Electrical connector assembly

An electrical connector assembly includes a receptacle connector disposed in a wearable machine and equipped with one row contacts and a set of magnets, and a cable connector equipped with two rows of contacts and another set of magnets so as to be mated with the receptacle connector in a flippable manner wherein the interface between the receptacle connector and the cable connector is of a stadium configuration, and the set of magnets are located at two opposite halves of the long sides of the stadium configuration in the diagonal direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an electrical connector assembly for use within a wearable device.

2. Description of Related Arts

U.S. Pat. No. 9,685,744 discloses a wearable device enclosing a printed circuit board with two connectors at two opposite ends for connecting two electrical parts. Even though the connector has a good waterproof performance, the connection operation is desired to be more convenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electrical connector assembly includes a receptacle connector disposed in a wearable machine and equipped with one row contacts and a set of magnets, and a cable connector equipped with two rows of contacts and another set of magnets so as to be mated with the receptacle connector in a flippable manner wherein the interface between the receptacle connector and the cable connector is of a stadium configuration, and the set of magnets are located at two opposite halves of the long sides of the stadium configuration in the diagonal direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS.1-20show a wearable device500including a case510with an internal space512to receiving a printed circuit board530between opposite first and second ends520,522. A receptacle connector550is located around the first end520, and includes an insulative housing552forming a receiving slot554therein. A row of receptacle contacts560are disposed by one side of the receiving slot554and have the corresponding contacting sections562exposed in the receiving slot554and the corresponding tail sections564soldered upon the printed circuit board530. A metallic rear shell570is attached to the rear side of the housing552and includes a horizontal main body572and a pair of ears574at two opposite ends. A plurality of tabs576extend upwardly from a front edge of the main body572. An elongated wall578extends from one ear574and is located below the horizontal main body572. A metallic bottom shell580is attached on an underside of the housing552. A pair of metallic spring latches582are assembled to the main body572adjacent to the pair of ears574to extend into the receiving slot554. A pair of cables590electrically connected to the receptacle connector550via the printed circuit board530, extend rearwardly through the second end522. A pair of station magnets540are disposed in the case510behind the mating opening521at the first end520while in front of the receptacle connector560.

A plug connector600is releasably mated with the receptacle connector560, and includes a main base602with a mating tongue604extending forwardly therefrom and having corresponding contacting sections606exposed upon two opposite surfaces thereof. A pair of recesses607are formed in opposite lateral edges for engagement with the spring latches582of the receptacle connector550. A holding part608is located behind the main body602with a cable610extending rearwardly therefrom. A pair of coupling magnets612are installed in the holding part608.

Notably, the plug connector600can be inserted into the receptacle connector560through the mating opening521with the mating tongue604received within the receiving slot554in two orientations, i.e., in a flippable manner. The coupling magnets612are attractively coupled with the station magnets540. Notably, the station magnets540are located at a position behind the mating opening521while in front of the receptacle connector550, thus avoiding improper influence due to mating between the mating tongue604of the plug connector600and the receiving slot554of the receptacle connector550, or the holding part608exposed outside of the mating opening521. It should be noted that the dual orientation of the plug connector600for mating with the receptacle connector560is relatively important for the wearable device500. It is because the wearable device500is adapted to be worn upon the arm of the user, and the cable610extends in the transverse direction with regard to the wearable device500. Therefore, the user may decide which orientation of the plug connector600should be during mating with the receptacle connector550so as not to hinder the movement of the body, if the plug connector is required to be connected to the receptacle connector when the user is wearing the wearable device500.