High speed card edge connector

A compact, high performance electrical connector with a smooth insertion loss profile over a broad range of operating frequencies. The electrical connector has a mating interface with a slot that may receive a mating component, such as a paddle card of a plug connector. Rows of terminals line opposing sides of the slots. Terminals in each of the rows may be held together by an insulative seat body shaped to receive on side of a lossy member. The lossy member may have extension parts extending towards selected ones of the terminals in the rows that act as ground terminals, such that the lossy member is electrically coupled to the ground terminals and electrically isolated from the signal terminals. The connector, even though compact, may be easily assembly by first forming terminal subassemblies comprising two rows of terminals and lossy member, and then inserting the terminal subassemblies into an insulative body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Taiwanese Patent Application Serial No. 107200079, filed Jan. 3, 2018, entitled “CONNECTOR WITH CONDUCTIVE PLASTIC MEMBERS”, as well as Taiwanese Patent Application Serial No. 106218121, filed Dec. 6, 2017, entitled “CONNECTOR WITH CONDUCTIVE PLASTIC MEMBERS ARRANGED IN INSULATION BODY.” The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to electrical interconnection systems and more specifically to compact electrical connectors.

Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. In general, various electronic devices (such as smart phones, tablet computers, desktop computers, notebook computers and digital cameras) have been provided with various types of connectors so that the electronic devices can exchange data with each other. Therefore, it can be seen that the connectors can be used for electrical connection and signal transmission between devices, between components and between systems, and are basic components needed to make a complete system.

It is generally easier and more cost effective to manufacture a system as separate electronic assemblies, such as printed circuit boards (“PCBs”), which may be joined together with electrical connectors. In some scenarios, the PCBs to be joined each have connectors mounted to them, which may be mated to directly interconnect the PCBs.

In other scenarios, the PCB's are connected through a cable. Connectors may nonetheless be used to make such connections. The cable may be terminated at least at one end with a plug connector. A PCB may be equipped with a receptacle connector into which the plug connector can be inserted, making connections between the PCB and the cable. A similar arrangement may be used at the other end of the cable, connecting the cable to another PCB, so that signals may pass between the printed circuit boards through the cable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present application, an electrical connector is provided, comprising a first insulative body. The first insulative body may comprise an accommodation space therein so as to provide a mating interface at a front side of the insulative body, and a terminal subassembly disposed within the insulative body. The terminal subassembly may comprise a second insulative body, a plurality of signal terminals fixed to the second insulative body with front ends thereof exposed within the accommodation space and rear ends passing through the second insulative body and extending from a rear end of the first insulative body, and a plurality of grounding terminals fixed to the second insulative body with front ends thereof exposed within the accommodation space and rear ends passing through the second insulative body and extending from the rear end of the first insulative body. The terminal subassembly may be provided with at least one conductive plastic member. The conductive plastic member may comprise extension parts extending towards the plurality of grounding terminals, and body portions between the extension parts set back from the plurality of signal terminals.

In some embodiments, the second insulative body may be a first seat body. The terminal subassembly may comprise the first seat body and a second seat body. One side of the first seat body may be recessed with a first assembly space. A corresponding side of the second seat body may be recessed with a second assembly space. The at least one conductive plastic member may be disposed between the first assembly space and the second assembly space.

In some embodiments, the plurality of extension parts may each extend in a protruding manner towards a corresponding grounding terminal of the plurality of grounding terminals and contact the corresponding grounding terminal.

In some embodiments, the plurality of signal terminals and the plurality of grounding terminals may be held by the first seat body and the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the first assembly space of the first seat body and the second assembly space of the second seat body may conform to the at least one conductive plastic member.

In some embodiments, the conductive plastic member may be insert molded in at least one of the first assembly space of the first seat body or the second assembly space of the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may be inserted in and engaged with the first seat body and the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may comprise a first conductive plastic member at least partially disposed within the first assembly space, and a second conductive plastic member at least partially disposed in the second assembly space, such that each of the first and second conductive plastic members therein contact one another between the first seat body and the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the electrical connector may further comprise a metal casing, the first insulative body being disposed in the metal casing.

In some embodiments, the plurality of signal terminals and the plurality of grounding terminals may each extend in a mating direction. Sides of the at least one conductive plastic member that are parallel to the mating direction may be entirely contained within the first or second insulative body.

In some embodiments, the first seat body may be positioned opposite the second seat body along a first direction. Sides of the at least one conductive plastic member that face in or opposite the first direction may be entirely contained within the terminal subassembly.

In some embodiments, all sides of the at least one conductive plastic member may be contained within the terminal subassembly.

In some embodiments, a first group of the plurality of extension parts of the at least one conductive plastic member may extend towards the first seat body. A second group of the plurality of extension parts of the at least one conductive plastic member may extend towards the second seat body. The first assembly space of the first seat body may comprise a plurality of openings each shaped to receive an extension part of the first group of the plurality of extension parts. The second assembly space of the second seat body may comprise a plurality of openings each shaped to receive an extension part of the second group of the plurality of extension parts.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may comprise a binder and a plurality of conductive particles held within the binder.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may comprise a plastic member comprising a plurality of surfaces and a coating of conductive material on at least a portion of the plurality of surfaces.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may have a bulk conductivity of between 10 Siemens/meter and about 200 Siemens/meter.

According to one aspect of the present application, an electrical connector is provided, comprising a first insulative body comprising an accommodation space therein so as to provide a mating interface at a front side of the first insulative body, a first terminal subassembly disposed within the first insulative body, and a second terminal subassembly disposed within the first insulative body. The first terminal subassembly may comprise a second insulative body, a plurality of signal terminals fixed to the second insulative body with front ends thereof exposed within the accommodation space, and rear ends passing through the second insulative body and extending from a rear end of the first insulative body, and a plurality of grounding terminals fixed to the second insulative body with front ends thereof exposed within the accommodation space and rear ends passing through the second insulative body and extending from the rear end of the first insulative body. The second terminal assembly may comprise at least one conductive plastic member comprising a portion of the first terminal subassembly with at least a portion thereof exposed outside the first terminal subassembly. The at least one conductive plastic member may comprise extension parts extending towards the plurality of grounding terminals and body portions between the extension parts set back from the plurality of signal terminals.

In some embodiments, the second insulative body may be a first seat body. The first terminal subassembly may comprise the first seat body and a second seat body. One side of the first seat body may be recessed with a first assembly space. A corresponding side of the second seat body may be recessed with a second assembly space. The at least one conductive plastic member may be disposed between the first assembly space and the second assembly space.

In some embodiments, the plurality of extension parts may extend in a protruding manner towards a corresponding grounding terminal of the plurality of grounding terminals and contact the corresponding grounding terminal.

In some embodiments, the first terminal subassembly may conform to the plurality of signal terminals and the plurality of grounding terminals.

In some embodiments, the first assembly space of the first seat body and the second assembly space of the second seat body may conform to the at least one conductive plastic member.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may be insert molded in at least one of the first assembly space of the first seat body or the second assembly space of the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may be inserted in and engaged with the first seat body and the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may comprise a first conductive plastic member disposed in the first assembly space and a second conductive plastic member disposed in the second assembly space such that the first and second conductive plastic members contact one another between the first seat body and the second seat body.

In some embodiments, the electrical connector may further comprise a metal casing, the insulative body being disposed in the metal casing.

In some embodiments, the insulative body may conform to the first terminal subassembly.

In some embodiments, the plurality of signal terminals and the plurality of grounding terminals may extend in a mating direction. A side of the at least one conductive plastic member facing opposite the mating direction may be entirely exposed outside the terminal subassembly.

In some embodiments, a first group of the plurality of extension parts of the at least one conductive plastic member may extend towards the first seat body. A second group of the plurality of extension parts of the at least one conductive plastic member may extend towards the second seat body. The first assembly space of the first seat body may comprise a plurality of openings each shaped to receive an extension part of the first group of the plurality of extension parts. The second assembly space of the second seat body may comprise a plurality of openings each shaped to receive an extension part of the second group of the plurality of extension parts.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may comprise a binder and a plurality of conductive particles held within the binder.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may comprise a plastic member comprising a plurality of surfaces and a coating of conductive material on at least a portion of the plurality of surfaces.

In some embodiments, the at least one conductive plastic member may have a bulk conductivity of between 10 Siemens/meter and about 200 Siemens/meter.

According to one aspect of the present application, an electrical connector is provided, comprising an insulative housing, a first row, a second row, and a lossy member. The insulative housing may comprise a back and a front with a slot. The slot may comprise a first side and second side. The first row may comprise a first plurality of terminals comprising signal terminals and ground terminals, the first plurality of terminals disposed along the first side of the slot. The second row may comprise a second plurality of terminals comprising signal terminals and ground terminals, the second plurality of terminals disposed along the second of the slot. The lossy member may comprise a plurality of extension portions and body portions therebetween. The extension portions may be electrically coupled to the ground terminals of the first plurality of terminals and the second plurality of terminals. The body portions of the lossy member may be aligned with and electrically isolated from the signal terminals. The body portions of the lossy member may be positioned between the slot and the back.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of terminals may be disposed in a repeating pattern of ground terminal, signal terminal, signal terminal.

According to one aspect of the present application, a method of manufacturing an electrical connector is provided. The method may comprise forming a terminal subassembly by molding a first seat body over a first row of terminals, the first seat body comprising at least one first assembly space adjacent a portion of the terminals in first row, molding a second seat body over a second row of terminals, the second seat body comprising at least one second assembly space adjacent a portion of the terminals in second row, positioning a lossy member between the first seat body and the second seat body with extension portions within the at least one first assembly space and the at least one second assembly space, and inserting the terminal subassembly into a cavity of a housing comprising a slot configured to receive a mating component, with the first row of terminals aligned with a first side of the slot and the second row of terminals aligned with a second side of the slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventors have recognized various challenges in producing electrical connectors, such as mated plug and receptacle connectors, with low insertion loss to pass signals between PCBs while occupying a small volume. Low insertion loss is desirable in that it facilitates signals traveling the full path between interconnected PCBs without significant impact on signal integrity. However, it is a challenge to design a connector that provides low insertion loss while meeting other requirements, such as occupying a small volume. For example, a connector having a small volume may have signal terminal pairs positioned in a high density configuration, which may cause high levels of cross-talk between adjacent signal terminal pairs. The high levels of cross-talk between adjacent signal terminal pairs may result in loss of signal energy to the adjacent signal terminal pairs. Additionally, insertion loss may be increased due to exciting undesired electromagnetic propagation modes in the connector.

To overcome these challenges, the inventors have developed an electrical connector including at least one conductive plastic member inside or on an insulative body of the connector which facilitate the connector having desirable electrical properties while also having a small volume. For example, the connector may include first and second sets of signal and ground terminals separated by one or more conductive plastic members, with the one or more conductive plastic members electrically coupled to the ground terminals. The one or more conductive plastic members may facilitate low insertion loss in the connector, for example by damping cross-talk signals between adjacent terminal pairs, and by damping undesired electromagnetic propagation modes, thus reducing resonances within the operating frequency range of the connector and reducing leakage of signal energy into adjacent signal pairs or such undesired modes. The one or more conductive members may be at least partially lossy in order to adequately increase signal integrity, but may not dissipate a substantial amount of signal energy, preserving low insertion loss in the connector. Thus, conductive plastic members may be included in a connector to achieve desirable electrical properties in the connector.

An additional challenge is manufacturing an electrical connector having a small volume with a high degree of precision and without damaging the connector. Connectors are often manufactured at high volume in an automated process having a limited degree of precision and applying forces which may damage small parts if not properly aligned.

Accordingly, the inventors have developed an electrical connector having one or more conductive plastic members which is more easily manufactured by providing specialized conductive plastic members configured for inserting within an electrical connector. For example, terminal subassemblies (e.g. for supporting signal and grounding terminals of the connector) may comprise spaces for receiving parts of the conductive plastic members. Accordingly, when the conductive plastic members are inserted into or mounted onto an insulative body of the connector, the conductive plastic members may be easily positioned and combined with the terminal subassemblies to align with and contact grounding terminals of the connector.

According to a first embodiment, a connector is provided with at least one conductive plastic member arranged in an insulative body, the connector comprising an insulative body, a terminal subassembly, with a plurality of signal terminals, a plurality of grounding terminals. The insulative body may have a mating interface at a front side thereof. The mating interface may include an accommodation space into which a mating component may be inserted. The terminal subassembly may include an insulative seat body. Signal terminals and grounding terminals may be held by the insulative seat body in the terminal subassembly. The terminal subassembly may be inserted into a cavity in the insulative body so as to assemble a connector1. When assembled, front ends of the signal terminals and the grounding terminals will be exposed in the accommodation space for contacting terminals of the mating component. The mating component, for example, may be a paddle card of a plug connector or a printed circuit board of other configuration. Rear ends of the signal terminals and the grounding terminals may pass through the terminal subassembly and extend from a rear end of the insulative body. The conductive plastic members can be arranged in the terminal subassembly, and can extend towards the grounding terminals while being insulated from the signal terminals, such that the connector can have a more stable performance during high-frequency and high-speed transmission.

In some embodiments, the terminal subassembly is assembled from a first seat body and a second seat body. Sides of the seat bodies facing each other are respectively recessed with an assembly space, so that the conductive plastic members can be accommodated in the assembly space, and thus, the conductive plastic members can more be conveniently inserted in the terminal subassembly, enabling the connector to be assembled with or without the conductive plastic members.

In some embodiments, the conductive plastic members are provided with a plurality of extension parts, with each of the extension parts extending towards the corresponding grounding terminal. The extension parts may be electrically coupled to the grounding terminals, such as by physically contact or with such a small separation that there is capacitive coupling. The body of the conductive plastic member may be separated, by at least the length of the extension parts, from the signal terminals such that the occurrence of a short circuit, caused by the signal terminals inadvertently touching the conductive plastic members, can be prevented.

According to a second embodiment a connector is provided with at least one conductive plastic member, the connector comprising an insulative body, a first terminal subassembly including a plurality of signal terminals and a plurality of grounding terminals, and a second terminal subassembly. Either or both of the terminal subassemblies may include a conductive plastic member(s). Components of the connector of the second embodiment may be similar to corresponding components of the connector of the first embodiment, with the first terminal subassembly of the second embodiment corresponding to the terminal subassembly of the first embodiment. The second terminal subassembly can include the conductive plastic member(s) attached to the first terminal subassembly, with at least a partial region thereof exposed outside the first terminal subassembly. The conductive plastic member(s) can extend towards the grounding terminals while being insulated from the signal terminals, so that the connector can have a more stable performance during high-frequency and high-speed transmission.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate an electrical connector according to a first embodiment with at least one conductive plastic member arranged in an insulative body. An electrical connector1comprises an insulative body11, a terminal subassembly12, a plurality of signal terminals13, a plurality of grounding terminals14, a metal casing15, and at least one conductive plastic member16. For convenience of explanation, an upper side ofFIG. 1is referred to as a front side location of an assembly, and a lower side ofFIG. 1is referred to as a back side location of the assembly. The front side is adapted to mate with another connector and the back side is adapted for mounting to a printed circuit board.

Conductive plastic member16(as well as at least one conductive plastic member26described in connection withFIG. 6) is an example of an electrically lossy member. An electrically lossy member may be molded from or include a lossy plastic material. Plastic materials that conduct, but with some loss, or plastic materials that absorb electromagnetic energy over the frequency range of interest are referred to herein generally as “lossy” materials. Electrically lossy material can be formed from plastic or other dielectric materials, such as those that have an electric loss tangent greater than approximately 0.05 in the frequency range of interest. The “electric loss tangent” is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex electrical permittivity of the material. Electrically lossy materials can also be formed from materials that are generally thought of as conductors, but are either relatively poor conductors over the frequency range of interest, contain conductive particles or regions that are sufficiently dispersed that they do not provide high conductivity or otherwise are prepared with properties that lead to a relatively weak bulk conductivity compared to a good conductor such as copper over the frequency range of interest.

Electrically lossy materials typically have a bulk conductivity of about 1 Siemen/meter to about 100,000 Siemens/meter and preferably about 1 Siemen/meter to about 10,000 Siemens/meter. In some embodiments material with a bulk conductivity of between about 10 Siemens/meter and about 200 Siemens/meter may be used. As a specific example, material with a conductivity of about 50 Siemens/meter may be used. However, it should be appreciated that the conductivity of the material may be selected empirically or through electrical simulation using known simulation tools to determine a suitable conductivity that provides both a suitably low crosstalk with a suitably low signal path attenuation or insertion loss.

Electrically lossy materials may be partially conductive materials, such as those that have a surface resistivity between 1 Ω/square and 100,000 Ω/square. In some embodiments, the electrically lossy material has a surface resistivity between 10 Ω/square and 1000 Ω/square. As a specific example, the material may have a surface resistivity of between about 20 Ω/square and 80 Ω/square.

In some embodiments, electrically lossy material is formed by adding to a binder a filler that contains conductive particles. In such an embodiment, a lossy member may be formed by molding or otherwise shaping the binder with filler into a desired form. Examples of conductive particles that may be used as a filler to form an electrically lossy material include carbon or graphite formed as fibers, flakes, nanoparticles, or other types of particles. Metal in the form of powder, flakes, fibers or other particles may also be used to provide suitable electrically lossy properties. Alternatively, combinations of fillers may be used. For example, metal plated carbon particles may be used. Silver and nickel are suitable metal plating for fibers. Coated particles may be used alone or in combination with other fillers, such as carbon flake. The binder or matrix may be any material that will set, cure, or can otherwise be used to position the filler material. In some embodiments, the binder may be a thermoplastic material traditionally used in the manufacture of electrical connectors to facilitate the molding of the electrically lossy material into the desired shapes and locations as part of the manufacture of the electrical connector. Examples of such materials include liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and nylon. However, many alternative forms of binder materials may be used. Curable materials, such as epoxies, may serve as a binder. Alternatively, materials such as thermosetting resins or adhesives may be used. Use of such materials enables the lossy material to be molded into a desired shape.

Also, while the above described binder materials may be used to create an electrically lossy material by forming a binder around conducting particle fillers, the application is not so limited. For example, conducting particles may be impregnated into a formed matrix material or may be coated onto a formed matrix material, such as by applying a conductive coating to a plastic component or a metal component. As used herein, the term “binder” encompasses a material that encapsulates the filler, is impregnated with the filler or otherwise serves as a substrate to hold the filler.

Preferably, the fillers will be present in a sufficient volume percentage to allow conducting paths to be created from particle to particle. For example, when metal fiber is used, the fiber may be present in about 3% to 40% by volume. The amount of filler may impact the conducting properties of the material.

Filled materials may be purchased commercially, such as materials sold under the trade name Celestran® by Celanese Corporation which can be filled with carbon fibers or stainless steel filaments. A lossy material, such as lossy conductive carbon filled adhesive preform, such as those sold by Techfilm of Billerica, Mass., US may also be used. This preform can include an epoxy binder filled with carbon fibers and/or other carbon particles. The binder surrounds carbon particles, which act as a reinforcement for the preform. Such a preform may be inserted in a connector to form a conductive plastic member. In some embodiments, the preform may adhere through the adhesive in the preform, which may be cured in a heat treating process. In some embodiments, the adhesive may take the form of a separate conductive or non-conductive adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the preform alternatively or additionally may be used to secure one or more conductive elements, such as foil strips, to the lossy material.

Various forms of reinforcing fiber, in woven or non-woven form, coated or non-coated may be used. Non-woven carbon fiber is one suitable material. Other suitable materials, such as custom blends as sold by RTP Company, can be employed, as the present invention is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, a conductive plastic member may be manufactured by stamping a preform or sheet of lossy plastic material. For example, an insert may be formed by stamping a preform as described above with an appropriate pattern of openings. However, other materials may be used instead of or in addition to such a preform. A sheet of ferromagnetic material, for example, may be used.

However, conductive plastic members also may be formed in other ways. In some embodiments, a conductive plastic member may be formed by interleaving layers of lossy and conductive material such as metal foil. These layers may be rigidly attached to one another, such as through the use of epoxy or other adhesive, or may be held together in any other suitable way. The layers may be of the desired shape before being secured to one another or may be stamped or otherwise shaped after they are held together.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in the first embodiment, the metal casing15is formed by bending a metal plate. Where the metal plate is bent into a frame shape, a space running through front and rear sides will be enclosed by the frame. The insulative body11can extend into the space and be fixed in metal casing15. In this configuration, the metal casing15may prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI), serve as a grounding route, and/or protect the insulative body11. The metal casing15may also form a portion of the latching structure that latches a plug connector to connector1. Snap fit holes may be provided in side walls of the metal casing15.

The insulative body11may have a mating interface110at a front side thereof and an accommodation space111therein. The mating interface110includes an accommodation space111. In the embodiment, two inner sides of accommodation space111, bounded by the insulative body11may include a plurality of terminal slots114that open into the accommodation space111. However, in some embodiments, the insulative body11may not include the terminal slots114.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2again, the terminal subassembly12is made with insulative portions and can be inserted into the insulative body11. The signal terminals13and the grounding terminals14are respectively fixed to the terminal subassembly12and are spaced apart from each other. The signal terminals13and the corresponding grounding terminals14can be respectively embedded in the terminal slots114. The front ends of signal terminals13and the grounding terminals14may be exposed in the accommodation space111(as shown inFIG. 1), so that when another connector (not shown in the figure) is inserted into the connector1, terminals of the other connector can extend into the accommodation space111and be electrically connected to the front ends of the corresponding signal terminals13and grounding terminals14. The rear ends of the signal terminals13and the grounding terminals14will pass through the terminal subassembly12and extend from a rear end of the insulative body11(as shown inFIG. 1) so that they can be attached to a circuit board (not shown in the figure), such as by soldering.

In the embodiment, with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the terminal subassembly12has a first seat body12A and a second seat body12B, each holding a row of terminals. The signal terminals13and the grounding terminals14can be respectively disposed on a first seat body12A and a second seat body12B. In the embodiment illustrated, two adjacent signal terminals13are arranged between two grounding terminals14according to actual requirements of the connector1, but the connector is not limited to such a terminal configuration. In some embodiments, the ground terminals may be structurally different than the signal terminals, such as by having portions that are wider than corresponding portions of the signal terminals. In other embodiments, the signal and ground terminals may have the same structure, but may be differentiated by position within a row, with pairs of terminals being signal pairs and adjacent terminals being ground terminals so as to create a repeating pattern of terminals, such as Ground-Signal-Signal. Alternatively or additionally ground terminals and signal terminals may be differentiated by manner of mounting in a terminal subassembly, such as by proximity to a lossy member or configuration of insulative material adjacent to the terminal.

One side of the first seat body12A may be recessed with a first assembly space121, and a corresponding side of the second seat body12B may be recessed with a second assembly space122. The conductive plastic member(s)16can be accommodated between the first assembly space121and the second assembly space122, such that when the first seat body12A is integrated with the second seat body12B, the conductive plastic member(s)16can be fixed in the terminal subassembly12. However, in accordance with other embodiments, the terminal subassembly12can include a single insulative seat body or three or more seat bodies according to production or design requirements.

Additionally, in the embodiment, with reference toFIG. 2, the first seat body12A and the second seat body12B can be molded onto the signal terminals13and the grounding terminals14in an injection molding manner. In addition, because the first seat body12A and the second seat body12B have the same style, the first seat body12A and the second seat body12B can be manufactured using the same set of molds, so as to save the production cost.

The conductive plastic member(s)16may be fixed onto the terminal subassembly12in the following manners:

(1) the conductive plastic member(s)16can be first molded in the first assembly space121of the first seat body12A in an injection molding manner, and then portions of the conductive plastic member(s)16beyond the first assembly space121(as shown inFIG. 4) can be assembled into the second assembly space122of the second seat body12B;

(2) the conductive plastic member(s)16can be separate assemblies, and the separate conductive plastic member(s)16can be engaged into the corresponding assembly spaces121and122of the first seat body12A and the second seat body12B by means of a machine or in a manual manner; or

(3) Multiple conductive plastic members16can be respectively molded in the corresponding assembly spaces121and122of the first seat body12A and the second seat body12B (e.g., two conductive plastic members16) in an injection molding manner, and then, the first seat body12A may be combined with the second seat body12B so that the conductive plastic members16contact one another between the first seat body12A and the second seat body12B.

Referring toFIGS. 2, 3 and 5, in the first embodiment, the conductive plastic member(s)16include a plurality of extension parts161each extending in a protruding manner, toward the direction of a corresponding ground terminal14and couples to the grounding terminals14(as shown inFIGS. 3 and 5) while being insulated from the signal terminals13, so as to avoid a short circuit condition. As can be seen, the conductive plastic member16includes body portions19between the extension parts161separated from the signal terminals13by at least the length of the extension parts161, so as to provide very little coupling between signal terminals13and conductive plastic member16. In contrast, the extension parts161extend towards ground terminals14, so as to physically contact them or to be so close to them that they are electrically coupled to them via capacitive coupling.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate an electrical connector2according to a second embodiment with at least one conductive plastic member. The electrical connector2comprises an insulative body21, a first terminal subassembly22including a plurality of signal terminals23and a plurality of grounding terminals24, a second terminal subassembly28including at least one conductive plastic member26, and a metal casing25. For convenience of explanation, an upper side ofFIG. 6is used as a front side location of an assembly, and a lower side ofFIG. 6is used as a back side location of the assembly.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, in the second embodiment, the insulative body21and metal casing25may be similar to as described in the first embodiment so as to include a mating interface210at a front side thereof and an accommodation space211therein, with the accommodation space211and the mating interface210in communication with each other. In the second embodiment, two inner sides corresponding to the insulative body21are respectively provided with a plurality of terminal slots214, and the mating interface210and the terminal slots214are also in communication with the accommodation space211. In some embodiments, the insulative body21can also be provided without the terminal slots214.

With reference toFIGS. 6 and 7again, the first terminal subassembly22is similar to the terminal assembly12of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, the first terminal subassembly22is assembled by a first seat body22A and a second seat body22B, and the signal terminals23and the grounding terminals24can be respectively disposed on a first seat body22A and a second seat body22B, and two adjacent signal terminals23can be arranged between two grounding terminals24according to actual requirements of the connector2, but not limited thereto.

One side of the first seat body22A may be recessed with a first assembly space221, and a corresponding side of the second seat body22B may be recessed with a second assembly space222. The conductive plastic member(s)26can be accommodated between the first assembly space221and the second assembly space222, such that a side of the conductive plastic member(s)26can be exposed outside the first terminal assembly22, and thus, when the first seat body22A is integrated with the second seat body22B, the conductive plastic member(s)26can be fixed with the first terminal subassembly22. However, in some embodiments, the first terminal subassembly22can be composed of a single assembly or more than three assemblies. Both the first terminal subassembly22and the insulative body21can be integrally molded to shorten the production process, while maintaining the described relationship among the signal terminals23, the grounding terminals24, and the conductive plastic member(s)26with respect to the insulative body21.

Additionally, in the embodiment, with reference toFIG. 7, the first seat body22A and the second seat body22B can be molded onto the signal terminals23and the grounding terminals24in an injection molding manner. In addition, since the first seat body22A and the second seat body22B have the same style, the first seat body22A and the second seat body22B can be manufactured using the same set of molds, so as to save the production cost. The conductive plastic member(s)26may be fixed onto the first terminal subassembly22in the following manners:

(1) the conductive plastic member(s)26can be first molded in the first assembly space221of the first seat body22A in an injection molding manner, and then portions of the conductive plastic member(s)26beyond the first assembly space221(as shown inFIG. 9) can be entirely or partially assembled into the second assembly space222of the second seat body22B;

(2) the conductive plastic members26can be separate assemblies, and the conductive plastic members26can be engaged into the corresponding assembly spaces221and222of the first seat body22A and the second seat body22B by means of a machine or in a manual manner; or

(3) multiple conductive plastic members26can be respectively molded in the corresponding assembly spaces221and222of the first seat body22A and the second seat body22B (e.g., two conductive plastic members26) in an injection molding manner, and then, the first seat body22A may be combined with the second seat body22B so that the conductive plastic members26in the first seat body22A and the second seat body22B can abut against one another integrally.

With reference toFIGS. 7, 8 and 10, in the second embodiment, the periphery of the conductive plastic member(s)26is provided with a plurality of extension parts261in a protruding manner, and each of the extension parts261extends toward the direction of the corresponding ground terminal24and only abuts against each of the grounding terminals24(as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10) without touching each of the signal terminals23, so as to avoid a short circuit condition. As can be seen, the body of the conductive plastic member(s)26between the extension parts261are separated from the signal terminals23by at least the length of the extension parts261, so as to provide very small coupling between signal terminals23and conductive plastic member(s)26. In contrast, the extension parts261are positioned to abut ground terminals24, so as to physically contact them or to be so close to them that they are electrically coupled to them via capacitive coupling.

Referring toFIG. 10, the ground terminals may be structurally different than the signal terminals, such as by having portions that are wider than corresponding portions of the signal terminals. For example, portions of the grounding terminals24adjacent the extension parts261of the conductive plastic member(s)26may be substantially wider than portions of the signal terminals23adjacent body portions29of the conductive plastic member(s). The portions of the grounding terminals24may be wider than other portions of the grounding terminals24. The portions of the signal terminals23may be substantially narrower than other portions of the signal terminals23.

In other embodiments, the signal and ground terminals may have the same structure, but may be differentiated by position within a row, with pairs of terminals being signal pairs and adjacent terminals being ground terminals so as to create a repeating pattern of terminals, such as Ground-Signal-Signal. Alternatively or additionally ground terminals and signal terminals may be differentiated by manner of mounting in a terminal subassembly, such as by proximity to a lossy member or configuration of insulative material adjacent to the terminal.

FIG. 11, shows comparative insertion loss for the connector1or2and a conventional connector (e.g., without conductive plastic members). As can be seen in the figure, at frequencies of M1and M2, transmission of signals through the conventional connector is not ideal, with an increase in insertion loss that interfere with signal propagation. By providing conductive plastic member(s)26as described herein, the connector1or2avoids such increases in insertion loss at frequencies over the operating frequency range of the connector. As a result, the connector has a more stable performance during high-frequency and high-speed transmission as compared with the conventional connector (e.g., without conductive plastic members), so as to meet the user requirements of a user. The overall volume of the connector1or2has not been excessively increased, as the conductive plastic member may be integrated into insulative body of the connector without requiring additional space in a direction perpendicular to the slot forming the accommodation space.

Having thus described several aspects various embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

For example, instead of or in addition to lossy materials formed of conductors in a binder, materials that are electrically lossy because they absorb magnetic energy may be used in some embodiments.

For example, the structure of the conductive plastic members16and/or26may vary according to the actual shape of the terminal subassembly12or22. Therefore, the conductive plastic members16and26may differ from as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 10. The conductive plastic members26may still be located in the terminal subassembly12or22, and at least a partial region thereof may be exposed outside the terminal subassembly12or22, and may contact the grounding terminals14or24and not contact the signal terminals13or23.

For example, the number of terminal subassemblies may be greater or less than as described herein.

For example, connectors1and2may not include the metal casing15or25, or the metal casing15or25may be integrated with an outer casing or another mechanism of a product. Such structures equivalent to the metal casing15or25may be included.

Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Further, though advantages of the present disclosure are indicated, it should be appreciated that not every embodiment will include every described advantage. Some embodiments may not implement any features described as advantageous herein and in some instances. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.