Patent Publication Number: US-9431781-B2

Title: Signal connector for high-speed transmission

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Serial Number 201420421215.6, filed on Jul. 29, 2014. The entirety of the above-mentioned application is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention is related to the field of electric connectors, and more particularly, to a signal connector for high-speed transmission. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the development of technology, various electronic devices have been invented. The advent of these electronic devices has facilitated human daily life and work. Generally, each electronic device includes one or more data interfaces. When the various existing electronic devices are in operation, the data transmission or electrical signal transmission has to be performed via connectors. In addition, with the continuous evolvement of the wireless communication technology and the high-speed data transmission interface, the transmission of the electronic divides have entered a generation of high-speed transmission of 6 Gb/s or 12 Gb/s or more, so as to satisfy the requirements for numerous rising applications such as vehicles, computers and peripherals, handheld electronic devices, and medical devices, etc. However, in the existing high-speed data transmission connectors, signals from different terminals inevitably interfere with one another, leading to an unstable signal transmission and affecting the correctness of data transmission. Therefore, the date transmission speed of a high-speed connector cannot be further increased, and the transmission efficiency is low. 
     SUMMARY 
     To solve the aforementioned issues, the present invention provides a signal connector for high-speed transmission in which signals from different terminals would not interfere with one another, and thus the signal transmission of the signal connector can be stable. 
     The technical solution of the present invention is to provide a signal connector for high-speed transmission, including a plug insulator, a first terminal insulator, a second terminal insulator, and a first germinal group and a second terminal group each composed of a plurality of terminals arranged in parallel. The first terminal insulator and the second terminal insulator are connected together. The front end of the first terminal insulator and the front end of the second terminal insulator are connected to the rear end of the plug insulator. The front end and the rear end of the first terminal group extend beyond the first terminal insulator. The front end and the rear end of the second terminal group extend beyond the second terminal insulator. The middle portion of the first terminal group is embedded in the first terminal insulator. The middle portion of the second terminal group is embedded in the second terminal insulator. The front end of the first terminal group and the front end of the second terminal group are respectively disposed inside of the plug insulator. The first terminal group and the second terminal group each include a plurality of high frequency terminals. The width of the middle portion of each high frequency terminal is smaller than the width of the front end of each high frequency terminal. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a metal shielding sheet is further included. The metal shielding sheet is disposed between the first terminal insulator and the second terminal insulator. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, the metal shielding sheet includes a metal shielding sheet body. A first shielding protrusion extends from each side of the metal shielding sheet body in an extending direction toward the plug insulator, and a second shielding protrusion extends from each side of the metal shielding sheet body in an extending direction opposite to the extending direction of the first shielding protrusion. The front end of each first shielding protrusion is disposed in a shielding slot of the plug insulator. Each second shielding protrusion extends beyond the first terminal insulator and the second terminal insulator. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a front metal case is further included. The plug insulator, the front end of the first terminal insulator, and the front end of the second terminal insulator are disposed in the front metal case. Each first shielding protrusion and the front metal case are electrically connected. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a PCB board is further included. An end of the PCB board is connected to the rear end of the first terminal insulator and the rear end of second terminal insulator. A rear end of each terminal in the first terminal group and the second terminal group is electrically connected to a gold finger on the PCB board. Each second shielding protrusion is electrically connected to a grounding gold finger of the PCB board. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a rear metal case is further included. The PCB board, the rear end of the first terminal insulator, and the rear end of the second terminal insulator are disposed in the rear metal case. The front metal case and the rear metal case are connected. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a first engaging protrusion and a second engaging protrusion are formed respectively on the rear end of the first terminal insulator and the rear end of the second terminal insulator. An end of the PCB board is fixed between the first engaging protrusion and the second engaging protrusion. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a first column and a second latching hole are formed on the first terminal insulator, and a second column and a first latching hole are formed on the second terminal insulator. The first terminal insulator and the second terminal insulator are combined together by engaging the first column into the first latching hole and engaging the second column into the second latching hole. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a plurality of through holes are formed on the metal shielding sheet body. The first column and the second column are respectively inserted through each through hole, thereby fixing the metal shielding sheet between the first terminal insulator and the second terminal insulator. 
     As a further improvement to the present invention, a first metal elastic sheet and a second metal elastic sheet are further included. The first metal elastic sheet and the second metal elastic sheet are disposed at the front ends of the two opposing sidewalls of the plug insulator. A first hollow portion for the elastic sheet and a second hollow portion for the elastic sheet are formed respectively at the front ends of the two opposing sidewalls of the plug insulator. The elastic sheets of the first metal elastic sheet and the second metal elastic sheet are respectively inserted through the first hollow portion for the elastic sheet and the second hollow portion for the elastic sheet and disposed inside of the plug insulator. 
     In the present invention, a metal shielding sheet and a plurality of high frequency terminals are adopted. The width of the middle portion of each high frequency terminal is smaller than the width of the front end of each high frequency terminal, so that the data transmission speed of each high frequency terminal is enhanced. The metal shielding sheet is disposed between the first terminal insulator and the second terminal insulator, so that the signals transmitted by the first terminal group and the second terminal group would not interfere with one another. Accordingly the signal transmission can be more stable. In addition, the front metal case and the rear metal case are connected, and the front metal case is electrically connected to the grounding gold finger on the PCB board via each first shielding protrusion and each second shielding protrusion of the metal shielding sheet. As a result, the grounding effect of the connector is good. The connector has advantages in that it has a fast transmission speed, provides stable signal transmission and good grounding effect, and lowers energy consumption of the power terminals, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a signal connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded view of the signal connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic planar structural view of a first terminal group shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is the a schematic planar structural view of a second terminal group shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the description of the present invention, it should be noticed, direction or position relation indicated by terms such as “at the center of,” “below,” “in front of,” “behind,” “at the left of,” “at the right of” are orientation or position relation in connection with the figures. These terms are used to simplify the description of the present invention, and are not intended to indicate or suggest a specific configuration or orientation for operation for the device or element being described. Therefore, these terms cannot be construed as limitations to the present invention. In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purpose and shall not be construed as indicating or suggesting an element is more significant than another. 
     In the description of the present invention, it should be noticed, unless otherwise specified, terms such as “mounted,” “joined,” and “connected” should be construed in their broad sense. For example, “connected” includes “fixedly connected,” “detachably connected,” or “integrally connected”; it also includes “mechanically connected” or “electrically connected”, it further includes “directly connected,” “connected via an intermediate element,” or implies the inner connection of two elements. The meaning of these terms in the present invention can be understood by the persons having ordinary skills in the art in light of the specific context. In addition, unless otherwise specified, in the description of the present invention, “a plurality of,” or “several” means two or more than two. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  disclose a signal connector for high-speed transmission including a plug insulator  4 , a first terminal insulator  1 , a second terminal insulator  2 , a metal shielding sheet  3 , a front metal case  6 , a rear metal case  8 , a PCB board  7 , a first metal elastic sheet  51 , a second metal elastic sheet  52 , and a first terminal group  11  and a second terminal group  21  each composed of a plurality of terminals. The first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2  are connected together; that is, the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2  are connected, in which the components of the upper first terminal insulator  1  correspond to the components of lower the second terminal insulator  2 . The front end of the first terminal insulator  1  and the front end of the second terminal insulator  2  are connected to the rear end of the plug insulator  4 . The front end and the rear end of the first terminal group  11  extend beyond the first terminal insulator  1 . The front end and the rear end of the second terminal group  21  extend beyond the second terminal insulator  2 . The middle portion of the first terminal group  11  is embedded in the first terminal insulator  1 . The middle portion of the second terminal group  21  is embedded in the second terminal insulator  2 . The front end of the first terminal group  11  and the front end of the second terminal group  21  are disposed inside of the plug insulator  4 . The first terminal group  11  and the second terminal group  21  each include a plurality of high frequency terminals  100 . The width of the middle portion of a high frequency terminal  100  is smaller than the width of the front end of the high frequency terminal. An elastic contact portion  101  is formed on the front end of each terminal in the first terminal group  11  and the second terminal group  21 . This design enhances the data transmission speed of each high frequency terminal  100 , and in addition, the interference between terminals is reduced, leading to a stable signal transmission. 
     In this embodiment, a first fixing protrusion  12 , a third fixing protrusion  13 , and a first lug well  14  are formed on the outer wall of the front end of the first terminal insulator  1 . A first engaging protrusion  15  is formed on the rear end of the first terminal insulator  1 . A first PCB board slot (not shown in the figures) is formed on the first engaging protrusion  15 . A first metal sheet slot (not shown in the figures), a first column (not shown in the figures), and a second latching hole (not shown in the figures) are formed on a surface of the first terminal insulator  1  adjacent to the second terminal insulator  2 . A first terminal hollow portion  16  is formed on the front end of the first terminal insulator  1 , and the first terminal hollow portion  16  is positioned corresponding to the first terminal group  11 . 
     In this embodiment, a second fixing protrusion (not shown in the figures), a fourth fixing protrusion (not shown in the figures), and a second lug well (not shown in the figures) are formed on the outer wall of the front end of the second terminal insulator  2 . A second engaging protrusion  22  is formed on the rear end of the second terminal insulator  2 . A second PCB board slot  23  is formed on the second engaging protrusion  22 . A second metal sheet slot  24 , a second column  25 , and a first latching hole  26  are formed on a surface of the second terminal insulator  2  adjacent to the first terminal insulator  1 . A second terminal hollow portion  27  is formed on the front end of the second terminal insulator  2 , and the second terminal hollow portion  27  is positioned corresponding to the second terminal group  21 . By engaging the first column into the first latching hole  26  and engaging the second column  25  into the second latching hole, the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2  are engaged together. 
     In this embodiment, the plug insulator  4  includes a first sidewall  41 , a second sidewall (not shown in the figures), a third sidewall  42 , and a fourth sidewall (not shown in the figures). The first sidewall  41  and the second sidewall are arranged opposingly. The third sidewall  42  and the fourth sidewall are arranged opposingly. A first fixing hole  43 , a plurality of first hollow portions  44 , and a first hollow portion for the elastic sheet  45  are respectively formed on the rear end, on the middle portion, and on the front end of the first sidewall  41 . A second fixing hole (not shown in the figures), a plurality of second hollow portion (not shown in the figures), and a second hollow portion for the elastic sheet (not shown in the figures) are respectively formed on the rear end, on the middle portion, and on the front end of the second sidewall. A shielding slot  46  is formed on each of the third sidewall  42  and the fourth sidewall. When the front end of the first terminal insulator  1  and the front end of the second terminal insulator  2  are respectively disposed inside of the rear end of the plug insulator  4 , each first fixing protrusion  12  of the first terminal insulator  1  is engaged with a first fixing hole  43 , and each second fixing protrusion of the second terminal insulator  2  is engaged with a second fixing hole. The front end of the first terminal group  11  and the front end of the second terminal group  21  are respectively leaned against the two opposing inner sidewalls (i.e. the inner wall of the first sidewall  41  and the inner wall of the second sidewall) of the plug insulator  4 . An elastic contact portion  101  of the front end of each terminal in the first terminal group  11  and the second terminal group  21  protrudes toward the interior of the plug insulator  4 . Each first hollow portion  44  is disposed between two adjacent terminals in the first terminal group  11 . Each second hollow portion is disposed between two adjacent terminals in the second terminal group  21 . 
     In this embodiment, the metal shielding sheet  3  is disposed between the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2 , and engaged in the first metal sheet slot and the second metal sheet slot  24 . The metal shielding sheet  3  includes a metal shielding sheet body  31 . A first shielding protrusion  32  extends from each side of the metal shielding sheet body  31  in an extending direction toward the plug insulator  4 , and a second shielding protrusion  33  extends from each side of the metal shielding sheet body  31  in an extending direction opposite to the extending direction of the first shielding protrusion  32 . The front end of each first shielding protrusion  32  is disposed in a shielding slot  46 . Each second shielding protrusion  33  extends beyond the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2 . Through holes  34  and a limiting recess  35  are formed on the metal shielding sheet body  31 . The first column and the second column  25  are respectively inserted through each through hole  34 , so as to fix the metal shielding sheet body  31  between the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2 . The limiting recess  35  matches with a limiting block  28  formed on the first terminal insulator  1  or on the second terminal insulator  2 . 
     In this embodiment, the front metal case  6  is included. The plug insulator  4 , the front end of the first terminal insulator  1  and the front end of the second terminal insulator  2  are disposed in the front metal case  6 . Each first shielding protrusion  32  is electrically connected to the front metal case  6 . A plurality of lugs  61 , an inward protrusion  62 , a third fixing hole  63 , and a fourth fixing hole (not shown in the figures) are formed on the front metal case  6 . The lugs  61  are disposed respectively in the first lug well  14  and the second lug well. The inward protrusion  62  matches with a recess  47  disposed on the outer wall of the plug insulator  4 . The third fixing hole  63  and the fourth fixing hole match respectively with the third fixing protrusion  13  and the fourth fixing protrusion. The front metal case  6  is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the plug insulator  4 , the outer wall of the first terminal insulator  1 , and the outer wall of the second terminal insulator  2 . 
     In this embodiment, an end of the PCB board  7  is connected to the rear end of the first terminal insulator  1  and the rear end of the second terminal insulator  2 . That is, the end of the PCB board  7  is engaged in the first PCB board slot and the second PCB board slot  23 . The first engaging protrusion  15  and the second engaging protrusion  22  are configured to fix the PCB board  7 . The rear end of each terminal in the first terminal group  11  and the second terminal group  21  is electrically connected to a gold finger on the PCB board  7 . Each second shielding protrusion  33  electrically connected to a grounding gold finger on the PCB board  7 . 
     In this embodiment, the rear metal case  8  is included. The PCB board  7 , the rear end of the first terminal insulator  1  and the rear end of the second terminal insulator  2  are disposed in the rear metal case  8 . The front end of the rear metal case  8  matches with a lug hole  64  on the lug  61  so as to connect the front metal case  6  and the rear metal case  8 . An inward protruding engagement part  81  is formed on the rear metal case  8 . The inward protruding engagement part  81  matches with a recessed engagement part disposed on each of the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2  so as to fixedly connect the rear metal case  8  to the first terminal insulator  1  and the second terminal insulator  2 . 
     In this embodiment, a first metal elastic sheet  51  and a second metal elastic sheet  52  are disposed at the front ends of the two opposing sidewalls the first sidewall  41  and the second sidewall) of the plug insulator  4 . The elastic sheets of the first metal elastic sheet  51  and the second metal elastic sheet  52  are respectively inserted through the first hollow portion for the elastic sheet  45  and the second hollow portion for the elastic sheet and disposed inside of the plug insulator  4 . The first metal elastic sheet  51  and the second metal elastic sheet  52  are configured to reinforce the structural strength of the connector and to facilitate the combination of the connector. 
     In the present invention, the metal shielding sheet  3  reduces the signal interference between the first terminal group  11  and the second terminal group  21 , resulting in a stable signal transmission. In addition, the front metal case  6  and the rear metal case  8  are connected. The front metal case  6  is electrically connected to the grounding gold finger on the PCB board  7  via each first shielding protrusion  32  and each second shielding protrusion  33 , and thus the grounding effect of the connector is good. The first terminal hollow portion  16  and the first hollow portion  44  not only reduce the signal interference between the terminals in the first terminal group  11  but also provide a heat dissipation effect, and therefore the signal transmission speed is enhanced. The second terminal hollow portion  27  and the second hollow portion not only reduce the signal interference between the terminals in the second terminal group  21  but also provide a heat dissipation effect, and therefore the signal transmission speed is enhanced. The present invention has advantages in that the connector has a fast transmission speed, provides stable signal transmission and good grounding effect, and lowers energy consumption of the power terminals, etc.