Patent Publication Number: US-9893471-B1

Title: High speed connector assembly, receptacle connector and plug connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector technology, and more particularly to a high speed connector assembly, a receptacle connector and a plug connector, which can form a stable electrical connection between a receptacle terminal and a plug terminal. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the electronics industry, a right-angle high speed connector assembly can provide a connection interface for multiple circuit boards. For example, it can connect two orthogonal circuit boards to shorten the signal transmission channel length of these systems and improve the channel performance of signal integrity. 
     The high speed connector assembly is one common connector, which is used for large scale communication equipment, a super high performance server, a huge computer, an industrial computer and a high end storage device. This highly flexible high performance connector has become an ideal choice for telecommunications and data network applications. 
     However, it is a very important issue how to provide greater throughput and ensure more stable and reliable signal transmission by changing the signal transmission path between a receptacle connector and a plug connector under the condition of no redesign to above connection. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first object of the present invention is to provide a high speed connector assembly having receptacle terminals and plug terminals, each of which disposes an L-shaped contact piece to make the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal form a balanced contact force and further form a stable electrical connection when mating together. 
     A second object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle connector, in which each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals dispose a pair of L-shaped contact pieces being configured to be splayed apart for being engaged with side edges of corresponding differential signal plug terminals, thereby forming a balanced contact force and further form a stable electrical connection between the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal. 
     A third object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector, in which each pair of differential signal plug terminals dispose a pair of L-shaped contact pieces being configured to be splayed apart for being engaged with side edges of corresponding differential signal receptacle terminals, thereby forming a balanced contact force and further form a stable electrical connection between the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be further understood from the technical features disclosed by the present invention. 
     To achieve the aforementioned object or other objects of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solution. 
     The present invention provides a high speed connector assembly, which comprises a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The receptacle connector includes at least an insulating cover and multiple terminal modules mounted in the insulating cover and arranged in parallel. Each terminal module includes an insulating frame and a receptacle terminal group retained in the insulating frame. The receptacle terminal group is located in a first vertical plane and includes multiple pairs of differential signal receptacle terminals and multiple grounding receptacle terminals. Two grounding receptacle terminals are respectively arranged on two sides of each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals. Each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals include two differential signal receptacle terminals, each of which has a main body located in the first vertical plane, a first L-shaped contact piece extending forward from one end of the main body, and a mounting portion extending downward from the other end of the main body. The first L-shaped contact piece has a first tilted arm and a first extending section. The first tilted arm is located in the first vertical plane, extends upward from one end of the main body and tilts toward the grounding receptacle terminal adjacent to the differential signal receptacle terminal. The first extending section is connected to a first side edge of the first tilted arm and is formed by bending perpendicularly to the first vertical plane. The first L-shaped contact pieces of each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals are symmetrical to each other, and are together configured to be splayed apart. The plug connector includes a plug housing and multiple rows of plug terminals mounted in the plug housing. Each row of plug terminals is located in a second vertical plane and includes multiple pairs of differential signal plug terminals and multiple grounding plug terminals. Two grounding plug terminals are respectively disposed on two sides of each pair of differential signal plug terminals. Each pair of differential signal plug terminals include two differential signal plug terminals, each of which has a straight section located in the second vertical plane, a second L-shaped contact piece extending upward from one end of the straight section, and a mounting end extending downward from the other end of the straight section. The second L-shaped contact piece has a second tilted arm and a second extending section. The second tilted arm is located in the second vertical plane, extends upward from one end of the straight section and tilts toward the grounding plug terminal adjacent to the differential signal plug terminal. The second extending section is connected to a second side edge of the second tilted arm and is formed by bending perpendicularly to the second vertical plane. The second L-shaped contact pieces of each pair of differential signal plug terminals are symmetrical to each other, and are together configured to be splayed apart. When the receptacle connector and the plug connector are electrically engaged with each other, the second extending section of the differential signal plug terminal is pressed onto the first side edge of the differential signal receptacle terminal, and the first extending section of the differential signal receptacle terminal is pressed onto the second side edge of the differential signal plug terminal, thereby forming a stable electrical connection. 
     In one embodiment, the first extending section is located in the front of the first side edge of the first tilted arm, and the first side edge forms a first notch near the first extending section; and the second extending section is located in the front of the second side edge of the second tilted arm, and the second side edge forms a second notch near the second extending section. 
     In one embodiment, the second vertical plane is parallel to the first vertical plane. 
     The present invention further provides a receptacle connector, which comprises at least an insulating cover and multiple terminal modules mounted in the insulating cover and arranged in parallel. Each terminal module includes an insulating frame and a receptacle terminal group retained in the insulating frame. The receptacle terminal group is located in a first vertical plane and includes multiple pairs of differential signal receptacle terminals and multiple grounding receptacle terminals. Two grounding receptacle terminals are respectively arranged on two sides of each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals. Each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals include two differential signal receptacle terminals, each of which has a main body located in the first vertical plane, a first L-shaped contact piece extending forward from one end of the main body, and a mounting portion extending downward from the other end of the main body. The first L-shaped contact piece has a first tilted arm and a first extending section. The first tilted arm is located in the first vertical plane, extends upward from one end of the main body and tilts toward the grounding receptacle terminal adjacent to the differential signal receptacle terminal. The first extending section is connected to a first side edge of the first tilted arm and is formed by bending perpendicularly to the first vertical plane. The first L-shaped contact pieces of each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals are symmetrical to each other, and are together configured to be splayed apart. 
     The present invention further provides a plug connector, which comprises a plug housing and multiple rows of plug terminals mounted in the plug housing. Each row of plug terminals is located in a second vertical plane and includes multiple pairs of differential signal plug terminals and multiple grounding plug terminals. Two grounding plug terminals are respectively disposed on two sides of each pair of differential signal plug terminals. Each pair of differential signal plug terminals includes two differential signal plug terminals, each of which has a straight section located in the second vertical plane, a second L-shaped contact piece extending upward from one end of the straight section, and a mounting end extending downward from the other end of the straight section. The second L-shaped contact piece has a second tilted arm and a second extending section. The second tilted arm is located in the second vertical plane, extends upward from one end of the straight section and tilts toward the grounding plug terminal adjacent to the differential signal plug terminal. The second extending section is connected to a second side edge of the second tilted arm and is formed by bending perpendicularly to the second vertical plane. The second L-shaped contact pieces of each pair of differential signal plug terminals are symmetrical to each other, and are together configured to be splayed apart. 
     In comparison with the prior art, the high speed connector assembly of the present invention employs the receptacle terminals and the plug terminals, each of which disposes an L-shaped contact piece. The L-shaped contact piece of each receptacle terminal can electrically contact with the side edge of the corresponding plug terminal, and the L-shaped contact piece of each plug terminal also can electrically contact with the side edge of the corresponding receptacle terminal, thereby forming a balanced contact force and further forming a stable electrical connection between the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal when mating together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a high speed connector assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a disassembled view of the high speed connector assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a disassembled view of the high speed connector assembly along another direction; 
         FIG. 4  is a disassembled view of one terminal module of a receptacle connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one receptacle terminal group of the receptacle connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one row of plug terminals of a plug connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of one pair of differential signal receptacle terminals and one pair of differential signal plug terminals after mating; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the two pairs of terminals along another direction after mating. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of every embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings is used to exemplify a specific embodiment, which may be carried out in the present invention. Directional terms mentioned in the present invention, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom” etc., are only used with reference to the orientation of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the used directional terms are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the present invention. 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a high speed connector assembly  1  of the present invention includes a receptacle connector  10  and a plug connector  20 . The receptacle connector  10  may be a right-angle connector, the mating direction of which is parallel to a horizontal circuit board (not shown), on which the receptacle connector  10  is mounted. The plug connector  20  may be a vertical end connector, the mating direction of which is perpendicular to a vertical circuit board (not shown), on which the plug connector  20  is mounted. 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the receptacle connector  10  includes at least an insulating cover  30  and multiple terminal modules  40  mounted in the insulating cover  30  and arranged in parallel from left to right. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , each terminal module  40  includes at least an insulating frame  41  and a receptacle terminal group  42  retained in the insulating frame  41 . In the embodiment, the terminal module  40  further includes a grounding plate  43  mounted on one side of the insulating frame  41 . In the embodiment, the receptacle terminal group  42  and the insulating frame  41  are combined together by injection molding. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5 , the receptacle terminal group  42  includes multiple pairs of differential signal receptacle terminals  420  and multiple grounding receptacle terminals  421 . There are two grounding receptacle terminals  421  respectively arranged on two sides of each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals  420 . In the embodiment, all of the differential signal receptacle terminals  420  and the grounding receptacle terminals  421  in one receptacle terminal group  42  are located in a first vertical plane  50 . Each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals  420  include two differential signal receptacle terminals  420 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , each differential signal receptacle terminal  420  has a main body  4201  located in the first vertical plane  50 , a first L-shaped contact piece  4202  extending forward from one end of the main body  4201 , and a mounting portion  4203  extending downward from the other end of the main body  4201 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first L-shaped contact piece  4202  has a first tilted arm  4204  and a first extending section  4206 . The first tilted arm  4204  is located in the first vertical plane  50 , extends forward from one end of the main body  4201  and tilts toward one adjacent grounding receptacle terminal  421 . The first extending section  4206  is connected to a first side edge  4205  of the first tilted arm  4204  and is formed by bending perpendicularly to the first vertical plane  50 . 
     In the embodiment, the first side edge  4205  refers to the side edge of the first tilted arm  4204  adjacent to the adjacent grounding receptacle terminal  421 . The first extending section  4206  is located in the front of the first side edge  4205 . The first side edge  4205  forms a first notch  4207 , which is near the first extending section  4206  or is located in rear of the first extending section  4206 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first L-shaped contact pieces  4202  of each pair of differential signal receptacle terminals  420  are symmetrical in structure. In detail, the first tilted arm  4204  of one differential signal receptacle terminal  420  tilts toward one lower grounding receptacle terminal  421  adjacent to the one differential signal receptacle terminal  420  in the first vertical plane  50 , and the first extending section  4206  is formed on a lower side edge (that is, the first side edge  4205 ) of the first tilted arm  4204 . The first tilted arm  4204 ′ of the other differential signal receptacle terminal  420  tilts toward one upper grounding receptacle terminal  421  adjacent to the other differential signal receptacle terminal  420  in the first vertical plane  50 , and the first extending section  4206 ′ is formed on an upper side edge (that is, the first side edge  4205 ′) of the first tilted arm  4204 ′. Therefore, the two first L-shaped contact pieces  4202 ,  4202 ′ of the pair of differential signal receptacle terminals  420  are together configured to be splayed apart. 
     In the embodiment, the mounting portion  4203  is located in the first vertical plane  50  and is a needle shaped pin, which can be connected to a signal point of the horizontal circuit board. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the embodiment, the grounding receptacle terminal  421  and the differential signal receptacle terminal  420  have roughly the same structure, and the biggest difference is that the dimensions of their main bodies  4201 ,  4211  are different. For example, the width of the main body  4211  of the grounding receptacle terminal  421  is larger than that of the main body  4201  of the differential signal receptacle terminal  420 . Hence, the structure of the grounding receptacle terminal  421  will no longer be described in detail here. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the plug connector  20  includes a plug housing  21  and multiple rows of plug terminals  22  mounted in the plug housing  21 . The plug housing  21  has a base  210  and two sidewalls  211  standing on two sides of the base  210 . These plug terminals  22  are mounted on the base  210  and can be electrically connected to the corresponding terminal modules  40 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 6 , each row of plug terminals  22  includes multiple pairs of differential signal plug terminals  220  and multiple grounding plug terminals  221 . There are two grounding plug terminals  221  respectively arranged on two sides of each pair of differential signal plug terminals  220 . In the embodiment, these differential signal plug terminals  220  and these grounding plug terminals  221 , which are arranged in the same row, are located in a second vertical plane  60 . Each pair of differential signal plug terminals  220  include two differential signal plug terminals  220 . In the embodiment, the grounding plug terminal  221  and the differential signal plug terminal  220  have roughly the same structure. 
     The following text takes one of the differential signal plug terminals  220  as an example to specifically describe the structure of the plug terminal  22  of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the differential signal plug terminal  220  has a straight section  2201 , a second L-shaped contact piece  2202  extending upward from one end of the straight section  2201 , and a mounting end  2203  extending downward from the other end of the straight section  2201 . The second L-shaped contact piece  2202  has a second tilted arm  2204  and a second extending section  2206 . The second tilted arm  2204  is located in the second vertical plane  60 , extends upward from one end of the straight section  2201  and tilts toward one adjacent grounding plug terminal  221 . The second extending section  2206  is connected to a second side edge  2205  of the second tilted arm  2204  and is formed by bending perpendicularly to the second vertical plane  60 . 
     In the embodiment, the second side edge  2205  refers to the side edge of the second tilted arm  2204  adjacent to the adjacent grounding plug terminal  221 . The second extending section  2206  is located in the front of the second side edge  2205 . The second side edge  2205  forms a second notch  2207 , which is near the second extending section  2206  or is located in rear of the second extending section  2206 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , each pair of differential signal plug terminals  220  are symmetrical to each other. In detail, the second extending section  2206  of the second L-shaped contact piece  2202  of one differential signal plug terminal  220  is located on a left side edge (that is, the second side edge  2205 ) of the second tilted arm  2204 , and the second extending section  2206 ′ of the second L-shaped contact piece  2202 ′ of the other differential signal plug terminal  220  is located on a right side edge (that is, the second side edge  2205 ′) of the second tilted arm  2204 ′. Therefore, the two second L-shaped contact pieces  2202 ,  2202 ′ of the pair of differential signal plug terminals  220  are together configured to be splayed apart. 
     In the embodiment, the second vertical plane  60  is parallel to the first vertical plane  50 . 
     In the embodiment, the mounting end  2203  is located in the second vertical plane  60  and is a needle shaped pin, which can be connected to a signal point of the horizontal circuit board. 
     The following text will introduce the electrical engagement between the receptacle terminal  420  and the plug terminal  220 . 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the receptacle connector  10  and the plug connector  20  shown in  FIG. 1  are electrically engaged with each other, the second extending sections  2206  of each pair of differential signal plug terminals  220  are inserted between the first extending sections  4206  of the corresponding pair of differential signal receptacle terminals  420 . Then, each second extending section  2206  slides along the corresponding first extending section  4206 , and the second extending section  2206  enters into the corresponding first notch  4207 . Next, the second extending section  2206  leaves the corresponding first notch  4207 , slides a predetermined distance toward the corresponding main body  4201  along the first side edge  4205  of the first tilted arm  4204 , and finally stops on the first side edge  4205 . Meanwhile, the first extending section  4206  passes by the corresponding second notch  2207  and slides the predetermined distance toward the corresponding straight section  2201  along the second side edge  2205  of the second tilted arm  2204 , and finally stops on the second side edge  2205 . 
     After the differential signal plug terminal  220  and the differential signal receptacle terminal  420  are mated together, the second extending section  2206  of the differential signal plug terminal  220  is pressed onto the first side edge  4205  of the differential signal receptacle terminal  420 , and the first extending section  4206  of the differential signal receptacle terminal  420  is pressed onto the second side edge  2205  of the differential signal plug terminal  220 . Therefore there forms double contacts, produces a balanced contact force, and forms a stable electrical connection between the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal mated together. 
     As described above, the high speed connector assembly  1  of the present invention employs the receptacle terminals  420  and the plug terminals  22 , each of which disposes an L-shaped contact piece  4202 ,  2202 . The L-shaped contact piece  4202  of each receptacle terminal  420  can electrically contact with the side edge  2205  of the corresponding plug terminal  22 , and the L-shaped contact piece  2202  of each plug terminal  22  also can electrically contact with the side edge  4205  of the corresponding receptacle terminal  420 , thereby producing a balanced contact force and further forming a stable electrical connection between the receptacle terminal  420  and the plug terminal  22  when mating together. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.