Abstract:
An electrical connector includes an insulator defining an interior space for receiving therein a pin module formed by embedding conductive pins on an insert. Retention members are provided in the interior space between the insulator and the pin module including a first bound to limit the movement of the pin module in a first direction and a second bound to limit the movement of the pin module in an opposite second direction thereby effectively retaining the pin module in the insulator. The modularization of the pins received in the insulator allows the pins to be assembled into the insulator much more efficiently while the retention members effectively prevent the pin module from separating from the insulator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector, and in particular to a ready-to-assemble firm structure of the electrical connector. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical connectors are widely used to establish electrical and signal connection between two devices, such as two telecommunication devices. With the development of high frequency transmission technology, the number of the contact points in an electrical connector has been significantly increased which enhances the data transmission capability of the connector; however, the manufacture thereof becomes more complicated. An increase in the number of pins within a limited space is a difficult obstacle for the connector manufacturers to overcome because the pitch of the pins is reduced thereby increasing the likelihood that the pins will accidentally contact each other. 
     Conventional multiple contact point connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,294 and Taiwan Patent Application No. 85100751. The Taiwan patent teaches to stack the pins in rows and form a modularized component which is then secured to an insulator by means of retention means. Such a structure increases the assembly efficiency of the connector, but the retention means may not be effective in securing the modularized pin component to the insulator whereby the pins may be moved out of and even detached from the insulator during connection/disconnection of the connector to/from a mating connector. A conventional connector structure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The conventional connector comprises a stack of pin modules  50  fixed together by means of a tapered section  52  extending in the direction of the stack. The pin module  50  forms a conic configuration  54  on a lateral side thereof for forming an interferential fit between the pin module  50  and an insulator. However, the conic configuration  54  extends in the same direction as a force applied thereto for connecting the connector to a mating connector whereby an increase in the number of contact engagements between the connector and the mating connector causes the pin module  50  to gradually disengage from the insulator. 
     Furthermore, in multiple contact point connectors, each pin has a mounting section for being mounted to a circuit board. To prevent unexpected contact from occurring between the mounting sections of two adjacent pins, a spacer is usually provided, for receiving the mounting sections of the pins in holes defined therein. Such a spacer is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 81210871 and 84207642 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,853. With the increase in the number of the pins, it becomes difficult to simultaneously insert the mounting sections of the pins into the holes of the spacer. To overcome such a problem, an additional jig is used. This increases costs and is not effective in enhancing assembly efficiency. 
     It is thus desirable to provide an improved electrical connector structure which simplifies the assembly thereof while providing a firm construction so as to overcome the disadvantages encountered in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector structure having pin modules securely fixed therein whereby the likelihood of detachment of the pin module from an insulator of the connector is remarkably reduced thereby providing stable data and signal transmission. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector having a structure which facilitates assembly and has a firm construction thereby ensuring the quality of the connector. 
     To achieve the above objects, an electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises an insulator defining an interior space for receiving a pin module therein. The pin module is formed by embedding conductive pins in an insert for reception in the interior space of the insulator. Retention members are provided in the interior space between the insulator and the pin module. Each retention member includes a first bound for limiting movement of the pin module in a first direction and a second bound for limiting movement of the pin module in an opposite second direction thereby effectively retaining the pin module in the insulator. The modularization of the pins facilitates efficient assembly thereof into the insulator while the retention members effectively prevent the pin module from separating therefrom. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a connection system comprises a plug-type connector and a socket-type connector matingly engaged with each other wherein both have the structure described above. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a pin module of the connector shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a plug-type connector constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an insulator of the plug-type connector of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first insert plate of the plug-type connector of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second insert plate of the plug-type connector of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first insert plate mounted to a spacer; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first and second insert plates mounted to the spacer; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 8 mounted to the insulator; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shielding shell mounted to the sub-assembly of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a socket-type connector constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an insulator of the socket-type connector of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a first insert plate mounted to the insulator of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a second insert plate mounted to the insulator; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the insulator of the socket-type connector and a grounding plate to be mounted thereto; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is an assembled view of FIG. 11; and 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a connection system in accordance with the present invention wherein the plug-type connector is matingly engaged with the socket-type connector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings and initially to FIG. 18, wherein a connection system  1  comprising a plug-type connector  2  and a socket-type connector  3  engaged therewith, both constructed in accordance with the present invention, are shown. 
     With particular reference to FIG. 3, the plug-type connector  2  comprises an insulator  20  forming an elongate body made of dielectric material, having a first side face  201  for engaging with the socket-type connector  3  and a second side face  202  opposite the first side face  201 . A slot  203  is defined in the insulator  20  between the first side face  201  and the second side face  202  for receiving therein a first insert plate  21  and a second insert plate  22  which serve as “plugs” to be inserted into the mating socket-type connector  3 . 
     The insulator  20  integrally forms a mounting block  204  on each distal end thereof. A space  205  is defined between the two mounting blocks  204  and the second side face  202  of the insulator  20  for accommodating a spacer  23  therein. Each of the mounting blocks  204  defines a bore  2041  between the first and second side faces  201 ,  202  and a notch  2042  in the second side face  202  for respectively receiving therein a fastener  251  and an anchoring ring  252  having two elastically deformable legs (not labeled). The fastener  251  and the anchoring ring  252  together constitute securing means  25  of the insulator  20 . 
     Further referring to FIG. 4, the insulator  20  comprises first retention means for retaining the insert plates  21 ,  22  in the slot  203  of the insulator  20 . The first retention means comprises at least one dovetailed projection  270  formed on opposite inner surfaces of the slot  203  proximate the first side face  201  of the insulator  20 . Each dovetailed projection  270  engages with a complementary notch  210 ,  220  (FIGS. 3 and 6) defined in the corresponding insert plate  21 ,  22  for preventing the insert plates  21 ,  22  from being driven toward the second side face  202  by the socket-type connector  3  during engagement with the plug-type connector  2 . Each of the inner surfaces of the slot  203  defines a plurality of positioning recesses  271  proximate the second side face  202 . The positioning recesses  271  on each inner surface of the slot  203  respectively receive complementary projections  211 ,  221  (FIGS. 3 and 6) formed on the first and second insert plates  21 ,  22  thereby preventing the insert plates  21 ,  22  from moving out of the insulator  20  from the first side face  201  thereof. The projections  211 ,  221  and the corresponding recesses  271  both have a rectangular configuration. The positioning recesses  271  cooperate with the dovetailed projections  270  to retain the insert plates  21 ,  22  in position within the slot  203 . In the embodiment illustrated, each inner surface of the slot  203  forms one dovetailed projection  270  and four positioning recesses  271 . 
     The insert plates  21 ,  22  each include a plurality of conductive pins  28  assembled therewith in a spaced manner, preferably equally spaced. The insert plates  21 ,  22  define grooves (not labeled) on both sides thereof for receiving and retaining the pins  28  therein. 
     Each of the pins  28  has an engaging section  281  and a mounting section  282 . The engaging section  281  is received in the corresponding groove of the insert plates  21 ,  22  and located in the slot  203  while the mounting section  282  extends beyond the second side face  202  of the insulator  20  for being surface mounted to a printed circuit board (not shown). 
     Simultaneously referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the first insert plate  21  defines a plurality of positioning holes  212  in a surface opposite the surface which forms the projections  211 . Bosses  222  formed on the second insert plate  22  are received in the positioning holes  212  thereby maintaining a positional relationship between the insert plates  21 ,  22 . 
     Also referring to FIG. 6, the notch  220  and the positioning projections  221  are formed on a surface of the second insert plate  22  facing away from the first insert plate  21  and the bosses  222  (FIG. 3) are arranged on an opposite surface thereof. Thus, the notches  210 ,  220  and the positioning projections  211 ,  221  of the insert plates  21 ,  22  face the inner surfaces of the slot  203  of the insulator  20  to respectively engage with the dovetailed projections  270  and the positioning recesses  271  formed on the inner surfaces of the slot  203 . 
     A grounding plate  26  defining through holes  261  therein is interposed between the insert plates  21 ,  22  wherein the bosses  222  of the second insert plate  22  extend through the through holes  261  of the grounding plate  26  for reception in the positioning holes  212  of the first insert plate  21 . 
     The spacer  23  comprises a body (not labeled) received in the space  205  of the insulator  20  and defining a plurality of holes  231  therein for retaining the mounting sections  282  of the pins  28 . The spacer  23  forms two positioning pins  232  near distal ends thereof for positioning the connector  2  on a printed circuit board. The spacer  23  also forms barbs  233  for engaging with corresponding shoulders  2021  formed on the mounting blocks  204  proximate the second side face  202  of the insulator  20  thereby fixing the spacer  23  thereto. 
     A shielding shell  24  is fixed to the first side face  201  of the insulator  20 . The shell  24  forms a D-shaped bracket  240  for engaging with a raised section (not labeled) formed on the first side face  201  of the insulator  20  around the slot  203 . A plurality of projections  2401  are formed on the bracket  240  for interferentially engaging with the raised section of the insulator  20  thereby fixing the shell  24  thereto. The shell  24  forms two end extensions (not labeled) each defining a bore  241  therein for receiving the fastener  251  which is also received in the bore  2041  of each of the mounting blocks  204  of the insulator  20  thereby securing the shielding shell  24  to the insulator  20 . 
     FIGS. 7-10 show different steps of assembling the plug-type connector  2 . The first insert plate  21  forms a unitary member together with the pins  28  mounted therein whereby the mounting sections  282  of the pins  28  are inserted into the corresponding holes  231  of the spacer  23  (FIG.  7 ). 
     The second insert plate  22  is then mounted to the first insert plate  21  by inserting the bosses  222  of the second insert plate  22  into the positioning holes  212  of the first insert plate  21  whereby the grounding plate  26  is interposed therebetween and the mounting sections  282  of the pins  28  of the second insert plate  22  are received in the corresponding holes  231  on the spacer  23  (FIG.  8 ). Since the pins  28  are located on each of the insert plates  21 ,  22  and mounted within the holes  231  of the spacer  23  in two separate “batches”, the spacing between the pins  28  can be readily maintained thereby facilitating alignment of the pins  28  with respect to the holes  231  of the spacer  23 . 
     The sub-assembly comprising the insert plates  21 ,  22  and the spacer  23  is then assembled to the insulator  20  by inserting the insert plates  21 ,  22  into the slot  203  of the insulator  20  whereby the notches  210 ,  220  and the positioning projections  211 ,  221  of the insert plates  21 ,  22  engage with the dovetailed projections  270  and positioning recesses  271 , respectively. The barbs  233  of the spacer  23  then engage with the corresponding shoulders  2021  of the insulator  20  to securely fix the subassembly to the insulator  20  as shown in FIG.  9 . The insert plates  21 ,  22  are sized to each have a portion thereof extending beyond the first side face  201  of the insulator  20 . 
     Thereafter, the shielding shell  24  is assembled to the raised section of the insulator  20  and thus mounted to the first side face  201  thereof to shield the portions of the insert plates  21 ,  22  extending beyond the insulator  20  (FIG.  10 ). The shell  24  is then secured to the insulator  20  by extending the fasteners  251  through the bores  241  of the shell  24  and the bores  2041  of the mounting blocks  204  of the insulator  20 . 
     The above description reveals that the pins  28  are assembled to the insert plates  21 ,  22  thereby forming modularized components which are then received in and secured to the insulator  20  by the first retention means comprising the dovetailed projections  270  and the positioning recesses  271  formed on inner surfaces of the slot  203  of the insulator  20 . The dovetailed projections  270  (cooperating with the notches  210 ,  220  of the insert plates  21 ,  22 ) and the positioning recesses  270  (cooperating with the positioning projections  210 ,  220  of the insert plates  21 ,  22 ) retain the insert plates  21 ,  22  and thus the pins  28  assembled thereto in position during the engaging/disengaging process between the plug-type connector  2  and the socket-type connector  3 . 
     Referring to FIG. 11, the socket-type connector  3  comprises an insulator  30  forming an elongate body (not labeled) made of dielectric material, having a first side face  301  forming a raised coupling section  300  for matingly engaging with the shielding shell  24  of the plug-type connector  2  and a second side face  302  opposite the first side face  301 . Two slots  303 , serving as “sockets” corresponding to and engageable with the “lugs” formed by the insert plates  21 ,  22  of the plug-type connector  2 , are defined in the insulator  30  from the coupling section  300  on the first side face  301  to the second side face  302 . Each of the slots  303  has two opposite inner surfaces defining a plurality of spaced pin receiving channels  3001  for receiving a corresponding conductive pin  38  therein whereby when the plug-type connector  2  and the socket-type connector  3  are mated with each other, the pins  28  of the plug-type connector  2  engage with the pins  38  of the socket-type connector  3  and an electrical connection is established therebetween. Thus, the pins  38  are arranged in four rows and each of the slots  303  has two rows of pins  38  disposed therein. 
     Also referring to FIG. 12, the insulator  30  defines an elongate notch  3021  in the second side face  302  whereby one of the two rows of the pin receiving channels  3001  of each of the two slots  303  is received in the notch  3021 . The remaining one of the two rows of pin receiving channels  3001  of each of the two slots  303  is received in the portion of the second side face  302  above or below the notch  3021 . The notch  3021  forms a plurality of retaining members  370  on opposite inner surfaces thereof. Each retaining member  370  defines a step-like configuration. 
     The insulator  30  integrally forms a mounting block  304  at each distal end thereof. A space  305  is defined between the two mounting blocks  304  and the second side face  302  of the insulator  30  for accommodating a spacer  33  therein. Each of the mounting blocks  304  defines a bore  3041  between the first side face  301  and the second side face  302  and a notch  3042  in the second side face  302  for respectively receiving a fastener  351  comprising two separate but connectable members and an anchoring ring  352  having two elastically deformable legs. The fastener  351  and the anchoring ring  352  together constitute securing means  35  of the insulator  30 . 
     A first insert plate  31  and a second insert plate  32  are respectively received in the two slots  303  of the insulator  30 . Each insert plate  31 ,  32  defines a plurality of pin receiving channels  310 ,  320  therein for retaining the pins  38  received in the notch  3021  of the insulator  30 . 
     Each of the pins  38  has an engaging section  381  and a mounting section  382 . The engaging section  381  is arranged in the slots  303  while the mounting section  382  extends beyond the second side face  302  of the insulator  30  for surface mounting to a printed circuit board (not shown). The engaging sections  381  of the pins  38  are retained in the pin receiving channels  3001  defined in inner surfaces of the slots  303 . A portion of the pins  38  that are received in the notch  3021  of the insulator  30  is received and fixed in the pin receiving channels  310 ,  320  of the insert plates  31 , 32 . 
     The connector  3  comprises second retention means for retaining the insert plates  31 ,  32  in the slots  303  of the insulator  30 . The second retention means comprises four projections  311 ,  321  formed on one surface of each of the insert plates  31 ,  32  facing away from each other. Each projection  311 ,  321  defines a step-like configuration. The projections  311 ,  321  engage the step-like retaining members  370  in the notch  3021 , as shown in FIG. 16, thereby preventing the insert plates  31 ,  32  from moving out of the insulator  30  from the second side face  302 . 
     As shown in FIG. 13, the second insert plate  32  forms an inner edge B for engaging with an inner face A of the notch  3021  of the insulator  30  thereby preventing the second insert plate  32  from moving out of the insulator  30  from the first side face  301 . 
     Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14, the first insert plate  31  forms an inner edge B 1  for engaging with an inner face Al of the notch  3021  thereby preventing the first insert plate  31  from moving out of the insulator  30  from the first side face  301 . 
     The coupling section  300  of the insulator  30  comprises a slit  306  (FIG. 12) defined between the two slots  303  for receiving a grounding plate  36  therein as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The grounding plate  36  defines a plurality of notches  360  for engaging with support connections formed in the slit  306  thereby retaining the grounding plate  36  in the slit  306 . The grounding plate  36  forms two L-shaped resilient arms  361  extending from opposite distal ends thereof. Referring to FIG. 17, when the grounding plate  36  is received in the slit  306  the arms  361  extend slightly beyond the slit  306  thereby engaging with the shell  34  and establishing electrical connection therewith for providing a better shielding effect. 
     Similar to the plug-type connector  2 , the spacer  33  of the socket-type connector  3  is accommodated in the space  305  defined between the two mounting blocks  304  of the insulator  30 . The spacer  33  defines a plurality of holes for receiving and retaining the mounting sections  382  of the corresponding pins  38  therein. The spacer  23  forms barbs for engaging with corresponding shoulders provided on the mounting blocks  304  proximate the second side face  301  of the insulator  30  thereby fixing the spacer  33  thereto. 
     A shielding shell  34  is fixed to the first side face  301  of the insulator  30 . The shell  34  interferentially engages with and encloses the coupling section  300  of the insulator  30 . The shielding shell  34  forms two end extensions (not labeled) each defining a bore therethrough for receiving the fastener  351  received in the bore  3041  of each of the mounting blocks  304  of the insulator  30  thereby securing the shielding shell  34  thereto. The shell  34  forms a plurality of holed side lugs (not labeled) for engaging with projections (not labeled) formed on the insulator  30  for securing the shell  34  thereto. 
     The socket-type connector  3  is assembled by sequentially inserting the second and first insert plates  32 ,  31  into the notch  3021  of the insulator  30  whereby the engaging sections  381  of the pins  38  fixed to the insert plates  31 ,  32  are received in the corresponding pin receiving channels  3001  in the slots  303 . The insert plates  31 ,  32  are retained in position by means of the engagement between the projections  311 ,  321  of the insert plates  31 ,  32  and the retaining members  370  formed in the notch  3021  of the insulator  30 , and the engagement between the inner edges B 1 , B of the insert plates  31 ,  32  and the inner faces A 1 , A of the notch  3021  of the insulator  30 , as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. 
     The remaining pins  38  are then inserted into the respective pin receiving channels  3001  from the second side face  302  of the insulator  30  with the aid of additional jigs (not shown). The grounding plate  36  is then inserted into the slit  306  as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Thereafter, the shielding shell  34  is assembled around the coupling section  300  as shown in FIG.  17 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the above detailed description. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.