Patent Publication Number: US-11646533-B2

Title: Electrical connector, electrical connector assembly and electrical connector module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application claims priority of a Chinese Patent Application No. 202010194117.3, filed on Mar. 18, 2020 and titled “ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MODULE”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector, an electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector module, which belongs to a technical field of electrical connectors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With continuous development of interconnection technologies, it puts forward higher requirements on the quality of signal transmission. The existing electrical connectors usually include a plurality of signal terminals and a plurality of ground terminals which are located on both sides of each group of signal terminals. However, how to better improve the quality of signal transmission to meet the requirements of high-speed signal transmission is a technical problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical connector, an electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector module which are capable of improving the quality of signal transmission. 
     In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector, comprising: an insulating body defining a first receiving space; a first terminal module received to the first receiving space of the insulating body, the first terminal module comprising a first insulating portion and a plurality of first terminals fixed to the first insulating portion, the plurality of first terminals comprising a plurality of pairs of first signal terminals and a plurality of first ground terminals, the first insulating portion having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, the plurality of first terminals comprising a plurality of first contact portions exposed on the first side surface; and a first metal shield mounted to the second side surface and fixed with the first terminal module, wherein the first metal shield is located between the second side surface and the insulating portion, and the first metal shield is in contact with the plurality of first ground terminals. 
     In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector assembly, comprising: a first electrical connector; a second electrical connector; and an adapter connector connecting the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector; each of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector comprising: an insulating body defining a first receiving space; a first terminal module received to the first receiving space of the insulating body; the first terminal module comprising a first insulating portion and a plurality of first terminals fixed to the first insulating portion, the plurality of first terminals comprising a plurality of pairs of first signal terminals and a plurality of first ground terminals, the first insulating portion being provided with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, the plurality of first terminals comprising a plurality of first contact portions exposed on the first side surface; and a first metal shield mounted to the second side surface and fixed with the first terminal module, wherein the first metal shield is located between the second side surface and the insulating portion, and the first metal shield is in contact with the plurality of first ground terminals; wherein the adapter connector comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion opposite to the first connecting portion, the first terminal module of the first electrical connector is connected to the first connecting portion, and the first terminal module of the second electrical connector is connected to the second connecting portion. 
     In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector module, comprising: a plurality of electrical connectors; and a bracket to support the plurality of electrical connectors; each electrical connector comprising: an insulating body defining a first receiving space; a first terminal module received to the first receiving space of the insulating body; the first terminal module comprising a first insulating portion and a plurality of first terminals fixed to the first insulating portion, the plurality of first terminals comprising a plurality of pairs of first signal terminals and a plurality of first ground terminals, the first insulating portion being provided with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, the plurality of first terminals comprising a plurality of first contact portions exposed on the first side surface; and a first metal shield mounted to the second side surface and fixed with the first terminal module, wherein the first metal shield is located between the second side surface and the insulating portion, and the first metal shield is in contact with the plurality of first ground terminals; wherein the bracket and the plurality of electrical connectors are connected as a whole. 
     Compared with the prior art, the electrical connector of the present disclosure includes the first metal shield mounted on the second side surface and fixed with the first terminal module, the first metal shield is located between the second side surface and the insulating body, and the first metal shield is in contact with the plurality of first ground terminals, thereby increasing the shielding area and improving the quality of signal transmission. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a first electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective schematic view of  FIG.  1    from another angle; 
         FIG.  3    is a partially exploded perspective view of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a partially exploded perspective view of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a further perspective exploded view of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a further perspective exploded view of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a further perspective exploded view of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a second electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective schematic view of  FIG.  9    from another angle; 
         FIG.  11    is a partially exploded perspective view of  FIG.  9    with the first terminals separated; 
         FIG.  12    is a partially exploded perspective view of  FIG.  10    with the second terminals separated; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  14    is a front view of  FIG.  13    and schematically shows how it is mounted to a circuit board; 
         FIG.  15    is a partially exploded perspective view of  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a partially exploded perspective view of an adapter connector in  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective schematic view of an electrical connector module in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  18    is a partially exploded perspective view of  FIG.  17   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here, examples of which are shown in drawings. When referring to the drawings below, unless otherwise indicated, same numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The examples described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the application as detailed in the appended claims. 
     The terminology used in this application is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to limit this application. The singular forms “a”, “said”, and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings. 
     It should be understood that the terms “first”, “second” and similar words used in the specification and claims of this application do not represent any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, “an” or “a” and other similar words do not mean a quantity limit, but mean that there is at least one; “multiple” or “a plurality of” means two or more than two. Unless otherwise noted, “front”, “rear”, “lower” and/or “upper” and similar words are for ease of description only and are not limited to one location or one spatial orientation. Similar words such as “include” or “comprise” mean that elements or objects appear before “include” or “comprise” cover elements or objects listed after “include” or “comprise” and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The term “a plurality of” mentioned in the present disclosure includes two or more. 
     Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the case of no conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  8   , an illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a first electrical connector  100  which includes an insulating body  3 , a first terminal module  1  mounted to the insulating body  3 , a first metal shield  4  fixed with the first terminal module  1 , a second terminal module  2  mounted to the insulating body  3 , and a second metal shield  5  fixed together with the second terminal module  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the insulating body  3  includes a main body portion  31 , a guiding portion  32  extending from one end of the main body portion  31 , and a mounting portion  33  extending from the other end of the main body portion  31 . The main body portion  31  defines a first receiving space  311  for receiving the first terminal module  1  and a second receiving space  312  for receiving the second terminal module  2 . The first receiving space  311  and the second receiving space  312  are respectively located on two opposite sides of the main body  31 . The insulating body  3  also defines a plurality of first positioning grooves  3111  communicating with the first receiving space  311 , a plurality of first slots  3112  for fixing the first metal shield  4 , a plurality of second positioning grooves  3121  communicating with the second receiving space  312 , and a plurality of second slots  3122  for fixing the second metal shield  5 . The guiding portion  32  is contracted compared to the main body portion  31 . The guiding portion  32  has a first inclined surface  321  and a second inclined surface  322 . The first positioning grooves  3111  extend upwardly through part of the first inclined surface  321 , and the second positioning grooves  3121  extend upwardly through part of the second inclined surface  322 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  7   , the first terminal module  1  includes a first insulating portion  10  and a plurality of first terminals  11  fixed to the first insulating portion  10 . Referring to  FIG.  7   , the plurality of first terminals  11  include a plurality of pairs of first signal terminals S 1  and a plurality of first ground terminals G 1 . Each pair of first signal terminals S 1  are associated with two first ground terminals G 1  between which the pair of first signal terminals S 1  are located, in order to improve the quality of signal transmission. The first insulating portion  10  has a first side surface  101  (referring to  FIG.  3   ) and a second side surface  102  (referring to  FIG.  6   ) opposite to the first side surface  101 . The first terminal  11  has a first contact portion  111  exposed on the first side surface  101 , a first positioning portion  112  extending upwardly beyond the first insulating portion  10 , and a first mounting portion  113  extending downwardly beyond the first insulating portion  10 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first positioning portion  112  of the first signal terminal S 1  is aligned with the first contact portion  111  of the same first signal terminal S 1 . The first positioning portion  112  of the first ground terminal G 1  is of a substantial L-shaped configuration and includes a first bent portion  1121  at the top end. The first bent portion  1121  is perpendicular to the first contact portion  111  of the first ground terminal G 1 . In some embodiments, the first positioning portion  112  of the first ground terminal G 1  is aligned with the first contact portion  111  of the same first ground terminal G 1 . Alternatively, the first positioning portion  112  of the first ground terminal G 1  may not have the first bent portion  1121 , but is of a straight strip shape configuration together with the first contact portion  111 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminals  11  are insert-molded with the first insulating portion  10  for fixation. 
     The first metal shield  4  is mounted to the second side surface  102  of the first insulating portion  10  and fixed with the first terminal module  1 . The first metal shield  4  is located between the second side surface  102  and the insulating body  3 , and the first metal shield  4  is in contact with the plurality of first ground terminals G 1 , thereby increasing the grounding area and improving the shielding effect. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminal module  1  and the first metal shield  4  are fixed together by heat melting, soldering, or welding. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first insulating portion  10  defines a plurality of first grooves  103  on the second side surface  102  (referring to  FIG.  6   ). The plurality of first ground terminals G 1  are respectively exposed in the first grooves  103 . The first metal shield  4  is provided with a plurality of first protrusions  41  protruding toward the corresponding first grooves  103 . The first protrusions  41  are connected to the corresponding first ground terminals G 1 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of first protrusions  41  and the corresponding first ground terminals G 1  are fixedly connected by solder, conductive glue or conductive films. The first metal shield  4  further includes a plurality of first protrusion portions  40  fixed in the first slots  3112  (referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  7   , the second terminal module  2  includes a second insulating portion  20  and a plurality of second terminals  21  fixed to the second insulating portion  20 . Referring to  FIG.  7   , the plurality of second terminals  21  include a plurality of pairs of second signal terminals S 2  and a plurality of second ground terminals G 2 . Each pair of second signal terminals S 2  are associated with two second ground terminals G 2  between which the pair of second signal terminals S 2  are located, in order to improve the quality of signal transmission. The second insulating portion  20  has a third side surface  201  (referring to  FIG.  4   ) and a fourth side surface  202  (referring to  FIG.  5   ) opposite to the third side surface  201 . The second terminal  21  has a second contact portion  211  exposed on the third side surface  201 , a second positioning portion  212  extending upwardly beyond the second insulating portion  20 , and a second mounting portion  213  extending downwardly beyond the second insulating portion  20 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the second positioning portion  212  of the second signal terminal S 2  is aligned with the second contact portion  211  of the same second signal terminal S 2 . The second positioning portion  212  of the second ground terminal G 2  is of a substantial L-shaped configuration, and includes a second bent portion  2121  at the top end. The second bent portion  2121  is perpendicular to the second contact portion  211  of the second ground terminal G 2 . In some embodiments, the second positioning portion  212  of the second ground terminal G 2  is aligned with the second contact portion  211  of the same second ground terminal G 2 . The second positioning portion  212  of the second ground terminal G 2  may not have the second bent portion  2121 , but is of a straight strip shape configuration together with the second contact portion  211 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second terminals  21  are insert-molded with the second insulating portion  20  for fixation. 
     The second metal shield  5  is mounted to the fourth side surface  202  of the second insulating portion  20  and fixed with the second terminal module  2 . The second metal shield  5  is located between the fourth side surface  202  and the insulating body  3 , and the second metal shield  5  is in contact with the plurality of second ground terminals G 2 , thereby increasing the grounding area and improving the shielding effect. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second terminal module  2  and the second metal shield  5  are fixed together by heat melting, soldering, or welding. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the second insulating portion  20  defines a plurality of third grooves  203  on the fourth side surface  202  (referring to  FIG.  5   ). The plurality of second ground terminals G 2  are respectively exposed in the third grooves  203 . The second metal shield  5  includes a plurality of second protrusions  51  protruding toward the corresponding third grooves  203 . The plurality of second protrusions  51  are connected to the corresponding second ground terminals G 2 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of second protrusions  51  and the corresponding second ground terminals G 2  are fixedly connected by solder, conductive glue or conductive films. The second metal shield  5  further includes a plurality of second protrusion portions  50  fixed in the second slots  3122  (referring to  FIGS.  3  and  5   ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  to  12   , the present disclosure discloses a second electrical connector  200  which has most of the same features as the first connector  100 . The main differences between the first connector  100  and the second connector  200  include, in the first connector  100 , the plurality of pairs of first signal terminals S 1  and the plurality of pairs of second signal terminals S 2  are all non-intersecting structures. That is, between each pair of first signal terminals S 1  There is no overlap in the direction perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces  101  and  102  of the first insulating portion  10  (that is, a thickness direction of the first insulating portion  10 ). There is no overlap between each pair of second signal terminals S 2  in a direction perpendicular to the third and fourth side surfaces  201 ,  202  of the second insulating portion  20  (that is, a thickness direction of the second insulating portion  20 ). Each pair of first signal terminals S 1  and each pair of second signal terminals S 2  of the first connector  100  are straight. However, in the second electrical connector  200 , the plurality of pairs of first signal terminals S 1  include at least one pair of the first signal terminals S 1  which intersect each other. The plurality of pairs of second signal terminals S 2  include at least one pair of the second signal terminals S 2  which intersect each other. The at least one pair of first signal terminals S 1 , which intersect each other, jointly form a first intersecting structure X 1 . The at least one pair of second signal terminals S 2 , which intersect each other, jointly form a second intersecting structure X 2 . In this embodiment, in the second electrical connector  200 , the plurality of pairs of first signal terminals S 1  include a plurality of pairs of the first signal terminals S 1  which intersect each other. Besides, a pair of first signal terminals S 1  which do not intersect each other are provided between two adjacent pairs of the first signal terminals S 1  which intersect each other. The plurality of pairs of second signal terminals S 2  include a plurality of pairs of the second signal terminals S 2  which intersect each other. Besides, a pair of second signal terminals S 2  which do not intersect each other are provided between two adjacent pairs of the second signal terminals S 2  which intersect each other. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in the second electrical connector  200 , the first insulating portion  10  includes at least one second groove  104  on the first side surface  101 . The first intersecting structure X 1  is exposed in the second groove  104 , so that the first intersecting structure X 1  is exposed to the air. Referring to  FIG.  10   , the second insulating portion  20  has at least one fourth groove  204  on the third side surface  201 . The second intersecting structure X 2  is exposed in the fourth groove  204 , so that the second intersecting structure X 2  is exposed to the air. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first intersecting structure X 1  overlaps but does not contact with each other in the direction perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces  101  and  102  of the first insulating portion  10  (that is, the thickness direction of the first insulating portion  10 ). The second intersecting structure X 2  overlaps but does not contact with each other in the direction perpendicular to the third and fourth side surfaces  201  and  202  of the second insulating portion  20  (that is, the thickness direction of the second insulating portion  20 ). 
     By providing the second groove  104  and the fourth groove  204 , the first intersecting structure X 1  and the second intersecting structure X 2  are exposed to the air, which is beneficial to the positioning of plastic molds on the one hand, and is beneficial to improve the Signal Integrity (SI), such as improving signal delay and adjusting impedance on the other hand. In other words, if the first intersecting structure X 1  and the second intersecting structure X 2  are enclosed in the insulating portion, the straight signal terminals beside them will form a large delay difference compared with the intersecting signal terminals, which is not beneficial to improve the quality of signal transmission. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  13  to  16   , the present disclosure also discloses an electrical connector assembly which includes the first electrical connector  100 , the second electrical connector  200 , and an adapter connector  300  connecting the first electrical connector  100  and the second electrical connector  200 . The adapter connector  300  includes a first connecting portion  301  and a second connecting portion  302  opposite to the first connecting portion  301 . The first terminal module  1  and the second terminal module  2  of the first electrical connector  100  are connected to the first connecting portion  301 . The first terminal module  1  and the second terminal module  2  of the second electrical connector  200  are connected to the second connecting portion  302 . Referring to  FIG.  14   , the first electrical connector  100  is adapted for being mounted to a first circuit board  109 . The second electrical connector  200  is adapted for being mounted to a second circuit board  209 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first circuit board  109  is parallel to the second circuit board  209 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   , the adapter connector  300  includes a first adapter housing  303 , a second adapter housing  304  and a terminal assembly  305 . The first adapter housing  303  and the second adapter housing  304  are assembled with each other. The terminal assembly  305  is received in the first adapter housing  303  and the second adapter housing  304 . The terminal assembly  305  includes a first terminal clamping portion  3051  located in the first connecting portion  301  and a second terminal clamping portion  3052  located in the second connecting portion  302 . The first terminal clamping portion  3051  is used to contact the first terminals  11  and the second terminals  21  of the first electrical connector  100 . The second terminal clamping portion  3052  is used for contacting the first terminals  11  and the second terminals  21  of the second electrical connector  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , the present disclosure also discloses an electrical connector module which includes a plurality of electrical connectors and a bracket  400  to support the plurality of electrical connectors. The bracket  400  is connected to the plurality of electrical connectors as a whole, so that the electrical connector module has a strong signal transmission capability. The plurality of electrical connectors are arranged parallel to each other and side by side. The insulating bodies of the electrical connectors are inserted-molded with the bracket  400  for fixation. In the specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of electrical connectors are the plurality of first electrical connectors  100  and/or the plurality of second electrical connectors  200 . The electrical connector is a general concept of the first electrical connector  100  and the second electrical connector  200 . 
     Compared with the prior art, the electrical connector of the present disclosure is provided with a metal shield mounted to the side surface of the insulating portion and fixed with the terminal module. The metal shield is located between the insulating portion and the insulating body. The ground terminals are in contact with the metal shield. This arrangement increases the shielding area and improves the quality of signal transmission. In addition, the signal terminals of the electrical connector of the present disclosure are provided with a intersecting structure, which is capable of improving the signal transmission rate and reducing the effects of cross-talk and resonance. 
     The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present disclosure and not to limit the technical solutions described in the present disclosure. The understanding of this specification should be based on those skilled in the art. Descriptions of directions, such as “front” and “back”, although they have been described in detail in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the application, and all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the application should be covered by the claims of the application.