Patent Publication Number: US-9847614-B1

Title: Receptacle connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a connector, and more particularly to a receptacle connector capable of effectively preventing a short circuit being caused. 
     2. The Related Art 
     With the development of various electronic products, the various electronic products are connected with peripheral devices more and more frequently, and the various electronic products are usually connected with the peripheral devices by electrical connectors. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , an existing receptacle connector  100 ′ includes an insulating housing  10 ′, two groups of conductive terminals  20 ′ and a shielding element  30 ′. The insulating housing  10 ′ has a main portion  11 ′, a first tongue portion  12 ′ protruded frontward from a front surface of the main portion  11 ′, and a second tongue portion  13 ′ protruded frontward from a front surface of the first tongue portion  12 ′. The two groups of the conductive terminals  20 ′ are fastened to the insulating housing  10 ′. Front ends of one group of the conductive terminals  20 ′ are exposed to a top surface of the second tongue portion  13 ′ and are arranged transversely. Front ends of the other group of the conductive terminals  20 ′ are exposed to a bottom surface of the second tongue portion  13 ′ and are arranged transversely. Rear ends of the two groups of the conductive terminals  20 ′ project beyond a rear surface of the main portion  11 ′. 
     The shielding element  30 ′ is formed by virtue of a MIM (Metal Injection Molding) technology. The shielding element  30 ′ has a base portion  31 ′. The base portion  31 ′ opens a receiving chamber  32 ′ penetrating through a front surface and a rear surface thereof. Two opposite sides of the front surface of the base portion  31 ′ protrude frontward to form two side boards  33 ′. The receiving chamber  32 ′ is located between the two side boards  33 ′. A top and a bottom of the front surface of the base portion  31 ′ protrude frontward to form two sealing boards  34 ′. The two sealing boards  34 ′ are connected with top surfaces and bottom surfaces of the two side boards  33 ′, respectively. The main portion  11 ′ is received in the receiving chamber  32 ′. The first tongue portion  12 ′ and the second tongue portion  13 ′ are received between the two side boards  33 ′. The two sealing boards  34 ′ are respectively attached to a top surface and a bottom surface of the first tongue portion  12 ′. The front surface of the first tongue portion  12 ′ is flush with front surfaces of the two sealing boards  34 ′. 
     However, after the receptacle connector  100 ′ is docked with a plug connector frequently, metal chips are easily produced from the two sealing boards  34 ′ on account of a friction between the two sealing boards  34 ′ and the plug connector, and front ends of the two sealing boards  34 ′ are nearer to exposing portions of the two groups of the conductive terminals  20 ′, so the metal chips easily fall down on the conductive terminals  20 ′ to cause the conductive terminals  20 ′ to be electrically connected with the two sealing boards  34 ′ by the metal chips. As a result, the receptacle connector  100 ′ easily causes a short circuit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle connector adapted for being interconnected with a plug connector. The receptacle connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of conductive terminals and a shielding element. The insulating housing has at least one docking surface for being docked with the plug connector. A portion of the at least one docking surface protrudes outward to form a protruding portion beyond the at least one docking surface. The plurality of conductive terminals are fastened to the insulating housing. Front ends of the conductive terminals are exposed to a front of the at least one docking surface and are transversely arranged along the at least one docking surface. The front ends of the conductive terminals are located in front of the protruding portion. Rear ends of the conductive terminals project beyond a rear surface of the insulating housing. The shielding element surrounds the insulating housing. The shielding element has a base body which opens a receiving chamber penetrating through a front surface and a rear surface of the base body. Two opposite sides of the front surface of the base body extend frontward to form two side boards spaced from each other. A front of the receiving chamber is located between the two side boards. At least one portion of the front surface of the base body protrudes frontward to form at least one sealing board connected with rears of the two side boards. A front end of the at least one sealing board opens a locking groove. A rear of the insulating housing is fastened in the receiving chamber. A front of the insulating housing is received between fronts of the two side boards. The front ends of the conductive terminals are exposed out of the shielding element. The rear ends of the conductive terminals project out of the shielding element. The at least one sealing board is attached to a substantial middle of the insulating housing and located behind the protruding portion. The protruding portion is received in the locking groove and seals up the front end of the at least one sealing board. 
     As described above, the protruding portion of the at least one docking surface is received in the locking groove of the at least one sealing board, and seals up the front end of the at least one sealing board, the front ends of the conductive terminals are exposed to the front of the at least one docking surface and are transversely arranged along the at least one docking surface, the front ends of the conductive terminals exposed to the front of the at least one docking surface are defined as exposing portions of the conductive terminals, the exposing portions of the conductive terminals are located in front of the protruding portion, the front end of the at least one sealing board is isolated from the exposing portions of the conductive terminals by the protruding portion, so a distance between the exposing portions and the front end of the at least one sealing board is increased, and after the receptacle connector is docked with the plug connector frequently, metal chips produced from the at least one sealing board on account of a friction between the at least one sealing board and the plug connector are effectively decreased, so that the metal chips are prevented from falling down on the conductive terminals to make the conductive terminals be electrically connected with the at least one sealing board. As a result, the receptacle connector is capable of effectively preventing a short circuit being caused. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a receptacle connector in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is another exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector of FIG.  1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional perspective view of the receptacle connector along a line IV-IV of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially perspective view of the receptacle connector of  FIG. 1 , wherein a shielding element is omitted; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the receptacle connector along a line VI-VI of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the shielding element of the receptacle connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a receptacle connector in prior art; and 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional perspective view of the receptacle connector of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a receptacle connector  100  in accordance with the present invention is shown. The receptacle connector  100  adapted for being interconnected with a plug connector (not shown), includes an insulating housing  10 , a plurality of conductive terminals  20 , at least one ground terminal  30  and a shielding element  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the insulating housing  10  includes a main portion  11 , and a tongue portion  12  fastened to a front end of the main portion  11 . A direction of the plug connector being plugged into the receptacle connector  100  is defined as a front-to-rear direction, namely a longitudinal direction. Correspondingly, a transverse direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The main portion  11  has a base portion  13 , and a connecting portion  14  protruded frontward from a middle of a front surface of the base portion  13 . Specifically, the main portion  11  includes an upper insulating body  15 , and a lower insulating body  16  matched with the upper insulating body  15 . The upper insulating body  15  has an upper base portion  151 , and an upper connecting portion  152  protruded frontward from a lower portion of a front surface of the upper base portion  151 . Two opposite sides of a front surface of the upper connecting portion  152  are recessed inward to form two upper gaps  153 . 
     The lower insulating body  16  has a lower base portion  161 , and a lower connecting portion  162  protruded frontward from an upper portion of a front surface of the lower base portion  161 . Two opposite sides of a front surface of the lower connecting portion  162  are recessed inward to form two lower gaps  163 . The upper base portion  151  and the lower base portion  161  are matched with each other. The upper base portion  151  and the lower base portion  161  together define the base portion  13 . The upper connecting portion  152  and the lower connecting portion  162  are matched with each other. The upper connecting portion  152  and the lower connecting portion  162  together define the connecting portion  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the tongue portion  12  has a limiting portion  120 , and a docking portion  121  protruded frontward from a front surface of the limiting portion  120 . The docking portion  121  has a first docking portion  122  protruded frontward from the front surface of the limiting portion  120 , and a second docking portion  123  protruded frontward from a front face of the first docking portion  122 . The docking portion  121  of the tongue portion  12  of the insulating housing  10  has at least one docking surface  101  for being docked with the plug connector. A portion of the at least one docking surface  101  protrudes outward to form a protruding portion  102  beyond the at least one docking surface  101 . The tongue portion  12  opens a plurality of terminal grooves  17  longitudinally extending and penetrating through a rear surface thereof, and penetrating through a front of the at least one docking surface  101 . The terminal grooves  17  are located in front of the protruding portion  102  and transversely arranged along the at least one docking surface  101 . 
     Preferably, the docking portion  121  protruded frontward from a middle of the front surface of the limiting portion  120 . The docking portion  121  has the first docking portion  122  protruded frontward from a middle of the front surface of the limiting portion  120 , and the second docking portion  123  protruded frontward from a middle of the front face of the first docking portion  122 . The insulating housing  10  has two opposite docking surfaces  101 . A top surface  103  and a bottom surface  104  of the docking portion  121  are defined as the two opposite docking surfaces  101 . Substantial middles of the two opposite docking surfaces  101  protrude outward to form two protruding portions  102  beyond the two opposite docking surfaces  101 , respectively. The two protruding portions  102  include a first protruding portion  124  and a second protruding portion  125 . A substantial middle of the top surface  103  protrudes outward to form the first protruding portion  124  beyond the top surface  103 . A substantial middle of the bottom surface  104  protrudes outward and opposite to the first protruding portion  124  to form the second protruding portion  125  beyond the bottom surface  104 . 
     Specifically, one of the two opposite docking surfaces  101  includes a top face  126  of the first docking portion  122  extending longitudinally, and a superface  127  of the second docking portion  123  extending longitudinally, and located in front of the top face  126  of the first docking portion  122 . The other docking surface  101  includes a bottom face  128  of the first docking portion  122  opposite to the top face  126  of the first docking portion  122 , and a subface  129  of the second docking portion  123  opposite to the superface  127  of the second docking portion  123 . Front ends of the top face  126  and the bottom face  128  of the first docking portion  122  protrude outward to form the first protruding portion  124  and the second protruding portion  125 , respectively. The first protruding portion  124  and the second protruding portion  125  extend transversely and are of elongated shapes. The first protruding portion  124  and the second protruding portion  125  are shown as the same shape and the same size. 
     The terminal grooves  17  are arranged in two rows along an up-down direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Correspondingly, a vertical direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Each row of the terminal grooves  17  are arranged transversely. The two rows of the terminal grooves  17  include a row of upper terminal grooves  171 , and a row of lower terminal grooves  172  located under the row of the upper terminal grooves  171 . The row of the upper terminal grooves  171  longitudinally extend and penetrate through the rear surface of the tongue portion  12 , and vertically penetrate through the superface  127  of the second docking portion  123 . The row of the lower terminal grooves  172  longitudinally extend and penetrate through the rear surface of the tongue portion  12 , and vertically penetrate through the subface  129  of the second docking portion  123 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , the plurality of conductive terminals  20  include a plurality of upper terminals  21  and a plurality of lower terminals  22 . Each of the upper terminals  21  has an upper fastening portion  211 , an upper contact portion  212  extended frontward from a front end of the upper fastening portion  211 , and an upper soldering portion  213  extended rearward from a rear end of the upper fastening portion  211 . Each of the lower terminals  22  has a lower fastening portion  221 , a lower contact portion  222  extended frontward from a front end of the lower fastening portion  221 , and a lower soldering portion  223  extended rearward from a rear end of the lower fastening portion  221 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the at least one ground terminal  30  has a fixing portion  301 , a touching portion  302  connected with one end of the fixing portion  301 , and a soldering foot  303  connected with the other end of the fixing portion  301 . 
     Preferably, the receptacle connector  100  includes two pairs of ground terminals  30 . The two pairs of ground terminals  30  include two upper ground terminals  31  and two lower ground terminals  32 . Each of the two upper ground terminals  31  has an upper fixing portion  311 , an upper touching portion  312  connected with one end of the upper fixing portion  311 , and an upper soldering foot  313  connected with the other end of the upper fixing portion  311 . Specifically, the upper fixing portion  311  is shown as a substantially U shape with the mouth thereof facing upward. The substantially U-shaped upper fixing portion  311  has a first arm  315 , and a second arm  316  inclined outward away from the first arm  315  and located behind the first arm  315 . The upper touching portion  312  is slantwise extended upward and rearward from the first arm  315 , and located above the inclined second arm  316  and a middle of the upper fixing portion  311 . The upper soldering foot  313  is bent rearward, then slantwise extends rearward and sideward, and further extends rearward from the second arm  316 . A free end of the upper touching portion  312  is bent downward and rearward, and then is arched downward to form an upper touching point  314  approaching to a root portion of the upper soldering foot  313 . 
     Each of the two lower ground terminals  32  has a lower fixing portion  321 , a lower touching portion  322  connected with one end of the lower fixing portion  321 , and a lower soldering foot  323  connected with the other end of the lower fixing portion  321 . Specifically, the lower fixing portion  321  is shown as a substantially inverted U shape with the mouth thereof facing downward. The substantially inverted U-shaped lower fixing portion  321  has a third arm  325 , and a fourth arm  326  inclined outward away from the third arm  325  and located behind the third arm  325 . The lower touching portion  322  is slantwise extended downward and rearward from the third arm  325  and located under the inclined fourth arm  326  and a middle of the lower fixing portion  321 . The lower soldering foot  323  is bent rearward in a direction away from the third arm  325 , then slantwise extends rearward and sideward, and further extends rearward from the fourth arm  326 . A free end of the lower touching portion  322  is bent upward and rearward, and then is arched upward to form a lower touching point  324  approaching to a root portion of the lower soldering foot  323 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 , the shielding element  40  is formed by a MIM (Metal Injection Molding) technology. The shielding element  40  has a base body  41 . The base body  41  opens a receiving chamber  42  penetrating through a front surface and a rear surface thereof. The receiving chamber  42  includes a first receiving chamber  421  and a second receiving chamber  422 . A rear of the base body  41  opens the first receiving chamber  421  passing through the rear surface of the base body  41 . A front wall of the first receiving chamber  421  opens the second receiving chamber  422  passing through the front surface of the base body  41 . The second receiving chamber  422  is located in front of and communicated with the first receiving chamber  421 . Two opposite sides of the front surface of the base body  41  extend frontward to form two side boards  43  spaced from each other. A front of the receiving chamber  42  is located between the two side boards  43 . The second receiving chamber  422  of the receiving chamber  42  is located between the two side boards  43 . 
     The shielding element  40  further has a connecting board  44  connected between front ends of the two side boards  43 . At least one portion of the front surface of the base body  41  protrudes frontward to form at least one sealing board  45  connected with rears of the two side boards  43 . A front end of the at least one sealing board  45  opens a locking groove  46 . 
     Specifically, the shielding element  40  has two sealing boards  45 . The front ends of the two sealing boards  45  open two locking grooves  46 , respectively. An upper portion of the front surface of the base body  41  protrudes frontward to form a first sealing board  451 . Two opposite sides of the first sealing board  451  are connected with rears of top surfaces of the two side boards  43 . A middle of a front end of the first sealing board  451  opens a first locking groove  461 . A lower portion of the front surface of the base body  41  protrudes frontward to form a second sealing board  452  opposite to and spaced from the first sealing board  451 . Two opposite sides of the second sealing board  452  are connected with rears of bottom surfaces of the two side boards  43 . A middle of a front end of the second sealing board  452  opens a second locking groove  462 . The two sealing boards  45  include the first sealing board  451  and the second sealing board  452 . The two locking grooves  46  include the first locking groove  461  and the second locking groove  462 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 , the plurality of conductive terminals  20  and the at least one ground terminal  30  are fastened to the base portion  13  and the connecting portion  14  of the main portion  11  of the insulating housing  10 . And the plurality of conductive terminals  20  are transversely arranged along the at least one docking surface  101 . Front ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  and the at least one ground terminal  30  project beyond a front surface of the main portion  11 . The front ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  and the at least one ground terminal  30  project beyond a front surface of the connecting portion  14 . Rear ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  and the at least one ground terminal  30  project beyond a rear surface of the insulating housing  10 . The rear ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  and the at least one ground terminal  30  project beyond a rear surface of the main portion  11 . The rear ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  and the at least one ground terminal  30  project beyond a rear surface of the base portion  13 . 
     The upper terminals  21  and the lower terminals  22  are fastened to the insulating housing  10 . Rear ends of the upper terminals  21  and the lower terminals  22  project beyond the rear surface of the insulating housing  10 . Front ends of the upper terminals  21  are exposed to one of the two opposite docking surfaces  101  and located in front of the first protruding portion  124 . Front ends of the lower terminals  22  are exposed to the other docking surface  101  and located in front of the second protruding portion  125 . 
     Specifically, the upper terminals  21  are integrally molded to the upper insulating body  15  and arranged transversely. The upper fastening portions  211  of the upper terminals  21  are integrally molded in the upper insulating body  15 . The upper contact portions  212  of the upper terminals  21  project beyond the front surface of the upper connecting portion  152 . The upper soldering portions  213  of the upper terminals  21  project beyond a rear surface of the upper base portion  151 . The two upper ground terminals  31  are integrally molded to the upper insulating body  15 . The upper terminals  21  are located between the two upper ground terminals  31 . Rear ends and the middles of the upper fixing portions  311  and front ends of the upper soldering feet  313  of the two upper ground terminals  31  are molded in the upper insulating body  15 . Front ends of the upper fixing portions  311  of the two upper ground terminals  31  are fastened in the two upper gaps  153 . The first arms  315  of the upper fixing portions  311  are fastened in the two upper gaps  153 , respectively. Rear ends of the upper soldering feet  313  of the two upper ground terminals  31  project beyond the rear surface of the upper base portion  151 . The upper touching portions  312  of the two upper ground terminals  31  project beyond a top surface of the upper connecting portion  152 . The upper touching points  314  of the two upper ground terminals  31  abut against an inner surface of a top wall of the receiving chamber  42 . 
     The lower terminals  22  are integrally molded to the lower insulating body  16  and arranged transversely. The lower fastening portions  221  of the lower terminals  22  are integrally molded in the lower insulating body  16 . The lower contact portions  222  of the lower terminals  22  project beyond the front surface of the lower connecting portion  162 . The lower soldering portions  223  of the lower terminals  22  project beyond a rear surface of the lower base portion  161 . The two lower ground terminals  32  are integrally molded to the lower insulating body  16 . The lower terminals  22  are located between the two lower ground terminals  32 . Rear ends and the middles of the lower fixing portions  321  and front ends of the lower soldering feet  323  of the two lower ground terminals  32  are molded in the lower insulating body  16 . Front ends of the lower fixing portions  321  of the two lower ground terminals  32  are fastened in the two lower gaps  163 . The third arms  325  of the lower fixing portions  321  are fastened in the two lower gaps  163 , respectively. Rear ends of the lower soldering feet  323  of the two lower ground terminals  32  project beyond the rear surface of the lower base portion  161 . The lower touching portions  322  of the two lower ground terminals  32  project beyond a top surface of the lower connecting portion  162 . The lower touching points  324  of the two lower ground terminals  32  abut against an inner surface of a bottom wall of the receiving chamber  42 . 
     The shielding element  40  surrounds the insulating housing  10 . A rear of the insulating housing  10  is fastened in the receiving chamber  42 . A front of the insulating housing  10  is received between fronts of the two side boards  43 . The tongue portion  12  is integrally molded with the shielding element  40 . A rear of the tongue portion  12  is fastened in the second receiving chamber  422 . A front of the tongue portion  12  is received between the two side boards  43 . The at least one sealing board  45  is attached to a substantial middle of the insulating housing  10  and located behind the protruding portion  102 . The at least one sealing board  45  is attached to a rear of the at least one docking surface  101 . The protruding portion  102  of the at least one docking surface  101  is received in the locking groove  46  of the at least one sealing board  45 , and seals up the front end of the at least one sealing board  45 . A front surface of the protruding portion  102  is flush with a front surface of the at least one sealing board  45 . 
     Specifically, the limiting portion  120  is fastened in the second receiving chamber  422 . The docking portion  121  is received between the two side boards  43 . A front surface of the second docking portion  123  is flush with front surfaces of the two side boards  43 . The connecting board  44  is fastened in the front of the insulating housing  10 . The connecting board  44  is fastened in the second docking portion  123 . The first sealing board  451  is attached to a rear of one of the two opposite docking surfaces  101 . The first sealing board  451  is attached to a rear of the top face  126  of the first docking portion  122 . The first protruding portion  124  is received in the first locking groove  461  and seals up the front end of the first sealing board  451 . The second sealing board  452  is attached to a rear of the other docking surface  101 . The second sealing board  452  is attached to a rear of the bottom face  128  of the first docking portion  122 . The second protruding portion  125  is received in the second locking groove  462  and seals up the front end of the second sealing board  452 . Front surfaces of the first protruding portion  124  are flush with front surfaces of the two opposite sides of the first sealing board  451 . Front surfaces of the second protruding portion  125  are flush with front surfaces of the two opposite sides of the second sealing board  452 . So when the receptacle connector  100  is interconnected with the plug connector, metal chips produced from the at least one sealing board  45  on account of a friction between the at least one sealing board  45  and the plug connector are effectively decreased. 
     A front of the main portion  11  is received in the first receiving chamber  421 . A rear of the tongue portion  12  is received in the second receiving chamber  422 . The tongue portion  12  is fastened to the front of the main portion  11 . The connecting portion  14  is received in the first receiving chamber  421 . The front surface of the base portion  13  abuts against the rear surface of the base body  41 . The upper base portion  151  is fastened to the lower base portion  161  to form the base portion  13 . The upper connecting portion  152  is fastened to the lower connecting portion  162  to form the connecting portion  14 . The upper connecting portion  152  and the lower connecting portion  162  are received in the first receiving chamber  421 . Front surfaces of the upper base portion  151  and the lower base portion  161  abut against the rear surface of the base body  41 . 
     The front ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  are fastened to the tongue portion  12 . The front ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  are inserted frontward into the terminal grooves  17 . The front ends of the conductive terminals  20  are exposed to a front of the at least one docking surface  101  from front ends of the respective terminal grooves  17  and are transversely arranged along the at least one docking surface  101 . The front ends of the conductive terminals  20  are exposed out of the shielding element  40 . The front ends of the conductive terminals  20  are located in front of the protruding portion  102 . The front ends of the conductive terminals  20  exposed to the front of the at least one docking surface  101  are defined as exposing portions  201  of the conductive terminals  20 . The exposing portions  201  of the conductive terminals  20  are located in front of the protruding portion  102 . The front end of the at least one sealing board  45  is isolated from the exposing portions  201  of the conductive terminals  20  by the protruding portion  102 , so a distance between the exposing portions  201  and the front end of the at least one sealing board  45  is increased. The rear ends of the plurality of conductive terminals  20  project out of the shielding element  40 . 
     The upper contact portions  212  of the upper terminals  21  are inserted frontward into the upper terminal grooves  171 , respectively. Tops of front ends of the upper contact portions  212  are exposed to the superface  127  of the second docking portion  123  from front ends of the upper terminal grooves  171 , and are arranged transversely. The tops of the front ends of the upper contact portions  212  exposed to the superface  127  of the second docking portion  123  are defined as upper exposing portions  202 . The upper exposing portions  202  of the upper terminals  21  are located in front of the first protruding portion  124 . So the middle of the front end of the first sealing board  451  is isolated from the upper exposing portions  202  of the upper terminals  21  by the first protruding portion  124 . The upper soldering portions  213  of the upper terminals  21  project out of the shielding element  40 . 
     The lower contact portions  222  of the lower terminals  22  are inserted frontward into the lower terminal grooves  172 , respectively. Bottoms of front ends of the lower contact portions  222  are exposed to the subface  129  of the second docking portion  123  from front ends of the lower terminal grooves  172 , and are arranged transversely. The bottoms of the front ends of the lower contact portions  222  exposed to the subface  129  of the second docking portion  123  are defined as lower exposing portions  203 . The lower exposing portions  203  of the lower terminals  22  are located in front of the second protruding portion  125 . So the middle of the front end of the second sealing board  452  is isolated from the lower exposing portions  203  of the lower terminals  22  by the second protruding portion  125 . The lower soldering portions  223  of the lower terminals  22  project out of the shielding element  40 . The upper touching portions  312  of the two upper ground terminals  31  respectively abut against an inner surface of a top wall of the first receiving chamber  421 . The lower touching portions  322  of the two lower ground terminals  32  respectively abut against an inner surface of a bottom wall of the first receiving chamber  421 . 
     As described above, the protruding portion  102  of the at least one docking surface  101  is received in the locking groove  46  of the at least one sealing board  45 , and seals up the front end of the at least one sealing board  45 , the front ends of the conductive terminals  20  are exposed to the front of the at least one docking surface  101  and are transversely arranged along the at least one docking surface  101 , the front ends of the conductive terminals  20  exposed to the front of the at least one docking surface  101  are defined as the exposing portions  201  of the conductive terminals  20 , the exposing portions  201  of the conductive terminals  20  are located in front of the protruding portion  102 , the front end of the at least one sealing board  45  is isolated from the exposing portions  201  of the conductive terminals  20  by the protruding portion  102 , so the distance between the exposing portions  201  and the front end of the at least one sealing board  45  is increased, and after the receptacle connector  100  is docked with the plug connector frequently, the metal chips produced from the at least one sealing board  45  on account of the friction between the at least one sealing board  45  and the plug connector are effectively decreased, so that the metal chips are prevented from falling down on the conductive terminals  20  to make the conductive terminals  20  be electrically connected with the at least one sealing board  45 . As a result, the receptacle connector  100  is capable of effectively preventing a short circuit being caused.