Patent Publication Number: US-2023163500-A1

Title: Robust electrical connector

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese Patent Application Serial Nos. 202122864517.3 and 202111401561.9, both filed Nov. 22, 2021. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to interconnection systems, such as those including electrical connectors, used to interconnect electronic assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is generally easier and more cost effective to manufacture a system as separate electronic assemblies, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), which may be joined together with electrical connectors. Having separable connectors enables components of the electronic system manufactured by different manufacturers to be readily assembled. Separable connectors also enable components to be readily replaced after the system is assembled, either to replace defective components or to upgrade the system with higher performance components. 
     Computers, for example, are often manufactured with connectors that serve as sockets for memory cards. A memory card may contain one or multiple memory chips and may be inserted into a socket to increase the available memory in the computer. Memory cards generally have standardized electrical and mechanical interfaces, as do the memory sockets. Many memory cards, for example, are designed according to a DDR standard, such as DDR4 or DDR5. 
     Sockets according to those standards have a card slot to receive a memory card and make electrical connections to it. Such sockets typically have an ejector that is mounted at a pivot point in the socket. The upper end of the ejector may be rotated about that pivot point into a position where it engages an opening in the memory card, locking the memory card in the socket. When the upper end of the ejector is rotated away from the socket, the bottom end of the ejector rotates upwards from underneath the memory card, pushing the memory card upwards in the slot so that it can be removed from the socket. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to robust electrical connectors. 
     Some embodiments relate to a latch assembly for a card edge connector, the card edge connector comprising a housing having a base portion extending in a longitudinal direction. The latch assembly may include a latch comprising a body portion comprising a first end and a second end; bearing surfaces on the body portion configured for engaging complementary bearing surfaces on the housing of the card edge connector to pivotably mount the latch in the housing such that the latch pivots between at least a locked position and an unlocked position; a foot extending from the body portion at the first end, the foot configured to extend under a portion of a card inserted in the card edge connector when the latch is pivoted into the locked position; and a head coupled to the body portion at the second end, the head configured to extend into a notch of a mating component mated to the card edge connector when the latch is pivoted into the locked position, wherein the head may comprise: a groove; and a clip disposed in the groove and configured for engaging a mating component when the mating component is inserted into the base portion of the card edge connector and the latch is pivoted into the locked position. 
     Optionally, the clip may be configured to restrain movement of the mating component in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 
     Optionally, the clip may be configured to restrain movement of the mating component in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction. 
     Optionally, the clip may comprise a body, and first and second beams configured to engage opposite sides of the mating component. 
     Optionally, the clip may comprise a body, first and second beams configured to engage one side and a top of the notch of the mating component. 
     Optionally, the groove of the latch may comprise first and second recessed portions; the first beam of the clip may be disposed in the first recessed portion; and the second beam of the clip may be disposed in the second recessed portion. 
     Optionally, each of the first and second beams of the clip may comprise a curved portion extending into the groove of the latch so as to engage the opposite sides of the mating component. 
     Optionally, each of the first and second beams of the clip may comprise an end portion extending from the curved portion and configured to guide the mating component to engage the curved portion. 
     Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a housing comprising a slot elongated in a longitudinal direction; a latch pivotably connected to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch comprising an upper part having a groove facing the housing; and a clip comprising a body and a first beam and a second beam disposed on opposite sides of the groove for engaging a mating component inserted into the slot of the housing when the latch is in the locked position. 
     Optionally, the first beam may comprise a first curved portion; the second beam may comprise a second curved portion; and the first curved portion and the second curved portion may curve inwards the groove and extend into the groove so as to engage the mating component inserted into the slot of the housing when the latch is in the locked position. 
     Optionally, the first beam may further comprise a first end portion connected to the first curved portion; the second beam may further comprise a second end portion connected to the second curved portion; the first end portion and the second end portion may be positioned at a groove opening of the groove so as to form a clip opening of the clip; and a maximum width of the clip opening in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be bigger than a width of the groove opening in the transverse direction. 
     Optionally, the clip may further comprise a third beam disposed at a top of the groove. 
     Optionally, the third beam may comprise a third curved portion; the third curved portion may curve inwards the groove and extends into the groove; and a spacing between the third curved portion and a top of a flange of the mating component may be between −0.1 mm and 0.1 mm when the mating component is inserted into the slot and the latch is in the locked position. 
     Optionally, the clip further may comprise a first holding part and a second holding part connected to the body; and the first holding part and the second holding part may be fixed to the latch at a top of the groove; and the first holding part and the second holding part may be positioned above the first beam and the second beam, respectively. 
     Some embodiments relate to a system. The system may include an electrical connector of described herein; and a component inserted into the slot of the housing of the electrical connector. The first and second beams of the clip may engage the component from opposite sides so as to restrain movement of the component in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 
     Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a housing comprising a base portion extending in a longitudinal direction; a pair of latches pivotably disposed at opposite ends of the base portion of the housing, each of the pair of latches extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and comprising a groove disposed above the base portion of the housing; and a pair of clips disposed in the grooves of respective ones of the pair of latches. 
     Optionally, the pair of clips may be configured to restrain movement of a mating component inserted in the base portion of the housing in the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction, and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction when the pair of latches are in a locked position. 
     Optionally, each clip of the pair may comprise a body, first and second beams extending from opposite sides of the body, and a third beam extending from a top of the body and disposed between the first and second beams. 
     Optionally, each of the first, second and third beams may comprise a portion curving into the groove so as to engage the mating component from three different sides. 
     Some embodiments relate to a system. The system may include an electrical connector described herein; and a component inserted in the base portion of the housing of the electrical connector, wherein the pair of clips may restrain movement of the component in the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction, and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction when the pair of latches are in a locked position. 
     Some embodiments relate to a electrical connector. The electrical connector may include an insulating housing and a latch. The insulating housing may be provided with a slot. The latch may be pivotally connected to the insulating housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. An upper part of the latch may be provided with a locking groove facing the insulating housing, and the locking groove may be configured for engaging a flange of a mating component inserted into the slot when the latch is at the locked position. The latch may be provided with a clip. The clip may comprise a clip main body and a first beam and a second beam which may extend from the clip main body. The first beam and the second beam may be positioned on opposite sides of the locking groove and configured to clamp the flange of the mating component. 
     Optionally, each of the first beam and the second beam may take a shape of an elastic beam. 
     Optionally, the first beam may comprise a first curved portion, the second beam may comprise a second curved portion, both the first curved portion and the second curved portion may curve toward the locking groove, and the first curved portion and the second curved portion may extend into the locking groove so as to clamp the flange of the mating component. 
     Optionally, the first beam may further comprise a first outer end portion connected to an outer end of the first curved portion, the second beam may further comprise a second outer end portion connected to an outer end of the second curved portion, the first outer end portion and the second outer end portion may be positioned adjacent a groove opening of the locking groove and form a clip opening of the clip, an outer side of the clip opening facing the locking groove may be of an incremental size, and a maximum width of the clip opening may be bigger than a width of the groove opening. 
     Optionally, the clip may further comprise a third beam connected to the clip main body, and the third beam may be positioned at a top of the locking groove. 
     Optionally, the third beam may take a shape of an elastic beam. 
     Optionally, the third beam may comprise a third curved portion, the third curved portion may curved toward the locking groove, and the third curved portion may extend into the locking groove. 
     Optionally, a spacing between the third curved portion and a top of the flange of the mating component may be between −0.1 mm and 0.1 mm. 
     Optionally, the latch may be further provided with a first fixing groove and a second fixing groove recessed towards opposite sides of the locking groove, and the first beam and the second beam may be respectively mounted to the first fixing groove and the second fixing groove. 
     Optionally, the clip main body and inner ends of the first beam and the second beam connected to the clip main body, may engage the first fixing groove and the second fixing groove. 
     Optionally, the clip may further comprise a first holding part and a second holding part connected to the clip main body, and the first holding part and the second holding part may be fixed to the latch at a top of the locking groove. 
     Optionally, the first holding part and the second holding part may be respectively positioned above the first beam and the second beam, and the first holding part and the second holding part may extend towards respective sides of the locking groove to exceed inner ends of the first beam and the second beam connected to the clip main body. 
     Optionally, the latch may be further provided with a third fixing groove and a fourth fixing groove recessed towards each side of the locking groove respectively, and outer edges of the first holding part and the second holding part may be respectively inserted into the third fixing groove and the fourth fixing groove, and the third fixing groove and the fourth fixing groove may respectively extend to a surface on which a groove opening of the locking groove is located. 
     Optionally, the clip further may comprise a third beam connected to the clip main body, and the third beam may be positioned between the first holding part and the second holding part. 
     Optionally, the first holding part and the second holding part may be spaced apart along a lateral direction of the locking groove so as to make the first holding part and the second holding part elastic. 
     Optionally, outer edges of the first holding part and the second holding part may be respectively provided with a first abutting protrusion and a second abutting protrusion, and the first abutting protrusion and the second abutting protrusion may respectively abut against groove walls of the third fixing groove and the fourth fixing groove. 
     Optionally, surfaces of the first abutting protrusion and the second abutting protrusion facing away from the groove opening may incline towards each other along a direction away from the groove opening. 
     These techniques may be used alone or in any suitable combination. The foregoing summary is provided by way of illustration and is not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an electronic system, illustrating an electrical connector with latches in a locked position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the electronic system shown in  FIG.  1   , illustrating the electrical connector with the latches in an unlocked position; 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  are schematic diagrams of a clip of the electrical connector shown in  FIG.  1    engaging a flange of a mating component, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an electrical connector, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    is a front, side perspective view of a latch and a clip of the electrical connector shown in  FIG.  4   , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    is a front perspective view of the latch and the clip shown in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a front, side perspective view of the latch shown in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a front perspective view of the latch shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a front elevation view of the latch shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a top, front perspective view of the clip shown in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a bottom, front perspective view of the clip shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a top, side perspective view of the clip shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a top plan view of the clip shown in  FIG.  10   ; and 
         FIG.  14    is a front elevation view of the clip shown in  FIG.  10   . 
     
    
    
     The above accompanying drawings include the following reference signs: 
     electrical connector  100 ; conductor  110 ; insulating housing  200 ; mating surface  201 ; mounting surface  202 ; slot  210 ; latch  300 ; locking groove  310 ; groove opening  311 ; first fixing groove  320 ; second fixing groove  330 ; third fixing groove  340 ; fourth fixing groove  350 ; tower  402 ; base portion  404 ; clip  400 ; clip main body  410 ; first beam  420 ; first curved portion  421 ; first outer end portion  422 ; second beam  430 ; second curved portion  431 ; second outer end portion  432 ; clip opening  440 ; third beam  450 ; third curved portion  451 ; first holding part  460 ; first abutting protrusion  462 ; surfaces  462   a ,  462   b ,  462   c ; second holding part  470 ; second abutting protrusion  472 ; surfaces  472   a ,  472   b ,  472   c ; bearing surface:  702 ; foot:  704 ; head:  706 ; electronic card  900 ; flange  910 ; and notch  920 . 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Inventors have recognized and appreciated design techniques to enable more reliable connectors. The Inventors have recognized and appreciated that undesired movement of mated components in a system with respect to each other may occur during use of the system as a result of vibration, shaking, etc. For example, a card edge connector is an example of a connector used for interconnection of printed circuit boards in an electronic system. Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is an example of a memory used in computers. DIMM may be connected to a mainboard of a computer through the card edge connector. The card edge connector may be mounted on the mainboard, and conductors on the card edge connector may be connected to a circuit of the mainboard. A DIMM, sometimes called a memory card, may be inserted into a slot of the card edge connector. To secure the connection between the memory card and the card edge connector, the card edge connector may include one or more latches. The latches may be pivotably disposed in respective towers at opposite ends of an insulating housing of the card edge connector. After the memory card is inserted into the insulating housing, the latches may be moved to locked positions such that the memory card is secured in the card edge connector. 
     The memory card may have notches on opposite sides corresponding to opposite sides of the slot of the card edge connector. When the latches are pivoted to the locked positions, parts of the latches may extend into the notches to engage edges of the notches so as to lock the memory card to the card edge connector. The Inventors have recognized and appreciated that the memory card may move relative to the card edge connector because of movement of the system such as vibration in a working environment, which may weaken the connection between the memory card and the card edge connector and/or disengage the card edge connector from the card edge connector. The Inventors have further recognized and appreciated that gaps may exist between side edges of the memory card and the latches, which may cause the memory card to move in the latch, even if a bottom edge of the memory card is clamped by conductive components of the connector when inserted into the slot of the insulating housing and mated with the conductive components. The Inventors have recognized and appreciated that reducing or eliminating the gaps between the memory card and the latches may reduce the risks that the memory card moves with respect to the card edge connector and therefore improve the stability of the interconnection system. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the latches may be provided with clips. The clips may be inserted into grooves of respective latches. When the memory card is inserted in the slot of the card edge connector, the clips may clamp respective side edges of the memory card, ensuring the connection between the latches and the memory card. The clips may be configured such that, when the latches are in locked positions, the clips restrain movement of the card from multiple directions, such as three different directions corresponding to the length, width, and height of the card edge connector. Such a configuration enables more reliable connections and improves the connector&#39;s shock resistance while being compatible with cards having a variety of thicknesses. 
     Such techniques may be integrated into an electrical connector  100 . As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2  and  4   , the electrical connector  100  may include an insulating housing  200  and a latch  300 . A vertical direction Z-Z, a longitudinal direction X-X and a transverse direction Y-Y are shown in the figures. The vertical direction Z-Z, the longitudinal direction X-X and the transverse direction Y-Y may be perpendicular each other. The vertical direction Z-Z may refer to a height direction of the electrical connector  100 . The longitudinal direction X-X may refer to a length direction of the electrical connector  100 . The transverse direction Y-Y may refer to a width direction of the electrical connector  100 . 
     The insulating housing  200  may be provided with a mating surface  201  and a mounting surface  202 , which may be opposite to each other along the vertical direction Z-Z. The mating surface  201  may be provided with a slot  210 . Exemplarily, the slot  210  may be recessed inwards along the vertical direction Z-Z from the mating surface  201 , to form a card slot. The slot  210  may be used for receiving a part of a mating component, to maintain the position of the mating component relative to the insulating housing  200 . The mating component may include, but not limited to, an electronic card. The electronic card may include one or more of a display card, a memory card, a sound card and the like. Optionally, the mating component may further include a mated electrical connector. For example, if the electrical connector  100  is a socket electrical connector, the mated electrical connector may be a plug electrical connector. The principle of the present disclosure is described below with an example which takes an electronic card as the mating component. 
     The insulating housing  200  may have a longitudinal strip shape. The insulating housing  200  may include a base portion  404  extending in the longitudinal direction X-X and a pair of towers  402  disposed on opposite ends of the base portion  404 . The slot  210  may be a long and thin slot extending in the longitudinal direction X-X. An electronic card  900  may be inserted into the card slot from the mating surface  201 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the mounting surface  202  may face a printed circuit board serving as a back plane, such that the electronic card  900  may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board by the electrical connector  100 , and a circuit on the electronic card and a circuit on the printed circuit board may be interconnected. The insulating housing  200  may be provided with a plurality of conductors  110 . The plurality of conductors  110  may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction X-X, such that adjacent conductors  110  may be electrically insulated from each other. The electronic card  900  may be provided with conductors (for example, golden fingers). When an edge of the electronic card  900  is inserted into the card slot, front ends of the plurality of conductors  110  may be electrically connected to the conductors on the electronic card  900 . Rear ends of the plurality of conductors  110  may extend beyond the inserted edge of the electronic card  900 . When the electrical connector  100  may be connected to the printed circuit board (not shown), rear ends of the plurality of conductors  110  may be electrically connected to the circuit on the printed circuit board. 
     Orientation terms used herein may be relative to the placement of the electrical connector  100  shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , i.e., the side on which the mating surface  201  may be located may be the up side and the side on which the opposite mounting surface  202  may be located may be the bottom side. Optionally, the slot  210  may extend along the longitudinal direction X-X. The insulating housing  200  may be molded from insulating materials such as plastic by a molding process. The insulating housing  200  may be an integral member. 
     A latch  300  may be pivotably connected to the insulating housing  200 , for example, pivotably connected to an end part of the insulating housing  200 . The latch  300  may be pivoted between a locked position and an unlocked position. In  FIG.  1   , the latch  300  may be at the locked position, and the latch  300  may lock the electronic card  900  to the electrical connector  100 . In  FIG.  2   , the latch  300  may be at the unlocked position, the electronic card  900  may be inserted into the slot  210 , or the electronic card  900  may be taken from the insulating housing  200 . The latch  300  may be molded from insulating materials such as plastic by a molding process. The latch  300  may be an integral member. The latch  300  and the insulating housing  200  may be made of the same or different materials. 
     As can be seen from  FIG.  7   , the latch  300  may include a body portion comprising a first end and a second end, bearing surfaces  702  on the body portion configured for engaging complementary bearing surfaces on the housing  200  of the electrical connector  100  to pivotably mount the latch  300  in the housing  200  such that the latch  300  pivots between at least the locked position and the unlocked position; a foot  704  extending from the boy portion at the first end, the foot configured to extend under a portion of a mating component such as the electronic card  900  mated to the electrical connector  100  when the latch  300  is pivoted into the locked position; and a head  706  coupled to the body portion a second end, the head  706  configured to extend into a notch of the mating component when the latch is pivoted into the locked position. The head  706  may include a locking groove  310 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 9   , the upper part of the latch  300  may be provided with the locking groove  310 . The locking groove  310  may face the insulating housing  200 . That is, the groove opening  311  of the locking groove  310  may face the insulating housing  200 . When the latch  300  is at the locked position, the locking groove  310  may engage a flange of the electronic card  900  inserted in the slot  210 . The flange may protrude from a side of the electronic card  900 . In some embodiments, the electronic card  900  may inconspicuously include a protruding flange. For example, in embodiments shown in  FIG.  2   , a side of the electronic card  900  may be provided with a notch  920 . When the latch  300  is at the locked position, the locking groove  310  may extend into the notch  920  to engage edges of the notch  920 . A protrusion part below the notch  920  may be regarded as the flange  910 . A part above the locking groove  310  of the latch  300  may be inserted into the notch  920 . It should be appreciated that those skilled in the art can make the locking groove  310  engage the electronic card  900  connected to the slot  210  by appropriate modification. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2  and  4   , both ends of the insulating housing  200  may be provided with latches  300 , and the two latches  300  may be configured to lock respective sides of the electronic card  900 . Locking grooves  310  in the two latches  300  may face each other. The two latches  300  may be of the same structure, and may be arranged in mirror image of each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the latch  300  may be provided with a clip  400 . The clip  400  may be formed from materials such as metal by a sheet metal process or any suitable processes. The clip  400  may be an integral member. The clip  400  may include a clip main body  410 , a first beam  420  and a second beam  430 . The first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be extend from opposite sides of the clip main body  410 . The first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be positioned on both sides of the clip main body  410 , and may be respectively connected to the clip main body  410 . The first beam  420 , the second beam  430  and the clip main body  410  may form a C shaped after connected so as to substantially surround the locking groove  310 . The inner end of the clip  400  may be embedded into the locking groove  310 . The first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be positioned on respective sides of the locking groove  310 . 
     The first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may clamp the flange  910  of the electronic card  900 . As shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B , when the latch  300  moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the locking groove  310  may gradually approach the flange  910 , such that the clip  400  may gradually approach the flange  910 . When the latch  300  is pivoted to the locked position, the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may clamp the flange  910  so as to securely lock the electronic card  900  in the slot  210 . 
     In the electrical connector  100  of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking groove  310  of the latch  300  may be provided with the clip  400 , such that when the latch  300  is at the locked position, the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may clamp the flange  910  along a lateral direction (for example, the transverse direction Y-Y shown in the figure). In this way, the mating component may be tightly connected to the latch  300  by the clip  400 . The mating component may not shake relative to the latch  300  even if there may be a spacing between the flange  910  and a side wall of the locking groove  310  due to a machining tolerance. Therefore, the connection stability may be higher, and thus the mating component retained in the slot  210  may have better electrical performance. The clip  400 , particularly the clip main body  410 , may serve as a support beam to the latch  300  such that the mechanical strength of the latch  300  may be improved and the latch  300  may be more solid and durable. 
     Each of the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may take a shape of an elastic beam. In the embodiment shown in the figure, inner ends of the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be connected to opposite sides of the clip main body  410 . In this way, outer ends of the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may have certain elasticity, thereby forming the elastic beam. “Inner ends” and “outer ends” mentioned herein may be relative to the locking groove  310 , the end part close to the groove opening  311  of the locking groove  310  may be the outer end, and the end part away from the groove opening  311  may be the inner end. Alternatively or additionally, the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be made of elastic material, or with different modes such as a small wall thickness, such that each of the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  takes the shape of the elastic beam. Referring to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B , when the latch  300  moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the flange  910  may abut against the first beam  420  and the second beam  430 , to push the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  away from each other, as indicated by arrows in  FIG.  3 A . When the latch  300  moves to the locked position, the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may tightly clamp the flange  910 , as indicated by arrows in  FIG.  3 B . Therefore, by such setting, the strength with which the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  clamp the flange  910  may be higher, such that the mating component may be tightly connected to the latch  300  by the clip  400 , the mating component may not shake, and the electrical connector  100  may have stable mechanical performance and electrical performance. Such a configuration may be applied to PCBs with a wide range of widths. Although the width of the flange  910  of a particular PCB may be larger or smaller, the flange  910  may be tightly clamped due to the elasticity property of the first beam  420  and the second beam  430 . Therefore, the requirement on machining accuracy of the flange  910  may be degraded, and the electrical connector  100  can be widely used. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the first beam  420  may include a first curved portion  421 . The second beam  430  may include a second curved portion  431 . Both the first curved portion  421  and the second curved portion  431  may curve inwards the locking groove  310 . In other words, both the first curved portion  421  and the second curved portion  431  may protrude inwards the locking groove  310 . The first curved portion  421  and the second curved portion  431  may extend into the locking groove  310  and configured to clamp the flange  910 . In this way, when the latch  300  moves, a friction force between the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  and the flange  910  may be small, thereby reducing the abrasion degree of the first beam  420 , the second beam  430  and the flange  910  caused by friction, and prolonging the service life of the first beam  420 , the second beam  430  and the flange  910 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the first beam  420  may further include a first outer end portion  422 . The first outer end portion  422  may be connected to the outer end of the first curved portion  421 . The second beam  430  may further include a second outer end portion  432 . The second outer end portion  432  may be connected to the outer end of the second curved portion  431 . The first outer end portion  422  and the second outer end portion  432  may be positioned at the groove opening  311  of the locking groove  310  to form a clip opening  440  of the clip  400 . The flange  910  may be inserted into the clip  400  from the clip opening  440 . The clip opening  440  may be of an incremental size towards the outer side of the locking groove  310 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the first outer end portion  422  may extend towards the left side obliquely from the first curved portion  421 . The second outer end portion  432  may extend towards the right side obliquely from the second curved portion  431 . In this way, the clip opening  440  may be horn-shaped. The maximum width of the clip opening  440  may be bigger than the width of the groove opening  311 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B , when the latch  300  moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the flange  910  may gradually approach the clip opening  440 . In this way, the clip opening  440  may guide the flange  910  into the locking groove  310 . Even if the latch  300  deviates in the moving process, the flange  910  may be guided since the maximum width of the clip opening  440  may be larger. The incremental clip opening  440  may direct the latch  300  into position and therefore ensure that the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  can clamp the flange  910 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the clip  400  may further include a third beam  450 . The third beam  450  may be connected to the clip main body  410 . Referring to  FIG.  3 C , the third beam  450  may be positioned at the top of the locking groove  310 . The third beam  450  may be configured as a limit and to block the flange  910 , thereby preventing the mating component from dissociating from the slot  210 . 
     As illustrated, the inner end of the third beam  450  may be connected to the clip main body  410 . In this way, the outer end of the third beam  450  may be elastic, thereby forming the elastic beam. Alternatively or additionally, the third beam  450  may be made of elastic material, or with different modes such as a small wall thickness, such that the third beam  450  takes the shape of the elastic beam. Referring to  FIG.  3 C , when the latch  300  moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, if the mating component is not connected to the slot  210  in place, the third beam  450  may interfere with the flange  910 . The elastic third beam  450  may be configured as a buffer and to prevent extrusion deformation or damage caused by interference of the third beam  450  with the flange  910 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the third beam  450  may include a third curved portion  451 . The third curved portion  451  may curve inwards the locking groove  310 . In other words, the third curved portion  451  may protrude inwards the locking groove  310 . The third curved portion  451  may extend into the locking groove  310 . In this way, when the latch  300  moves and if the third beam  450  interferes with the flange  910 , the friction force between the third beam  450  and the flange  910  may be small, thereby reducing the abrasion degree of the third beam  450  and the flange  910  caused by friction, and prolonging the service life of the third beam  450  and the flange  910 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 C , the spacing between the third curved portion  451  and the top of the flange  910  may be D, −0.1 mm≤D≤0.1 mm. That is, when the mating component (electronic card  900 ) is connected to the slot  210  in place, there may be no spacing or only a small spacing between the third curved portion  451  and the top of the flange  910 ; or when the mating component is mounted to the slot  210 , the top of the flange  910  may abut against the third curved portion  451 , so that the third curve portion  451  may be pushed up. When the mating component may be connected to the slot  210  in place, the third curved portion  451  may reduce the displacement of the mating component in the vertical direction Z-Z. In this way, the abrasion of the mating component and the electrical connector  100  while shaking can be reduced, and the service life of the mating component and the electrical connector  100  can be prolonged. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 9   , the latch  300  may further be provided with a first fixing groove  320  and a second fixing groove  330 . The first fixing groove  320  and the second fixing groove  330  may be recessed towards respective sides of the locking groove  310 . The first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be respectively mounted to the first fixing groove  320  and the second fixing groove  330 . By setting the first fixing groove  320  and the second fixing groove  330 , the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be positioned, to prevent the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  from being dissociated from an expected position, thereby ensuring the stability of performance of the electrical connector  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 9   , the inner end of the first beam  420  may be connected to the clip main body  410 . The inner end of the second beam  430  may be connected to the clip main body  410 . The clip main body  410 , the inner end of the first beam  420  and the inner end of the second beam  430  may engage between the first fixing groove  320  and the second fixing groove  330 . In this way, the outer end of the first beam  420  and the outer end of the second beam  430  may extend beyond the first fixing groove  320  and the second fixing groove  330 . Such configuration may enable the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  elastic and the maximum width of the clip opening  440  to be greater than the width of the groove opening  311 . The electrical connector  100  may have a more compact structure and lower manufacturing cost. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the clip  400  may further include a first holding part  460  and a second holding part  470 . The first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be respectively connected to the clip main body  410 . The first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be fixed to the latch  300  at the top of the locking groove  310 . By setting the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470 , the clip  400  can be firmly fixed to the latch  300 , thereby ensuring the stability of performance of the electrical connector  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the clip  400  may include the third beam  450 , the third beam  450  may be positioned between the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470 . In this way, the clip  400  may be symmetrical and therefore easier manufacture. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the first holding part  460  may be positioned above the first beam  420 . The second holding part  470  may be positioned above the second beam  430 . The first holding part  460  may extend towards the outer side of the locking groove  310  and exceed the inner end of the first beam  420 . The second holding part  470  may extend outwards the locking groove  310  and exceed the inner end of the second beam  430 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 9   , the latch  300  may further include a third fixing groove  340  and a fourth fixing groove  350 . The third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350  may be recessed towards respective sides of the locking groove  310 . Outer edges of the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be respectively inserted into the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 . The third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350  may respectively extend to a surface where the groove opening  311  of the locking groove  310  may be located. By setting the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 , the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be positioned to prevent the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  from dissociating from the expected position, thereby ensuring the stability of the performance of the electrical connector  100 . The clip  400  may be mounted into the latch  300  through the groove opening  311 . The first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be respectively aligned to the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 , and the first beam  420  and the second beam  430  may be aligned to the first fixing groove  320  and the second fixing groove  330  respectively and then inserted into the latch  300  directly. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 14   , the outer edge of the first holding part  460  may be provided with a first abutting protrusion  462 . The first abutting protrusion  462  may abut against the third fixing groove  340 . The first holding part  460  may abut against the side wall of the third fixing groove  340  by the first abutting protrusion  462 . The outer edge of the second holding part  470  may be provided with a second abutting protrusion  472 . The second abutting protrusion  472  may abut against the groove wall of the fourth fixing groove  350 . The second holding part  470  may abut against the groove wall of the fourth fixing groove  350  by the second abutting protrusion  472 . By setting the first abutting protrusion  462  and the second abutting protrusion  472 , material consumption of the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the electrical connector  100 . In addition, the contact area between the first holding part  460  and the third fixing groove  340  and the contact area between the second holding part  470  and the fourth fixing groove  350  may be reduced, thereby reducing friction in the mounting process and being convenient in mounting; and in addition, the possibility that contact surfaces may be not mated because of unsmooth surfaces may further be reduced, and the requirement on machining accuracy may be reduced too. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10  and  13   , the first abutting protrusion  462  may include a surface  462   a , a surface  462   b  and a surface  462   c . The surface  462   a , the surface  462   b  and the surface  462   c  may enclose and form the first abutting protrusion  462 . As illustrated, the surface  462   a  faces the groove opening  311 , the surface  462   b  faces away from the groove opening  311 , and the surface  462   c  connects the surface  462   a  and the surface  462   b . The second abutting protrusion  472  may include a surface  472   a , a surface  472   b  and a surface  472   c . The surface  472   a , the surface  472   b  and the surface  472   c  may enclose and form the second abutting protrusion  472 . As illustrated, the surface  472   a  faces the groove opening  311 , the surface  472   b  faces away from the groove opening  311 , and the surface  472   c  connects the surface  472   a  and the surface  472   b . The surface  462   b  and the surface  472   b  may incline towards each other along a direction away from the groove opening  311 . In this way, when the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  are respectively inserted into the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 , the first abutting protrusion  462  and the second abutting protrusion  472  may play a guiding role, thereby correcting the deviated latch  300  and avoiding that the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  cannot be normally inserted into the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 14   , the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may be spaced apart along the lateral direction (i.e. the transverse direction Y-Y) of the locking groove  310 . It may enable the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  to be elastic. In this way, when the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  need to be respectively inserted into the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 , a user may apply a force to make the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  approach each other, which reduces the spacing between the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470 , thereby making it easier to insert the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  into the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350  respectively. When the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  have been respectively inserted into the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 , the force may be removed, and the first holding part  460  and the second holding part  470  may return to an original shape under the action of an elastic potential energy, and thus respectively securely positioned in the third fixing groove  340  and the fourth fixing groove  350 . 
     The present disclosure has been described through the above embodiments. It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that a variety of variations, modifications and improvements may be made according to the teaching of the present disclosure, and these variations, modifications and improvements all fall within the spirit and scope of protection of the present disclosure. The scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and its equivalent scope. The above embodiments are only for the purpose of illustration and description, and may not limit the present disclosure to the scope of the described embodiments. 
     Various variations may be made to the structures illustrated and described herein. For example, the clip described above is used in a card edge connector, but the clip can also be used in any suitable electrical connector, such as backplane connectors, daughter card connectors, stacking connectors, Mezzanine connectors, I/O connectors, chip sockets, Gen Z connectors, etc. When these connectors are in use, they may encounter the problem of insufficient stability, and the clip may enable stronger connectors and more secure attachment between the connectors and respective mating components. 
     Moreover, although many creative aspects have been described above with reference to the vertical connectors, it should be understood that the aspects of the present disclosure may not be limited to these. Any one of the creative features, whether alone or combined with one or more other creative features, may be used for other types of electrical connectors, such as right angle connectors and coplanar connectors. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that orientation or positional relationships indicated by orientation words “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “transverse direction”, “vertical direction”, “perpendicular”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom” and the like usually are shown based on the accompanying drawings, only for the purposes of the ease in describing the present disclosure and simplification of its descriptions. Unless stated to the contrary, these orientation words do not indicate or imply that the specified apparatus or element has to be specifically located, and structured and operated in a specific direction, and therefore, should not limit the present disclosure. The orientation words “inside” and “outside” refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself. 
     For facilitating description, the spatial relative terms such as “on”, “above”, “on an upper surface of” and “upper” may be used herein to describe a spatial position relationship between one or more components or features and other components or features shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms may include the orientations of the components shown in the accompanying drawings and/or different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the component in the accompanying drawings is turned upside down completely, the component “above other components or features” or “on other components or features” may include the case where the component is “below other components or features” or “under other components or features”. Thus, the exemplary term “above” may encompass both the orientations of “above” and “below”. In addition, these components or features may be otherwise oriented (for example rotated by 90 degrees or other angles) and the present disclosure may include all these cases. 
     It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments, and may not limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, an expression of a singular form includes an expression of a plural form unless otherwise indicated. In addition, the use of “including”, “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, or “involving”, and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter (or equivalents thereof) and/or as additional items. 
     It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second” and the like in the description and claims of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects, but not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence order. It should be understood that ordinal numbers used in this way may be interchanged as appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein.