Abstract:
The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulative housing; a metallic plate formed in the insulative housing; a first terminal module formed on a top surface of the insulative housing; a second terminal module formed on a bottom surface of the insulative housing; and a metallic shell assembled to and formed around the insulative housing.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly and method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to an electrical connector assembly having a metallic plate formed therein. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The universal series bus is a popular interface for computer peripherals to connect to each other. The standard was updated from USB 1.0/1.1 to USB 2.0 and then updated from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0. The USB 3.0 is a signal transmission standard developed from the USB 2.0. The maximum speed of the USB 3.0 is 5 gigabytes/s, but that of the USB 2.0 is only 480 megabytes/s. Currently, an electrical connector based on the USB 3.0 is compalible with an electrical connector based on the USB 2.0. That is, the electric connector based the USB 3.0 is equipped with the same structure of the electric connector based on the USB 2.0 and additionally is configured with a plurality of pins providing functions for the USB 3.0. 
     And, the USB 3.0 Promoter Group has finished the specification for its new, reversible USB connector design which is called USB 3.1 Type-C connector last December. The Type-C connector is about the same size as the Micro USB connector, but it&#39;s symmetrical, which allows it to be plugged in two orientations with no ill effects. The maximum speed of the Type C is 10 gigabytes/s. 
     Accordingly, the speed and frequency of USB connector may be enhanced through the updating of the transmission interface, but how to overcome a crosstalk effective occurred due to the high speed and high frequency of the electrical connector based the Type-C connector, is one of major issues in the industry. 
     So, an electrical connector assembly with good effectiveness of cross talk prevention and EMI suppression is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly having good effectiveness of cross talk prevention and EMI suppression. 
     In order to achieve the object set forth, an electrical connector assembly comprises an insulative housing; a metallic plate formed in the insulative housing; a first terminal module formed on a top surface of the insulative housing; a second terminal module formed on a bottom surface of the insulative housing; and a metallic shell assembled to and formed around the insulative housing. 
     In order to achieve the object set forth, a method of manufacturing an electrical connector assembly, comprises the steps of: providing a first terminal module and a second terminal module stacked with each other; providing a metallic plate sandwiched between the first and second terminal module; molding an insulative housing to the metallic plate and the first and second terminal module; and providing a metallic shell surrounding the insulative housing. 
     In order to achieve the object set forth, a method of manufacturing an electrical connector assembly, comprises the steps of: providing an insulative housing having a metallic plate formed therein; assembling a first terminal module to a top surface of the insulative housing; assembling a second terminal module to a bottom surface of the insulative housing; providing a metallic clamp binding the insulative housing, the first and and second terminal modules; and providing a metallic shell surrounding the insulative housing. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly without metallic shell; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , while taken from a different aspect; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly without metallic shell and rear insulator; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line  1 - 1  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an assembled perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial exploded view of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9 , while taken from a different aspect; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention t taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of metallic plate of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of metallic plate integrated with an insulative housing of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a first terminal module of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the first terminal module and the insulative housing according to the second embodiment of present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the first terminal module, the insulative housing and an upper insulator according to the second embodiment of present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a second terminal module according to the second embodiment of present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the embodiments of the present invention in detail. In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements in different drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , an electrical connector assembly  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an insulative housing  1 , a first terminal module  2  and a second terminal module  3  assembled to top and bottom sides of the insulative housing  1 , a metallic plate  4  formed in the insulative housing  1  and sandwiched between the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3 , a metallic clamp  5  surrounding the insulative housing  1 , a rear insulator  6  molding to a rear end of the insulative housing  1 , and a metallic shell  7  surrounding the insulative housing  1 . The electrical connector assembly  100  is a symmetrical USB receptacle connector which allows it to be plugged in two orientations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 6 , the insulative housing  1  comprises a base portion  11 , a tongue portion  12  and a middle portion  13  disposed between the base portion  11  and the tongue portion  12 . The tongue portion  12  defines two first recesses  121  formed at two sides thereof. The middle portion  13  defines a second recess  131  extending inwardly from outer surface thereof. The base portion  11  defines two third recesses  111  respectively formed on top surface and bottom surface thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 4 , the first terminal module  2  comprises a first insulator  21  and a plurality of first terminals  22  integrated with the first insulator  21  by an insert molding process. The second terminal module  3  comprises a second insulator  31  and a plurality of second terminals  32  integrated with the second insulator  31  by an insert molding process. Each of first terminal  22  defines a front mating portion  221  and a rear soldering portion  222 . Each of second terminal  32  defines a front mating portion  321  and a rear soldering portion  322 . A plurality of soldering portions  222 ,  322  are located on a same plane when the first terminal module  2  and the second terminal module  3  assembled together. 
     The first insulator  21  defines a first groove  211  and a first slot  212  formed on a bottom surface thereof and communicated with each other. The first insulator  21  further defines a rib  213  extending downwardly from a bottom surface thereof. The second insulator  31  also defines a second groove  311 , a second slot  312  and a third slot  313  formed on a top surface thereof and communicated with each other. The third slot  313  is cooperated with the rib  213 . A channel is formed by the first and second slots  212 ,  312  when the when the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3  are assembled with each other in an up-to-down direction. And, a receiving room  23  is also formed by the first and second grooves  211 ,  311  when the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3  are assembled with each other in an up-to-down direction. The first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3  are respectively integrated with the insulative housing  1  through an insert molding process. The plurality of first and second terminals  22 ,  32  are respectively located on top and bottom surfaces of the insulative housing  1  for mating with a complementary connector (not shown in the FIGS.) 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , the metallic plate  4  is integrated with the insulative housing  1  to reinforce the tongue portion  12  of the insulative housing  1 . The metallic plate  4  is also sandwiched between the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3  for reducing cross talk and electromagnetic interference when the first and second terminals  22 ,  32  are in high-speed signal transmission. The metallic plate  4  comprises a first metallic piece  41  and a second metallic piece  42  connected with each other. The first metallic piece  41  defines a body portion  411  having a plurality of holes  4111  and a rear portion  412  extending rearwardly from the body portion  411 . Two sides of the first metallic piece  41  are extended to two side surfaces of the tongue portion  12  of the insulative housing  1 . Thus, the tongue portion  12  will not be scratched by latch of a complementary connector (not shown in FIGS.). The second metallic piece  42  defines a body portion  421 , an elastic contact portion  422  extending forwardly from a front edge of the body portion  421  and two rear portions  423  extending rearwardly and downwardly from a rear edge of the body portion  421 . The rear portion  412  and elastic contact portion  422  can be respectively extended into the receiving room  23  from front and rear ends of the first and second insulator  21 ,  22 . The metallic plate  4  can be electrically contacted with an outside grounding loop to achieve an good effectiveness of cross talk prevention and EMI suppression for the electrical connector assembly  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 6 , the metallic clamp  5  is structured in circular shape and received into the second recess  131 . The metallic clamp  5  comprises a first piece  51  and second piece  52  engaged with each other. The first piece  51  of metallic clamp  51  comprises extending portion  511  received into the third recess  111  of the base portion  11  of the insulative housing  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 , the rear insulator  6  is molded to a rear end of the insulative housing  1  and the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3 . The rear insulator  6  comprises a base portion  61  and an extending portion  62  received into a receiving space  8  between the insulative housing  1  and the first and second insulator  21 ,  31 . The extending portion  62  is structured in a circular shape. The base portion  61  is attached to a rear surface of the insulative housing  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the metallic shell  7  surrounds the insulative housing  1 . The metallic shell  7  is attached to the base portion  61  of the insulative housing  1  and interfered with the extending portion  51  of the metallic clamp  5  which is received into the third recess  111  of the base portion  11  of the insulative housing  1 . Thus, the metallic shell  7  is further engaged with the insulative housing  1  by the metallic clamp  5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the manufacturing process of the electrical connector assembly  100  made in according to the first embodiment of the present invention starts from assembling the first terminal module  2 , the second terminal module  3  and the metallic plate  4  together. The metallic plate  4  is sandwiched between the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3 . The first metallic piece  41  and a second metallic piece  42  are connected with each other in a receiving room  23  formed by the first and second insulators  21 ,  31 . 
     Then, mold the insulative housing  1  to the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3  and the metallic plate  4 . 
     Then, assemble the metallic clamp  5  to the second recess  131  of the middle portion  13  of the insulative housing  1 . 
     Then, mold the rear insulator  6  to the rear end of the insulative housing  1  and the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3 . The extending portion  62  of the rear insulator  6  is received into the receiving space  8 . The base portion  61  is attached to the rear surface of the insulative housing  1 . 
     Finally, assemble the metallic shell  7  to the insulative housing  1 . 
     After the above assembling steps, the entire process of manufacturing of the electrical connector assembly  100  made in according to the first embodiment of the present invention is finished. Actually, the electrical connector assembly  100  has a good effectiveness of cross talk and EMI suppression due to the metallic plated  4  sandwiched between the first and second terminal modules  2 ,  3 . The electrical connector assembly  100  is also easily manufactured. And, a method of manufacturing the electrical connector assembly  100  is efficiency and accuracy. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 17 , an electrical connector assembly  100 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises an insulative housing  1 ′, a first terminal module  2 ′ and a second terminal module  3 ′ assembled to top and bottom sides of the insulative housing  1 ′, a metallic plate  4 ′ formed in the insulative housing  1 ′ and sandwiched between the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′, a metallic clamp  5 ′ binding the insulative housing  1 ′, the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′, and a metallic shell  7 ′ surrounding the insulative housing  1 ′ and a first and second terminal module  2 ′,  3 ′. The electrical connector assembly  100 ′ is a symmetrical USB Type-C receptacle connector which allows it to be plugged in two orientations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9, 10 and 13 , the insulative housing  1 ′ defines a base portion  11 ′, a tongue portion  12 ′ and a middle portion  13 ′ located between the base portion  11 ′ and a tongue portion  12 ′. The insulative housing  1 ′ is structured in a step shape. The tongue portion  12 ′ and the middle portion  13 ′ are located in a same plane. The base portion  11 ′ is structured in a n shape. The insulative housing  1 ′ defines a plurality of receiving slots  14 ′,  15 ′ respectively formed on top and bottom surfaces thereof. The middle portion  13 ′ defines a recess  131 ′ formed on the top surface thereof. The base portion  11 ′ of the insulative housing  1 ′ further defines two positioning holes  111 ′ on the bottom surface of the base portion  11 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 10 , the first and second terminal module  2 ′  3 ′ are respectively assembled to the top and bottom surface of the insulative housing  1 ′. The first terminal module  2 ′ comprises a plurality of first terminals  21 ′ received into the receiving slots  14 ′ and a first insulator  22 ′ integrated with each other. The second terminal module  3 ′ comprises a plurality of second terminals  31 ′ received into the receiving slots  15 ′ and a second insulator  32 ′ integrated with each other. Each of first terminal  21 ′ defines a flat mating portion  211 ′ and a flat soldering portion  212 ′. The first insulator  22 ′ is structured in a rectangular shape and received into the recess  131 ′. The first insulator  22 ′ is attached to the metallic plate  4 ′. Each of second terminal  31 ′ defines a flat mating portion  311 ′ and a vertical soldering portion  312 ′. The second insulator  32 ′ assembled to a bottom surface of the base portion  11 ′. The second insulator  32 ′ defines two positioning posts  321 ′ formed on a top surface thereof for cooperated with the corresponding positioning holes  111 ′ and a groove  322 ′ formed on a bottom surface thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 13 , the metallic plate  4 ′ is integrated with the insulative housing  1 ′ by insert molding process to reinforce the insulative housing  1 ′. The metallic plate  4 ′ defines an L-shape rear portion  41 ′ and a flat front portion  42 ′. The rear portion  41 ′ defines two vertical soldering portions  411 ′. The front portion  42 ′ defines two locking portions  421 ′ formed at two sides thereof for cooperating with a complementary connector (not shown in FIGS.). The two sides of the metallic plate  4 ′ extend out of two side surfaces of the insulative housing  1 ′. Thus, the tongue portion  12 ′ will not be scratched by two latches of a complementary connector (not shown in FIGS.). The front portion  42 ′ further defines a hole  422 ′ for easily and firmly integrating with the insulative housing  1 ′. The metallic plate  4 ′ can be electrically contacted with an outside grounding loop to achieve an good effectiveness of cross talk prevention and EMI suppression for the electrical connector assembly  100 ′ by the two vertical soldering portions  411 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 10 , a metallic clamp  5 ′ is structured in a circular shape. The metallic clamp  5 ′ defines a circular base portion  51 ′ and an extending portion  52 ′ extending rearwardly from the base portion  51 ′. The extending portion  52 ′ can be received into the groove  322 ′. The metallic clamp  5 ′ is used for binding the insulative housing  1 ′, the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′ together. The extending portion  52 ′ defines two elastic tabs  521 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the metallic shell  7 ′ is structured in a frame shape. The metallic shell  7 ′ is assembled to and surrounds the insulative housing  1 ′, the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the electrical connector assembly  100 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention further comprises a third insulator  6 ′ molding to the insulative housing  1 ′ and the first terminal module  2 ′ and received into the metallic shell  7 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 17 , the manufacturing process of the electrical connector assembly  100 ′ made in according to the first embodiment of the present invention starts from molding the metallic plate  4 ′ and the insulative housing  1 ′. The two sides of the metallic plate  4 ′ extend out of two side surfaces of the insulative housing  1 ′. Two soldering portions  411  also extend out of the insulative housing  1 ′. 
     Then, assemble the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′ respectively to the top and bottom surface of the insulative housing  1 ′. The plurality of first and second terminals  22 ′,  32 ′ are respectively received into the receiving slots  14 ′,  15 ′. The first insulator  21 ′ is received into the recess  131 ′. The second insulator  31 ′ is assembled to the bottom surface of the base portion  11 ′. And, two positioning posts  321 ′ are received into the positioning holes  111 ′. 
     Then, mold the third insulator  6 ′ to the insulative housing  1 ′ and the first terminal module  2 ′. Thus, the first terminal module  2 ′ can be firmly positioned to the insulative housing  1 ′. 
     Then, assemble the metallic clamp  5 ′ to the middle portion of the insulative housing  1 ′, the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′ and the third insulator  6 ′. The extending portion  52 ′ of the metallic clamp  5 ′ is received into the groove  322 ′. 
     Finally, assemble the metallic shell  7 ′ to the periphery of the insulative housing  1 ′, the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′ and third insulator  6 ′. And, inner surface of the metallic shell  7 ′ contacts with the two elastic tabs  521 ′ of the metallic clamp  5 ′. 
     After the above assembling steps, the entire process of manufacturing of the electrical connector assembly  100 ′ made in according to the second embodiment of the present invention is finished. Actually, the electrical connector assembly  100 ′ has a good effectiveness of cross talk prevention and EMI suppression due to the metallic plate  4 ′ sandwiched between the first and second terminal modules  2 ′,  3 ′. The electrical connector assembly  100 ′ is also easily manufactured. And, a method of manufacturing the electrical connector assembly  100 ′ is efficiency and accuracy. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.