TWI847054B - Plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A plug connector includes a contact module composed of a pair of plug contact units. Each unit includes a row of contacts arranged in a longitudinal direction and an insulator for fixing the contacts. Each contact includes a contacting portion extending forwardly and a tail extending backwardly. A row of contacts include a plurality of differential-pair contacts and grounding contacts alternately arranged with each other wherein the rear ends of the grounding contacts are unified together with a transverse bar. The wires include inner conductors connected to the tail of the differential-pair contacts and braiding layers mechanically and electrically connected to the transverse bar. The plug connector further includes a pair of grounding bars attached to the corresponding plug contact units. The grounding bar forms front tabs connected to the tails of the grounding contacts and rear tabs connected to the braiding layers of the wires. The grounding bar of the present invention has multiple grounding tabs, which can effectively improve electric performance.

Description

Plug connector

The present invention relates to a plug connector.

Plug connectors are generally connected to cables, and socket connectors are generally soldered on circuit boards. Currently, plug connections generally use daughter cards, that is, gold fingers are set on different edges of a circuit board, and the gold fingers are connected by wires. The gold finger at one end is inserted into the socket connector, and the gold finger at the other end is used to connect to the cable. However, the plug connector using a daughter card will be larger in size. Now more and more systems use cables instead of circuit boards for signal transmission within high-speed systems, but it is inevitable that the requirements for high-frequency performance have increased.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved electrical connector assembly.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a plug connector that improves electrical performance.

To achieve the above purpose, the present invention can adopt the following technical solutions: a plug connector, including a terminal module and a cable, the terminal module includes a pair of sub-units, each of the sub-units includes a row of terminals arranged along the longitudinal direction and an insulator fixing the terminals, the terminals include differential pair terminals and grounding terminals, each terminal includes a contact portion extending forward and a tail portion extending backward, the tail portion of the grounding terminal is integrally connected to a horizontal bar, the cable includes a conductive core welded to the tail portion of the differential pair terminal, and a shielding layer mechanically and electrically connected to the horizontal bar; the plug connector further includes a pair of grounding pieces, each grounding piece is fixed to the corresponding sub-unit, the grounding piece includes a plurality of front spacers and a plurality of rear spacers, the rear spacers are connected to the shielding layer of the corresponding cable, and the front spacers are connected to the tail portion of the corresponding grounding terminal.

Compared with the known technology, the present invention has the following effects: the grounding piece has multiple grounding points, which can effectively improve the electrical performance.

10:Electrical connector assembly

100: Socket connector

110: Body

112: End wall

114: Docking cavity

115: Slot

118: Matching ribs

119: Buckle slot

120:Metal shell

122: Locking space

124:Matching port

126: Button hole

127: Gap

130: Terminal module

131: Subunit

132: Insulation Body

134: Socket terminal

210: Terminal module

220: Subunit

222: Terminal

2221: Contact part

223: Lock finger

224: Insulation Body

2241: Butt tongue plate

2242: Support part

225: Gap

226: Gap

227: Ground terminal

228, 228’: welding tail

229: Differential pair terminals

230: Shielding plate

231: Column

233: Hole

238: horizontal bar

250: Cable

252: Conductive core

254: Shielding layer

280: Shell

281: Open mouth

282: Shell

283: Containment Space

285: Button and hold seam

286: buckle block

2811: Transverse ribs

2821: Fixed seam

290: Lock fastener

292:Fixed part

2921: Inner panel

2922:Exterior plate

294: Operation Department

136: Column

138: Hole

140: Grounding plate

142: Elastic finger

200: Plug connector

20:Electrical connector assembly

300: Socket connector

310:Entity

311: Slot

312: Terminal slot

313: Slot

314: Docking cavity

316: Receiving chamber

317: Hole

318: Bump

319: Buckle slot

320:Metal shell

322: Locking space

324: Open mouth

239: Spacing ribs

240: Grounding piece

241: Residual hole

242: Rear septum

244: Hole

326: Button hole

330:Terminal module

340: Subunit

342: Insulation Body

344:Terminal

346: Bump

350: Subunit

354:Terminal

352: Insulation Body

356: Bump

358: Depression area

359: Bump

360: Grounding unit

362: Insulation Body

295:Latch arm

296: buckle convex

247: Front spacer

366: Shielding plate

400: Plug

410: Shell

412: Shell

420: Lock fastener

422: buckle convex

430:Terminal module

440: Subunit

470: Grounding piece

474: Open your mouth

480: Shielding plate

490: Cable

492: Conductive core

494: Shielding layer

The first figure is a three-dimensional diagram of the electrical connector assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the socket connector and the plug connector are separated from each other; the second figure is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the two connectors after docking along the first figure; the third figure is a three-dimensional exploded diagram of the plug connector in the first figure; the fourth figure is a three-dimensional exploded diagram of the third figure from another angle; the fifth figure is a three-dimensional diagram of the terminal module and the grounding piece in the fourth figure after further disassembly; the sixth figure is a three-dimensional diagram of the fifth figure after further disassembly; the seventh figure is a three-dimensional diagram of the terminal module in the fifth figure; the eighth figure is a partial enlarged diagram of the seventh figure; the ninth figure is a three-dimensional diagram of the terminal module in the fifth figure after further disassembly; the tenth figure is a three-dimensional diagram of the terminal and the cross bar in the ninth figure; the eleventh figure is a top view of the seventh figure ; FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the socket connector in FIG. 1; FIG. 13 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the terminal module and the grounding plate in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the plug connector of the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the plug connector of the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the socket connector and the plug connector are separated from each other; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the two connectors in FIG. 15 after docking; FIG. 17 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the socket connector in FIG. 15; FIG. 18 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the second unit in FIG. 17; FIG. 19 is a three-dimensional exploded view of FIG. 17 after further disassembly; and FIG. 20 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the plug connector in FIG. 15.

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the purpose, structure, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is further described with reference to the attached drawings and specific implementation methods.

Please refer to the first to thirteenth figures. The first embodiment of the present invention discloses an electrical connector assembly 10, which includes a socket connector 100 and a plug connector 200 that are connected to each other. The socket connector is installed on a circuit board (not shown), so it can also be called a board-end connector. The rear end of the plug connector 200 is connected to a cable 250, so it can also be called a line-end connector. It is inserted into the socket connector 100 along the docking direction to complete the electrical connection. In this embodiment, the two connectors are docked along the vertical direction, that is, the docking direction is the vertical direction, and the extension direction of the cable of the plug connector is perpendicular to the docking direction of the connector.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 11, the plug connector 200 includes a terminal module 210 and a pair of outer shells 280 and 282. The pair of outer shells form a receiving space 283. The terminal module 210 is received in the receiving space 283. The outer shell 280 is provided with a pair of buckle holding slits 285 to receive the buckle holding block 286 provided in the other outer shell 282. The outer shell 280 is provided with an opening 281 to allow the cable 250 to extend through. The fastener 290 includes a pair of fixing portions 292, an operating portion 294 extending from the fixing portions 292, and a locking arm 295. The locking arm 295 is located between the pair of fixing portions 292. The inner plate 2921 of the fixing portion 292 is fixed in the fixing slit 2821 provided on the outer side of the outer shell 282. The locking arm 292 is an outward elastic deformation structure, and a pair of locking protrusions 296 are provided at the end, and the locking protrusions 296 protrude toward the terminal module 210. The terminal module 210 is connected to a row of cables 250, each cable including a conductive core 252 and a shielding layer 254. The terminal module 210 includes a pair of sub-units 220 stacked on each other, and a shielding plate 230 is sandwiched between the two sub-units 220.

Each subunit 220 includes a set of terminals 222 and an insulator 224 fixed to the terminals by injection molding. The terminals 222 are arranged in a row, including a plurality of grounding terminals 227 and differential pair terminals 229. Each two adjacent differential pair terminals constitute a differential terminal pair, and the grounding terminals and differential terminal pairs are arranged alternately. The differential pair terminals 229 have a solder tail 228 connected to the conductive core 252, and all grounding terminals 227 are connected to a horizontal bar 238 to form an integrated structure, that is, the tail 228' of the grounding terminal is connected to the horizontal bar 238. The horizontal bar 238 is aligned with and abuts the shielding layer 254, and a notch 226 is provided at the rear of the horizontal bar to accommodate or place the cable 250.

The contact portion 2221 of the terminal 222 is exposed in the slit 237 provided on the insulator 224, so that it can be connected with the terminal 134 of the socket connector 100. In order to avoid confusion, the terminal 222 of the plug connector can be named as the plug terminal 222, and the terminal 134 of the socket connector can be named as the socket terminal 134. A groove (not numbered) is formed between the plurality of spacer ribs 239 of the insulator 224 to accommodate the tail 228 and the conductive core 252 of the cable. In the groove, the tail and the conductive core are welded together. A pair of locking fingers 223 are located on both sides of the docking tongue plate 2241 and are separated from the docking tongue plate 2241. The locking fingers are formed by extending forward from the insulator, and the rear end of the insulator is formed as a support portion 2242 for placing crossbars, the front end of the cable, etc. The rear end of the insulator is provided with a notch 225 for accommodating the cable 250. The insulator 224 is provided with a column 231 and a hole 233 for interlocking and fixing with the hole 233 and column 231 of another insulator.

A pair of grounding members 240 are fixed to the corresponding insulators 224, and the holes 244 provided on each grounding member 240 are fixed to the columns 231 provided on the insulators. Each grounding member 240 is further formed with a plurality of rear spacers 242, which can be formed by punching and bending, and have residual holes 241. During welding, the solder can pass through the residual holes 241 to weld the rear spacers 242, the shielding layer 254 and the cross bar 238 together. Structurally, the shielding layer 254 is clamped between the grounding member 240 and the cross bar 238.

The differential pair terminal 229 is initially connected to the cross bar 238 as a whole, and after injection molding, the tail 228 is cut off from the cross bar. The grounding member 240 is further provided with a front spacer 247 that is mechanically and electrically connected to the tail 228' of the grounding terminal, and the front and rear spacers are aligned with each other in the front-to-back direction. The spacing rib 239 located between the differential pair terminal 229 and the grounding terminal 227 in the insulator is removed to fully expose the tail 228' of the grounding terminal. In this embodiment, the spacing rib located on the tail 228' of the grounding terminal is removed, so that the tail 228' is exposed, and the front spacer 247 additionally provided in the grounding member 240 not only separates the tail 228 of the signal terminal, but also mechanically and electrically connects the tail 228' of the grounding terminal 227, thereby improving the electrical grounding performance. However, the spacing ribs 239 of the insulator 224 separate the differential terminal pairs to ensure welding.

Please refer to Figures 12 to 13, the socket connector 100 includes a body 110 made of insulating material, a terminal module 130 located in the body, and a metal shell 120 covering the body. The terminal module 130 includes a pair of sub-units 131, and the two sub-units are stacked horizontally. Each sub-unit 131 includes a terminal 134 and an insulator 132 formed by injection molding. The column 136 and the hole 138 provided on the insulator 132 are matched and fixed with the hole and column provided on the insulator of the other sub-unit. A pair of grounding plates 140 cover the two sub-units 131. Each grounding plate 140 is provided with a plurality of elastic fingers 142, which pass through the slits provided in the insulator and abut against the grounding terminal in the terminal 134. The insulating body 110 is formed with a docking cavity 114, which extends along the longitudinal direction and is used to accommodate the docking tongue plate 2241 of the terminal module 210 of the plug connector 200. A plurality of grooves 115 are formed in the body 110 to accommodate the terminals 134 one by one.

The two end walls 112 of the body 110 are provided with a pair of buckle grooves 119 for receiving the buckle fingers 223 of the subunit 220 of the plug connector. The matching ribs 118 are formed on the end walls 112, and they are fixed by matching with the matching openings 124 provided on the metal shell 120. The metal shell 120 is formed with a buckle space 122 for receiving the buckle member 290 of the plug connector. The buckle space 122 is provided with a pair of buckle holes 126 on one side thereof for buckling with the buckle protrusions 296 of the buckle member 290. The metal shell 120 is provided with a notch 127 for the buckle arm 295 of the corresponding buckle member to pass through, and the buckle hole 126 is located below the notch 127. The fixing portion 292 includes an inner plate 2921 and an outer plate 2922. The inner plate 2921 is fixed in the fixing seam 2821, and the outer plate 2922 is accommodated in the buckle space 122. The buckle arm 295 passes through the notch 127 and reaches the outer side of the metal shell 120. The buckle protrusion 296 enters the buckle hole 126.

FIG. 14 shows the second embodiment, which is mostly the same as the first embodiment, and the same components are labeled the same and will not be described in detail. In FIG. 14, a cross rib 2811 is connected above the opening 281, while in FIG. 3, there is no cross rib, and the opening 281 penetrates upward.

Figures 15 to 20 show the electrical connector assembly 20 of the third embodiment, in which the socket connector 300 is horizontally mounted on the circuit board, and the plug 400 is horizontally connected to the socket connector 300. The extension direction of the cable is parallel to the connection direction of the connector. The basic structure of the plug connector and the socket connector is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the main adaptive changes are made to the different extension directions.

The main body 310 is provided with a docking cavity 314 that penetrates forward. The docking cavity is a longitudinally extended structure with terminal grooves 312 on both sides. The two end arms of the main body are provided with locking grooves 319 that engage with the locking fingers of the plug connector.

The metal shell 320 covers the body 310. The metal shell 320 includes a buckle space 322 for accommodating the buckle 420 of the plug connector. The buckle protrusion 422 of the buckle is buckled into the buckle hole 326 provided on one side of the buckle space 322. The opening 324 provided in the metal shell is fixed to the protrusion 318 provided on the end wall of the body.

The rear end of the body is provided with a receiving cavity 316, which is connected to the docking cavity 314. Two grooves 311, 313 and a hole 317 are provided at the rear of the body, which are fixed to the protrusions 356, 359, 346 provided on the terminal module. The terminal module 330 includes two sub-units 340, 350 and a grounding unit 360 clamped between the two sub-units. The upper sub-unit 340 includes a plurality of terminals 344 and an insulator 342 integrally formed on the terminals, and the protrusions 346, 349 are formed on the insulator 342. The lower sub-unit 350 includes a plurality of terminals 354 and an insulator 352 integrally formed on the terminals, and the protrusion 356 is formed on the insulator 352. The rear end of the insulator 352 is provided with a recessed area 358. The grounding unit 360 includes a shielding plate 366 made of metal and injection molded on the insulator 362 of the grounding plate. The three units are assembled from top to bottom, and the rear end of the grounding unit is accommodated in the recessed area 358.

The plug connector 400 includes a pair of outer shells 410, 412 and a terminal module 430 located in the outer shell. The terminal module 430 includes a pair of sub-units 440 and a shielding plate 480 clamped between the sub-units. The structure of the sub-unit is roughly the same as that of the first embodiment and is not described in detail. The grounding member 470 is fixed to the sub-unit, which includes a spacer 470, which separates the cables, and the spacer is welded to the cross bar integrally connected to the grounding terminal. The grounding member is fixed to the column provided on the insulator of the sub-unit by the openings 474 at both ends. The cable 490 at the rear end includes a conductive core 492 located in the center and a shielding layer 494 surrounding the conductive core.

In summary, this invention meets the patent requirements, and a patent application is filed in accordance with the law. However, the above is only the preferred embodiment of this invention, and the scope of this invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Any equivalent modifications or changes made by people familiar with the art of this case based on the spirit of this invention should be included in the scope of the following patent application.

210: Terminal module

220: Subunit

231: Column

240: Grounding piece

241: Residual hole

242: Rear septum

244: Hole

247: Front spacer

Claims (10)

A plug connector includes a terminal module and a cable. The terminal module includes a pair of sub-units, each of which includes a row of terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction and an insulator for fixing the terminals. The terminals include differential pair terminals and grounding terminals. Each of the terminals includes a contact portion extending forward and a tail portion extending backward. The tail portion of the grounding terminal is integrally connected to a horizontal bar. The cable includes a conductive core welded to the tail portion of the differential pair terminal and a shielding layer mechanically and electrically connected to the horizontal bar. The plug connector further includes a pair of grounding members, each of which is fixed to a corresponding sub-unit. The grounding members include a plurality of front spacers and a plurality of rear spacers. The rear spacers are electrically connected to the shielding layer of the corresponding cable, and the front spacers are electrically connected to the tail portion of the corresponding grounding terminal to generate a plurality of grounding paths. A plug connector as described in claim 1, wherein the front spacer and the rear spacer are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A plug connector as described in claim 1, wherein the front partition and the rear partition are formed by stamping and bending the grounding member, and a residual hole is formed. A plug connector as described in claim 1, wherein the rear partition separates the shielding layers of the adjacent cables from each other, and the front partition separates the conductive cores of the adjacent cables. As described in claim 1, the insulator of each sub-unit is provided with a spacer rib, and the spacer rib separates the tails of the two adjacent differential pair terminals, and no spacer rib is provided between the connecting terminal and the tail of the differential pair terminal. A plug connector as described in claim 1, wherein the shielding layer is clamped between the cross bar and the corresponding grounding member. A plug connector as described in claim 1, wherein the plug connector includes a shell surrounding the terminal module and a shielding plate clamped between the two sub-units. A plug connector as described in claim 1, wherein the front baffle and the corresponding rear baffle are aligned with each other in the front-to-rear direction. As described in claim 1, the tail of the differential pair terminal is first integrally connected to the horizontal bar, and after the insulator is injection molded on the terminal, the tail of the differential pair terminal is cut off from the horizontal bar. As described in claim 1, the terminal module is provided with a docking tongue plate and locking fingers located on both sides of the docking tongue plate along the longitudinal direction, the contact portion of the terminal is arranged on the docking tongue plate, and the locking fingers and the docking tongue plate are separated from each other.

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