Patent Publication Number: US-2020295480-A1

Title: Electrical connector and method of manufacturing same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional application claims priority to and the benefit of, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), patent application Serial No. CN 201910196243.X filed in China on Mar. 15, 2019. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, are cited and discussed in the description of this disclosure. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the disclosure described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference were individually incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an electrical connector and a method of manufacturing the same, and particularly to an electrical connector in which multiple support members are integrally formed and a method of manufacturing the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     An electrical connector for being connected to a chip module includes a substrate and multiple conductive terminals fixed on the substrate. One end of each conductive terminal is soldered on a circuit board by a solder ball, and the other end thereof abuts an electrical conductor of the chip module, thereby realizing electrical conduction between the chip module and the circuit board. Multiple through holes are provided in the middle of the substrate, and multiple support members are correspondingly assembled to the through holes to support the chip module. 
     A disadvantage of the related art exists in that the support members of the electrical connector are assembled one-by-one onto the substrate. Thus, time is wasted, work efficiency is low, and cost is increased. 
     Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need to design a new electrical connector and a method of manufacturing the same exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the background art, the present invention is directed to an electrical connector in which multiple support members are integrally formed and a method of manufacturing the same. 
     To achieve the foregoing objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions. 
     An electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to a first mating component includes: a substrate, provided with a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes run through the substrate vertically; a plurality of first terminals, wherein each of the first terminals is provided with a first conducting portion and a first contact portion, the first conducting portion is downward conductively connected to a corresponding one of the conductive portions, and the first contact portion is located above the substrate to be conductively connected to the first mating component; a plurality of support members, integrally injection-molded on the substrate and correspondingly accommodated in the through holes, wherein the support members protrude upward out of the substrate to support the first mating component; and a connecting member, integrally connected to the support members, wherein the connecting member is located below the substrate. 
     In certain embodiments, each of the support members comprises a first portion and a second portion connected to each other, the first portion is accommodated in a corresponding one of the through holes, and the second portion is located above the substrate and pressed downward on the substrate. 
     In certain embodiments, an upper surface of the substrate is downward concavely provided with a plurality of grooves, a groove wall of each of the grooves is provided with one of the conductive portions, and the first conducting portion of each of the first terminals is a fisheye structure inserted into a corresponding one of the grooves to be electrically connected to the corresponding one of the conductive portions. 
     In certain embodiments, the electrical connector further includes a plurality of second terminals, wherein each of the second terminals is provided with a second conducting portion and a second contact portion, the conductive portions are respectively exposed upward and downward on the substrate, the second conducting portion is upward conductively connected to a corresponding one of the conductive portions, and the second contact portion is located below the substrate to be downward conductively connected to a second mating component. 
     In certain embodiments, the substrate is provided with a plurality of grooves running through the substrate vertically, a groove wall of each of the grooves is provided with one of the conductive portions, the first conducting portion of each of the first terminals is inserted downward into a corresponding one of the grooves and electrically connected to the corresponding one of the conductive portions, and the second conducting portion of each of the second terminals is inserted upward into a corresponding one of the grooves and electrically connected to the corresponding one of the conductive portions. 
     In certain embodiments, each of the first terminals comprises a first main body portion and a first elastic arm extending forward from the first main body portion, the first elastic arm is provided with the first contact portion, and the first conducting portion extends downward from the first main body portion; and each of the second terminals comprises a second main body portion and a second elastic arm extending forward from the second main body portion, the second elastic arm is provided with the second contact portion, and the second conducting portion extends upward from the second main body portion. 
     In certain embodiments, one of the first terminals and one of the second terminals connected to a same one of the conductive portions are provided to be vertically symmetrical. 
     In certain embodiments, the first terminals include at least one ground terminal and at least one signal terminal, and the at least one ground terminal and the at least one signal terminal have identical structures. 
     Compared with the related art, the electrical connector according to certain embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects. 
     The support members are integrally injection-molded on the substrate. The support members protrude upward out of the substrate to support the first mating component. The connecting member is integrally connected to the support members, and the connecting member is located below the substrate. Thus, the support members integrally connected by the connecting member are integrally formed on the substrate, such that the support members can be provided on the substrate at a time, thereby eliminating the time for implanting the support members one-by-one, reducing the cost and enhancing the work efficiency. 
     An electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to a first mating component includes: a substrate, provided with a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes run through the substrate vertically; a plurality of first terminals, wherein each of the first terminals is provided with a first conducting portion and a first contact portion, the first conducting portion is downward conductively connected to a corresponding one of the conductive portions, and the first contact portion is located above the substrate to be conductively connected to the first mating component; and a plurality of support members, integrally injection-molded on the substrate, wherein each of the support members has a first portion, and a second portion and a position limiting portion connected to an upper end and a lower end of the first portion, the first portion is accommodated in a corresponding one of the through holes, the second portion protrudes upward out of the substrate to support the first mating component, the position limiting portion is located below the substrate, and the second portion and the position limiting portion respectively abut the substrate in a vertical direction. 
     Compared with the related art, the electrical connector according to certain embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects. 
     The support members are integrally injection-molded on the substrate. Thus, the support members are integrally formed on the substrate, such that the support members can be provided on the substrate at a time, thereby eliminating the time for implanting the support members one-by-one, reducing the cost and enhancing the work efficiency. The second portion and the position limiting portion of each support member respectively abut the substrate in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the support member from being detached from the substrate upward or downward. 
     A method of manufacturing an electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to a first mating component includes: step S 1 : providing a substrate, wherein the substrate is provided with a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of through holes, and the through holes run through the substrate vertically; step S 2 : disposing the substrate in a mold, and then injecting a liquid plastic into the mold, wherein the liquid plastic flows into the through holes, the liquid plastic forms a connecting member and a plurality of support members integrally connected by the connecting member after cooling, the support members are correspondingly accommodated in the through holes and protrude upward out of the substrate, and the connecting member is located below the substrate; step S 3 : taking the substrate, the support members and the connecting member out from the mold; and step S 4 : providing a plurality of first terminals, wherein each of the first terminals is provided with a first conducting portion and a first contact portion configured to be upward conductively connected to the first mating component; and making the first conducting portions of the first terminals to be downward conductively connected to the conductive portions correspondingly. 
     In certain embodiments, in the step S 1 , an insulating member is attached below the substrate, the insulating member comprises a plurality of through slots, each of the through slots runs through the insulating member vertically, the through slots correspond to the through holes vertically, and the insulating member shields the conductive portions. 
     In certain embodiments, after the step S 3  and prior to the step S 4 , the insulating member and the connecting member are removed such that the connecting member is disconnected from the support members. 
     In certain embodiments, in the step S 2 , the mold comprises an upper mold, a lower mold and a cavity, the substrate is placed into the cavity, the upper mold and the lower mold are closed together, the mold shields each of the conductive portions, the cavity is in communication with each of the through holes, and the liquid plastic forms the connecting member and the support members in the cavity after cooling. 
     In certain embodiments, in the step S 2 , after the liquid plastic is cooled, a first portion is formed in each of the through holes, a second portion is formed above the substrate corresponding to each of the through holes, a position limiting portion is formed below the substrate corresponding to each of the through holes, the second portion and the position limiting portion are integrally connected to an upper end and a lower end of the first portion, and the second portion and the position limiting portion respectively abut the substrate in a vertical direction; and after the step S 3  and prior to the step S 4 , the connecting member is removed, such that the connecting member is disconnected from the support members. 
     In certain embodiments, in the step S 1 , the substrate is formed with a plurality of grooves running through the substrate vertically, and a groove wall of each of the grooves is provided with one of the conductive portions; and in the step S 4 , a plurality of second terminals are provided, each of the second terminals is provided with a second conducting portion and a second contact portion configured to be downward conductively connected to a second mating component, and the first conducting portions of the first terminals and the second conducting portions of the second terminals are respectively inserted into the grooves and are in contact with the conductive portions to form electrical connections. 
     Compared with the related art, the method according to certain embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects. 
     By disposing the substrate in a mold, and then injecting a liquid plastic into the mold, the liquid plastic flows into the through holes, the liquid plastic forms a connecting member and a plurality of support members integrally connected by the connecting member after cooling, the support members are correspondingly accommodated in the through holes and protrude upward out of the substrate, and the connecting member is located below the substrate. Thus, the support members can be provided on the substrate at a time, thereby eliminating the time for implanting the support members one-by-one, reducing the cost and enhancing the work efficiency. The second portion and the position limiting portion of each support member respectively abut the substrate in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the support member from being detached from the substrate upward or downward. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosure and together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the electrical connector in  FIG. 1  after being assembled and mated with first and second mating components. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial sectional perspective view of the electrical connector in  FIG. 1  being inverted after being assembled. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial sectional perspective view of a substrate and an insulating member being separated according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial sectional perspective view of the insulating member after being mounted to the substrate in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of  FIG. 5  being inverted. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the structure of  FIG. 6  being disposed into a cavity of a mold. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional perspective view of an injection-molded member being formed after a liquid plastic is injected and cooled in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional perspective view of  FIG. 8  being inverted. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of multiple support members integrally connected by a connecting member in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the connecting member being disconnected from the support members in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial sectional perspective view of  FIG. 8  after the connecting member and the insulating member are removed. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of  FIG. 12  being inverted. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of  FIG. 12  after conductive terminals are assembled thereto. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view of a substrate being inverted and then disposed in a mold according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an injection-molded member being formed after a liquid plastic is injected and cooled in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of  FIG. 16  after a flow gate material is removed. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of multiple support members being integrally connected by a connecting member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the connecting member being disconnected from the support members  FIG. 18  being inverted. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Moreover, titles or subtitles may be used in the specification for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending of the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below. 
     As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within  20  percent, preferably within  10  percent, and more preferably within  5  percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. 
     The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in  FIGS. 1-19 . In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to an electrical connector and a method of manufacturing the same. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an electrical connector  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided. The electrical connector  100  defines a vertical direction Z, and a front-rear direction X and a left-right direction Y perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and perpendicular to each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the electrical connector  100  is used to connect a first mating component  200  and a second mating component  300 , and mainly includes a substrate  1 , and multiple conductive terminals  2  and multiple support members  3  provided on the substrate  1 . In this embodiment, the first mating component  100  is a chip module, the substrate  1  is a circuit board, and the second mating component  300  is also a circuit board. In other embodiments, the first mating component  200  and the second mating component  300  may also be other types of components. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the substrate  1  may be a conventional printed circuit board material. The substrate  1  has an upper surface  11  and a lower surface  12  provided opposite to each other, and multiple grooves  13  running through the upper surface  11  and the lower surface  12 . The substrate  1  is provided with multiple conductive portions  14 , each being provided on a groove wall of each groove  13 . The conductive portions  14  are made of a metal material, and the conductive portions  14  extends to the upper surface  11  and the lower surface  12 . The substrate  1  further has multiple through holes  15  running vertically therethrough. In this embodiment, the cross section of each of the through holes  15  in a horizontal direction is circular. The grooves  13  and the through holes  15  are respectively arranged in multiple rows in the front-rear direction X. The rows of grooves  13  and the rows of through holes  15  are staggered in the front-rear direction X, and the grooves  13  and the through holes  15  in adjacent rows are staggered in the left-right direction Y. In other embodiments, the grooves  13  and the through holes  15  may be arranged in other manners. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the conductive terminals  2  are made of a metal material. The conductive terminals  2  include multiple first terminals  21  and multiple second terminals  22 . The first terminals  21  are provided above the substrate  1 , and the second terminals  22  are provided below the substrate  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 14 , each first terminal  21  includes a first main body portion  211 , a first conducting portion  212  extending downward from a lower end of the first main body portion  211 , and a first elastic arm  213  extending forward and upward from an upper end of the first main body portion  211 . The first elastic arm  213  is provided with a first contact portion  214 , and the first conducting portion  212  has a fisheye structure. The first conducting portions  212  of the first terminals  21  are correspondingly inserted downward into the grooves  13 . Each first conducting portion  212  is conductively connected to a corresponding conductive portion  14  to form an electrical connection. The first contact portion  214  is located above the substrate  1  to be upward conductively connected to the first mating component  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , each second terminal  22  includes a second main body portion  221 , a second conducting portion  222  extending upward from an upper end of the second main body portion  221 , and a second elastic arm  213  extending forward and downward from a lower end of the second main body portion  221 . The second elastic arm  223  is provided with a second contact portion  224 , and the second conducting portion  222  also has a fisheye structure. The second conducting portions  222  of the second terminals  22  are correspondingly inserted upward into the grooves  13 . Each second conducting portion  222  is conductively connected to a corresponding conductive portion  14  to form an electrical connection. The second contact portion  224  is located below the substrate  1  to be downward conductively connected to the second mating component  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the first terminals  21  and the second terminals  22  have identical structures. The first terminals  21  and the second terminals  22  respectively include at least one ground terminal  2 A and at least one signal terminal  2 B. The first terminals  21  and the second terminals  22  of the same type are connected to the same conductive portion  14 , and the first terminal  21  and the second terminal  22  conductively connected to the same conductive portion  14  are provided to be vertically symmetrical. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 14 , the support members  3  are integrally formed from a liquid plastic in the through holes  15 , and protrude out of the upper surface  11  to support the first mating component  200  upward. Each conductive terminal  2  and each support member  3  are staggered both in the front-rear direction X and in the left-right direction Y. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 12 , each support member  3  is substantially a cylindrical structure. Each support member  3  has a first portion  31 , and a second portion  32  and a position limiting portion  33  connected to an upper end and a lower end of the first portion  31 . The first portion  31  is accommodated in a corresponding through hole  15 . The second portion  32  protrudes upward out of the upper surface  11  to support the first mating component  200 . The position limiting portion  33  is located below the substrate  1  and upward abuts the lower surface  12 . The second portion  32  downward abuts the upper surface  11 . In other words, the size of the second portion  32  and the size of the position limiting portion  33  are respectively larger than a diameter of each through hole  15 , such that each support member  3  can be limited from moving vertically relative to the substrate  1 , thereby preventing the support members  3  from being detached from the substrate  1 . 
       FIG. 4  to  FIG. 14  show a method of manufacturing the electrical connector  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which includes the following steps: 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , in step S 1 , the grooves  13  and the through holes  15  are formed in the substrate  1  running vertically therethrough, and the groove wall of each groove  13  is provided with the corresponding conductive portion  14 . The conductive portions  14  and the through holes  15  are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , in the step S 1 , an insulating member  5  is attached to the lower surface  12  of the substrate  1 . The insulating member  5  includes multiple through slots  51 , and each through slot  51  runs through the insulating member  5  vertically. The through slots  51  correspond to the through holes  15  vertically. Each through slot  51  also has a cylindrical structure. A diameter of each through slot  51  is larger than the diameter of each through hole  51 . The insulating member  5  shields the conductive portions  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in step S 2 , the substrate  1  and the insulating member  5  provided on the lower surface  12  of the substrate  1  are turned upside down and disposed in a mold  6  altogether. The mold  6  includes an upper mold  61 , a lower mold  62  and a cavity  63 . The mold  6  further includes a flow gate A and a runner B provided in the upper mold  61 . The opening of the flow gate A gradually increases downward from top thereof in the upper mold  61 . The flow gate A is downward in communication with the runner B, and the runner B is in communication with the cavity  63 . After the upper mold  61  and the lower mold  62  are closed together, the substrate  1  is located in the cavity  63 , and the runner B is provided above the inverted substrate  1 . A portion of the cavity  63  is located below the inverted substrate  1 , and the other portion thereof is correspondingly located above the through holes  15 . The runner B is provided with multiple left-right runners and a front-rear runner in communication with the left-right runners. The flow gate A is in downward communication with the front-rear runner. Each left-right runner is provided between two adjacent rows of the through holes  15  at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and is in communication with the cavity  63  in the front-rear direction X. The upper mold  61  and the insulating member  5  are superposed vertically to jointly shield each conductive portion  14  downward from the upper side of the inverted substrate  1 , and the lower mold  62  shields the conductive portions  14  upward from the lower side of the inverted substrate  1 . The cavity  63  is in communication with each through hole  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 9 , a liquid plastic is then injected into the mold  6 . The liquid plastic flows from the flow gate A into the runner B, the through holes  15  and the cavity  63 . The liquid plastic, after cooling, forms a connecting member  4 , the support members  3  integrally connected by the connecting member  4 , and a flow gate material C integrally connected to the connecting member  4 . At this time, the support members  3  are correspondingly accommodated in the through holes  15  and protrude downward out of the upper surface  11  of the inverted substrate  1 . After the liquid plastic is cooled, the connecting member  4  is formed in the runner B, and the flow gate material C is formed in the flow gate A. The connecting member  4  and the flow gate material C are both located above the inverted substrate  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10 , in the step S 2 , each support member  3  forms the first portion  31  in each through hole  15 , forms the second portion  32  below the inverted substrate  1  corresponding to each through hole  15 , and forms the position limiting portion  33  above the inverted substrate  1  corresponding to each through hole  15 . The size of a horizontal cross section of the position limiting portion  33  is smaller than or equal to the diameter of each through slot  51 . The second portion  32  and the position limiting portion  33  are integrally connected to the upper end and the lower end of the first portion  31 . The second portion  32  and the position limiting portion  33  respectively abut the substrate  1  in the vertical direction Z, thereby preventing each support member  3  from being subject to a force and moving in the vertical direction Z relative to the substrate  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , in step S 3 , the substrate  1 , the support members  3 , the connecting member  4 , the insulating member  5  and the flow gate material C are taken out from the mold  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 13 , then, the connecting member  4  is disconnected from the support members  3 , and the connecting member  4  and the flow gate material C that are integrally connected are removed. Finally, the insulating member  5  is removed from the substrate  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 14 , in step S 4 , the first terminals  21  and the second terminals  22  made of a metal material are provided. Each first terminal  21  is provided with the first conducting portion  212  and the first contact portion  214  to be upward conductively connected to the first mating component  200 , and each second terminal  22  is provided with the second conducting portion  222  and the second contact portion  224  to be downward conductively connected to the second mating component  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 14 , in the step S 4 , the first conducting portions  212  of the first terminals  21  are correspondingly inserted downward into the grooves  13  such that each first conducting portion  212  is in contact with the corresponding conductive portion  14  to form an electrical connection, and the second conducting portions  222  of the second terminals  22  are correspondingly inserted upward into the grooves  13  such that each second conducting portion  222  is in contact with the corresponding conductive portion  14  to form an electrical connection.  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17  show a second embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector  100  in this embodiment is substantially the same as the structure according to the first embodiment, and the differences therebetween exist in that: the electrical connector  100  further includes a connecting member  4 . The connecting member  4  is integrally connected to the support members  3 . The connecting member  4  is located below the substrate  1  and connected to the first portions  31  of the support members  3 . The connecting member  4  and the support members  3  are injection-molded with the same plastic material, and the connecting member  4  serves as the position limiting portion in the first embodiment. That is, the connecting member  4  in this embodiment and the position limiting portion in the first embodiment provide the same function. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17 , the differences of the method of manufacturing the electrical connector  100  in this embodiment from that in the first embodiment exist in that: in the step S 2 , only the substrate  1  is inverted and disposed in the cavity  63  of the mold  6 , such that when the upper mold  61  and the lower mold  62  are closed together, the upper mold  61  shields each conductive portion  14  downward from the upper side of the inverted substrate  1 . The opening of the flow gate A gradually decreases downward from top thereof in the upper mold  61  and is funnel shaped. The runner B is located above the through holes  15  and is in downward communication with each through hole  15 . After the liquid plastic is cooled, the diameter of an end of the flow gate material C formed in the flow gate A near the connecting member  4  is smaller than the diameter of the other end thereof away from the connecting member  4 , and the flow gate material C is provided at the periphery of the grooves  13 , thereby not preventing the second terminals  22  from being correspondingly mounted to the grooves  13  in the subsequent step S 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16  to  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 16  is a view of the liquid plastic after cooling, without showing the mold  6 . In the step S 3 , the upper mold  61  and the lower mold  62  are separated. At this time, the flow gate material C is disconnected from the connecting member  4  at the joint thereof, and the substrate  1 , the support members  3  and the connecting member  4  are taken out from the lower mold  62 . The connecting member  4  upward abuts the lower surface  12  of the substrate  1 . By the combined action of the second portion  32  and the connecting member  4 , the support members  3  are prevented from moving vertically relative to the substrate  1 , thereby ensuring the support members  3  not to detach from the substrate  1 . 
       FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  show a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is substantially the same as the second embodiment, and the differences therebetween exist in that: 
     In step S 3 , the substrate  1 , the support members  3 , the connecting member  4  and the gate material C are taken out from the mold  6 , and the connecting member  4  and the flow gate material C are removed together, such that the connecting member  4  is disconnected from the support members  3 . Each support member  3  includes a position limiting portion  33  located below the substrate  1 , and the position limiting portion  33  upward abuts the lower surface  12 . After the connecting member  4  is removed, it is possible to recognize whether or not the molding method is employed according to the indentation of the lower surface  12 . 
     To sum up, the electrical connector and the method of manufacturing the same according to certain embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: 
     1. By disposing the substrate  1  in the mold  6 , and then injecting the liquid plastic into the mold  6 , the liquid plastic flows into the through holes  14 , the liquid plastic forms the connecting member  4  and the support members  3  integrally connected by the connecting member  4  after cooling, the support members  3  are correspondingly accommodated in the through holes  15  and protrude upward out of the substrate  1 , and the connecting member  4  is located below the substrate  1 . Thus, the support members  3  can be provided on the substrate  1  at a time, thereby eliminating the time for implanting the support members  3  one-by-one, saving the mounting time, saving the cost and enhancing the work efficiency. 
     2. Each support member  3  has the first portion  31 , and the second portion  32  and the position limiting portion  33  connected to the upper and lower ends of the first portion  31 . The first portion  31  is accommodated in a corresponding through hole  15 , and the second portion  32  and the position limiting portion  33  respectively abut the substrate  1  in the vertical direction Z. Thus, when the support members  3  are subject to a downward pressure of the first mating component  200 , the support members  3  can be prevented from being detached from the substrate  1  downward and from being detached from the substrate  1  upward. 
     3. The flow gate material C is funnel shaped, which facilitates the removal of the flow gate material C on the basis that the connecting member  4  remains connected to the support members  3  after the connecting member  4  is formed. By the combined action of the second portion  32  and the connecting member  4 , the support members  3  are prevented from moving vertically relative to the substrate  1 , thereby ensuring the support members  3  not to detach from the substrate  1 . 
     4. The first terminals  21  and the second terminals  22  have identical structures, such that the first terminals  21  and the second terminals  22  can be formed by only one set of stamping equipment, thereby reducing the cost. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to activate others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.