Electrical receptacle connector

An electrical receptacle connector includes an insulated housing, upper-row receptacle terminals, and lower-row receptacle terminals. The insulated housing includes a base portion and a tongue portion extended from one side of the base portion. The tongue portion has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a front lateral surface. The lower-row receptacle terminals correspond to the upper-row receptacle terminals and include signal terminals which include high speed transmitting terminals. Each of the high speed transmitting terminals includes a bending portion, an extension portion, and a cutout portion. The bending portion is extended upward from the front end of the flat contact portion and inserted into the tongue portion, the extension portion is extended forward from the top of the bending portion toward the front lateral surface, and the cutout portion is defined at the extension portion and near to the bending portion.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 103144670 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Dec. 19, 2014, 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, micro USB interconnects are developed which include advantageous like small occupation volume and ease of portability. Therefore, the micro USB interconnects are widely adopted to smart mobile devices, digital cameras, or other portable electronic devices to mate with connecting cables for data transmission or power supply.

A conventional electrical receptacle connector having USB Type-C connection interface includes an insulated housing, a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals, and a plurality of lower-row receptacle terminals. The insulated housing includes a base portion and a tongue portion extended from one side of the base portion. Each of the upper-row receptacle terminals is held in the base portion and the tongue portion, and the front portion of each of the upper-row receptacle terminals disposed is at an upper surface of the tongue portion. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals is formed at the base portion and the tongue portion, and the front portion of each of the lower-row receptacle terminals is disposed at a lower surface of the tongue portion. Initially, the lower-row receptacle terminals are formed integrally to be a material band. During the manufacturing of the semi-product of the conventional electrical receptacle connector, insert-molding techniques are applied, such that the lower-row receptacle terminals and the insulated housing are formed integrally in the machining mold. Then, the material band is bent and removed. Therefore, the lower-row receptacle terminals are left at the insulated housing, and the semi-product of the conventional electrical receptacle connector can be made.

However, the front portion of each of the lower-row receptacle terminals of the conventional electrical receptacle connector is formed as a continuous bending structure. In other words, the continuous bending structure is a zigzag structure extended upward and forward to the material band. Due to the continuous bending structures (e.g., Z profile), the lower-row receptacle terminals are firmly formed in the tongue portion.

Due to the continuous bending structure of the high speed signal transmitting terminal of the lower-row receptacle terminal, a distance between the high speed signal transmitting terminal of the lower-row receptacle terminal and the corresponding high speed signal transmitting terminal of the upper-row receptacle terminal is so small, that capacitance effects and noise interferences are prone to be occurred during the transmission of high speed signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, how to improve the aforementioned issues are continuously researched by related personnel.

In view of this, the instant disclosure provides an electrical receptacle connector to improve the capacitance effects and the noise interferences induced by improper distance configuration between the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle terminals during signal transmission.

An embodiment of the instant disclosure provides an electrical receptacle connector comprising a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals, and a plurality of lower-row receptacle terminals. The metallic shell defines a receiving cavity therein. The insulated housing is received in the receiving cavity and comprises a base portion and a tongue portion extended from one side of the base portion. The tongue portion has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a front lateral surface, and the upper surface is opposite to the lower surface. The upper-row receptacle terminals comprise a plurality of signal terminals, at least one power terminal, and at least one ground terminal. Each of the upper-row receptacle terminals is held in the base portion and disposed at the upper surface. The lower-row receptacle terminals comprise a plurality of signal terminals, at least one power terminal, and at least one ground terminal. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals is held in the base portion and disposed at the lower surface. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals comprises a flat contact portion and a body portion. For each of the lower-row receptacle terminals, the body portion is held in the base portion, and the flat contact portion is extended from one end of the body portion and disposed at the lower surface. The signal terminals of the lower-row receptacle terminals comprise a plurality of high speed transmitting terminals. Each of the high speed transmitting terminals comprises a bending portion, an extension portion, and a cutout portion. For each of the high speed transmitting terminals, the bending portion is extended upward from the front end of the flat contact portion and inserted into the tongue portion, the extension portion is extended forward from the top of the bending portion toward the front lateral surface, and the cutout portion is defined at the extension portion and near to the bending portion. A first distance defined between the flat contact portion of each of the high speed transmitting terminals of the lower-row receptacle terminals and the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal is greater than a second distance defined between the top of the bending portion of each of the high speed transmitting terminals of the lower-row receptacle terminals and the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal.

Accordingly, for each of the high speed transmitting terminals of the lower-row receptacle terminals, electricity is no longer conducted over the whole terminal because of the cutout portion formed by removing the removing parts from the high speed transmitting terminal. As a result, without altering the manufacturing process for assembling the lower-row receptacle terminals with the insulated housing, the capacitance effects and noise interferences induced from extra conductor can be improved, and the high frequency performance can be improved, too. Besides, the position of the bending portion is closed to the signal terminal of the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal. Therefore, for the electrical receptacle connector, the impedance can be reduced and the high frequency performance can be improved.

Furthermore, pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle terminals are 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design which enable an electrical plug connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e., in either upside-up or upside-down directions. In other words, the pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle terminals have 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design with respect to a central point of the receptacle cavity as the symmetrical center. Consequently, an electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a first orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion is facing up, for transmitting first signals. Conversely, the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a second orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion is facing down, for transmitting second signals. Furthermore, the specification for transmitting the first signals is conformed to the specification for transmitting the second signals.

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 toFIG. 1toFIG. 3, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an electrical receptacle connector100according to the instant disclosure.FIG. 1is a perspective view,

FIG. 2is an exploded view, andFIG. 3is a cross-sectional view, of the electrical receptacle connector100. The electrical receptacle connector100described herein is an electrical connector having USB Type-C connecting interfaces. In this embodiment, the electrical receptacle connector100comprises a metallic shell11, an insulated housing21, a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals31, and a plurality of lower-row receptacle terminals41. In addition, the electrical receptacle connector100further comprises a grounding sheet6disposed in the insulated housing21and located between the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41.

Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 3. The metallic shell11is a hollowed shell and defines a receiving cavity111therein. In this embodiment, the metallic shell11may be formed by bending a unitary member. The metallic shell11defines an insertion opening therein. The insertion opening may be, but not limited to, oblong shaped or rectangular shaped. The insertion opening communicates with the receiving cavity111. Therefore, an electrical plug connector may be inserted into the insertion opening of the electrical receptacle connector100.

Specifically,FIG. 2is an exploded view showing a first body221and a second body222of the electrical receptacle connector100, andFIG. 3is a cross-sectional view showing the first body221and the second body222are assembled with each other and received in the metallic shell11. Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 3. The insulated housing21is received in the receiving cavity111. That is, the metallic shell11surrounds four sides of the insulated housing21. The insulated housing21comprises a base portion211and a tongue portion212extended from one side of the base portion211. Here, a first body221and a second body222are combined with each other to form the insulated housing21. That is, the assembly of the first body221and the second body222forms the base portion211and the tongue portion212. In addition, the first body221is formed as parts of the tongue portion212and the upper part of the base portion211, and the second body222is formed as the rest part of the tongue portion212and the lower part of the base portion211, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the base portion211and the tongue portion212are formed integrally as a whole by injection molding techniques. Additionally, the tongue portion212has an upper surface2121, a lower surface2122, and a front lateral surface2123.

Please refer toFIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4A, andFIG. 4B. The upper-row receptacle terminals31are held in the base portion211and the tongue portion212. Here, the first body221and the upper-row receptacle terminals31are formed integrally as a whole by insert-molding techniques. Each of the upper-row receptacle terminals31comprises a flat contact portion315, a body portion314, and a tail portion316. For each of the upper-row receptacle terminals31, the body portion314is held in the base portion211and the tongue portion212, the flat contact portion315is extended from one of two ends of the body portion314and disposed at the upper surface2121, and the tail portion316is extended from the other end of the body portion314and protruded from the base portion211. The upper-row receptacle terminals31are disposed at the upper surface2121and transmit first signals (namely, USB 3.0 signals). The tail portions316are protruded from the bottom of the base portion211and bent horizontally to form flat legs, named SMT legs which can be soldered or mounted on the surface of a circuit board using surface mount technology.

Please refer toFIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4A, andFIG. 4B. The lower-row receptacle terminals41are held in the base portion211and the tongue portion212. Here, the second body222and the lower-row receptacle terminals41are formed integrally as a whole by insert-molding techniques. A plurality of terminal slots is defined on the front portion of the second body222. Each of the terminal slots is provided for assembling the flat contact portion315of the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal31. The lower-row receptacle terminals41are below the upper-row receptacle terminals31and define an interval between the upper-row receptacle terminals31. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals41comprises a flat contact portion415, a body portion414, and a tail portion416. For each of the lower-row receptacle terminals41, the body portion414is held in the base portion211and the tongue portion212, the flat contact portion415is extended from one of two ends of the body portion414and disposed at the lower surface2122, and the tail portion416is extended from the other end of the body portion414and protruded from the base portion211. The lower-row receptacle terminals41are disposed at the lower surface2122and transmit second signals (namely, USB 3.0 signals). The tail portions416are protruded from the bottom of the base portion211and bent downward vertically to form vertical legs, named through-hole legs which can be soldered on the surface of a circuit board by through hole technology. In this embodiment, the tail portions316and the tail portions416are protruded from the base portion211and arranged separately. The terminal configuration may be, but not limited to, grouped into three rows.

Please refer toFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B. In this embodiment, the upper-row receptacle terminals31comprise a plurality of signal terminals311, at least one power terminal312, and at least one ground terminal313. Referring toFIG. 1C, the upper-row receptacle terminals31comprise, from left to right, a ground terminal313(Gnd), a first pair of differential signal terminals (TX1+−), a second pair of differential signal terminals (D+−), and a third pair of differential signal terminals (RX2+−) of the signal terminals311, power terminals312(Power/VBUS) between the three pairs of differential signal terminals, a retain terminal (RFU), (the retain terminal and a configuration channel1(CC1) are respectively arranged between the power terminals312and the second pair of differential signal terminals of the signal terminals311), and another ground terminal313(Gnd). However, the terminal configurations are not thus limited, and the example described here is only for illustrative purposes. In this embodiment, twelve upper-row receptacle terminals31are provided to meet the transmission of USB 3.0 signals, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the far right ground terminal313(or the far left ground terminal313) and the retain terminal are omitted. In addition, the far right ground terminal313may be replaced by a power terminal312and provided for power transmission.

Please refer toFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B. In this embodiment, the lower-row receptacle terminals41comprise a plurality of signal terminals411, at least one power terminal412, and at least one ground terminal413. Referring toFIG. 1C, the lower-row receptacle terminals comprise, from right to left, a ground terminal413(Gnd), a first pair of differential signal terminals (TX2+−, i.e., high speed transmitting terminals4111), a second pair of differential signal terminals (D+−), and a third pair of differential signal terminals (RX1+−, i.e., high speed transmitting terminals4111) of the signal terminals411, power terminals412(Power/VBUS) between the three pairs of differential signal terminals, a retain terminal (RFU), (the retain terminal and a configuration channel2(CC2) are respectively arranged between the power terminals412and the second pair of differential signal terminals of the signal terminals411), and another ground terminal413(Gnd). However, the terminal configurations are not thus limited, and the example described here is only for illustrative purposes. In this embodiment, twelve lower-row receptacle terminals41are provided to meet the transmission of USB 3.0 signals, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the far right ground terminal413(or the far left ground terminal413) and the retain terminal are omitted. In addition, the far right ground terminal413may be replaced by a power terminal412and provided for power transmission.

In the previous embodiments, the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41meet the transmission of USB 3.0 signals, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, for the upper-row receptacle terminals31in accordance with the transmission of USB 2.0 signals, the first and third pairs of differential signal terminals are omitted, and the second pair of differential signal terminals and the power terminals312are retained for transmitting USB 2.0 signals. For the lower-row receptacle terminals41in accordance with the transmission of USB 2.0 signals, the first and third pairs of differential signal terminals are omitted, and the second pair of differential signal terminals and the power terminals412are retained for transmitting USB 2.0 signals.

Please refer toFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B. In this embodiment, the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41are respectively disposed at the upper surface2121and the lower surface2122of the tongue portion212. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4B, the terminal configuration of the upper-row receptacle terminals31corresponds to that of the lower-row receptacle terminals41. In addition, the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41are point-symmetrical with a central point of the receiving cavity111as the symmetrical center. In other words, pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41have 180 degree symmetrical design with respect to the central point of the receptacle cavity111as 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, after the upper-row receptacle terminals31(or the lower-row receptacle terminals41) are rotated by 180 degrees with the symmetrical center as the rotating center, the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41are overlapped. That is, the rotated upper-row receptacle terminals31are arranged at the position of the original lower-row receptacle terminals41, and the rotated lower-row receptacle terminals41are arranged at the position of the original upper-row receptacle terminals31. In other words, the upper-row receptacle terminals31and the lower-row receptacle terminals41are arranged upside down, and the terminal configurations of the upper-row receptacle terminals31are left-right reversal with respect to the terminal configuration of the lower-row receptacle terminals41. Accordingly, an electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100with a first orientation where the upper surface2121is facing upward, for transmitting first signals. Conversely, the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector100with a second orientation where the upper surface2121is facing downward, for transmitting second signals.

The specification for transmitting the first signals conforms to that for transmitting the second signals. Based on this, the inserting orientation of the electrical plug connector is not limited by the electrical receptacle connector100, and the electrical plug connector can be mated with the electrical receptacle connector100in either two intuitive orientations.

Please refer toFIG. 2,FIG. 5,FIG. 6, andFIG. 7. Additionally, during forming the lower-row receptacle terminals41to the tongue portion212, the tongue portion212defines a plurality of openings215due to the existence of the lower-row receptacle terminals41. Particularly, the openings215are defined at the front lateral surface2123of the tongue portion212, and extension portions418of the high speed transmitting terminals4111are received in the respective openings215. Here, the front end of each of the extension portions418is extended toward the front lateral surface2123of the tongue portion212. Alternatively, the front end of each of the extension portions418may be in the corresponding opening215.

Please refer toFIG. 2,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8. In this embodiment, the signal terminals411comprise a plurality of high speed transmitting terminals4111(i.e., the first pair of differential signal terminals and the third pair of differential signal terminals). Each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111comprises a bending portion417, an extension portion418, and a cutout portion419. For each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111, the bending portion417is extended upward from the front end of the flat contact portion415to be inserted into the tongue portion212, the extension portion418is extended forward from the top of the bending portion417toward the front lateral surface2123, and the cutout portion419is defined at the extension portion418and near to the bending portion417. Moreover, the distance between the flat contact portion415of each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111and the front lateral surface2123is greater than the distance between the flat contact portion415of the power terminal412and the front lateral surface2123. In other words, when an electrical plug connector is connected with the electrical receptacle connector100, plug terminals of the electrical plug connector contact the power terminals412firstly and then contact the high speed transmitting terminals4111.

Please refer toFIG. 2,FIG. 5,FIG. 6, andFIG. 7. The lower-row receptacle terminals41and a material band5are integrally formed as a whole. That is, the electrical receptacle connector100further comprises a material band5extended to each of the extension portions418. The material band5comprises a plurality of breaking portions51received in the respective openings215. Alternatively, the breaking portions51may be located at the front lateral surface2123of the tongue portion212. After the lower-row receptacle terminals41are formed at the insulated housing21, the material band5is bent, so that the material band5and the lower-row receptacle terminals41are broken at the breaking portions51, enabling the material band5to be removed. Therefore, the lower-row receptacle terminals41can be fixedly positioned in the mold when the lower-row receptacle terminals41are to be formed at the insulated housing21. That is, when the lower-row receptacle terminals41are to be formed at the insulated housing21, the lower-row receptacle terminals41are supported steadily by the material band5and formed at the insulated housing21. For each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111, the bending portion417is bent upward and inserted into the tongue portion212, and the extension portion418at the top of the bending portion417is further extended toward the material band5. Therefore, the flat contact portion415of each of the lower-row receptacle terminals41can be positioned at the lower surface2122of the tongue portion212.

Please refer toFIG. 2,FIG. 6,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10. In this embodiment, the tongue portion212defines a plurality of cutout holes214each extended from the upper surface2121or the lower surface2122to the corresponding extension portion418. As shown inFIG. 6, each of the cutout holes214is extended from the lower surface2122toward the corresponding extension portion418, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, each of the cutout holes214is extended from the upper surface2121toward the lower surface2122and defined through the tongue portion21. The cutout portions419are material-removed sections. Namely, for each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111, the cutout portion419is the void between the rest part of the extension portion418and the bending portion417(i.e., parts of the extension portion418is removed (hereinafter, called removing parts) and the void is formed as the cutout portion419). The formation of the cutout portion419is accomplished by inserting a machining fixture into the cutout hole214to cut off parts of the extension portion418. Therefore, the cutout portion419is defined between the rest part of the extension portion418and the bending portion417.

Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 10. In addition, a first distance D1between the flat contact portion415of each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111and the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal31is greater than a second distance D2between the top of the bending portion417of each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111and the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal31. In other words, for each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111, the flat contact portion415is disposed at the lower surface2122, and the top of the bending portion417is received in the tongue portion212. Besides, the position of the bending portion417is closed to the signal terminal311of the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal31. Therefore, for the electrical receptacle connector100, the impedance can be reduced and the high frequency performance can be improved. For each of the high speed transmitting terminals4111, electricity is no longer conducted over the whole terminal because of the cutout portion419formed by removing the removing parts from the high speed transmitting terminal4111. As a result, without altering the manufacturing process for assembling the lower-row receptacle terminals41with the insulated housing21, the capacitance effects and noise interferences induced from extra conductor can be improved, and the high frequency performance can be improved, too.

According to the instant disclosure, for each of the high speed transmitting terminals, electricity is no longer conducted over the whole terminal because of the cutout portion formed by removing the removing parts from the high speed transmitting terminal. As a result, without altering the manufacturing process for assembling the lower-row receptacle terminals with the insulated housing, the capacitance effects and noise interferences induced from extra conductor can be improved, and the high frequency performance can be improved, too. Besides, the position of the bending portion is closed to the signal terminal of the corresponding upper-row receptacle terminal. Therefore, for the electrical receptacle connector, the impedance can be reduced and the high frequency performance can be improved.

Furthermore, pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle terminals are 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design which enable an electrical plug connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e., in either upside-up or upside-down directions. In other words, the pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle terminals have 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation design with respect to a central point of the receptacle cavity as the symmetrical center. Consequently, an electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a first orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion is facing up, for transmitting first signals. Conversely, the electrical plug connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a second orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion is facing down, for transmitting second signals. Furthermore, the specification for transmitting the first signals is conformed to the specification for transmitting the second signals.