Electrical receptacle connector

An electrical receptacle connector includes a first insulated member and a second insulated member that are received in a metallic shell. First receptacle terminals are second receptacle terminals are respectively held in the first insulated member and the second insulated member. The first receptacle terminals include first tail portions, the second receptacle terminals include second tail portions, and the first tail portions and the second tail portions are aligned with each other by an offset. Therefore, the soldering condition between the second tail portions and contacts of a circuit board can be checked.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 201510476359.0 filed in China, P.R.C. on Aug. 6, 2015 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant disclosure relates to an electrical connector, and more particular to an electrical receptacle connector.

BACKGROUND

Generally, Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to the PC architecture with a focus on computer interface, consumer and productivity applications. The existing Universal Serial Bus (USB) interconnects have the attributes of plug-and-play and ease of use by end users. Now, as technology innovation marches forward, new kinds of devices, media formats and large inexpensive storage are converging. They require significantly more bus bandwidth to maintain the interactive experience that users have come to expect. In addition, the demand of a higher performance between the PC and the sophisticated peripheral is increasing. The transmission rate of USB 2.0 is insufficient. As a consequence, faster serial bus interfaces such as USB 3.0, are developed, which may provide a higher transmission rate so as to satisfy the need of a variety devices.

The appearance, the structure, the contact ways of terminals, the number of terminals, the pitches between terminals (the distances between the terminals), and the pin assignment of terminals of a conventional USB type-C electrical connector are totally different from those of a conventional USB electrical connector. A conventional USB type-C electrical receptacle connector includes a plastic core, upper and lower receptacle terminals held on the plastic core, and an outer iron shell circularly enclosing the plastic core. A rear cover plate is extending from the outer iron shell to be at the rear of the entire Type-C connector and to cover the rear of the plastic core. The rear cover plate is for shielding the electromagnetic waves generated by the receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, after the conventional USB type-C electrical connector is soldered on a circuit board, the legs of the receptacle terminals (for example, in SMT (surface Mount Technology) types), are approximately located at a bottom of the middle portion of the plastic core and soldered with the circuit board. Therefore, the contact regions between the legs and contacts of the circuit board cannot be checked. As a result, when soldering spots are not applied to the legs and the contacts of the circuit board properly, for example, if legs and the contacts of the circuit board are not firmly in contact with each other, or if the soldering spots between the legs are merged together to cause short circuit, the operator has to remove the solders and redo the soldering procedure. Therefore, how to solve the aforementioned problem is an issue.

In view of this, an embodiment of the instant disclosure provides an electrical receptacle connector. The electrical receptacle connector comprises a metallic shell, a first terminal module, and a second terminal module. The metallic shell comprises a shell body and a receptacle cavity formed in the shell body. The first terminal module is received in the receptacle cavity. The first terminal module comprises a first insulated member and a plurality of first receptacle terminals. The first insulated member comprises a first assembling portion and a plurality of observing windows. The first assembling portion is located at a bottom of a rear of the first insulated member. The first receptacle terminals are held at the first insulated member, and the first receptacle terminals comprise a plurality first tail portions extending from the rear of the first insulated member and located on the first assembling portion. The observing windows are formed on the bottom of the rear of the first insulated member and near to two sides of the first tail portions, respectively. The second terminal module is received in the receptacle cavity and combined with the first terminal module. The second terminal module comprises a second insulated member and a plurality of second receptacle terminals. The second insulated member comprises a second assembling portion. The second assembling portion is located at a bottom of a rear of the second insulated member and aligned in front of the first assembling portion. The second receptacle terminals are held at the second insulated member, and the second receptacle terminals comprise a plurality of second tail portions extending from the rear of the second insulated member and located on the second assembling portion. The second tail portions are aligned with the first tail portions by an offset. Positions of the second tail portions correspond to positions of the observing windows.

In one embodiment, a width of a hollowed region of each of the observing windows is greater than a width of each of the second tail portions.

In one embodiment, the electrical receptacle connector further comprises a circuit board, a first gap, and a second gap. The circuit board comprises a plurality of contacts. The first tail portions and the second tail portions are SMT legs and in contact with the contacts, respectively. The first gap is formed between a bottom surface of the rear of the first insulated member and a surface of the circuit board, and a height of the first gap is greater than a height from a bottom surface to a top surface of each of the first tail portions. The second gap is formed between a bottom surface of the rear of the second insulated member and the surface of the circuit board, and a height of the second gap is greater than a height form a bottom surface to a top surface of each of the second tail portions.

In one embodiment, the first terminal module further comprises a rear block extending outward from the rear of the first insulated member and covering the second tail portions, and the first assembling portion is formed on a bottom of the rear block.

In one embodiment, the first terminal module further comprises a through hole formed through the rear block and corresponding to the second tail portions.

In one embodiment, the metallic shell comprises a rear cover plate extending from a rear of the shell body. The rear cover plate comprises a baffle plate and hole formed on a surface of the baffle plate for seeing, along with the through hole, the second tail portions.

In one embodiment, each of the second receptacle terminals comprises a second body portion and a second bending portion. The second body portion is held in the second insulated member, and each of the second bending portions is extending between the corresponding second body portion and the corresponding second tail portion.

In one embodiment, the first receptacle terminals are at an upper surface of the second insulated member, and the second receptacle terminals are at a lower surface of the second insulated member. The first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals have 180 degree symmetrical design with respect to a central point of the receptacle cavity as the symmetrical center.

Based on the above, the tail portions of the first receptacle terminals are aligned with the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals by an offset, so that the soldering condition between the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals and the contacts of the circuit board can be checked through the observing windows and the spaces between the tail portions of the first receptacle terminals. Accordingly, the soldering procedure can be redone instantly when soldering spots are not applied to the contacts and the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals properly, for example, if the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals and the contacts of the circuit board are not firmly in contact with each other, or if the soldering spots between the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals41are merged together to cause short circuit.

Furthermore, the first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals are arranged upside down, and the pin-assignment of the flat contact portions of the first receptacle terminals is left-right reversal with respect to that of the flat contact portions of the second receptacle terminals. Accordingly, the electrical receptacle connector can have a 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design and pin assignments which enables the electrical receptacle connector to be mated with a corresponding plug connector in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e. in either upside-up or upside-down directions. Therefore, when an electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a first orientation, the flat contact portions of the first receptacle terminals are in contact with upper-row plug terminals of the electrical plug connector. Conversely, when the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a second orientation, the flat contact portions of the second receptacle terminals are in contact with the upper-row plug terminals of the electrical plug connector. Note that, the inserting orientation of the electrical plug connector is not limited by the electrical receptacle connector of the instant disclosure.

Detailed description of the characteristics and the advantages of the instant disclosure are shown in the following embodiments. The technical content and the implementation of the instant disclosure should be readily apparent to any person skilled in the art from the detailed description, and the purposes and the advantages of the instant disclosure should be readily understood by any person skilled in the art with reference to content, claims, and drawings in the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIGS. 1 to 4, which illustrate an electrical receptacle connector100of an exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure.FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view (1) of the electrical receptacle connector100.FIG. 2illustrates an exploded view of the electrical receptacle connector100.FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of first receptacle terminals31and second receptacle terminals41of the electrical receptacle connector100.FIG. 4illustrates a perspective view (2) of the electrical receptacle connector. In this embodiment, the electrical receptacle connector100is assembled with a circuit board8by sinking technique. That is, one side of the circuit board8is cut to form a crack, and the electrical receptacle connector100is positioned at the crack and extending toward the side portion of the circuit board8, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the electrical receptacle connector100may be directly soldered on the surface of the circuit board8. In other words, in such embodiment, the circuit board8does not have the crack for receiving the electrical receptacle connector100, and the electrical receptacle connector100can be freely assembled on and electrically connected to any portion of the surface of the circuit board8without altering the structure of the components inside the connector. In this embodiment, the electrical receptacle connector100can provide a reversible or dual orientation USB Type-C connector interface and pin assignments, i.e., a USB Type-C receptacle connector. In this embodiment, the electrical receptacle connector100comprises a metallic shell11, a first terminal module2a, and a second terminal module2b.

Please refer toFIGS. 1, 3, and 5. The metallic shell11is a hollowed shell, and the metallic shell11comprises a shell body111and a receptacle cavity112formed in the shell body111. In this embodiment, the metallic shell11may be a tubular member14and the receptacle cavity112is formed in the tubular member14. The metallic shell11may be formed by a multi-piece member; in such embodiment, the metallic shell11comprises an inner shell121and a cover shell122, the inner shell11is a hollowed shell and encloses the first insulated member21, and the cover shell122is a hollowed shell and encloses the inner shell121, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cover shell122may be a semi-tubular member having a U-shape cross section, and the semi-tubular member covers the top and the two sides of the inner shell121.

Please refer toFIGS. 4 and 5. The metallic shell11comprises a rear cover plate15extending from the rear of the shell body111. The rear cover plate15comprises a baffle plate151and one or more holes153formed on the surface of the baffle plate151. The number and the position of the hole153may correspond to or not correspond to the number and the position of the tail portions416(the holes shown inFIG. 9Bcorrespond to the tail portions416, while the holes shown inFIG. 9Bcorrespond to the portions between the tail portions416rather than corresponding to the tail portions416directly). In addition, the width of the hole153may be less than, equal to, or greater than the width of the tail portion416(as shown inFIG. 9A, the width of the hole153is greater than the width of the tail portion416). The tail portions416can be seen through the hole153and not shielded by the tail portions316, and the soldering condition between the tail portions416of the second receptacle terminals41and the contacts81of the circuit board can be checked through the hole153. Therefore, the soldering procedure can be redone when soldering spots are not applied to the contacts81and the tail portions416properly, for example, if the tail portions416of the second receptacle terminals41and the contacts81of the circuit board8are not firmly in contact with each other, or if the soldering spots between the tail portions416of the second receptacle terminals41are merged together to cause short circuit. The term “check” means, the soldering condition between the tail portions416as SMT (surface mount technology) legs and the contacts81of the circuit board8can be observed from the hole153, so that an operator can determine if the soldering is sufficient or needs to be redone. In addition, the tail portions416are below the rear block25. Therefore, once the rear cover plate15is devoid of the hole153, the operator cannot check the soldering condition between the tail portions416and the contacts81of the circuit board8from any direction after the electrical receptacle connector100is assembled on the circuit board8.

In this embodiment, the rear cover plate15is at the rear of the cover shell122, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the metallic shell11only comprises the inner shell121and does not comprise the cover shell122, and the rear cover plate15may be at the rear of the inner shell121for diverse applications and reduced cost consumption. In addition, an insertion opening113with oblong shaped is formed on one side of the metallic shell11, and the insertion opening113communicates with the receptacle cavity112.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 3, 5, 11, and 12A. The terminal seat2comprises a first terminal module2aand a second terminal module2b. In this embodiment, the first terminal module2ais received in the receptacle cavity112of the metallic shell11. The first terminal module2acomprises a first insulated member21and a plurality of first receptacle terminals31. The first insulated member21comprises a first assembling portion213and a plurality of observing windows215. The first assembling portion213is located on the bottom of the rear of the first insulated member21. The first receptacle terminals31are held in the first insulated member21. The first receptacle terminals31comprise a plurality of tail portions316extending from the rear of the first insulated member21and located on the first assembling portion213. The observing windows215are formed on the bottom of the rear of the first insulated member21and near to two sides of the tail portions316. Specifically, in one embodiment, each of the observing windows215is defined by the sides of two neighboring tail portions316and a bottom surface216of the first insulated member21, i.e., each of the observing windows215is reverse U-shaped.

Please refer toFIGS. 2 and 5. In this embodiment, the first terminal module2afurther comprises a rear block25and two through holes251. The rear block25is extending outward from the rear of the first insulated member21. In this embodiment, the first assembling portion213is formed on the bottom of the rear block25, and the rear block25covers the rear of the tail portions416. In addition, the two through holes251are formed through a middle portion of the rear block25along a transversal direction. The through holes251correspond to the tail portions416, so that the soldering condition between the tail portions416and the circuit board8can be checked through the through holes251. In this embodiment, the number of the through holes251is two, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the number of the through holes251may be one or may be three or more.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 5, and 13. The second terminal module2bis received in the receptacle cavity112of the metallic shell11. The second terminal module2bis combined with the first terminal module2a. The second terminal module2bcomprises a second insulated member22and a plurality of second receptacle terminals41. The second insulated member22comprises a second assembling portion225(as shown inFIG. 14). The second assembling portion225is located on the bottom of the rear of the second insulated member22. The second assembling portion225is in front of and near to the first assembling portion213. As viewed from the bottom of the electrical receptacle connector100, the second assembling portion225is at a front row P1, while the first assembling portion213is at a rear row P2. The second receptacle terminals41are held in the second insulated member22. The second receptacle terminals41comprise a plurality of tail portions416extending from the rear of the second insulated member22and located on the second assembling portion225. In addition, the tail portions416are aligned with the tail portions316by an offset.

The term “by an offset” means that each of the tail portion316and the corresponding tail portion416are not aligned along the same line (as shown inFIG. 9). Furthermore, because of the offset alignment, when viewing from the rear of the electrical receptacle connector100toward the tail portions316,416(as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12A), the tail portions416can be seen through the spaces between the tail portions316. In other words, the positions of the tail portions416correspond to the positions of the observing windows215, and the observing windows215correspond to the spaces between the tail portions316. Therefore, the soldering condition between the tail portions416and the contacts81of the circuit board can be checked through the observing windows215between the tail portions316. As a result, the soldering procedure can be redone when soldering spots are not applied to the contacts81and the tail portions416properly, for example, if the tail portions416and the contacts81of the circuit board8are not firmly in contact with each other, or if the soldering spots between the tail portions416are merged together to cause short circuit. The term “check” means, the soldering condition between the tail portions416as SMT legs and the contacts81of the circuit board8can be observed from the observing windows215, so that an operator can determine if the soldering is sufficient or needs to be redo. In this embodiment, the width W1of a hollowed portion of each of the observing windows215is greater than the width W2of each of the tail portions416.

Please refer toFIGS. 11, 12A, 13, and 14. In this embodiment, the tail portions316are aligned with the tail portions416by an offset. When the tail portions316,416viewed from the rear of the electrical receptacle connector100, a first one of the tail portions316is followed by, in order, a first one of the tail portions416, a second one of the tail portions316, a second one of the tail portions416, and so forth, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a first one of the tail portions316is followed by, in order, two or more tail portions416, a second one of the tail portions316, and so forth (as shown inFIG. 12B). In addition, in such embodiment, the width W1′ of the hollowed portion of each of the observing windows215is greater than the overall width W2′ of two or more tail portions416. In a further option, a first one of the tail portions416is followed by, in order, two or more tail portions316, a second one of the tail portions416, and so forth (as shown inFIG. 12C). Accordingly, these configurations also allow the offset alignment between the tail portions316,416. Therefore, the soldering condition between the tail portions416as SMT legs and the contacts81of the circuit board8can be checked, and these configurations broaden the applications of the connector as well.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 5, and 6. In this embodiment, the terminal seat2comprises a tongue portion221extending from one end of the second insulated member22, but not from the first insulated member21. Alternatively, two tongue portions may be respectively extending from the first insulated member21and the second insulated member22, the two tongue portions are stacked with each other, and a grounding plate7is between the two tongue portions. In a further option, the tongue portion may be extending from one end of the first insulated member21, but not from the second insulated member22.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 5, and 6. In this embodiment, the second insulated member22and the tongue portion221are manufactured by injection molding technique or the like, so that the second insulated member22and the tongue portion221are integrated with each other to form a one-piece member. In addition, the grounding plate7is in the second insulated member22and the tongue portion221. In one embodiment, the first terminal module2aand the second terminal module2bare combined with each other by assembling, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first terminal module2aand the second terminal module2bmay be formed by injection molding or the like for being adapted to different needs. In addition, the tongue portion221has two opposite surfaces, one is a first surface221a(i.e., the upper surface), and the other is a second surface221b(i.e., the lower surface). In addition, the front lateral surface223of the tongue portion221is connected the first surface221awith the second surface221band is close to the insertion opening113. In other words, the front lateral surface223is near to the insertion opening113and perpendicularly connected to the first surface221aand the second surface221b, respectively.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 5, and 6. In this embodiment, the first receptacle terminals31and the first insulated member21are combined with each other by insert-molded techniques; likewise, the second receptacle terminals41and the second insulated member22are combined with each other by insert-molded techniques.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7. The first receptacle terminals31comprise a plurality of first signal terminals311, at least one power terminal312, and at least one ground terminal313. The first signal terminals31comprises a plurality of pairs of first high-speed signal terminals3111/3113and a pair of first low-speed signal terminals3112. Referring toFIG. 7, the first receptacle terminals31comprise, from left to right, a ground terminal313(Gnd), a first pair of first high-speed signal terminals3111(TX1+−, differential signal terminals for high-speed signal transmission), a power terminal312(Power/VBUS), a first function detection terminal3141(CC1, a terminal for inserting orientation detection of the connector and for cable recognition), a pair of first low-speed signal terminals3112(D+−, differential signal terminals for low-speed signal transmission), a supplement terminal3142(SBU1, a terminal can be reserved for other purposes), another power terminal312(Power/VBUS), a second pair of first high-speed signal terminals3113(RX2+−, differential signal terminals for high-speed signal transmission), and another ground terminal313(Gnd). In this embodiment, twelve first receptacle terminals31are provided for transmitting USB 3.0 signals. Each pair of the first high-speed signal terminals3111/3113is between the corresponding power terminal312and the adjacent ground terminal313. The pair of the first low-speed signal terminals3112is between the first function detection terminal3141and the supplement terminal3142.

In some embodiments, the rightmost ground terminal313(Gnd) (or the leftmost ground terminal313(Gnd)) or the first supplement terminal3142(SBU1) can be further omitted. Therefore, the total number of the first receptacle terminals31can be reduced from twelve terminals to seven terminals. Furthermore, the ground terminal313(Gnd) may be replaced by a power terminal312(Power/VBUS) and provided for power transmission. In this embodiment, the width of the power terminal312(Power/VBUS) may be, but not limited to, equal to the width of the first signal terminal311. In some embodiments, the width of the power terminal312(Power/VBUS) may be greater than the width of the first signal terminal311and an electrical receptacle connector100having the power terminal312(Power/VBUS) can be provided for large current transmission.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7. The first receptacle terminals31are held in the first insulated member21and formed as the upper-row terminals of the electrical receptacle connector100. Each of the first receptacle terminals31comprises a flat contact portion315, a body portion317, and a tail portion316(also called tail portion316). For each of the first receptacle terminals31, the body portion317is held in the first insulated member21, the flat contact portion315is extending forward from the body portion317in the rear-to-front direction and partly exposed upon the first surface221aof the tongue portion221, and the tail portion316is extending backward from the body portion317in the front-to-rear direction and protruding from the rear of the first insulated member21. The first signal terminals311are disposed at the first surface221aand transmit first signals (namely, USB 3.0 signals). The tail portions316are bent horizontally to form flat legs, named SMT (surface mounted technology) legs, which can be mounted or soldered on the surface of a printed circuit board by using surface mount technology. In addition, the overall width of the tail portions316is equal to the overall width of the body portions317. Therefore, the tail portion316and the body portion317of each of the first receptacle terminals31are aligned along the same line, and the distance between two adjacent tail portions316correspond the distance between two adjacent contacts81of the circuit board8.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7. The second receptacle terminals41comprise a plurality of second signal terminals411, at least one power terminal412, and at least one ground terminal413. The second receptacle terminals41comprise a plurality of pairs of second high-speed signal terminals4111/4113and a pair of second low-speed signal terminals4112. Referring toFIG. 7, the second receptacle terminals41comprise, from right to left, a ground terminal413(Gnd), a first pair of second high-speed signal terminals4111(TX2+−, differential signal terminals for high-speed signal transmission), a power terminal412(Power/VBUS), a second function detection terminal4141(CC2, a terminal for inserting orientation detection of the connector and for cable recognition), a pair of second low-speed signal terminals4112(D+−, differential signal terminals for low-speed signal transmission), a supplement terminal4142(SBU2, a terminal can be reserved for other purposes), another power terminals412(Power/VBUS), a second pair of second high-speed signal terminals4113(RX1+−, differential signal terminals for high-speed signal transmission), and another ground terminal413(Gnd). In this embodiment, twelve second receptacle terminals41are provided for transmitting USB 3.0 signals. Each pair of the second high-speed signal terminals4111/4113is between the corresponding power terminal412and the adjacent ground terminal413. The pair of the second low-speed signal terminals4112is between the second function detection terminal4141and the supplement terminal4142.

In some embodiments, the rightmost ground terminal413(or the leftmost ground terminal413) or the second supplement terminal4142(SBU2) can be further omitted. Therefore, the total number of the second receptacle terminals41can be reduced from twelve terminals to seven terminals. Furthermore, the rightmost ground terminal413may be replaced by a power terminal412and provided for power transmission. In this embodiment, the width of the power terminal412(Power/VBUS) may be, but not limited to, equal to the width of the second signal terminal411. In some embodiments, the width of the power terminal412(Power/VBUS) may be greater than the width of the second signal terminal411and an electrical receptacle connector100having the power terminal412(Power/VBUS) can be provided for large current transmission.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7. The second receptacle terminals41are held in the second insulated member11and formed as the lower-row terminals of the electrical receptacle connector100. In addition, the first receptacle terminals31are substantially aligned parallel with the second receptacle terminals41. In this embodiment, each of the second receptacle terminals41comprises a flat contact portion415, a body portion417, and a tail portion416(also called second tail portion416). For each of the second receptacle terminals41, the body portion417is held in the second insulated member22and the tongue portion221, the flat contact portion415is extending from the body portion417in the rear-to-front direction and partly exposed upon the second surface221bof the tongue portion221, and the tail portion416is extending backward from the body portion417in the front-to-rear direction and protruding from the rear of the second insulated member22. The second signal terminals411are disposed at the second surface221band transmit second signals (i.e., USB 3.0 signals). The tail portions416are bent horizontally to form flat legs, named SMT (surface mounted technology) legs, which can be mounted or soldered on the surface of a printed circuit board by using surface mount technology.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7. In this embodiment, the second receptacle terminals41further comprise a plurality of bending portions418. Each of the bending portions418is extending between the corresponding tail portion416and the corresponding body portion417, so that the tail portions416are aligned with the tail portions316by an offset, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first receptacle terminals31may comprise a plurality of bending portions, and the positions of the tail portions316may be adjusted by the bending portions of the first receptacle terminals31. Accordingly, the tail portions316are aligned with the tail portions416by an offset. In this embodiment, the overall width of the tail portions416is greater than the overall width of the tail portions316, and the tail portion416and the body portion417of each of the second receptacle terminals41are not aligned along the same line, and the distance between two adjacent tail portions416correspond the distance between two adjacent contacts81of the circuit board8.

Please refer toFIGS. 5, 8, 13, and 14. Specifically, from a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector100, the tail portions316are aligned at the front row P1, i.e., the tail portions416are aligned at the rear row P2. The tail portions416are located on the bottom of the rear of the connector, while the tail portions316are located on the bottom of the middle portion of the connector. Moreover, the tail portions316,416are protruded from the first insulated member21and the second insulated member22and arranged separately. The tail portions316,416may be arranged into two parallel rows. Alternatively, the tail portions416may be aligned into two rows and the first row of the tail portions416is aligned by an offset with respect to the second row of the tail portions416; thus, the tail portions316,416form three rows.

Please refer toFIGS. 5, 8, 10, 12A and 13. The electrical receptacle connector100further comprises the circuit board8. The circuit board5comprises a plurality of contacts81corresponding to the tail portions316and the tail portions416. The tail portions316and the tail portions416are as SMT legs and in contact with the contacts81. The electrical receptacle connector100further comprises a first gap217and a second gap255. The first gap217is formed between the bottom surface of the rear of the first insulated member21and the surface of the circuit board8. The height of the first gap217is greater than the height from the bottom surface to the top surface of each of the tail portions316. The second gap255is formed between the bottom surface of the rear of the second insulated member22and the surface of the circuit board8. The height of the second gap255is greater than the height from the bottom surface to the top surface of each of the tail portions416.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 6, and 8. The electrical receptacle connector100further comprises a grounding plate7. The grounding plate7is between the first terminal module2aand the second terminal module2b. The grounding plate7comprises a plate body71and a plurality of legs72. The plate body71is between the first receptacle terminals31and the second receptacle terminals41, i.e., the plate body71is held at the second insulated member22, and the plate body71is between the flat contact portions315of the first receptacle terminals31and the flat contact portions415of the second receptacle terminals41. The plate body71is assembled on the surface of the second insulated member22. Specifically, the plate body71may be lengthened and widened, so that the front of the plate body71is near to the front lateral surface223of the tongue portion221, two sides of the plate body71is near to two sides of the tongue portion221, and the rear of the plate body71is near to the rear of the second insulated member22. Accordingly, the plate body71can be disposed on the tongue portion221and the second insulated member22, and the structural strength of the tongue portion221and the shielding performance of the tongue portion221can be improved.

In addition, the legs72are extending downward from two sides of the rear of plate body71to form vertical legs, i.e., DIP legs. That is, the legs72are exposed out of the second insulated member22and in contact with the circuit board8. In this embodiment, the crosstalk interference can be reduced by the shielding of the grounding plate7when the flat contact portions315,415transmit signals. Furthermore, the structural strength of the tongue portion221can be improved by the assembly of the grounding plate7. In addition, the legs72of the grounding plate7are exposed from the second insulated member22and in contact with the circuit board5for conduction and grounding.

Please refer toFIG. 2, in which the grounding plate7further comprises a plurality of hooks73. The plate body71is between the flat contact portions315of the first receptacle terminals31and the flat contact portions415of the second receptacle terminals41. The hooks73are extending outward from two sides of the front of the plate body71and protruding out of the front lateral surface223and two sides of the tongue portion221. When an electrical plug connector is mated with the electrical receptacle connector100, elastic pieces at two sides of an insulated housing of the electrical plug connector are engaged with the hooks73, and the elastic pieces would not wear against the tongue portion221of the electrical receptacle connector100. Hence, the grounding plate7can be in contact with the metallic shell11for conduction and grounding.

Please refer toFIGS. 2 and 6 to 8. In this embodiment, pin-assignments of the first receptacle terminals31and the second receptacle terminals41are point-symmetrical with a central point of the receptacle cavity112as the symmetrical center. In other words, pin-assignments of the first receptacle terminals31and the second receptacle terminals41have 180 degree symmetrical design with respect to the central point of the receptacle cavity112as the symmetrical center. The dual or double orientation design enables an electrical plug connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e., in either upside-up or upside-down directions. Here, point-symmetry means that after the first receptacle terminals31(or the second receptacle terminals41), are rotated by 180 degrees with the symmetrical center as the rotating center, the first receptacle terminals31and the second receptacle terminals41are overlapped. That is, the rotated first receptacle terminals31are arranged at the position of the original second receptacle terminals41, and the rotated second receptacle terminals41are arranged at the position of the original first receptacle terminals31. In other words, the first receptacle terminals31and the second receptacle terminals41are arranged upside down, and the pin assignments of the flat contact portions315are left-right reversal with respect to that of the flat contact portions415. An electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100with a first orientation where the first surface221ais facing up, for transmitting first signals. Conversely, the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100with a second orientation where the first surface221ais facing down, for transmitting second signals. Furthermore, the specification for transmitting the first signals is conformed to the specification for transmitting the second signals. Note that, the inserting orientation of the electrical plug connector is not limited by the electrical receptacle connector100according embodiments of the instant disclosure.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the electrical receptacle connector100is devoid of the first receptacle terminals31(or the second receptacle terminals41) when an electrical plug connector to be mated with the electrical receptacle connector100has upper and lower plug terminals. In the case that the first receptacle terminals31are omitted, the upper plug terminals or the lower plug terminals of the electrical plug connector are in contact with the second receptacle terminals41of the electrical receptacle connector100when the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100with the dual orientations. Conversely, in the case that the second receptacle terminals41are omitted, the upper plug terminals or the lower plug terminals of the electrical plug connector are in contact with the first receptacle terminals31of the electrical receptacle connector100when the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100with the dual orientations.

Please refer toFIGS. 2, 5, and 6. In this embodiment, as viewed from the front of the receptacle terminals31,41, the position of the first receptacle terminals31corresponds to the position of the second receptacle terminals41. In other words, the positions of the flat contact portions315are respectively aligned with the positions of the flat contact portions415, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first receptacle terminals31may be aligned by an offset with respect to the second receptacle terminals41. That is, the flat contact portions315are aligned by an offset with respect to the flat contact portions415. Accordingly, because of the offset alignment of the flat contact portions315,415, the crosstalk between the first receptacle terminals31and the second receptacle terminals41can be reduced during signal transmission. It is understood that, when the receptacle terminals31,41of the electrical receptacle connector100have the offset alignment, plug terminals of an electrical plug connector to be mated with the electrical receptacle connector100would also have the offset alignment. Hence, the plug terminals of the electrical plug connector can be in contact with the receptacle terminals31,41of the electrical receptacle connector100for power or signal transmission.

In the foregoing embodiments, the receptacle terminals31,41are provided for transmitting USB 3.0 signals, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, for the first receptacle terminals31in accordance with transmission of USB 2.0 signals, the first pair of the first high-speed signal terminals3111(TX1+−) and the second pair of the first high-speed signal terminals3113(RX2+−) are omitted, and the pair of the first low-speed signal terminals3112(D+−) and the power terminals312(Power/VBUS) are retained. While for the second receptacle terminals41in accordance with transmission of USB 2.0 signals, the first pair of the second high-speed signal terminals4111(TX2+−) and the second pair of the second high-speed signal terminals4113(RX1+−) are omitted, and the pair of the second low-speed signal terminals4112(D+−) and the power terminals412(PowerNBUS) are retained.

In this embodiment, the electrical receptacle connector100further comprises a plurality of conductive sheets. The conductive sheets are metal elongated plates and may comprise an upper conductive sheet and a lower conductive sheet. The upper conductive sheet is assembled on the upper portion of the first insulated member21, and the lower conductive sheet is assembled on the lower portion of the second insulated member22. When an electrical plug connector is mated with the electrical receptacle connector100, the front of a metallic shell of the electrical plug connector is in contact with the conductive sheets, the metallic shell of the electrical plug connector is efficiently in contact with the metallic shell11of the electrical receptacle connector100via the conductive sheets, and the electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem can be improved.

Based on the above, the tail portions of the first receptacle terminals are aligned with the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals by an offset, so that the soldering condition between the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals and the contacts of the circuit board can be checked through the observing windows and the spaces between the tail portions of the first receptacle terminals. Accordingly, the soldering procedure can be redone instantly when soldering spots are not applied to the contacts and the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals properly, for example, if the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals and the contacts of the circuit board are not firmly in contact with each other, or if the soldering spots between the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals41are merged together to cause short circuit.

Furthermore, the first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals are arranged upside down, and the pin-assignment of the flat contact portions of the first receptacle terminals is left-right reversal with respect to that of the flat contact portions of the second receptacle terminals. Accordingly, the electrical receptacle connector can have a 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design and pin assignments which enables the electrical receptacle connector to be mated with a corresponding plug connector in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e. in either upside-up or upside-down directions. Therefore, when an electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a first orientation, the flat contact portions of the first receptacle terminals are in contact with upper-row plug terminals of the electrical plug connector. Conversely, when the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a second orientation, the flat contact portions of the second receptacle terminals are in contact with the upper-row plug terminals of the electrical plug connector. Note that, the inserting orientation of the electrical plug connector is not limited by the electrical receptacle connector of the instant disclosure.