing space 103 of the first housing 100. This configuration prevents the second housing 21 from being inserted into the first housing 100 at an oblique angle, and thus protects the components of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 (e.g., the slider 200 and the cam pin 25, the mating end of the mating module described above).

[0244] It should be understood that the form of the opening structure of the second housing 21 is not limited to the rib 26. For example, the opening structure may be any form of projection or any other suitable structure.

[0245] While it has been described above that the first restraint structure of the first housing 100 is in the form of a beam 121 and the second restraint structure of the upper slider 200 is in the form of an elastic arm 220, it should be understood that this application may not be limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first housing 100 may include an elastic arm which may have a similar structure to the elastic arm 220. The upper slider 200 may include a receiving portion (e.g., a recess or opening) configured to cooperate with the elastic arm. In this case, when the upper slider 200 is in a first position and the second housing 21 is not yet in an initial fitting position, the elastic arm of the first housing 100 can engage with the receiving portion of the upper slider 200 to restrict the upper slider 200 from sliding from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction. When the second housing 21 is in the initial fitting position, the elastic arm of the first housing 100 contacts a release structure (e.g., a rib 26) provided on the second housing 21, disengaging from the receiving portion of the upper slider 200, thereby allowing the upper slider 200 to slide in the sliding direction from the first position to the second position. It should be understood that in some embodiments, each of the first housing 100 and the upper slider 200 may have both an elastic arm and a receiving portion.

[0246] In some embodiments, the engagement between the first restraint structure of the first housing 100 and the second restraint structure of the upper slider 200 may also restrict the upper slider 200 from sliding away from the first position to the second position when the upper slider 200 is in the first position. For example, the barb 221 of the elastic arm 220 may snap into a recess that is recessed into the beam 121.

[0247] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the upper slider 200 may include a third restraint structure. When the upper slider 200 is in the first position, the third restraint structure of the upper slider 200 may engage with the first restraint structure of the first housing 100 (e.g., beam 121) to restrict the upper slider 200 from sliding away from the first position to the second position.

[0248] In some examples, as shown in Figures 5B and 11B, the third restraint structure may take the form of a stop wall 223. The stop wall 223 engages with the beam 121 of the first housing 100 when the upper slider 200 is in the first position, thereby restricting the upper slider 200 from sliding away from the first position in the sliding direction to the second position.

[0249] As shown in Figure 11B, the elastic arm 220 may extend, for example, from the stop wall 223. In the illustrated example, the fixed end of the elastic arm 220 may be connected to the stop wall 223. For example, the beam 121 of the first housing 100 may be positioned between the elastic arm 220 (e.g., its barb 221) and the stop wall 223 when the upper slider 200 is in a first position. The cooperation of the beam 121, the elastic arm 220, and the stop wall 223 can restrain the upper slider 200 in the first position.

[0250] It should be understood that the third form of restraint structure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, when the upper slider 200 is in the first position, the end of the upper slider 200 can engage with the end wall of the sliding groove 120 to restrict the upper slider 200 from sliding away from the first position to the second position.

[0251] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first housing 100 further includes a fourth restraint structure. When the upper slider 200 is in the first position, the second restraint structure of the upper slider 200 may engage with the fourth restraint structure of the first housing 100 to restrict the slider from sliding away from the first position to the second position. For example, the barb 221 of the elastic arm 220 may engage with the end wall of the sliding groove 120 to restrict the upper slider 200 from sliding away from the first position to the second position.

[0252] The sliding groove 120 of the first housing 100 may be shaped to hold the slider 200 and guide its sliding. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7H, the sliding groove 120 of the first housing 100 corresponding to the upper slider 200 may have a first narrow section 120a and a second wider section 120b extending from the first section 120a. The cross-section of the upper slider 200 perpendicular to the sliding direction may coincide in shape with the cross-section of the sliding groove 120 perpendicular to the sliding direction, thereby holding the upper slider 200 within the sliding groove 120 and guiding it to slide. With such a configuration, the upper slider 200 can be guided to slide within the sliding groove 120 in the correct sliding direction.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first section 120a of the sliding groove 120 may be recessed into the housing of the first housing 100 in a vertical direction ZZ perpendicular to the fitting direction from the housing space 103 of the first housing 100, and the second section 120b may extend away from the housing space 103 in a vertical direction ZZ perpendicular to the fitting direction from the first section 120a. For example, as shown in Figure 7H, when viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the sliding direction, the sliding groove 120 corresponding to the lower slider 200 may have an "L" shape, and the sliding groove 120 corresponding to the upper slider 200 may have an inverted "L" shape. However, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the sliding groove 120 corresponding to the lower slider 200 may have a "T" shape, and the sliding groove 120 corresponding to the upper slider 200 may have an inverted "T" shape. As a result, the cross-section of the upper slider 200 perpendicular to the sliding direction and the cross-section of the sliding groove 120 perpendicular to the sliding direction can coincide with each other.

[0254] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the first housing 100 may include a plurality of openings 101a. Each opening 101a may recess into the first housing 100 in the fitting direction from the mating surface 101 and communicate with a sliding groove 120 that accommodates the upper slider 200. As shown in Figure 2C, when the upper slider 200 is in the first position, the entry section 210a of the cam slot 210 may be aligned with the opening 101a in the fitting direction to receive the cam pin 25 of the second housing 21. As shown in Figures 3C and 4C, when the upper slider 200 slides away from the first position, the entry section 210a of the cam slot 210 may be offset in the fitting direction from the opening 101a. This configuration allows, on the one hand, to protect the upper slider 200 when the second housing 21 is inserted diagonally into the first housing 100, thereby preventing damage to the upper slider 200. On the other hand, it prevents the cam pin 25 from unintentionally coming out of the cam slot 210 in the mating direction during the early stages of the mating process.

[0255] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7A, the first housing 100 may be provided with a window 150 that communicates with the sliding groove 120 of the upper slider 200, thereby allowing the user to observe the position of the upper slider 200 in the sliding groove 120, for example, while mating the first electrical connector 10 with the second electrical connector 20.

[0256] As shown in Figures 2C, 3C, and 4C, the locking member 300 is coupled to the upper slider 200 and drives the upper slider 200, allowing it to slide relative to the first housing 100 in a sliding direction (here, lateral direction XX) between a first position and a second position according to a pivoting motion.

[0257] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1A to 4C, the cover 400 may be attached to the first housing 100, and the locking member 300 may be pivotably attached to the cover 400. The locking member 300 may be configured to pivot relative to the cover 400 between a pre-locked position shown in Figures 2A to 2C and a locked position shown in Figures 4A to 4C. When the locking member 300 pivots between the pre-locked position and the locked position, the upper slider 200 can be driven to slide in the sliding direction relative to the first housing 100 between a first position and a second position. For example, when the locking member 300 is in the pre-locked position shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the upper slider 200 is in the first position shown in Figure 2C, and when the locking member 300 is in the locked position shown in Figures 4A to 4C, the upper slider 200 is in the second position shown in Figure 4C. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3A to 3C, when the locking member 300 is in the locking position between the pre-locking position and the locked position, the upper slider 200 is in the third position shown in Figure 3C, between the first position and the second position.

[0258] By driving the slider 200 with the locking member 300, the mating force required to mat the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, as well as the dismounting force required to dismount them, can be reduced by the principle of leverage.

[0259] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the locking member 300 is U-shaped and may include a pair of arms 310 and a crossbar portion 320 connecting the pair of arms 310. The locking member 300 may be formed from a metal material, a plastic material, or any other suitable material. The arms 310 of the locking member 300 may be formed integrally with the crossbar portion 320. Each arm 310 is pivotably mounted to the cover 400 and coupled to a corresponding one of two sliders 200 to drive and slide the corresponding slider 200.

[0260] Each arm 310 may include a first end 311 and a second end 312 opposite to each other. The second ends 312 of a pair of arms 310 may be connected by a crossbar 320 to allow the pair of arms 310 to pivot together. The configuration of the pair of arms 310 may be mirror images of each other. Embodiments of the locking member 300 are described herein in relation to an arm 310 coupled to an upper slider 200.

[0261] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the pre-locking position of the locking member 300 and arm 310 may refer to the positions of the locking member 300 and arm 310 shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the locked position of the locking member 300 and arm 310 may refer to the positions of the locking member 300 and arm 310 shown in Figures 4A to 4C, and the locked position of the locking member 300 and arm 310 may refer to the positions of the locking member 300 and arm 310 shown in Figures 3A to 3C.

[0262] The cover 400 can at least partially enclose the rear of the first housing 100. The cover 400 may be formed from a metallic material, an insulating material, or any suitable material. For example, the cover 400 may be configured to guide cables (only segments of the cables are shown in the figures) extending from modules (e.g., modules 501-504). As shown in Figures 12A, 12C, and 16A, the cover 400 may include two side walls 410 opposite each other in the vertical direction ZZ. One of the side walls 410 of the cover 400 is shown in Figure 12A, but it should be understood that the two side walls 410 of the cover 400 may be mirror images of each other. Embodiments of the cover 400 and the locking member 300 are described herein in relation to the side walls 410 supporting the arm 310 coupled to the upper slider 200.

[0263] As shown in Figures 12A, 12C, and 16A, the cover 400 may include a pivot shaft 420 projecting outward from the side wall 410. The first end 311 of the corresponding arm 310 is pivotably mounted on the pivot shaft 420 to allow the corresponding arm 310 to pivot around the pivot shaft 420 between a pre-locked position and a locked position. For example, the pivot shaft 420 may include a shaft body 421 defining the pivot axis. The shaft body 421 may extend in the vertical direction ZZ, and the pivot axis may be oriented parallel to the vertical direction ZZ. It should be understood that this application is not limited thereto.

[0264] In this application, unless otherwise specified, "axial direction" may refer to the direction of extension of the pivot axis defined by the pivot shaft 420, and "radial direction" may refer to the direction relative to the pivot axis, for example, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0265] As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the first end 311 of the arm 310 is a bearing portion 311a, which includes a bearing portion 311a having a bore 313 extending axially through the bearing portion 311a. As shown in Figures 16A and 16E, the bearing portion 311a of the corresponding first end 311 of the arm 310 may be located on the shaft body 421 of the pivot shaft 420. The shaft body 421 extends axially through the bore 313 of the bearing portion 311a.

[0266] As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the first end 311 of the arm 310 may be formed with gear teeth 330. The gear teeth 330 may be formed on the outer circumference of the first end 311. As shown in Figures 11B and 11C, the upper slider 200 may be formed with rack teeth 230 in a position opposite to the first end 311 of the arm 310. As shown in Figures 2C, 3C, and 4C, the gear teeth 330 of the arm 310 can mesh with the rack teeth 230 of the upper slider 200, and as a result, when the arm 310 is pivoted between a pre-lock position and a locked position, the upper slider 200 is driven to slide between a first position and a second position in the sliding direction relative to the first housing 100.

[0267] As described above, before the upper slider 200 is in the first position and the second housing 21 is in the initial fitting position, the upper slider 200 may be constrained to the first position by the first housing 100. When constrained to the first position by the first housing 100, the upper slider 200 does not need to be driven by the locking member 300. Since the upper slider 200 and the locking member 300 are drivably connected to each other, for example by gear teeth 330 and rack teeth 230, the locking member 300 may be constrained to the pre-locked position by the upper slider 200. In this case, the locking member 300 may not pivot.

[0268] With this configuration, the locking member 300 can be reliably held in the pre-locked position before the second housing 21 is positioned in the initial mating position. This configuration makes mating the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 easier, thereby improving the connection and assembly efficiency of the electronic system 1. This configuration allows the first electrical connector 10 to meet the mechanical requirements of specifications such as USCAR.

[0269] It should be understood that the form of the transmission coupling between the upper slider 200 and the locking member 300 is not limited to gear teeth 330 and rack teeth 230. Any suitable form of transmission coupling may be used so that the upper slider 200 is driven to slide between the first position and the second position when the arm 310 is pivoted between the pre-lock position and the locked position. In this case as well, the transmission coupling between the upper slider 200 and the locking member 300 ensures that the locking member 300 is held in the pre-lock position before the second housing 21 is in the initial mating position.

[0270] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A–2C, 12A, and 12C, the cover 400 may include a first projection 411 projecting outward from the side wall 410. The first projection 411 may be configured to engage with the arm 310 when the arm 310 is in the pre-lock position, thereby restricting the arm 310 from pivoting beyond the pre-lock position and further away from the locked position.

[0271] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 4A–4C, 12A, and 12C, the cover 400 may include a second projection 412 projecting outward from the side wall 410. The second projection 412 may be configured to engage with the arm 310 when the arm 310 is in the locked position, thereby restricting the arm 310 from pivoting beyond the locked position and further away from the pre-locked position.

[0272] The first projection 411 and the second projection 412 can function as stop structures for defining the pivot range of the locking member 300. The first projection 411 and the second projection 412 can define the pivot range of the locking member 300 between the pre-locked position and the locked position. As described above, the upper slider 200 and the locking member 300 are drivably connected to each other by, for example, gear teeth 330 and rack teeth 230, so the first projection 411 and the second projection 412 can define the sliding range of the upper slider 200 within the sliding groove 120 by defining the pivot range of the locking member 300.

[0273] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 12A and 12C, the cover 400 may include a third projection 413 projecting outward from the side wall 410. As shown in Figure 13A, the arm 310 may include an opening 315. For example, the opening 315 may be provided in a portion of the arm 310 between a first end 311 and a second end 312. When the arm 310 is pivoted to the pre-lock position, the third projection 413 of the cover 400 is received into the opening 315 of the arm 310, providing at least one of audible, visual, and tactile indications that the arm 310 has been pivoted to the pre-lock position. Such a configuration can provide the user with an explicit indication that the locking member 300 has been pivoted to the pre-lock position. This can improve the operability of the first electrical connector 10.

[0274] As an example, the third projection 413 and the opening 315 may be shaped to match each other to provide a visual indication that the arm 310 is in the pre-lock position. Alternatively or additionally, the third projection 413 and the opening 315 may be designed so that when the arm 310 is pivoted to the pre-lock position, the third projection 413 is received into the opening 315, emitting an audible indication such as a "click". Alternatively or additionally, the third projection 413 and the opening 315 may be designed so that when the arm 310 is pivoted to the pre-lock position, the third projection 413 is received into the opening 315, providing force feedback through the arm 310. Such force feedback could be a large vibration of the arm 310 or a large change in pivot resistance. For example, as shown in Figure 13A, the arm 310 may have a recessed portion 316 in the arm 310 and a stepped portion 317 formed by the recessed portion 316. The stepped portion 317 may be configured to contact the third projection 413 before it is received by the opening 315 when the arm 310 is pivoted away from the locked position toward the pre-locked position. The stepped portion 317 may be designed to have sufficient height to allow it to emit a sound such as a "click" when the third projection 413 moves over the stepped portion 317 into the opening 315, thereby providing an audible indication, and / or to provide tactile indication by providing force feedback via the arm 310.

[0275] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A–2C, 12A, 12C, and 16E, the cover 400 may include an elastic tab 430 projecting outward from the side wall 410. The elastic tab 430 may be configured to be able to be pressed down by the arm 310 when the arm 310 pivots away from the locked position toward the pre-locked position, allowing the arm 310 to move beyond the elastic tab 430 toward the pre-locked position, resetting the arm 310 when it is in the pre-locked position, and blocking the arm 310 from pivoting from the pre-locked position toward the locked position. The elastic tab 430 may also be configured to be able to be pressed down manually (e.g., by hand or by a tool) to allow the arm 310 to pivot from the pre-locked position toward the locked position.

[0276] For example, as shown in Figure 16E, the cover 400 may include a recessed area 431 in the side wall 410, and the elastic tab 430 may extend into the recessed area 431 in a cantilever manner, projecting at least partially outward from the surface of the side wall 410. For example, the free end 430a of the elastic tab 430 may project outward from the surface of the side wall 410. When the arm 310 is pivoted away from the locked position toward the pre-locked position, the arm 310 may contact the free end 430a of the elastic tab 430, pushing down the elastic tab 430 and moving beyond the elastic tab 430 toward the pre-locked position. When the arm 310 is in the pre-locked position, the elastic tab 430 may be reset by its own elasticity, and the free end 430a may block the arm 310 from pivoting from the pre-locked position toward the locked position. Furthermore, the elastic tab 430 may include an actuation part 430b, which is provided between the free end 430a and the fixed end 430c of the elastic tab 430 and can be manually actuated to push down the elastic tab 430. The actuation part 430b may be textured to facilitate being pressed by the user.

[0277] Such an elastic tab 430 can provide a locking function to the locking member 300. For example, the elastic tab 430 can cooperate with the first projection 411 to hold the locking member 300 in a pre-locked position. This can help prevent the locking member 300 from pivoting before the first electrical connector 10 is shipped and mated. As another example, the elastic tab 430 can cooperate with the upper slider 200 to hold the locking member 300 in a pre-locked position. Furthermore, even if the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 is in an initial mating position, and thereby the upper slider 200 is not restrained from the first housing 100, the locking member 300 may not pivot from the pre-locked position toward the locked position unless the elastic tab 430 is pressed down. In this case, the elastic tab 430 can help hold the upper slider 200 in the first position.

[0278] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 12A, 12C, and 16E, the pivot shaft 420 of the cover 400 may include a projection 422 that radially protrudes from the shaft body 421. As shown in Figure 13A, the bearing portion 311a of the first end 311 of the arm 310 may include a notch 314 that is radially recessed from the bore 313 into the bearing portion 311a. The bore 313 and the notch 314 together may form a “gourd shape,” with the bore 313 being larger and the notch 314 being smaller. As shown in Figure 16E, when the first end 311 of the arm 310 is pivotably mounted on the pivot shaft 420, the bearing portion 311a is supported by the shaft body 421 between the projection 422 of the pivot shaft 420 and the side wall 410 of the cover 400, with the shaft body 421 extending through the bore 313.

[0279] As shown in Figures 2B, 3B, and 4B, the notch 314 and projection 422 may coincide in shape with each other so that they are axially aligned only when the arm 310 is in the locking position, thereby allowing the first end 311 of the arm 310 to be attached to and removed from the pivot shaft 420, and are axially offset from each other when the arm 310 is in any other pivot position, thereby blocking the attachment and removal of the first end 311 of the arm 310 from the pivot shaft 420. For example, when the arm 310 is in the locking position and the notch 314 and projection 422 are axially aligned with each other, the first end 311 of the arm 310 can be removed from the corresponding shaft body 421 by extending the pair of arms 310 to increase the distance between the first ends 311 of the pair of arms 310. In this case, the crossbar portion 320 may be elastically deformed. Furthermore, since the locking member 300 has a pair of arms 310, unless an expanding force is applied that widens the distance between the first ends 311 of the pair of arms 310, the locking member 300 can be held in place by the pair of arms 310 even when pivoted to the locking position. Moreover, the locking member 300 may be assembled to the cover in the orientation in which the locking member 300 is in the locking position. With such a configuration, the locking member 300 can be reliably held in place by the cover 400 with fewer components, and the operation of attaching and detaching the locking member 300 to the cover 400 can be simplified.

[0280] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 13A, the first end 311 of the arm 310 may include an annular projection 318 surrounding the bearing portion 311a. The thickness of the annular projection 318 in the axial direction (vertical ZZ) may be greater than the thickness of the bearing portion 311a in the axial direction, thereby providing mechanical strength to the first end 311 of the arm 310. As shown in Figure 16E, when the arm 310 is mounted on the pivot shaft 420, the annular projection 318 can radially surround the projection 422 of the pivot shaft 420 and be substantially axially coplanar with the projection 422. This prevents accidental disengagement from the pivot shaft 420 when the arm 310 is pivoted to the locking position.

[0281] Since the configuration of the lower slider 200 and the configuration of the upper slider 200 may be mirror images of each other, please understand that the first housing 100 and the locking member 300 have similar configurations to the lower slider 200 and can cooperate with the lower slider 200 in a similar manner.

[0282] It should be understood that in some embodiments, the number of sliders 200 may not be limited to two. For example, the number of sliders 200 may be one or three or more. The relative configuration of the first housing 100 and the locking member 300 may vary accordingly.

[0283] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 16G and 16H, the cover 400 may be pivotably mounted on the first housing 100 and pivotable relative to the first housing 100 between a closed position (Figure 16G) and an open position (Figure 16H). The closed position of the cover 400 shown in Figure 16G corresponds to the position of the cover 400 relative to the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10 shown in Figures 1A to 4C. As shown in Figure 16G, the cover 400 can block the rear surface 102 of the first housing 100 when in the closed position and allow access to the rear surface 102 of the first housing 100 when in the open position, allowing, for example, the installation and / or replacement of modules 501 to 504. With such a configuration, the cover 400 can be integrated with the first housing 100 to improve the integrity of the first electrical connector 10. For example, if it is necessary to open the cover 400 to replace modules 501-504, it is not necessary to completely remove the cover 400 from the first housing 100. Although the locking member 300 and the CPA device 700 are hidden in Figures 16G and 16H, it should be understood that the locking member 300 and the CPA device 700 do not need to be removed from the cover 400 when the cover 400 is pivoted between the closed and open positions. For example, the locking member 300 may be held in the pre-locked position by the first projection 411 and the elastic tab 430. The CPA device 700 may be constrained to the pre-installed position by the cover 400.

[0284] In the first electrical connector 10 assembled as shown in Figures 1A to 4C, the cover 400 can be held in the closed position by any suitable structure.

[0285] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 12A, 12C, 16G, and 16H, the cover 400 may include a first pivot structure 441 at a first corner 440. As shown in Figures 7B, 16G, and 16H, a second pivot structure 141 may be provided on the side wall 140 of the first housing 100 extending between the mating surface 101 and the rear surface 102. The first pivot structure 441 and the second pivot structure 141 can be coupled to each other so that the cover 400 is pivotably mounted to the side wall 140 of the first housing 100. The second pivot structure 141 may be, for example, a pivot shaft extending in the vertical direction ZZ and defining a pivot axis oriented parallel to the vertical direction ZZ. The first pivot structure 441 may be a bearing portion that is removablely mounted (for example, by a snap fit) on the pivot shaft. It should be understood that the embodiments of the first pivot structure 441 and the second pivot structure 141 are not limited to these.

[0286] As described above, the cables of modules 501 to 504 may extend outward from the first housing 100 at the rear surface 102 of the first housing 100. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 16H, the cover 400 may include a first exit structure 442 at a second corner 450 positioned obliquely to a first corner 440, and the first housing 100 may correspondingly include a second exit structure 142. The first exit structure 442 and the second exit structure 142 may collectively define the cable exit 11 (Figure 1A) when the cover 400 is in the closed position. The cables of modules 501 to 504 can exit from the first electrical connector 10 through the cable exit 11.

[0287] In some embodiments, the cover 400 may include a snap structure adjacent to and / or located on the first outlet structure 442. Thus, the first housing 100 may include a snap structure to cooperate with the snap structure of the cover 400 to securely hold the cover 400 in the closed position when the cover 400 is in the closed position. For example, as shown in Figure 16H, the cover 400 may include a snap tab 443 located on the first outlet structure 442. Additionally or alternatively, the cover 400 may include a tab located adjacent to the first outlet structure 442. The first housing 100 may correspondingly be provided with receiving portions (e.g., openings and / or recesses) for receiving such snap structures.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first housing 100 may include a snap structure adjacent to and / or located on the second outlet structure 142. Thus, the cover 400 may include a snap structure to cooperate with the snap structure of the first housing 100 to securely hold the cover 400 in the closed position when the cover 400 is in the closed position. For example, as shown in Figure 16H, the first housing 100 may include a snap tab 143 located on the second outlet structure 142 and a snap projection 144 located adjacent to the second outlet structure 142. The cover 400 may correspondingly be provided with receiving portions (e.g., openings and / or recesses) for receiving such snap structures.

[0289] Referring to Figures 4A to 4C, when the locking member 300 is pivoted to the locked position, both sliders 200 are in the second position. The second electrical connector 20 is moved to the mating position relative to the first electrical connector 10, and the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are mated. The CPA device 700 may be configured to fix the locking member 300 in the locked position, thereby holding the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 in a mated state. The CPA device 700 can improve the vibration and shock resistance of the connector assembly or electronic system consisting of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, and can improve its reliability, for example.

[0290] As shown in Figures 12A, 12C, and 16A, the cover 400 may include a sliding groove 460 configured to accommodate the CPA device 700. The sliding groove 460 may be recessed into the cover 400 at the rear (relative to the first housing 100). The sliding groove 460 may include a bottom for supporting the CPA device 700. As shown in Figure 12A, the sliding groove 460 may be located adjacent to a second corner 450 of the cover 400, which is diagonally opposite the first corner 440. It should be understood that this application is not limited thereto.

[0291] As shown in Figures 16A to 16C, the CPA device 700 may be positioned within the sliding groove 460 and configured to slide relative to the cover 400 in the sliding direction between the pre-installation position shown in Figure 16B and the installation position shown in Figure 16C. For example, the sliding direction may be oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction YY. Therefore, the sliding groove 460 may extend in the longitudinal direction YY. It should be understood that this application is not limited thereto.

[0292] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the pre-installation position of the CPA device 700 may refer to the position of the CPA device 700 shown in Figure 16B, and the installation position of the CPA device 700 may refer to the position of the CPA device 700 shown in Figure 16C.

[0293] Before the locking member 300 is pivoted to the locked position, the CPA device 700 may be restrained in a pre-installed position by the cover 400. When the locking member 300 is in the locked position, the locking member 300 can release the CPA device 700, allowing it to slide from the pre-installed position toward the installed position. This configuration ensures that the CPA device 700 is held in the pre-installed position before the second electrical connector 20 is moved to the mating position relative to the first electrical connector 10, thereby preventing accidental movement of the CPA device 700. Furthermore, this configuration allows the user to verify whether the locking member 300 has reached the locked position by attempting to push the CPA device 700.

[0294] As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the CPA device 700 may include a base 701 and at least one first elastic arm 710 (two in the figure) extending from the base 701. The base 701 may be configured to facilitate manual operation by being pushed or pulled in a sliding direction. Each of the at least one first elastic arm 710 may extend from the base 701 in a cantilever manner.

[0295] As shown in Figures 12A to 12D, the cover 400 may include a protruding structure 480. The protruding structure 480 may be positioned above the CPA device 700. For example, the sliding groove 460 may be recessed into the cover 400 from the outer surface 418 of the cover 400, and the protruding structure 480 may be positioned on the outer surface 418 of the cover 400 and protrude at least partially from the outer surface 418. The protruding structure 480 may extend across the sliding groove 460 in the vertical direction ZZ and be spaced apart from the bottom of the sliding groove 460 in the lateral direction XX. The protruding structure 480 may be, for example, an integrally formed part of the cover 400.

[0296] In some embodiments, the overhang structure 480 may include at least one (first) stopping structure. Each of the at least one first elastic arm 710 can engage with a corresponding one of the at least one stopping structure to restrict the CPA device 700 from sliding from the pre-installation position toward the installation position when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installation position and before the locking member 300 is pivoted to the locked position.

[0297] In some embodiments, when the CPA device 700 is in a pre-installed position and the locking member 300 is in a locked position, the locking member 300 can contact at least one first elastic arm 710, biasing each of the first elastic arms 710 to disengage from the corresponding stop structure, thereby allowing the CPA device 700 to slide from the pre-installed position toward the installed position.

[0298] As shown in Figures 12B and 12D, at least one stop structure of the overhang structure 480 may include at least one opening 481 (two in the figure). When the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position and before the locking member 300 is pivoted to the locked position, a portion of each of the at least one first elastic arm 710 can be received into the corresponding one of the at least one opening 481 to restrict the CPA device 700 from sliding from the pre-installed position toward the installed position.

[0299] As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the locking member 300 may include at least one release projection 350 (two in the figures). As shown in Figures 16B and 17A, when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position and the locking member 300 is in the locked position, each of the at least one release projection 350 of the locking member 300 enters the corresponding opening 481 and contacts a portion of the corresponding first elastic arm 710, pushing the portion of the corresponding first elastic arm 710 out of the opening 481.

[0300] In some examples, as shown in Figures 15A, 15B, 16F, 17A, and 17B, for each of the first elastic arms 710, a portion of the first elastic arm 710 is a first projection 711 positioned on the first elastic arm 710. The first projection 711 may be positioned adjacent to the free end of the first elastic arm 710. The first projection 711 may be in the form of a barb. In some examples, the first projection 711 may also be positioned at the free end of the first elastic arm 710.

[0301] As shown in Figure 16F, when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position and the locking member 300 is pivoted to the locked position, each of the first projections 711 of the first elastic arm 710 is received into the corresponding opening 481, restricting the CPA device 700 from sliding from the pre-installed position toward the installed position. As shown in Figures 16B and 16C, when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position and the locking member 300 is in the locked position, each of the at least one release projection 350 of the locking member 300 enters the corresponding opening 481 and contacts the first projection 711 of the corresponding first elastic arm 710, pushing a portion of the corresponding first elastic arm 710 out of the opening 481. In this way, the first elastic arm 710 may be disengaged from the stop structure of the overhang structure 480, thereby allowing the CPA device 700 to slide from the pre-installed position toward the installed position. Furthermore, since the release projection 350 is received by the opening 481, the locking member 300 can be restricted from pivoting beyond the locked position and further away from the pre-locked position. For example, the release projection 350 and the opening 481 can also function as a stop structure that restricts the pivoting of the locking member 300.

[0302] In some examples, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B, at least one release projection 350 of the locking member 300 may be located on the arm 310. Each arm 310 is provided with a release projection 350. It should be understood that the number and location of the release projections are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the release projections may be located on the crossbar portion 320 of the locking member 300.

[0303] In some embodiments, at least one release projection 350 of the locking member 300 may also be configured to engage with the cover 400 when the locking member 300 is in the pre-lock position, thereby restricting the locking member 300 from pivoting further away from the locked position beyond the pre-lock position. For example, at least one release projection 350 of the locking member 300 may also function as a stop structure to restrict the locking member 300 from pivoting further away from the locked position beyond the pre-lock position when the locking member 300 is in the pre-lock position.

[0304] For example, referring to Figure 12C, the cover 400 may include two recesses 490. When the locking member 300 is in the pre-locked position, the two release projections 350 of the locking member 300 are received by the two recesses 490, respectively, thereby limiting the locking member 300 from pivoting further away from the locked position beyond the pre-locked position. It should be understood that this application may not be limited thereto. The release projections 350 of the locking member 300 may also engage with other parts of the cover 400 when the locking member 300 is in the pre-locked position, thereby limiting the locking member 300 from pivoting further away from the locked position beyond the pre-locked position.

[0305] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the CPA device 700 may include a second elastic arm (or beam) 720 extending from the base 701. Each of the second elastic arms 720 may extend from the base 701 in a cantilevered manner. Although two second elastic arms 720 are shown in the figures, it should be understood that the number of second elastic arms 720 is not limited thereto and may be one in some embodiments. As shown in Figures 17C and 17D, the cover 400 may include a stop recess 482 recessed into the cover 400 from the bottom of the sliding groove 460. When the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position, the second elastic arm 720 engages with the wall 482a of the stop recess 482 to restrict the CPA device 700 from sliding away from the pre-installed position to the installed position. For example, the stop recess 482 can function as a second stop structure to restrict the CPA device 700 from sliding away from the pre-installation position when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installation position. It should be understood that the specific form of the second stop structure is not limited thereto, and the second stop structure may be any suitable structure that engages with the second elastic arm 720 when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installation position to restrict the CPA device 700 from sliding away from the pre-installation position when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installation position.

[0306] The aforementioned cooperation of the first stopping structure with the first elastic arm 710 of the CPA device 700, and the aforementioned cooperation of the second stopping structure with the second elastic arm 720 of the CPA device 700, ensures that the CPA device 700 is securely held in the pre-installed position when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position and before the locking member 300 is pivoted to the locked position.

[0307] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the CPA device 700 may include a third elastic arm (or beam) 730 extending from the base 701. The third elastic arm 730 may extend from the base 701 in a cantilevered manner. The third elastic arm 730 may include a second projection 732. The second projection 732 may have a rounded shape. Although a single third elastic arm 730 is shown in the figures, it should be understood that the number of third elastic arms 730 is not limited thereto and may be multiple in some embodiments. As shown in Figures 12B and 12D, the cover 400 may include a first receiving recess 483a and a second receiving recess 483b recessed into the cover 400 from the bottom of the sliding groove 460. As shown in Figure 17E, the second projection 732 of the third elastic arm 730 is received by the first receiving recess 483a when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position, and as shown in Figure 17F, the second projection 732 of the third elastic arm 730 is received by the second receiving recess 483b when the CPA device 700 is in the installed position. Since the second projection 732 has a round shape, when the second projection 732 of the third elastic arm 730 is received by the first receiving recess 483a or the second receiving recess 483b, it is possible to provide a certain holding force that limits the sliding of the CPA device 700, thereby preventing the CPA device 700 from sliding freely while allowing the CPA device 700 to be moved by manual operation (pushing or pulling). This configuration provides a constant holding force to the CPA device 700 when it is in its pre-installed position, thereby holding the CPA device 700 in that position. Even if the locking member 300 releases the CPA device 700 from the overhanging structure 480, the CPA device 700 will not slide freely. The CPA device 700 can only be pushed and slid toward the installation position by applying a pushing force to it. Furthermore, in such a configuration, when the CPA device 700 is in the installation position, a constant holding force can be provided to the CPA device 700 to hold it in the installation position. In this case, the CPA device 700 may not slide freely.The CPA device 700 can only be pulled and slid toward its pre-installed position by applying a pulling force to it. This configuration can improve the reliability of the CPA device 700.

[0308] In some embodiments, the second receiving recess 483b and the stopping recess 482 may be the same recess.

[0309] The overhang structure 480 may include a fourth elastic arm (or beam) 484. The fourth elastic arm 484 may be configured to be able to be pushed down by the locking member 300 when the locking member 300 is pivoted away from the pre-locked position toward the locked position, allowing the locking member 300 to move beyond the fourth elastic arm 484 toward the locked position, and may be configured to reset the locking member 300 when it is in the locked position, blocking it from pivoting from the locked position toward the pre-locked position. The fourth elastic arm 484 may also be configured to be able to be pushed down manually in order to allow the locking member 300 to pivot from the locked position toward the pre-locked position. The fourth elastic arm 484 can work in cooperation with the aforementioned second projection 412 of the cover 400 to lock the locking member 300 toward the locked position.

[0310] As shown in Figures 12B, 12D, and 17C-17F, the fourth elastic arm 484 may extend above the sliding groove 460. The fourth elastic arm 484 may extend in a cantilever manner in the longitudinal direction YY. The fourth elastic arm 484 includes a fixed end fixed above the sliding groove 460 and a free end opposite the fixed end. The CPA device allows the fourth elastic arm 484 to be pushed down when in the pre-installed position and blocks the fourth elastic arm 484 from being pushed down when in the installed position. The fourth elastic arm 484 may have a structure suitable for blocking the pivoting of the locking member 300. For example, this structure is shown as a stopper 484a. The stopper 484a may be adjacent to or located at the free end and protrude from the fourth elastic arm 484 away from the bottom of the sliding groove 460. When the locking member 300 is pivoted from the pre-locked position toward the locked position, the locking member 300 may contact the stopper 484a and push down the fourth elastic arm 484. When the locking member 300 is in the locked position, the fourth elastic arm 484 is reset, and the stopper 484a blocks the locking member 300 from pivoting from the locked position toward the pre-locked position.

[0311] The CPA device 700 can allow the fourth elastic arm 484 to be pushed down when it is in the pre-installed position and block the fourth elastic arm 484 from being pushed down when it is in the installed position. By blocking the fourth elastic arm 484 from being pushed down, the CPA device 700 can restrain the stop 484a to a position where the pivoting of the locking member 300 is blocked, thereby blocking the pivoting of the locking member 300 from the locked position toward the pre-locked position. As shown in Figures 17C and 17E, the CPA device 700 can allow the fourth elastic arm 484 to be pushed down when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installed position. As shown in Figures 17C to 17F, the fourth elastic arm 484 may include an engaging portion 484b. The engaging portion 484b may be adjacent to the free end or located at the free end and may protrude from the fourth elastic arm 484 toward the bottom of the sliding groove 460. For example, the engaging portion 484b and the stopping portion 484a may extend from the fourth elastic arm 484 in opposite directions. As shown in Figures 17D and 17F, when the CPA device 700 is in the installation position, the base 701 is positioned below the engaging portion 484b to block the fourth elastic arm 484 from being pushed down. As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the base 701 of the CPA device 700 may be provided with an opening 740. As shown in Figures 17C and 17E, when the CPA device 700 is in the pre-installation position, the opening 740 is aligned with the engaging portion 484b of the fourth elastic arm 484, allowing the engaging portion 484b to move toward the bottom of the sliding groove 460 and enter at least partially into the opening 740 when the fourth elastic arm 484 is pushed toward the bottom of the sliding groove 460. This allows the fourth elastic arm 484 to be pushed down toward the bottom of the sliding groove 460. As shown in Figures 17D and 17F, when the CPA device 700 is in the installation position, the CPA device 700 is positioned below the fourth elastic arm 484 to block the fourth elastic arm 484 from being pushed down.For example, the CPA device 700 is slid so that the opening 740 of the base 701 is offset from the engaging portion 484b of the fourth elastic arm 484, and the base 701 blocks the engaging portion 484b from moving toward the bottom of the sliding groove 460, thereby blocking the fourth elastic arm 484 from being pushed down.

[0312] In some embodiments, the fourth elastic arm 484 may be pressed against the base 701 of the CPA device 700 when the CPA device 700 is in the installation position. For example, the base 701 may be pressed between the fourth elastic arm 484 (e.g., its engaging portion 484b) and the bottom of the sliding groove 460. For example, the engaging portion 484b of the fourth elastic arm 484 may be pressed against the base 701 of the CPA device 700 when the CPA device 700 is in the installation position. This can facilitate securely holding the CPA device 700 in the installation position.

[0313] In some embodiments, the stop portion 484a of the fourth elastic arm 484 may be configured to be pushed down by the crossbar portion 320 of the locking member 300 when the locking member 300 is pivoted from the pre-locked position to the locked position, and to reset the crossbar portion 320 when the locking member 300 is in the locked position, thereby blocking it from pivoting from the locked position to the pre-locked position.

[0314] In some embodiments, the stop portion 484a of the fourth elastic arm 484 may be configured to engage with the crossbar portion 320 when the locking member 300 is in the locked position, thereby applying a constant biasing force to the crossbar portion 320 while blocking its pivoting. This facilitates pushing the release projection 350 into the corresponding opening 481 of the overhanging structure 480 and pushing out a portion of the corresponding first elastic arm 710 from the opening 481. It should be understood that the locking member 300 may also be slightly pushed down to allow the release projection 350 to push out a portion of the corresponding first elastic arm 710 from the opening 481.

[0315] Although the CPA device 700 was described above together with the first electrical connector 10, it should be understood that the CPA device 700 is a separate component and may be used in assembly with the first electrical connector 10. In this case, the CPA device 700 together with the first electrical connector 10 can constitute an electronic assembly or electronic system.

[0316] When assembling the first electrical connector 10, each of the multiple modules 501 to 504 can be appropriately positioned in one of the corresponding cavities 111 to 114 of the first housing 100. For example, the multiple modules 501 to 504 of the first electrical connector 10 may be of different types. In any case, the external dimensions of the multiple modules 501 to 504 may be similar to each other, and accordingly, the shapes of the first housing 100 that houses the modules 501 to 504 may also be similar to each other. In this case, when the first electrical connector 10 is assembled, the modules 501 to 504 may be positioned in the wrong cavity.

[0317] The inventors have recognized and understood that this problem can be effectively avoided by providing a plurality of key members 601 to 604. For example, as shown in Figure 10E, the plurality of modules 501 to 504 may be modules of different types. The plurality of modules 501 to 504 may have different first identification features from each other. For example, each of the plurality of modules 501 to 504 may have a unique first identification feature. The first identification feature may enable a user to distinguish the plurality of modules 501 to 504 from each other. Preferably, the user can visually distinguish the plurality of modules 501 to 504 from each other by the first identification feature of the modules 501 to 504.

[0318] As shown in Figures 7C to 7H, each of the multiple cavities 111 to 114 of the first housing 100 may have inlets 111a to 114a. For example, the first cavity 111, the second cavity 112, the third cavity 113, and the fourth cavity 114 may have inlets 111a, 112a, 113a, and 114a, respectively. The inlets 111a to 114a of the multiple cavities 111 to 114 may be recessed into the first housing 100 in a lateral direction XX from the rear surface 102 of the first housing 100. The first cavity 111, the second cavity 112, the third cavity 113, and the fourth cavity 114 are configured to house the first module 501, the second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504, respectively.

[0319] As shown in Figure 6, the plurality of key members 601-604 may include a first key member 601, a second key member 602, a third key member 603, and a fourth key member 604. The plurality of key members 601-604 may be formed from the same material as the first housing 100, or from a different material. The plurality of key members 601-604 may have a second distinguishing feature that is different from one another. Each of the plurality of key members 601-604 may be placed at a corresponding entrance of one of the plurality of cavities 111-114. For example, the first key member 601, the second key member 602, the third key member 603, and the fourth key member 604 may be placed at the entrances of the corresponding cavities before the modules 501-504 are assembled into the cavities 111-114 of the first housing 100. As shown in Figure 8A, the first key member 601, the second key member 602, the third key member 603, and the fourth key member 604 may be positioned at the entrances 111a to 114a of the cavities 111 to 114, respectively.

[0320] The second identification features of key members 601-604 positioned at the inlets 111a-114a of each cavity 111-114 may be associated with the first identification feature of a corresponding module 501-504 to be attached to that cavity (for example, a module designated to be attached to that cavity), indicating a corresponding mounting relationship between the cavity and the corresponding module. For example, during the assembly of modules 501-504 into the cavities 111-114 of the first housing 100, a user can determine which of the cavities 111-114 each module 501-504 should be installed in by comparing the first identification features of modules 501-504 with the second identification features of key members 601-604 positioned at the inlets 111a-114a of the cavities 111-114. For example, a user can verify whether a module should be assembled into a cavity by comparing the first identification feature of the module with the second identification feature of a key member located at the cavity entrance. By comparing the first identification features of modules 501-504 with the second identification features of key members 601-604 located at the entrances 111a-114a of cavities 111-114, a user can determine a one-to-one corresponding mounting relationship between modules 501-504 and cavities 111-114. Preferably, the user can perform this determination visually.

[0321] Such a configuration allows users to more easily and quickly determine the one-to-one corresponding mounting relationships between modules 501-504 and cavities 111-114 of the first housing 100 when assembling and / or maintaining the first electrical connector 10, thereby enabling them to accurately install modules 501-504 into the corresponding cavities. Such a configuration can improve the assembly and / or maintenance efficiency of the first electrical connector 10 at a low cost.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first identification feature of a plurality of modules 501-504 may be in the form of color, symbol, graphics, text, or a combination thereof. Thus, the second identification feature of a plurality of key members 601-604 may also be in the form of color, symbol, graphics, text, or a combination thereof. For example, the colors of the plurality of key members 601-604 may correspond to the colors of the corresponding modules, respectively. As another example, as shown in Figure 14A, the first key member 601 may have a text feature 610. The text feature 610 may be, for example, "CODE A". The first module 501 assembled into the first cavity 111 may also have a corresponding text feature, for example, "CODE A". Alternatively, the text feature 610 may be associated with the module type of the first module 501 assembled into the first cavity 111. Similarly, as shown in Figure 8A, key members 602 to 604 can also have different text features such as "CODE B," "CODE C," and "CODE D," respectively, so that they can be associated with modules 502 to 504.

[0323] It should be understood that the second identification features of the multiple key members 601-604 may be in any form that allows for a one-to-one visual association with the first identification features of the multiple modules 501-504. Such associations may be predefined by the manufacturer or user. It should also be understood that the first identification features of the multiple modules 501-504 and the second identification features of the multiple key members 601-604 may be of different types, such as text corresponding to color or symbols corresponding to graphics.

[0324] In some cases, modules 501-504 do not need to be intentionally manufactured using specific identifying features. Instead, the visible module type of modules 501-504 can be directly associated with a first identifying feature of multiple modules 501-504 in a one-to-one correspondence. For example, a user can easily identify the module type of modules 501-504 through the structural features of modules 501-504 located on the mating surface (e.g., the shape and arrangement of the mating ends of conductive terminals, structural features such as guide structures recessed into or protruding from the mating surface, and the size of the conductive terminals indicated on the mating surface).

[0325] In some embodiments, for each module 501-504, the first identifying feature is a first structural feature provided on the module housing of the module (e.g., module housing 510 shown in Figure 10B). For each key member 601-604, the second identifying feature is a second structural feature. The second structural feature is configured to define a portion of the outer circumference of the entrance to the corresponding cavity. For example, the second structural feature may partially define the shape of the entrance to the corresponding cavity. The shape of the second structural feature of each key member 601-604 may be complementary to the shape of the first structural feature of the corresponding module, so as to allow the corresponding module to enter the corresponding cavity only through the entrance to the cavity.

[0326] Taking the first module 501, the first key member 601, and the first cavity 111 as examples, the first structural feature of the first module 501 may be in the form of a projection 501a protruding outward from the module housing 510, as shown in Figures 10A, 10B, and 10E. The projection 501a may be a rib extending in the lateral direction XX. Similar to the first module 501, the second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504 may each include projections 502a, 503a, and 504a protruding outward from the module housing, respectively. The difference between projections 501a to 504a may be that they differ in their position on the corresponding module housing.

[0327] As shown in Figures 8B and 8D, a second structural feature of the first key member 601 may be a groove 620 recessed within the first key member 601. The groove 620 may extend through the first key member 601 in a lateral direction XX. When the first key member 601 is positioned at the first entrance 111a of the first cavity 111, the first key member 601 defines a portion of the perimeter of the corresponding cavity entrance. The groove 620 is in communication with the first entrance 111a. The groove 620 of the first key member 601 may have a shape complementary to the projection 501a of the first module 501, so that when the user inserts the first module 501 into the first cavity 111, the projection 501a of the first module 501 can pass smoothly through the groove 620, thereby enabling the first module 501 to be assembled into the first cavity 111 through the first entrance 111a of the first cavity 111. The groove 620 of the first key member 601 is not shaped complementary to the projection 502a of the second module 502, the projection 503a of the third module 503, and the projection 504a of the fourth module 504. As a result, when a user attempts to insert modules 502 to 504 into the first cavity 111, the projections 502a to 504a of modules 502 to 504 may be blocked by the first key member 601, preventing modules 502 to 504 from entering the first cavity 111 through the first entrance 111a.

[0328] It should be understood that the differences between projections 501a to 504a are described herein in that they are located at different positions on the corresponding module housing, but this application may not be limited thereto. Alternatively or additionally, the differences between projections 501a to 504a may be different sizes, shapes, and / or different numbers.

[0329] It should be understood that the specific forms of the first and second structural features are not limited to those described above. For example, the first structural feature of modules 501-504 may be a projection protruding outward from the module housing, a recessed groove within the module housing, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the second structural feature of key members 601-604 may also be a projection protruding outward from the key members 601-604, a recessed groove within the key members 601-604, or a combination thereof.

[0330] In some embodiments, each of the multiple key members 601 to 604 may be detachably positioned in a corresponding entrance of one of the multiple cavities 111 to 114. Such a configuration allows for adjustment of the key members positioned in the cavity entrances when the modular configuration of the first electrical connector 10 is changed. Taking the first key member 601 and the first cavity 111 as an example, as shown in Figures 7D and 7F, the first housing 100 may include a notch 160 recessed into the first housing 100 at the entrance 111a of the first cavity 111, and a first retaining portion 161 and a second retaining portion 162 facing each other across the notch 160. As shown in Figures 8B and 8D, the first key member 601 may be positioned in the notch 160 of the entrance 111a of the first cavity 111 and held between the first retaining portion 161 and the second retaining portion 162. Such configuration of the first key member 601 and the first cavity 111 does not change, or significantly change, the dimensions of the first housing 100 in the lateral direction XX, longitudinal direction YY, and vertical direction ZZ. For example, the first key member 601 may be removably positioned at the entrance 111a of the first cavity 111 without changing, or significantly changing, the dimensions of the first housing 100.

[0331] As shown in Figures 7D, 7F, and 7H, the inlet 111a of the first cavity 111 is recessed into the first housing 100 in the lateral direction XX. The first retaining portion 161 and the second retaining portion 162 may face each other in the longitudinal direction YY, and each may include a slot 163 extending in the lateral direction XX and a bayonet 164 disposed in the slot 163.

[0332] As shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the first key member 601 may include an elongated body 630. The groove 620 may be recessed into the body 630 in the vertical direction ZZ and extend through the body 630 in the lateral direction XX. The first key member 601 may further include a first insertion portion 631 and a second insertion portion 632 projecting from both ends of the body 630 in the longitudinal direction YY, respectively. Each of the first insertion portion 631 and the second insertion portion 632 may have a projection 633 projecting in the vertical direction ZZ. The first insertion portion 631 and the second insertion portion 632 of the first key member 601 can be inserted into the slots 163 of the first retaining portion 161 and the second retaining portion 162, respectively, at the entrance 111a of the first cavity 111, such that the projections 633 of the first insertion portion 631 and the projections 633 of the second insertion portion 632 snap into the bayonet 164 of the first retaining portion 161 and the bayonet 164 of the second retaining portion 162, respectively. In this way, the first key member 601 can be removably held within the notch 160.

[0333] The configuration of key members 602 to 604 may be the same as that of the first key member 601, and the configuration of the first housing 100 at the inlets 112a to 114a of cavities 112 to 114 may be the same as that at the inlet 111a of the first cavity 111, so as to allow the key members 602 to 604 to be detachably placed at the inlets of the corresponding cavities, respectively.

[0334] The first housing 100 can removably hold the first module 501 within the first cavity 111. In the illustrated example, the first module 501 may be removably assembled within the first cavity 111. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7D and 7F, the first housing 100 may include a flange structure 170. The flange structure 170 protrudes into the first cavity 111 to engage with the module housing 510 of the first module 501 when the first module 501 is assembled within the first cavity 111, thereby restricting the first module 501 from moving further toward the mating surface 101 of the first housing 100. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing 100 may include latches 171 and 172. Each of the latches 171 and 172 protrudes into the first cavity 111 to engage with the module housing 510 of the first module 501 when the first module 501 is assembled into the first cavity 111, thereby restricting the first module 501 from moving toward the entrance 111a. It should be understood that the first housing 100 may have any other suitable structure for removably holding the first module 501 within the first cavity 111. Furthermore, it should be understood that the first housing 100 may similarly removably hold the second module 502, the third module 503, and the fourth module 504 within their corresponding cavities.

[0335] The above describes configurations related to assembling modules 501-504 of the first electrical connector 10 into the first housing 100, but it should be understood that these configurations may also be applicable to the second electrical connector 20. For example, modules 51-54 of the second electrical connector 20 may be removably held within the second housing 21 in a similar manner to that of the first electrical connector 10. Details of these repeating parts are again not described herein.

[0336] As another example, Figure 21A shows an alternative version of the second electrical connector 20, which is labeled “2120” in Figure 21A. The second electrical connector 2120 differs from the aforementioned second electrical connector 20 in that it may include key members 81, 82, 83, and 84 which are similar in configuration and function to the aforementioned key members 601-604. The key members 81-84 may be configured to ensure that modules 51-54 are properly installed in the corresponding cavities of the second housing 21, respectively.

[0337] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method for assembling an electrical connector having multiple modules may include providing a key member as described herein, positioning the key member at the entrance of a cavity in a housing of the electrical connector for housing modules, determining which of the cavities each module should be installed in when installing the modules into the cavities of the housing, and installing the modules in the corresponding cavities.

[0338] Although the locking member 300 is described as being pivotably mounted to the cover 400, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the locking member 300 may be pivotably mounted to the first housing 100. In some examples, the first electrical connector 10 may lack the cover 400, or the cover 400 may be formed integrally with the first housing 100 as a single housing.

[0339] The locking member 300 has been described above as being coupled to the slider 200 and driving the slider 200 to slide in accordance with a pivoting motion, thereby causing the cam pin 25 of the second housing 21 to slide within the cam slot 210 of the slider 200, but it should be understood that this application may not be limited thereto. In some embodiments, the locking member 300 has a cam slot for receiving the cam pin 25 of the second housing 21, and when the locking member 300 is pivoted, it drives the cam pin 25 to slide within the cam slot, thereby driving the second electrical connector 20 to move in the mating direction. In this case, the first electrical connector 10 does not have to have the slider 200.

[0340] Although it has been described that each of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 has multiple modules, the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto, and it should be understood that in some embodiments, each of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 may include a single module.

[0341] The inventors have also recognized and understood another module that may be used in the aforementioned electrical connector. Such a module may carry multiple types of conductive terminals, thereby integrating multiple types of mating ports into a single mating interface. The types and order of conductive terminals in such a module may be customized according to user needs.

[0342] Figures 22A to 27 show exemplary versions of module 509. Module 509 may be used in the first electrical connector 10. The function of module 509 may be similar to that of modules 501 to 508 described above, for example, because it is located (e.g., removably) within the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10 (e.g., one of the corresponding cavities 111 to 114) and to establish an electrical connection with the mating module of the second electrical connector 20.

[0343] Similar to module 501, module 509 may include a module housing 800, as shown in Figures 22A to 22E. The external shape of module housing 800 is similar to that of module housing 510 of module 501, and it may be assembled and positioned within the first housing 100 of the first electrical connector 10 in a similar manner (e.g., by identifying features and / or in a removable manner). For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0344] Unlike module 501, as shown in Figures 22A to 22E, the conductive terminals of module 509 may be directly positioned in the module housing 800 and held by the module housing 800. The terminals may be formed from a conductive material. The module housing 800 may be formed from an insulating material. Examples of insulating materials suitable for forming the module housing 800 include, but are not limited to, plastics, nylon, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high-temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP).

[0345] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the module housing 800 includes mating surfaces 800a and a rear surface 800b opposite to each other in the mating direction (here, the lateral direction XX), and a plurality of terminal channels 801 to 804. Each of the plurality of terminal channels 801 to 804 may extend through the module housing 800 in the mating direction from the rear surface 800b to the mating surface 800a. Each terminal channel 801 to 804 may have a first opening in the mating surface 800a and a second opening in the rear surface 800b.

[0346] As shown in Figures 22A to 24H, module 509 may be divided into an upper half and a lower half in the vertical direction ZZ. Module 509 may have the same housing and terminal configuration in the upper half and the lower half. Embodiments of module 509 will be described herein in relation to the housing and terminal configuration of the upper half of module 509.

[0347] As shown in Figures 22C to 24H, module 509 can include multiple types of terminals 810 to 840 in its upper half. As shown in Figure 22E, the multiple types of terminals 810 to 840 may include a first terminal 810, a second terminal 820, a third terminal 830, and a fourth terminal 840. Each terminal 810 to 840 may have a mating end, a tail end opposite the mating end, and an intermediate portion joining the mating end and the tail end. The mating end of each terminal 810 to 840 may be at least partially positioned in a corresponding one of the multiple terminal channels 801 to 804 so that the terminal is held by the module housing 800. For example, all multiple types of terminals 810 to 840 of module 509 are held directly by a single, identical insulating module housing. Such a configuration can reduce the number of parts in module 509, thereby improving the integration of module 509.

[0348] As shown in Figure 22C, each third terminal 830 includes a mating end 831, a tail end 832 opposite to the mating end 831, and an intermediate portion 833 that joins the mating end 831 and the tail end 832. The mating end 831 is configured to mate with the mating end of the mating terminal of the mating module of the second electrical connector 20. The mating end 831 provides a port for establishing an electrical connection at the mating surface 800a. The tail end 832 may be configured in the form of a crimp for attaching a cable (cable 809 in Figure 22C). The intermediate portion 833 extends between the mating end 831 and the tail end 832. Each of the first terminal 810, the second terminal 820, and the fourth terminal 840 may be configured similarly to the third terminal 830. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0349] The sizes of the mating ends of the first terminal 810, the second terminal 820, the third terminal 830, and the fourth terminal 840 may be different to provide connection ports of different sizes on the mating surface 800a. In some embodiments, the size of the mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840 may be larger than the size of the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830, the size of the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830 may be larger than the size of the mating end 821 of the second terminal 820, and the size of the mating end 821 of the second terminal 820 may be larger than the size of the mating end 811 of the first terminal 810. As shown in Figure 22C, the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830 has a third width WD3 in the longitudinal direction YY perpendicular to the mating direction. For example, the mating end 831 may be configured in the form of a receptacle, and the third width WD3 of the mating end 831 in the longitudinal direction YY is the inner width of the receptacle in the longitudinal direction YY. Thus, referring to Figure 22E, the mating end 811 of the first terminal 810 has a first width WD1 in the longitudinal direction YY, the mating end 821 of the second terminal 820 has a second width WD2 in the longitudinal direction YY, and the mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840 has a fourth width WD4 in the longitudinal direction YY. The fourth width WD4 may be greater than the third width WD3, the third width WD3 may be greater than the second width WD2, and the second width WD2 may be greater than the first width WD1. For example, the widths of the mating ends 811 to 841 of terminals 810 to 840 are different from each other. While the width of the mating end of the terminal is described herein as the inner width of the receptacle, it should be understood that this application may not be limited thereto. In some embodiments, the width of the mating end of the terminal may be the outer width of the receptacle.

[0350] In this configuration, terminals of different sizes for different applications can be integrated into a single, identical module 509, and as a result, module 509 can provide multiple types of connection ports to a single, identical mating interface. Module 509 can enable electrical connections for different applications with a high degree of integration.

[0351] As shown in Figures 24A to 26, the module housing 800 may include a first terminal channel 801, a second terminal channel 802, a third terminal channel 803, and a fourth terminal channel 804, each configured to house at least a portion of the mating ends 811 to 841 of terminals 810 to 840. As shown in Figures 24A to 24H, the mating ends 811 to 841 of terminals 810 to 840 are each fully housed within the corresponding terminal channel. This application is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that in some embodiments, the mating ends of terminals 810 to 840 may partially protrude from the mating surface 800a.

[0352] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 22E, multiple types of terminals 810-840 may be arranged in multiple groups spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction YY. For example, the multiple groups are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction YY. In this row, the multiple groups are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction YY. Each group has a single terminal or a pair of terminals, the pair of terminals being of the same type, and the mating ends of the pair of terminals are aligned with each other and spaced apart in the vertical direction ZZ, which is perpendicular to the mating direction (here, the transverse direction XX) and the longitudinal direction YY. For example, for a pair of terminals in the same group, their mating ends are aligned with each other and spaced apart in the vertical direction ZZ. Since the mating ends of a pair of terminals in the same group are the same size and aligned with each other in the vertical direction ZZ, the longitudinal width of the space occupied by the mating ends of all terminals (e.g., single or pair) in each group may be equal to the longitudinal size of the mating end of each terminal in the group.

[0353] The group may include at least one first group, at least one second group, at least one third group, and at least one fourth group. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 22E and 23-24H, each first group has a pair of first terminals 810, the mating ends 811 of the pair of first terminals 810 are aligned with each other in the vertical ZZ direction and spaced apart from each other. Each second group has a pair of second terminals 820, the mating ends 821 of the pair of second terminals 820 are aligned with each other in the vertical ZZ direction and spaced apart from each other. Each third group has a pair of third terminals 830, the mating ends 831 of the pair of third terminals 830 are aligned with each other in the vertical ZZ direction and spaced apart from each other. Each fourth group has a single fourth terminal 840.

[0354] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 23, the mating ends 811 of one first terminal 810 in each first group, the mating ends 821 of one second terminal 820 in each second group, and the mating ends 831 of one third terminal 830 in each third group may be aligned along a first line L1 (for example, their centers are aligned along the first line L1). The first line L1 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction YY. The mating ends 811 of other first terminals 810 in each first group, the mating ends 821 of other second terminals 820 in each second group, and the mating ends 831 of other third terminals 830 in each third group may be aligned along a second line L2 parallel to the first line L1 (for example, their centers are aligned along the second line L2). The second line L2 may also be parallel to the longitudinal direction YY. The mating end 841 of the (single) fourth terminal 840 of each fourth group may be positioned between the first wire L1 and the second wire L2 in the vertical direction ZZ. The mating end 840 of the fourth terminal 840 may be positioned entirely between the first wire L1 and the second wire L2.

[0355] In some embodiments, the module housing 800 may include stop structures extending into each terminal channel, which engage with the mating end of a terminal located within the terminal channel to restrict the movement of the mating end in the mating direction, thereby firmly holding the mating end within the terminal channel.

[0356] For example, the mating ends of each terminal 810-840 may be configured to be inserted into the corresponding terminal channel from the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800 (for example, through a second opening of the corresponding terminal channel). Each mating end of each terminal 810-840 may include a first stop. The stop structure of the module housing 800 may include a plurality of elastic arms (or beams). Each elastic arm may have a second stop and project into a corresponding one of the plurality of terminal channels 801-804, so that the second stop engages with the first stop of the mating end of the corresponding terminal to restrict the mating end from being pulled out in the mating direction toward the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800. The second stop may be in the form of a barb projecting vertically ZZ from the elastic arm. However, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto, and the second stop may be configured in any suitable form, for example, as a projection having any suitable shape.

[0357] Taking the third terminal 830 as an example, as shown in Figure 22C, the mating end 831 of each third terminal 830 may include a first stop portion 831a projecting vertically in the ZZ direction from the body of the mating end 831. The first stop portion 831a may be in the form of a barb. Although the first stop portion 831a is described herein as being in the form of a barb, this application is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that the first stop portion 831a may be any preferred form, for example, a projection having any preferred shape. In some embodiments, the first stop portion 831a may be in the form of a recess recessed vertically in the ZZ direction into the body of the mating end 831.

[0358] Similar to the third terminal 830, the mating ends of the first terminal 810, the second terminal 820, and the fourth terminal 840 may each have first stop portions 811a (Figure 24B), 821a (Figure 24D), and 841a (Figure 24H), and the configuration of the first stop portions 811a, 821a, and 841a is the same as the configuration of the first stop portion 831a of the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0359] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24A, and 24B, the multiple elastic arms of the module housing 800 may include a pair of first elastic arms 851 positioned between the mating ends 811 of a pair of first terminals 810 of a first group in the vertical direction ZZ. Each first elastic arm 851 may have a second stop 851a. The second stop 851a may be in the form of a barb projecting vertically ZZ from the first elastic arm 851. The pair of first elastic arms 851 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction ZZ and each project into the corresponding terminal channel 801 toward the mating end 811 of the corresponding first terminal 810, so that the second stop 851a engages with the first stop 811a (shown here as a recess) of the mating end 811 of the corresponding first terminal 810, thereby restricting the mating end 811 from being pulled out toward the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800 in the mating direction.

[0360] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24C, and 24D, the multiple elastic arms of the module housing 800 may include a pair of second elastic arms 852 positioned between the mating ends 821 of a pair of second terminals 820 of a second group in the vertical direction ZZ. Each second elastic arm 852 may have a second stop 852a. The second stop 852a may be in the form of a barb projecting vertically in the ZZ direction from the second elastic arm 852. The pair of second elastic arms 852 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction ZZ and each project into the corresponding terminal channel 802 toward the mating end 821 of the corresponding second terminal 820, so that the second stop 852a engages with the first stop 821a (shown here as a recess) of the mating end 821 of the corresponding second terminal 820, thereby restricting the mating end 821 from being pulled out toward the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800 in the mating direction.

[0361] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24E, and 24F, the multiple elastic arms of the module housing 800 may include a pair of third elastic arms 853 positioned between the mating ends 831 of a third group of third terminals 830 in the vertical direction ZZ. Each third elastic arm 853 may have a second stop 853a. The second stop 853a may be in the form of a barb projecting vertically ZZ from the third elastic arm 853. The pair of third elastic arms 853 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction ZZ and each project into the corresponding terminal channel 803 toward the mating end 831 of the corresponding third terminal 830, so that the second stop 853a engages with the first stop 831a (indicated here as a barb) of the mating end 831 of the corresponding third terminal 830, thereby restricting the mating end 831 from being pulled out toward the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800 in the mating direction.

[0362] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24G, and 24H, the multiple elastic arms of the module housing 800 may include a pair of fourth elastic arms 854 positioned on either side of the mating end 841 of a fourth group (single) fourth terminal 840 in the vertical direction ZZ. For example, the pair of fourth elastic arms 854 may be separated in the vertical direction ZZ by the mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840. The mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840 may have a first stop 841a on each of its two sides. Each fourth elastic arm 854 may have a second stop 854a. The second stop 854a may be in the form of a barb projecting vertically ZZ from the fourth elastic arm 854. The pair of fourth elastic arms 854 each protrude into the terminal channel 804 toward the mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840, and as a result, the pair of second stop portions 854a each engage with the pair of first stop portions 841a (shown here as recesses) of the mating end 841 of the (single) fourth terminal 840, thereby restricting the mating end 841 from being pulled out toward the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800 in the mating direction.

[0363] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 22C and 22D, the module 509 includes a TPA (Terminal Position Holder) device 860 mounted on the module housing 800, which can help hold the terminals 810-840 within the module housing 800.

[0364] As shown in Figure 27, the TPA device 860 may include a body 860a and a plurality of openings 860b extending through the body 860a in the mating direction. The TPA device 860 may be mounted in the module housing 800 such that the body 860a is positioned on the mating surface 800a and each of the plurality of openings 860b is aligned in the mating direction with a corresponding first opening of a plurality of terminal channels 801-804 (for example, an opening of a terminal channel on the mating surface 800a). In such a configuration, the TPA device 860 can protect the first openings of the terminal channels 801-804 in the module housing 800 when the module 509 is mated with the mating module.

[0365] Continuing to refer to Figure 27, the TPA device 860 may further include a plurality of projections (or beams) 861-864 extending from the main body 860a in the mating direction. Each projection 861-864 can contact a corresponding elastic arm or a corresponding pair of elastic arms of the module housing 800 to limit the deflection of the elastic arm or pair of elastic arms away from the mating end of the corresponding terminal. With such a configuration, the TPA device 860 can securely hold the terminals 810-840 within the corresponding terminal channels of the module housing 800.

[0366] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24A, and 24B, the module housing 800 may include a first receiving channel 871 extending from the mating surface 800a to a position between the pair of first elastic arms 851. The first receiving channel 871 may extend in the vertical direction ZZ to a position between the pair of first elastic arms 851. When the TPA device 860 is mounted to the module housing 800, a first projection 861 (a single projection in this embodiment) of the TPA device 860 is inserted into the first receiving channel 871 of the module housing 800 and contacts the pair of first elastic arms 851 to limit the deflection of the pair of first elastic arms 851 away from the mating ends 811 of the corresponding first terminals 810. With this configuration, a second stop 851a of each first elastic arm 851 can be prevented from disengaging from the first stop 811a of the mating end 811 of the corresponding first terminal 810.

[0367] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24C, and 24D, the module housing 800 may include a second receiving channel 872 extending from the mating surface 800a to a position between the pair of second elastic arms 852. The second receiving channel 872 may extend in the vertical direction ZZ to a position between the pair of second elastic arms 852. When the TPA device 860 is mounted to the module housing 800, a second projection 862 (a single projection in this embodiment) of the TPA device 860 is inserted into the second receiving channel 872 of the module housing 800 and contacts the pair of second elastic arms 852 to limit the deflection of the pair of second elastic arms 852 away from the mating end 821 of the corresponding second terminal 820. With this configuration, a second stop 852a of each second elastic arm 852 can be prevented from disengaging from a first stop 821a of the mating end 821 of the corresponding second terminal 820.

[0368] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24E, and 24F, the module housing 800 may include a third receiving channel 873 extending from the mating surface 800a to a position between the pair of third elastic arms 853. The third receiving channel 873 may extend in the vertical direction ZZ to a position between the pair of third elastic arms 853. When the TPA device 860 is mounted to the module housing 800, a third projection 863 (a single projection in this embodiment) of the TPA device 860 is inserted into the third receiving channel 873 of the module housing 800 and contacts the pair of third elastic arms 853 to limit the deflection of the pair of third elastic arms 853 away from the mating end 831 of the corresponding third terminal 830. With this configuration, a second stop 853a of each third elastic arm 853 can be prevented from disengaging from a first stop 831a of the mating end 831 of the corresponding third terminal 830.

[0369] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23, 24G, and 24H, the module housing 800 may include a pair of fourth receiving channels 874, each of which extends from the mating surface 800a to a corresponding side of a pair of fourth elastic arms 854 facing away from the mating end of the fourth terminal 840. Each of a pair of fourth projections 864 of the TPA device 860 is inserted into the corresponding one of the pair of fourth receiving channels 874 and contacts the corresponding fourth elastic arm 854 to restrict the deflection of the corresponding fourth elastic arm 854 away from the mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840. With such a configuration, a second stop 854a of each fourth elastic arm 854 can be prevented from disengaging from a first stop 841a of the mating end 841 of the corresponding fourth terminal 840.

[0370] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 27, the TPA device 860 may include a snap 865 extending from the main body 860a and configured to attach the TPA device 860 to the module housing 800. For example, the snap 865 may be attached to a mating projection 800d (Figure 25) of the module housing 800. It should be understood that this application is not limited thereto, and the TPA device 860 may be attached to the module housing 800 by any suitable means or apparatus.

[0371] In some embodiments, the module housing 800 may include a third stop portion extending into the terminal channel at the first opening of each terminal channel 801-804 (e.g., the opening of the terminal channel at the mating surface 800a). This allows the first opening of each terminal channel to be narrower than the channel body. The third stop portion engages with the tip of the mating end of the terminals positioned within the terminal channel, restricting the mating end from disengaging from the first opening in the mating direction. In such a configuration, the mating ends of terminals 810-840 can be securely held within the corresponding terminal channels of the module housing 800.

[0372] Taking the second terminal 820 as an example, as shown in Figure 24D, the module housing 800 may include a third stop portion 882 extending into the terminal channel 802 at the first opening of the terminal channel 802. The third stop portion 882 engages with the tip of the mating end 821 of the second terminal 820, which is positioned within the terminal channel 802, to restrict the mating end 821 from disengaging from the first opening in the mating direction. Similar to the second terminal 820, the mating ends of the first terminal 810, the third terminal 830, and the fourth terminal 840 can cooperate with the module housing 800 in a similar manner. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0373] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, the module housing 800 may include an extension 800c extending from the rear surface 800b in the mating direction (here, the lateral direction XX). As shown in Figure 22B, each of the terminals 810-840 may be arranged entirely within the corresponding terminal channel (including, for example, the mating end, the middle portion, and the tail end), and the cable 809 may protrude from the rear surface 800b of the module housing 800. The extension 800c partially surrounds the cable 809, preventing damage to the crimped portions of the terminals 810-840 and the cable 809 due to the cable 809 being bent undesirably.

[0374] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 22C, the module housing 800 may include an elongated slot 880 in the longitudinal direction YY, recessed inward from the mating surface 800a in the mating direction (here, the transverse direction XX). The slot 880 may be configured to receive a projection (e.g., projection 970) of the mating module when the module 509 is mated with the mating module. The TPA device 860 may be provided with an opening 866 corresponding to the slot 880.

[0375] In some embodiments, the first terminal 810 may be a signal terminal, the second terminal 820 may be a signal terminal or a power terminal, and the third terminal 830 and fourth terminal 840 may be power terminals. Module 509 may be a hybrid module. It should be understood that the types of terminals 810 to 840 are not limited to these and may be selected according to user needs. For example, the first terminal 810 may be a power terminal, the third terminal 830 may be a signal terminal, and the fourth terminal 840 may be a signal terminal. In some embodiments, module 509 may be a signal module or a power module.

[0376] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 23, the housing portion of the module housing 800, which is provided with terminals 810-840 (here, the upper half of the module housing 800), may be divided into a plurality of sub-parts S1-S4 when viewed from the mating direction. The plurality of sub-parts S1-S4 are indicated by dashed lines. The plurality of sub-parts S1-S4 are continuous in the longitudinal direction YY. It should be understood that the plurality of sub-parts S1-S4 are virtual parts separated from the module housing 800. The plurality of sub-parts S1-S4 may be a single unit. Each sub-part of the plurality of sub-parts S1-S4 forms a terminal channel(s) for arranging the mating end(s) of the terminal(s) of one or more of the corresponding groups of the plurality of groups described above. For example, each sub-part defines a terminal channel(s) within it for the terminal(s) of the corresponding group.

[0377] As shown in Figure 23, the first sub-part S1 of the module housing 800 forms a terminal channel 801 for arranging the mating end 811 of the first terminal 810 (in this embodiment, a pair of first terminals 810) of the first group of the plurality of groups. The second sub-part S2 of the module housing 800 forms a terminal channel 802 for arranging the mating end 821 of the second terminal 820 (in this embodiment, a pair of second terminals 820) of the second group of the plurality of groups. The third sub-part S3 of the module housing 800 forms a terminal channel 803 for arranging the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830 (in this embodiment, a pair of third terminals 830) of the third group of the plurality of groups. The fourth sub-part S4 of the module housing 800 forms a terminal channel 804 for arranging the mating end 841 of the fourth terminal 840 (in this embodiment, a single fourth terminal 840) of the fourth group of the plurality of groups.

[0378] Continuing to refer to Figure 23, the minimum width of each first sub-part S1 in the longitudinal direction YY is W1. The minimum width of the first sub-part S1 refers to the minimum width required by the first sub-part S1 in the longitudinal direction YY when the module housing 800 is formed (e.g., molded) to form a terminal channel 801 for the mating end 811 of the first group of first terminals 810. For example, the width may be the minimum width required to ensure the structural strength of the module housing 800. Similarly, the minimum width of the second sub-part S2 in the longitudinal direction YY is W2, the minimum width of the third sub-part S3 in the longitudinal direction YY is W3, and the minimum width of the fourth sub-part S4 in the longitudinal direction YY is W4.

[0379] The number of the first group, the second group, the third group, and the fourth group may satisfy the following equation. A * W1+B * W2+C * W3+D * W4≦W Max [Formula 1] In the formula, A is the number of the first group, B is the number of the second group, C is the number of the third group, D is the number of the fourth group, and W Max This is the maximum width of the housing portion of the module housing 800 in the longitudinal direction YY, which allows for the placement of terminal channels. In this embodiment, A, B, C, and D are all positive integers.

[0380] Such a configuration of module 509 may allow the user to customize the number and order of multiple groups (e.g., first, second, third, and fourth groups) in the longitudinal direction YY as desired.

[0381] In some embodiments, W MaxThe width may be 22.86 mm. In some embodiments, the mating ends of terminals 810 to 840 are in the form of receptacles, as described above. The width of the mating end of the pin terminal for mating with each first terminal 810 may be 0.5 mm, the width of the mating end of the pin terminal for mating with each second terminal 820 may be 0.63 mm, the width of the mating end of the pin terminal for mating with each third terminal 830 may be 1.2 mm, and the width of the mating end of the pin terminal for mating with each fourth terminal 840 may be 2.8 mm. The inner width of the mating ends of the receptacle-shaped terminals 810 to 840 may be slightly larger than the width of the mating end of the pin terminal into which they are mated. Also, W1 may be 2 mm, W2 may be 2.54 mm, W3 may be 3 mm, and W4 may be 5.5 mm.

[0382] For example, as shown in Figure 23, the upper half of module 509 may include three first groups, two second groups, two third groups, and one fourth group. The longitudinal width YY of the housing portion occupied by these groups is 3 * 2+2 * 2.54+2 * 3+1 * 5.5 = 22.58 mm, which is W Max Smaller than. The number and order of the groups may not be limited to those shown in Figure 23, and the width of the housing occupied by the groups in the longitudinal direction YY is W Max It should be understood that customization may be made according to the user's actual needs, as long as it does not exceed the limits. This will be explained in detail below in relation to the manufacturing method of the module housing 800.

[0383] As previously stated, each first group has a pair of first terminals 810, each second group has a pair of second terminals 820, each third group has a pair of third terminals 830, and each fourth group has a single fourth terminal 840; however, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, each first group may have a single first terminal 810, each second group may have a single second terminal 820, each third group may have a single third terminal 830, and / or each fourth group may have a pair of fourth terminals 840.

[0384] Although the upper half of module 509 is described above as including four types of terminals, for example, a first terminal 810, a second terminal 820, a third terminal 830, and a fourth terminal 840, it should be understood that this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, module 509 may include only one, two, or three of the first terminal 810, the second terminal 820, the third terminal 830, and the fourth terminal 840, and / or other types of terminals.

[0385] The housing and terminal configuration of the upper half of module 509 is described above in relation to a specific example. It should be understood that module 509 may have the same or similar housing and terminal configuration in the lower half. Also, it should be understood that the lower half of module 509 may contain a different number and / or type of terminals, which, combined, may have a similar width to the terminals of the upper half of module 509. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0386] Module 509 can be manufactured by any suitable method. A method for manufacturing module 509 may include (i) providing the aforementioned plurality of types of terminals 810-840 and terminating these terminals 810-840 with corresponding cables 809; (ii) providing the aforementioned module housing 800; (iii) providing the aforementioned TPA device 860; and (iv) first assembling the terminals 810-840 terminated with corresponding cables 809 into the corresponding terminal channels 801-804 of the module housing 800 according to the aforementioned assembly relationships, and then attaching the TPA device 860 to the module housing 800 to securely hold the terminals 810-840 within the module housing 800.

[0387] Terminals 810-840 can be manufactured using any suitable technique, such as stamping. Furthermore, the module housing 800 and the TPA device 860 may be manufactured using any suitable technique, such as injection molding.

[0388] The inventors have recognized and understood a suitable method and toolkit for manufacturing module housing 800. Such a method and toolkit enables the manufacture of module housings for different terminal configurations using one identical set of toolkits, thereby significantly reducing the effort associated with mold development. Such a method and toolkit may allow for flexible customization of module housings as desired by users using one identical toolkit. Such a method may enable the reuse of the toolkit. In this way, the development and manufacturing costs of module 509 can be reduced.

[0389] The module housing 800 of module 509 may be formed by pouring housing material (e.g., the insulating material described herein) into a mold equipped with or containing such a toolkit (e.g., injection molding technique). As described above, module 509 may have the same housing configuration in its upper and lower halves. Module 509 may have the same terminal configuration in its upper and lower halves, or it may have different terminal configurations. Methods for manufacturing the upper half of module housing 800 and the corresponding components of toolkit 1000 are described below in detail with reference to Figures 30A to 35. It should be understood that the lower half of module housing 800 may be formed simultaneously in one same process (e.g., one same injection molding step) by using the same or similar components of the toolkit.

[0390] The toolkit 1000 may constitute part of a mold for forming the module housing 800, and / or may be placed within the mold. The components of the toolkit 1000 may be assembled together to define at least part of a cavity configured to form the module housing 800. The shape of the cavity corresponds to the shape of the module housing 800, and allows the module housing 800 to be formed by allowing housing material to flow into the cavity.

[0391] As shown in Figures 31A to 34D, the toolkit 1000 may include several types of tool pins 1010 to 1040. The several types of tool pins 1010 to 1040 may be configured to form at least terminal channels 801 to 804 of the module housing 800. Each type of tool pin may correspond to one of several types of terminals 810 to 840 located within the module housing 800. As described, in some embodiments, the several types of terminals 810 to 840 may include a first terminal 810, a second terminal 820, a third terminal 830, and a fourth terminal 840. Therefore, multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 can include the first tool pin 1010, the second tool pin 1020, the third tool pin 1030, and the fourth tool pin 1040, corresponding to the first terminal 810, the second terminal 820, the third terminal 830, and the fourth terminal 840, respectively.

[0392] A method for manufacturing the upper half of a module housing 800 may include (i) providing a plurality of types of tool pins 1010-1040; (ii) aligning the plurality of types of tool pins 1010-1040 according to terminal positions (e.g., terminal positions shown in Figures 22E and 23) in which the plurality of types of terminals 810-840 are located in the module housing 800; and (iii) flowing housing material around the aligned tool pins 1010-1040 to form the module housing 800.

[0393] Multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 may be placed, for example, at terminal positions within the module housing 800 where multiple types of terminals 810-840 are arranged, as desired by the user. This makes it possible to manufacture module housings for different terminal configurations with one identical set of tooling kits, thereby significantly reducing the effort associated with mold development. Such a method and tool kit allows for flexible customization of the module housing as desired by users using one identical tool kit. Such a method may allow for the reuse of the tool kit. In this way, the development and manufacturing costs of module 509 can be reduced.

[0394] Multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 can be arranged and held in the mold in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, during manufacturing, molten housing material can be poured into the mold so as to flow around the multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040. The cured housing material may then be removed from the mold to obtain the module housing 800.

[0395] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 30C to 33, the first tool pin 1010, the second tool pin 1020, the third tool pin 1030, and the fourth tool pin 1040 may each include bases 1011, 1021, 1031, and 1041, respectively. Each of the bases 1011 to 1041 may have a substantially plate or blade shape. The bases 1011 to 1041 may have substantially the same base length in the transverse direction XX (e.g., the mating direction) and substantially the same base thickness in the vertical direction ZZ. The bases 1011 to 1041 may have different base widths in the longitudinal direction YY. The mating direction, transverse direction XX, longitudinal direction YY, and vertical direction ZZ are used herein for ease of explanation, but it should be understood that the manufacturing method and tool kit 1000 according to this application are not limited to these directions.

[0396] As shown in Figures 30C to 33, the toolkit 1000 may also include a first organizer 1001. The first organizer 1001 is configured to support and hold tool pins 1010 to 1040. The first organizer 1001 includes a slot (or cavity) 1001a extending in the longitudinal direction YY. Bases 1011 to 1041 of multiple types of tool pins 1010 to 1040 may be configured to be stacked in the longitudinal direction YY within the slot 1001a. "Stacked" may mean that the bases may be arranged adjacent to each other such that one is on top of another.

[0397] Aligning multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 according to terminal positions in which multiple types of terminals 810-840 are arranged within the module housing 800 may include providing a first organizer 1001 and stacking multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 longitudinally YY within slots 1001a of the first organizer 1001 according to terminal positions. Such a configuration improves the "type-setting" efficiency of the tool pins 1010-1040, thereby enabling rapid adjustment of the mold for forming module housings for different terminal configurations.

[0398] Each tool pin 1010-1040 may also include at least one beam extending laterally XX (mating direction) from the base. Each of the at least one beam is contoured to conform to the shape of a terminal channel for arranging the mating end of the terminal corresponding to the tool pin. Flowing housing material around multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 may include flowing housing material around the beams of multiple types of tool pins 1010-1040 to form multiple terminal channels 801-804 of the module housing 800.

[0399] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 22E, the terminals of multiple types 810-840 may be arranged in multiple groups spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction YY. Each group may have a single terminal or a pair of terminals, the pair of terminals may be of the same type, and the mating ends of the pair of terminals may be aligned with each other and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction ZZ. The multiple groups may include at least one first group, at least one second group, at least one third group, and at least one fourth group. Each first group may have a pair of first terminals 810, each second group may have a pair of second terminals 820, each third group may have a pair of third terminals 830, and each fourth group may have a single fourth terminal 840.

[0400] Each tool pin 1010-1040 may correspond to one of several groups, and the number of at least one beam of each tool pin 1010-1040 may correspond to the number of mating ends of terminals in the corresponding group. For example, each first tool pin 1010 may correspond to a first group and include a pair of first beams 1012. Each first beam 1012 is contoured to conform to the shape of terminal channel 801 in order to accommodate one corresponding mating end 811 of a pair of first terminals 810 of the first group. Each second tool pin 1020 may correspond to a second group and include a pair of second beams 1022. Each second beam 1022 is contoured to conform to the shape of terminal channel 802 in order to accommodate one corresponding mating end 821 of a pair of second terminals 820 of the second group. Each third tool pin 1030 may correspond to a third group and include a pair of third beams 1032. Each third beam 1032 is contoured to conform to the shape of a terminal channel 803 in order to accommodate one corresponding mating end 831 of a pair of third terminals 830 of the third group. Each fourth tool pin 1040 corresponds to a fourth group and may include a single fourth beam 1042. The fourth beam 1042 is contoured to conform to the shape of a terminal channel 804 in order to accommodate the mating end 841 of a (single) fourth terminal 840 in the fourth group. The beams 1012-1042 allow multiple terminal channels 801-804 to be formed within the module housing 800 as the housing material flows around the beams 1012-1042 of the tool pins 1010-1040.

[0401] As shown in Figures 33 to 34D, the base 1011 of the first tool pin 1010 has a base width W in the longitudinal direction YY. T1 The base 1021 of the second tool pin 1020 has a base width W in the longitudinal direction YY. T2 The base 1031 of the third tool pin 1030 has a base width W in the longitudinal direction YY. T3 The base 1041 of the fourth tool pin 1040 has a base width W in the longitudinal direction YY. T4Yes. Base width W T1 , W T2 , W T3 , and W T4 These are different from each other and each is constant. Slot 1001a has a constant slot width in the longitudinal direction YY. Stacking the bases 1011-1041 of tool pins 1010-1040 in the longitudinal direction YY within slot 1001a according to the terminal positions may include making the width of the stack of bases 1011-1041 of tool pins 1010-1040 in the longitudinal direction YY (e.g., the sum of the base widths of all bases 1011-1041) less than or equal to the slot width of slot 1001a. Such a configuration makes it possible to manufacture module housings with different terminal channel layouts by "type-setting" the tool pins 1010-1040 as desired within a slot 1001a having a constant width (e.g., providing a desired number of tool pins 1010-1040 and stacking them in a desired order).

[0402] The slot width of slot 1001a may be equal to the maximum length of the housing portion of the module housing 800 in the longitudinal direction YY, allowing for the arrangement of multiple terminal channels 801 to 804. As shown in Figure 23, the housing portion may be divided into multiple sub-parts S1 to S4. Each of the multiple sub-parts S1 to S4 forms a terminal channel(s) for arranging the mating end(s) of the terminal(s) of a corresponding group from the multiple groups described above.

[0403] For each tool pin 1010 to 1040, the base width of the base is equal to the minimum width of the sub-part (e.g., S1 to S4) of the housing in the longitudinal direction YY, and the sub-part is configured to form a terminal channel (multiple) for arranging the mating end (multiple) of the terminal (multiple) corresponding to the tool pin. For example, the base width W of the base 1011 of the first tool pin 1010. T1 This is equal to the minimum width W1 of the first sub-part S1 of the housing. The base width W of the base 1021 of the second tool pin 1020 T2This is equal to the minimum width W2 of the second sub-part S2 of the housing, and the base width W of the base 1031 of the third tool pin 1030. T3 This is equal to the minimum width W3 of the third sub-part S3 of the housing, and the base width W of the base 1041 of the fourth tool pin 1040. T4 This is equal to the minimum width W4 of the fourth sub-part S4 of the housing.

[0404] In this configuration, the "type setting" of the multiple terminal channels 801-804 of the module housing 800 can be easily and quickly achieved by aligning the bases 1011-1041 of the tool pins 1010-1040 within the slot 1001a of the first organizer 1001. This significantly reduces the effort associated with mold development, thereby lowering the development and manufacturing costs of the module 509.

[0405] Providing multiple types of tool pins 1010 to 1040 may include providing multiple types of tool pins 1010 to 1040 according to the following formula. A * W T1 +B * W T2 +C * W T3 +D * W T4 ≤W Max [Formula 2] In the formula, A is the number of first toolpins 1010 (corresponding to the first group), B is the number of second toolpins 1020 (corresponding to the second group), C is the number of third toolpins 1030 (corresponding to the third group), and D is the number of fourth toolpins 1040 (corresponding to the fourth group). Max This is the slot width of slot 1001a, for example, the maximum width of the housing portion of the module housing 800 in the longitudinal direction YY, which allows for the arrangement of terminal channels(s). In this embodiment, A, B, C, and D are all positive integers.

[0406] In some embodiments, W MaxIt may be 22.86 mm. In some embodiments, the fitting ends of the terminals 810-840 are in the form of receptacles as described above. The width of the fitting end of the pin terminal for fitting with each first terminal 810 may be 0.5 mm, the minimum width W1 of the first sub-part S1 may be 2 mm, the width of the fitting end of the pin terminal for fitting with each second terminal 820 may be 0.63 mm, the minimum width W2 of the second sub-part S2 may be 2.54 mm, the width of the fitting end of the pin terminal for fitting with each third terminal 830 may be 1.2 mm, the minimum width W3 of the third sub-part S3 may be 3 mm, the width of the fitting end of the pin terminal for fitting with each fourth terminal 840 may be 2.8 mm, and the minimum width W4 of the fourth sub-part S4 may be 5.5 mm. Therefore, the base width W of the base 1011 of the first tool pin 1010 T1 may be 2 mm, and the base width W of the base 1021 of the second tool pin 1020 T2 may be 2.54 mm, and the base width W of the base 1031 of the third tool pin 1030 T3 may be 3 mm, and the base width W of the base 1041 of the fourth tool pin 1040 T4 may be 5.5 mm.

[0407] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the tool kit 1000 may also include a spacer 1004. The spacer 1004 is configured to be disposed within the slot 1001a to fill the gap between the stack and the end wall of the slot 1001a when the stack width of the bases 1011-1041 of the tool pins 1010-1040 is smaller than the slot width of the slot 1001a. As best shown in FIG. 33, the bases 1011 of three first tool pins 1010, the bases 1021 of two second tool pins 1020, the bases 1031 of two third tool pins 1030, and the base 1041 of one fourth tool pin 1040 may be stacked in the longitudinal direction Y-Y within the slot 1001a of the first organizer 1001. The stack of these bases 1011- to 1041 is 3 * 2 + 2 * 2.54 + 2* 3+1 * Spacer 1004 has a longitudinal width of 5.5 = 22.58 mm in the YY direction. Since this value is smaller than the slot width of slot 1001a, which is 22.86 mm, there is a 0.3 mm gap between the stack and the end wall of slot 1001a in the longitudinal YY direction. The longitudinal width of spacer 1004 may also be 0.3 mm. Spacer 1004 can be placed at one end of slot 1001a between the stack and the end wall of slot 1001a to fill the gap between them and ensure that the stack is held firmly by the first organizer 1001.

[0408] Although Figure 33 shows only a single spacer 1004, it should be understood that the toolkit 1000 may include two or more spacers 1004. Furthermore, the thickness of the spacer 1004 is not limited to 0.3 mm and may be any appropriate value such as 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, or 1 mm.

[0409] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 30C to 32 and 35, the toolkit 1000 may include multiple types of complementary tool pins 1050 to 1080. Each type of complementary tool pin 1050 to 1080 can work in cooperation with the corresponding type of tool pin 1010 to 1040 to define spaces or gaps between them to form features of the module housing 800, such as elastic arms 851 to 854, mating surfaces 800a including a first opening, and receiving channels 871 to 874. As housing material flows into the corresponding spaces or gaps, the corresponding features of the module housing 800 can be formed. The complementary tool pins 1050 to 1080 can further reduce the effort associated with mold development, thereby further reducing the development and manufacturing costs of the module 509.

[0410] Multiple types of complementary toolpins 1050-1080 may include the first complementary toolpin 1050, the second complementary toolpin 1060, the third complementary toolpin 1070, and the fourth complementary toolpin 1080, which correspond to and mate with the first toolpin 1010, the second toolpin 1020, the third toolpin 1030, and the fourth toolpin 1040, respectively.

[0411] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 35, each complementary tool pin 1050-1080, as well as tool pins 1010-1040, may include bases 1051, 1061, 1071, and 1081, and beams 1052, 1062, 1072, and 1082 extending laterally XX (fitting direction) from the bases 1051-1081. The tool kit 1000 may also include a second organizer 1002 for supporting and holding the complementary tool pins 1050-1080. As shown in Figures 31B and 35, the complementary tool pins 1050-1080 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction YY, and the second organizer 1002 has separate sheets for arranging each complementary tool pin 1050-1080. The configuration of the bases 1051-1081 of the complementary toolpins 1050-1080 may be the same as the configuration of the bases 1011-1041 of the toolpins 1010-1040, the configuration of the second organizer 1002 may be the same as the configuration of the first organizer 1001, and the bases 1051-1081 of the complementary toolpins 1050-1080 may be stacked longitudinally YY in the slots of the second organizer 1002 in a similar manner. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0412] The beams 1052-1082 of each complementary tool pin 1050-1080 can work together with the beams 1012-1042 of the corresponding tool pins 1010-1040 to define spaces or gaps between them for forming features of the module housing 800, such as elastic arms 851-854 and receiving channels 871-874.

[0413] Taking the cooperation between the first toolpin 1010 and the first complementary toolpin 1050 as an example, as best shown in Figures 30E and 30F, the first portion 1052a of the beam 1052 of the first complementary toolpin 1050 can be positioned in the vertical ZZ direction between the pair of first beams 1012 of the first toolpin 1010 to define a first space SP1 between each first beam 1012 and the first portion 1052a. The shape of each first space SP1 corresponds to the shape of the corresponding first elastic arm 851 of the module housing 800. Forming the module housing 800 involves pouring housing material into the two first spaces SP1 to form the pair of first elastic arms 851 (Figure 30F). Furthermore, after the first portion 1052a of the first complementary tool pin 1050 is removed, a first receiving channel 871 extending between a pair of first elastic arms 851 may be provided within the module housing 800. For brevity, the structure and function of the first elastic arms 851 and the first receiving channel 871 will not be repeated.

[0414] The second elastic arm 852 and the second receiving channel 872 may be formed in the module housing 800 in a similar manner through the cooperation between the second tool pin 1020 and the second complementary tool pin 1060, and the third elastic arm 853 and the third receiving channel 873 may be formed in the module housing 800 in a similar manner through the cooperation between the third tool pin 1030 and the third complementary tool pin 1070. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0415] The fourth elastic arm 854 and the fourth receiving channel 874 may be formed in the module housing 800 in a similar manner through the cooperation between the fourth tool pin 1040 and the fourth complementary tool pin 1080. For example, the first and second portions of the beam 1082 of the fourth complementary tool pin 1080 may be positioned on either side of the fourth beam 1042 of the fourth tool pin 1040 in the vertical direction ZZ, respectively, to define a first space between the first portion and the fourth beam 1042, and a second space between the second portion and the fourth beam 1042. The shapes of the first and second spaces correspond, respectively, to the shapes of the pair of fourth elastic arms 854 of the module housing 800. Forming the module housing 800 involves pouring housing material into the first and second spaces to form the pair of fourth elastic arms 854. Furthermore, after the first and second portions of the fourth complementary tool pin 1080 are removed, a pair of fourth receiving channels 874 may be provided in the module housing 800. For brevity, the structure and function of the fourth elastic arm 854 and the fourth receiving channels 874 may not be repeated.

[0416] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 31B and 35, the toolkit 1000 may further include a tool insertion plate 1090 configured to form the aforementioned slots 880 of the module housing 800 when housing material is poured around the tool insertion plate 1090.

[0417] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 30A to 31B, the toolkit 1000 may further include an outer mold 1003 configured to surround the first organizer 1001 and define a space between them. The space may be configured to form an extension 800c of the module housing 800 when housing material is poured in. It should be understood that the toolkit 1000 may include an outer mold having any preferred shape for forming the external structure and features of the module housing 800.

[0418] While the toolkit 1000 has been described as including first to fourth tool pins 1010 to 1040 and first to fourth complementary tool pins 1050 to 1080, it should be understood that this application may not be limited thereto. In some embodiments, the types of tool pins and complementary tool pins may vary depending on the type of terminals located within the module housing 800.

[0419] A method and toolkit for manufacturing the upper half of the module housing 800 has been described above in relation to a specific example. It should be understood that the lower half of the module housing 800 can be formed simultaneously in one identical process (e.g., one identical injection molding step) using the same or similar components of the kit. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0420] It should be understood that the aforementioned techniques for constructing and manufacturing module 509 can also be used to construct and manufacture modules for mating with module 509. Figures 28A to 29B show exemplary versions of such modules 59.

[0421] Module 59 may be used in a second electrical connector 20. The function of module 59 is similar to that of modules 51-57 described above, for example, because it is located (e.g., removably) within the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20 (e.g., one of the cavities 71-74) and to establish an electrical connection with the mating module of the first electrical connector 10. For example, module 59 may be configured to mate with module 509 described above. The configuration of module 59 may be similar to that of module 509 (e.g., complementary to each other to enable mating) and may be manufactured using a similar process to module 509. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated, and the unique features of module 59 are highlighted below by comparing module 59 with module 509.

[0422] Similar to module 509, module 59 may include an insulating module housing 900 and a plurality of types of conductive terminals 910-940 disposed within the module housing 900. The module housing 900 may also be formed from the aforementioned insulating material. The module housing 900 includes mating surfaces 900a and a rear surface 900b that are opposite to each other in the mating direction (here, the lateral direction XX), and a plurality of terminal channels 901-904. Each of the plurality of terminal channels 901-904 may extend through the module housing 900 in the mating direction from the rear surface 900b to the mating surface 900a.

[0423] As shown in Figures 28C and 28D, the multiple types of terminals 910-940 may include a first terminal 910, a second terminal 920, a third terminal 930, and a fourth terminal 940. Each terminal 910-940 may have a mating end, a tail end opposite the mating end, and an intermediate portion joining the mating end and the tail end. The mating end of each terminal 910-940 is partially positioned in a corresponding one of the multiple terminal channels 901-904 so that the terminal is held by the module housing 900. For example, all multiple types of terminals 910-940 of module 59 are directly held by a single, identical insulating module housing. Such a configuration can reduce the number of parts in module 59, thereby improving the integration of module 59.

[0424] The first difference between module 59 and module 509 is that the mating ends 911-941 of terminals 910-940 of module 59 are configured to mate with the mating ends 811-841 of terminals 810-840 of module 509. For example, Figures 29A and 29B show an embodiment of a pair of third terminals 930. The pair of third terminals 930 are configured to mate with a pair of third terminals 830 of module 509, as shown in Figure 22C. As shown in Figures 29A and 29B, each third terminal 930 includes a mating end 931, a tail end 932 opposite to the mating end 931, and an intermediate portion 933 that joins the mating end 931 and the tail end 932. The mating end 931 may partially protrude from the mating surface 900a and be configured to mate with the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830 of module 509. The shape of the mating end 931 may match (e.g., be complementary) the shape of the mating end 831 of the third terminal 830. The mating end 931 may be configured in the form of a pin, and the width of the mating end 931 in the longitudinal direction YY may be the width of the pin in the longitudinal direction YY, so that the mating end 931 is complementary to the mating end 831 in the form of a socket.

[0425] A second difference between module 59 and module 509 is that the tail ends of terminals 910-940 of module 59 are configured to be mounted on the circuit board 30 to establish an electrical connection with the circuit board 30. For example, as shown in Figures 29A and 29B, the tail end 932 of each third terminal 930 may be configured to establish an electrical connection (e.g., SMT or THT technology) with a conductive structure such as a conductive through-hole or conductive pad on the circuit board 30. The intermediate portion 933 extends between the mating end 931 and the tail end 932 and is curved so that the tail end 932 and the mating end 931 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. When the mating end 931 is oriented in the mating direction (here, the transverse direction XX), the tail end 932 is oriented in the vertical direction ZZ.

[0426] The configuration of the first terminal 910, the second terminal 920, and the fourth terminal 940 of module 59 is the same as that of the third terminal 930. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0427] A third difference between module 59 and module 509 is that module 59 may include a first retaining member 950 and a second retaining member 960. Each of the first retaining member 950 and the second retaining member 960 may be an insulating material. The first retaining member 950 is attached to the module housing 900 and can hold a portion of the tail ends 932 of each of the terminals 910-940. The second retaining member 960 is attached to the module housing 900 and can hold a portion of several tail ends 932 of the terminals 910-940. The first retaining member 950 and the second retaining member 960 may help to hold the terminals 910-940 in place relative to the module housing 900.

[0428] Similar to module 509, the mating ends of terminals 910-940 of module 59 may have different sizes from each other in order to provide connection ports of different sizes on the mating surface 900a. For example, the size of the mating end 941 of the fourth terminal 940 may be larger than the size of the mating end 931 of the third terminal 930, the size of the mating end 931 of the third terminal 930 may be larger than the size of the mating end 921 of the second terminal 920, and the size of the mating end 921 of the second terminal 920 may be larger than the size of the mating end 911 of the first terminal 910.

[0429] Furthermore, the number and arrangement of terminals 910-940 of module 59 within module housing 900 may correspond to the number and arrangement of terminals 810-840 of module 509 within module housing 800, so that modules 59 and 509 can mate with each other. For example, terminals 910-940 of module 59 may be arranged in a similar manner in multiple groups spaced apart in the longitudinal direction YY, each group having a single terminal or a pair of terminals, the pair of terminals being of the same type, and the mating ends of the pair of terminals aligned and spaced apart in the vertical direction ZZ. Multiple groups can satisfy the above formula [1]. The number, position, and order of multiple groups in module 59 may correspond to the number, position, and order of multiple groups in module 509. Furthermore, module 59 can be manufactured in a similar process to module 509. For brevity, details of similar parts may not be repeated.

[0430] A fourth difference between module 59 and module 509 is that the module housing 900 of module 59 can include an elongated projection 970 that protrudes from the mating surface 900a beyond the mating ends of terminals 910-940 in the mating direction and is oriented longitudinally in the YY direction. Similar to the projections 52b, 56b, and 57b of modules 52, 56, and 57 described above, the projection 970 of module 59 is also configured to protect the mating ends of terminals 910-940, which are in the form of pins. When module 59 is positioned within the second housing 21 of the second electrical connector 20, the projection 970 defines a sufficiently small gap between the projection 970 and the inner wall of the housing space (e.g., “61-64”) of the second housing 21 (e.g., inner wall 61a shown in Figure 20E), thereby preventing a user’s finger or similar tool from touching the terminal mating end as it extends into the second housing 21 from the opening of the mating surface 21a, thereby protecting the terminal mating end from damage.

[0431] This disclosure describes various embodiments, including, but not limited to, the following embodiments:

[0432] 1. An electrical connector comprising: a housing having a longitudinally elongated groove, a first restraining structure at least partially located within the groove, and a space having openings at the front and rear of the housing; a cover attached to the rear of the housing; a locking member attached to the cover and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position; and a slider disposed within the groove of the housing and longitudinally movable between a first position and a second position by the locking member, wherein the slider comprises a second restraining structure configured to engage with the first restraining structure of the housing such that the slider is restrained in the first position before the second restraining structure of the slider is disengaged from the first restraining structure of the housing.

[0433] 2. The electrical connector according to embodiment 1, wherein the first restraint structure of the housing and the second restraint structure of the slider are configured to be disengaged from each other by a mating component for the electrical connector.

[0434] 3. The electrical connector according to embodiment 2, wherein the first restraint structure protrudes into a groove in the housing, and the second restraint structure comprises an elastic arm that latches to the first restraint structure at a first position of the slider.

[0435] 4. The electrical connector according to Embodiment 1, wherein the slider comprises a plurality of cam slots extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction, each of which opens at the front of the housing in a first position of the slider to receive a cam pin of a mating component for an electrical connector, and is blocked at the front of the housing in a second position of the slider to hold the cam pin of the mating component therein.

[0436] 5. The electrical connector according to embodiment 1, wherein the cover includes a side wall and a first projection and a second projection, the first projection and the second projection projecting outward from the side wall and positioned such that a locking member is pivotable between the first projection and the second projection.

[0437] 6. The electrical connector according to embodiment 5, wherein the cover comprises a third projection configured to engage with a locking member and to generate an indicator that the locking member is in a pre-locked position.

[0438] 7. An electrical connector according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the cover comprises a groove and a protruding structure above the groove, and the electrical connector comprises a connector position guarantee (CPA) device located within the groove of the cover and partially below the protruding structure, and the CPA device is movable between a pre-installed position and an installed position.

[0439] 8. The electrical connector according to embodiment 7, wherein the CPA device is held in a pre-installed position by a cover and is configured to be movable to the installation position by pivoting a locking member to the locked position.

[0440] 9. The electrical connector according to embodiment 8, wherein the CPA device comprises an elastic arm configured to engage with a cover overhang structure to hold it in a pre-installed position and to be disengaged from the cover overhang structure by a locking member that is pivoted to a locked position.

[0441] 10. An electrical connector according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, comprising a plurality of modules arranged in the space of a housing, each of which comprises a module housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held by the module housing, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of latches, each configured to engage with each module of the plurality of modules.

[0442] 11. An electrical connector according to embodiment 10, wherein the cover is hinged to the housing, allowing the rear of the housing to be opened and the module replaced without removing the hinge.

[0443] 12. An electrical connector comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of cavities, each having an opening at the front and rear of the housing, and a plurality of latches, each extending into each of the plurality of cavities; a plurality of types of modules, each of which comprises a module housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held by the module housing, and each of which engages with a latch of a plurality of latches in each of the plurality of cavities of the housing; and a plurality of key members, each of which has an identification feature indicating the type of module in each of the plurality of cavities, being removably held by the housing above the plurality of cavities.

[0444] 13. The electrical connector according to embodiment 12, wherein multiple key members are arranged adjacent to the openings of multiple cavities and are configured to form their respective openings for each module to prevent the insertion of incorrect modules.

[0445] 14. The electrical connector according to embodiment 13, wherein a plurality of key members are aligned in a first row longitudinally and adjacent to the rear of the housing, and a plurality of latches of the housing are aligned in a second row adjacent to and parallel to the first row.

[0446] 15. The electrical connector according to embodiment 14, wherein the housing has a longitudinally extending groove, and the electrical connector comprises a slider positioned within the groove of the housing and longitudinally movable between a first position and a second position, the slider comprising a plurality of cam slots extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction.

[0447] 16. An electrical connector according to embodiment 14, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of cam pins aligned in a third row parallel to a first row and separated from the key member of the first row by a latch of the second row, and each of the plurality of cam pins is positioned between adjacent cavities of a plurality of cavities.

[0448] 17. An electrical connector comprising: a housing member; a plurality of conductive terminals at least partially disposed within the housing member; a locking member attached to the housing member and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position; and a connector position guarantee (CPA) device disposed on the housing member, wherein the CPA device is constrained to a pre-installed position by the housing member and is movable to an installed position by pivoting the locking member to the locked position.

[0449] 18. The electrical connector according to embodiment 17, wherein the housing member comprises a groove and an overhanging structure above the groove, and the CPA device comprises a first elastic arm configured to engage with the overhanging structure of the housing member and be held in a pre-installed position, and to be disengaged from the overhanging structure of the housing member by a locking member that is pivoted to a locked position.

[0450] 19. The electrical connector according to embodiment 18, wherein the protruding structure is configured to restrain the locking member in the locked position.

[0451] 20. The electrical connector according to embodiment 18, wherein the locking member includes a projection configured to engage with the first elastic arm of the CPA device in order to disengage the first elastic arm of the CPA device from the overhanging structure of the housing member and to release the CPA device from its pre-installed position.

[0452] 21. The electrical connector according to embodiment 18, wherein the housing member has a recess configured to restrict the movement of the second elastic arm of the CPA and restrain the CPA device in a locked position.

[0453] 22. The electrical connector according to embodiment 21, wherein the protruding structure of the housing member comprises an engaging portion configured to extend into the opening of the CPA device so as to restrain the CPA device in a locked position.

[0454] 23. A module for an electrical connector, comprising: a housing having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a plurality of terminals disposed within the plurality of channels of the housing, each of the plurality of terminals having a mating end, a tail end, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the tail end, and the plurality of terminals comprising a plurality of types of power terminals, including a first type having a first width in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the module, and a second type having a second width smaller than the first width in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of signal terminals having a third width smaller than the second width in the longitudinal direction.

[0455] 24. The module according to embodiment 23, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of elastic arms that extend into each of the channels of a plurality of channels and engage with each terminal located within each channel, thereby holding each terminal within the respective channel.

[0456] 25. The module according to embodiment 23, comprising a terminal position guarantee (TPA) device mounted on the front of the housing, wherein the TPA device comprises a plurality of projections extending to contact each elastic arm of the housing and limit the deflection of each elastic arm.

[0457] 26. The module according to embodiment 25, wherein a plurality of elastic arms of the housing are arranged in pairs, with a first elastic arm extending into an upper channel and a second elastic arm extending into a lower channel, and a plurality of protrusions of the TPA device extending between the same pair of first and second elastic arms.

[0458] 27. A method for manufacturing a module housing for an electrical connector, comprising: providing a plurality of types of tool pins, each type of tool pin corresponding to one of a plurality of types of terminals configured to be placed within the module housing; aligning the plurality of types of tool pins according to desired positions of the plurality of types of terminals; and flowing housing material around the aligned plurality of types of tool pins to form a module housing.

[0459] 28. The method according to embodiment 27, wherein aligning multiple types of tool pins according to desired positions of multiple types of terminals includes stacking multiple types of tool pins in an organizer.

[0460] 29. The method according to embodiment 28, wherein stacking multiple types of tool pins within an organizer includes providing one or more spacers to fill any gaps between the multiple types of tool pins and the organizer.

[0461] 30. The method according to embodiment 27 or 28, wherein the plurality of types of tool pins include a first plurality of types of tool pins, each type of the first plurality of types of tool pins corresponding to one of a first plurality of types of terminals configured to be located in a first portion of the module housing, and a second plurality of types of tool pins, each type of the second plurality of types of tool pins corresponding to one of a second plurality of types of terminals configured to be located in a second portion of the module housing.

[0462] 31. The method according to aspect 30, wherein a first plurality of types of tool pins are stacked in a first direction, a second plurality of types of tool pins are stacked in the first direction, a first portion and a second portion of the module housing are stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second plurality of types of tool pins are the same as or different from the first plurality of types of tool pins.

[0463] 32. Providing a plurality of types of tool pins includes providing a plurality of types of tool pins according to the following formula: A * W T1 +B * W T2 +C * W T3 +D * W T4 ≦W Max where A is the number of tool pins of the first type, B is the number of tool pins of the second type, C is the number of tool pins of the third type, D is the number of tool pins of the fourth type, and W T1 is the width in the first direction of the tool pins of the first type, W T2 is the width in the first direction of the tool pins of the second type, W T3 is the width in the first direction of the tool pins of the third type, W T4 is the width in the first direction of the tool pins of the fourth type, and W Max is equal to the width in the first direction of the slots of the organizer, the method according to aspect 31.

[0464] 33. The method according to aspect 32, wherein each of W T1 、W T2 、W T3 、W T4 is within the range of 1 mm to 6 mm.

[0465] 34. The method according to aspect 32, wherein W Max is within the range of 20 mm to 25 mm.

[0466] While several aspects of several embodiments have been described, it should be understood that various changes, modifications, and improvements will be readily conceivable to those skilled in the art. Such changes, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of the disclosure and to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Although this teaching has been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, this teaching is not intended to be limited to such embodiments or examples. Rather, this teaching encompasses various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0467] Furthermore, while several advantages of the present invention may be demonstrated, it should be understood that not all embodiments of the present invention include all described advantages. Some embodiments may not implement any features described as advantageous. Therefore, the foregoing description and drawings are merely examples.

[0468] Furthermore, the described technology may be embodied as a method, and at least one embodiment thereof is provided. The operations performed as part of the method may be ordered in any preferred manner. Thus, while shown as a sequence of operations in the exemplary embodiment, embodiments can be constructed in which the operations are performed in a different order than illustrated, which may include performing several operations simultaneously.

[0469] All definitions that are defined and used should be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or the ordinary meaning of the defined term.

[0470] Similar to the above specification, in these claims, the use of sequential terms such as “first,”...

Claims

1. A housing comprising a longitudinally elongated groove, a first restraining structure at least partially located within the groove, and a space having openings at the front and rear of the housing, A cover attached to the rear of the housing, A locking member attached to the cover and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position, A slider disposed within the groove of the housing and movable in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position by the locking member, comprising a slider having a second restraining structure, An electrical connector in which the second restraining structure is configured to engage with the first restraining structure of the housing, such that the slider is restrained in the first position before the second restraining structure of the slider is disengaged from the first restraining structure of the housing.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first restraint structure of the housing and the second restraint structure of the slider are configured to be disengaged from each other by a mating component for the electrical connector.

3. The first restraining structure protrudes into the groove of the housing, The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the second restraint structure comprises an elastic arm that is latched to the first restraint structure at the first position of the slider.

4. The slider is provided with a plurality of cam slots that extend at an angle to the longitudinal direction, The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cam slots is open at the front of the housing in the first position of the slider to receive the cam pin of the mating component for the electrical connector, and is blocked at the front of the housing in the second position of the slider to hold the cam pin of the mating component therein.

5. The aforementioned cover is Side walls and, A first projection and a second projection projecting outward from the side wall, wherein the locking member is positioned such that it can pivot between the first projection and the second projection, The electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a third projection that engages with the locking member and is configured to generate an indication that the locking member is in the pre-locked position.

6. The cover comprises a groove and a protruding structure above the groove, The electrical connector is equipped with a connector position guarantee (CPA) device located within the groove of the cover and partially below the protruding structure. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the CPA device is movable between a pre-installation position and an installation position.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein the CPA device is held in the pre-installed position by the cover and is configured to be movable to the installation position by pivoting the locking member to the locked position.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein the CPA device comprises an elastic arm configured to engage with the protruding structure of the cover and be held in the pre-installed position, and to be released from the protruding structure of the cover by the locking member which is pivoted to the locked position.

9. The housing comprises a plurality of modules arranged in the space described above, Each of the aforementioned plurality of modules comprises a module housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held by the module housing, The housing comprises a plurality of latches, each configured to engage with each of the plurality of modules, The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover is hinged to the housing, allowing the rear of the housing to be opened and the module replaced without removing the hinge.

10. A housing having a plurality of cavities and a plurality of latches, wherein each of the plurality of cavities has an opening at the front and rear of the housing, and each of the plurality of latches extends into each of the cavities, Multiple types of modules, each of the multiple types of modules comprising a module housing and a plurality of conductive terminals held by the module housing, and each of the multiple types of modules engaging with each of the plurality of latches in each of the plurality of cavities of the housing, The system comprises a plurality of key members that are removably held by the housing above the plurality of cavities, An electrical connector in which each of the plurality of key members has an identification feature indicating the type of module in each of the plurality of cavities.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of key members are positioned adjacent to the openings of the plurality of cavities and are configured to form their respective openings for each module to prevent the insertion of the wrong module.

12. The plurality of key members are aligned in a first row in the longitudinal direction and are adjacent to the rear part of the housing, The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of latches of the housing are aligned in a second row adjacent to and parallel to the first row.

13. The housing has a groove extending in the longitudinal direction, The electrical connector is provided with a slider that is positioned in the groove of the housing and is movable in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein the slider includes a plurality of cam slots extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction.

14. The housing comprises a plurality of cam pins aligned in a third row parallel to the first row, separated from the key member of the first row by a latch of the second row. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of cam pins is positioned between adjacent cavities among the plurality of cavities.

15. Housing components and A plurality of conductive terminals, at least partially arranged within the housing member, A locking member attached to the housing member and pivotable between a pre-locked position and a locked position, The system comprises a connector position guarantee (CPA) device disposed on the housing member, The CPA device is an electrical connector that is constrained to a pre-installed position by the housing member and is movable to the installation position by pivoting the locking member to the locked position.

16. The housing member comprises a groove and a protruding structure above the groove. The electrical connector according to claim 15, wherein the CPA device comprises a first elastic arm configured to engage with the protruding structure of the housing member and be held in the pre-installed position, and to be disengaged from the protruding structure of the housing member by the locking member which is pivoted to the locked position.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein the protruding structure is configured to restrain the locking member in the locked position.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein the locking member includes a projection configured to engage with the first elastic arm of the CPA device in order to disengage the first elastic arm of the CPA device from the protruding structure of the housing member and to release the CPA device from the pre-installed position.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein the housing member has a recess configured to restrict the movement of the second elastic arm of the CPA and restrain the CPA device in the locked position.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 19, wherein the protruding structure of the housing member comprises an engaging portion configured to extend into the opening of the CPA device so as to restrain the CPA device in the locked position.

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