CN218827985U - Socket connector and electric connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A receptacle connector is configured for mating with a plug connector along a mating direction. The socket connector includes a housing enclosing an accommodating space, an insulating housing disposed in a portion of the accommodating space, and a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulating housing. At least one of the first and second walls of the case is spaced apart from a respective one of the first and second sides of the insulative housing to form a mating slot therebetween, and a portion of the at least one wall is recessed into the mating slot toward the respective side such that the portion defines a positioning groove on an exterior side. The mating slot is configured to receive a mating tongue of the plug connector along a mating direction, and the positioning groove is configured to receive a positioning tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction. The present application further provides an electrical connector assembly comprising the aforementioned receptacle connector. According to the socket connector of the application, the risk of wrong butt joint orientation can be reduced.

Description

Socket connector and electric connector assembly

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to the field of electrical connectors, and more particularly, to a plug connector and an electrical connector assembly including the same.

Background

Electrical connectors are used to provide electrical connections between different electronic components or systems to enable signal and/or power transfer. For example, an electrical connector assembly including a plug connector and a receptacle connector may provide electrical connections between different circuit boards or between a circuit board and a cable. For example, the cable may be terminated at one end to a plug connector. The receptacle connector may be mounted on a circuit board and electrically connected to corresponding conductive portions, such as conductive pads, on the circuit board. The receptacle connector and the plug connector may be configured to mate along a mating direction to establish an electrical connection between the circuit board and the cable.

When mating the receptacle connector with the plug connector, the user may not be particularly aware of the insertion angle or direction of the plug connector into the receptacle connector, resulting in a wrong mating orientation. The incorrect mating orientation may result in damage to the receptacle connector and/or the plug connector.

Accordingly, there is a need for improvements to existing receptacle connectors.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of the above, the present application provides a novel socket connector to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned defects in the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present application, a receptacle connector configured for mating with a plug connector along a mating direction is provided. The receptacle connector includes: a case including a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall configured to enclose an accommodation space, the first wall being opposite to the second wall, and the third wall being opposite to the fourth wall; an insulating case including a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the insulating case being disposed in a portion of the accommodating space such that the first side faces the first wall, the second side faces the second wall, the third side faces the third wall, and the fourth side faces the fourth wall; and a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulative housing. The third wall is adjacent the third side and the fourth wall is adjacent the fourth side. At least one of the first and second walls is spaced apart from a respective one of the first and second sides to form an abutment slot therebetween, and a portion of the at least one wall is recessed into the abutment slot toward the respective side such that the portion defines a locating recess on a side facing away from the respective side. The mating slot is configured to receive a mating tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector, and the positioning groove is configured to receive a positioning tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector.

In some embodiments, the sleeve further comprises a first locking aperture formed in the at least one wall, the first locking aperture configured to receive and retain a first locking protrusion on the mating tongue of the plug connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector to lock the plug connector to the receptacle connector.

In some embodiments, the positioning groove includes two opposing side walls and a bottom wall joining the two side walls, the bottom wall being adjacent to the respective side.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall abuts against the respective side.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face toward the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face both being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side, the shroud being configured to be sleeved onto the insulative housing from the mating face along the mating direction, the positioning groove further including first and second opposing notches in the mating direction, the second notch being closer to the mounting face than the first notch when the shroud is sleeved onto the insulative housing, the shroud further including a first notch recessed into the bottom wall at the second notch, the insulative housing further including a first protrusion protruding from the respective side adjacent the mounting face, the first protrusion including a first portion, the first portion of the first protrusion being configured to slide into and be caught in the first notch along the mating direction when the shroud is sleeved onto the insulative housing to prevent further movement of the shroud along the mating direction.

In some embodiments, the first tab further includes a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and spaced apart from the respective side, the second portion of the first tab configured to press against the bottom wall in the detent when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing further comprises a second locking protrusion protruding from the third side and a third locking protrusion protruding from the fourth side, the sleeve further comprises a second locking aperture formed in the third wall and a third locking aperture formed in the fourth wall, the second locking protrusion being received in the second locking aperture and the third locking protrusion being received in the third locking aperture to prevent the sleeve from moving back away from the insulative housing in the mating direction when the sleeve is fitted over the insulative housing.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing further includes a recessed portion recessed into the insulative housing from the mating face at least one of corners joining adjacent two of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side, the case further includes a bent portion cut out of a corresponding one of the third wall and the fourth wall and bent toward the recessed portion, the bent portion riding on the recessed portion when the case is fitted to the insulative housing to prevent the case from further moving in the mating direction.

In some embodiments, the case is a case made of metal or metal alloy.

In some embodiments, the casing has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the insulating housing.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing includes at least a first section and a second section, the plurality of conductive terminals including at least a first set of conductive terminals disposed in the first section and a second set of conductive terminals disposed in the second section, the first and second sets of conductive terminals being spaced apart by the junction of the first section and the second section.

In some embodiments, the first segment and the second segment are separate segments formed separately from each other and connected together at the joint.

In some embodiments, the first and second sections are connected together at the joint by a T-joint or a dovetail-joint.

In some embodiments, the first section is integrally formed with the second section.

In some embodiments, the positioning groove is disposed adjacent to the joint.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face toward the plug connector, and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face both being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side of the insulative housing, the mating face including a first face at the first section and a second face at the second section, the first face and the second face being non-coplanar in the mating direction such that the joining portion is stepped.

In some embodiments, the second face is indented into the insulating housing relative to the first face in the mating direction.

In some embodiments, a rim of the wall portion of the casing surrounding the first section is flush with the first face and a rim of the wall portion of the casing surrounding the second section is flush with the second face.

In some embodiments, the first set of conductive terminals is comprised of power terminal sets and/or sideband signal terminal sets and the second set of conductive terminals is comprised of high speed signal terminals.

In some embodiments, the first wall is spaced apart from the first side to form a first docking slot therebetween, and a first portion of the first wall is recessed into the first docking slot toward the first side such that the first portion defines a first positioning groove on a side facing away from the first side, the second wall is spaced apart from the second side to form a second docking slot therebetween, and a second portion of the second wall is recessed into the second docking slot toward the second side such that the second portion defines a second positioning groove on a side facing away from the second side.

In some embodiments, the first detent is disposed adjacent the joint and separates the first docking slot into a first segment along the first segment and a second segment along the second segment, the second detent is disposed adjacent the joint and separates the second docking slot into a third segment along the first segment and a fourth segment along the second segment, the second segment includes a first boss and a second boss, the first boss protrudes from the second segment into the first side face to the second segment to abut the first wall, and the second boss protrudes from the second segment into the second side face to the fourth segment to abut the second wall.

In some embodiments, the first boss divides the second section into a first subsection and a second subsection, the second boss divides the fourth section into a third subsection and a fourth subsection, the first subsection and the third subsection being disposed opposite each other on opposite sides of the second section and the second subsection and the fourth subsection being disposed opposite each other on opposite sides of the second section, the first subsection, the second subsection, the third subsection, the fourth subsection each including a length along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the docking direction, the first boss and the second boss being configured such that the first subsection is different in length from the fourth subsection and such that the second subsection is different in length from the third subsection.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face toward the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face each being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side of the insulative housing, the sleeve configured to be sleeved onto the insulative housing from the mating face along the mating direction, the insulative housing including a second protrusion protruding from at least one of the first and second bosses adjacent the mounting face, the first and second walls each including first and second rims opposite in the mating direction that each include a second notch recessed into the at least one wall at the second rim when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing, the second protrusion including a first portion, the second protrusion configured to be slid into the sleeve in the mating direction and configured to be captured in the second direction when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

In some embodiments, the second tab further comprises a second portion extending laterally from the first portion of the second tab and spaced apart from a respective one of the at least one boss, the second portion of the second tab configured to press against an outer surface of a respective one of the first wall and the second wall when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first wall and the second wall further comprises a snap extending from the first edge toward the insulative housing, the snap configured to snap over a respective one of the first boss and the second boss when the sleeve is fitted over the insulative housing to prevent further movement of the sleeve in the mating direction.

In some embodiments, the second section includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section, and the second set of conductive terminals includes a first subset of conductive terminals disposed in the first sub-section and a second subset of conductive terminals disposed in the second sub-section, the first and second subsets of conductive terminals being spaced apart by a joint of the first sub-section and the second sub-section, the first and second bosses each being disposed adjacent the joint of the first and second sub-sections.

In some embodiments, the insulating housing is elongated in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, the second and fourth segments are each elongated in the longitudinal direction, and have a length substantially equal to a length of the second section.

In some embodiments, the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face toward the plug connector, a mounting face opposite the mating face, and a slot recessed into the insulative housing from the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face each being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the insulative housing, the slot configured to receive a conductive portion of the plug connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector, each of the plurality of conductive terminals including a mating end exposed in the slot for establishing an electrical connection with the conductive portion of the plug connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector, and a tail end opposite the mating end that protrudes from the mounting face.

According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided an electrical connector assembly comprising the aforementioned receptacle connector, and a plug connector mated with the receptacle connector.

In some embodiments, the positioning groove of the receptacle connector divides the mating slot into a first mating slot section and a second mating slot section, the plug connector being in the form of one of: (1) The plug connector is a unitary connector and includes mating tabs configured to be inserted into the first and second mating slot sections, respectively, along the mating direction, and positioning tabs configured to be inserted into the positioning grooves along the mating direction; or (2) the plug connector comprises at least a first plug connector and a second plug connector separated from each other, the first plug connector comprising a first mating tongue configured to be inserted into the first mating slot section along the mating direction and a positioning tongue configured to be inserted into the positioning groove along the mating direction, the second plug connector comprising a second mating tongue configured to be inserted into the second mating slot section along the mating direction.

According to yet another aspect of the present application, a receptacle connector is provided that is configured for mating with a plug connector along a mating direction. The receptacle connector includes: a case comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall configured to enclose an accommodation space, the first wall being opposite to the second wall, and the third wall being opposite to the fourth wall; an insulating case including a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the insulating case being disposed in a portion of the accommodating space such that the first side faces the first wall, the second side faces the second wall, the third side faces the third wall, and the fourth side faces the fourth wall; and a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulative housing. The third wall is adjacent the third side and the fourth wall is adjacent the fourth side. At least one of the first and second walls is spaced from a respective one of the first and second side surfaces to form a docking slot therebetween, and at least one end portion of the at least one wall is recessed into the docking slot toward the respective side surface such that the end portion defines a stepped recess on a side facing away from the respective side surface. The mating slot is configured to receive a mating tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector, and the stepped recess is configured to receive a positioning tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector.

In some embodiments, the stepped recess includes a side wall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall abutting the respective side face, the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face both being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first side face, the second side face, the third side face and the fourth side face, the shroud is configured to be sleeved onto the insulative housing from the mating face along the mating direction, the stepped recess further includes a first inlet and a second inlet opposite in the mating direction, the second inlet is closer to the mounting face than the first inlet when the shroud is sleeved onto the insulative housing, the shroud further includes a first notch recessed into the bottom wall at the second inlet, the insulative housing further includes a first protrusion protruding from the respective side face adjacent the mounting face, the first protrusion includes a first portion, the first portion of the first protrusion is configured to be caught on the shroud and to be further prevented from sliding into the shroud along the mating direction when the shroud is sleeved onto the insulative housing, and further movement in the mating direction is prevented.

In some embodiments, the first tab further comprises a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and spaced apart from the respective side, the second portion of the first tab being configured to press against the bottom wall in the stepped recess when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulating housing.

According to the receptacle connector of the present application, it is possible to provide reliable positioning and guiding functions during mating with a plug connector, reducing the risk of incorrect mating orientation and thus reducing the risk of damage to the connector.

Drawings

The above-described and other aspects of the present application will be more fully understood and appreciated in view of the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is an exploded view of the receptacle connector of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is another perspective view of the receptacle connector of fig. 1;

fig. 4 is a further perspective view of the receptacle connector of fig. 1;

fig. 5 is a top view of the receptacle connector of fig. 1;

fig. 6 is an elevation view of an alternative version of a receptacle connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a partially exploded view of the receptacle connector of fig. 6;

fig. 8 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein a receptacle connector of the electrical connector assembly is mated with a plug connector;

fig. 9 is a partially exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of fig. 8, with the receptacle and plug connectors disengaged from one another;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative version of an electrical connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein a receptacle connector of the electrical connector assembly is mated with a plug connector; and

fig. 11 is a partially exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of fig. 10 with the receptacle and plug connectors disengaged from one another.

List of reference numerals:

1. socket connector

3. Direction of mating

5. Plug connector

5a first plug connector

5b second plug connector

5c third plug connector

7. Longitudinal direction

51. Adaptor tongue

51a first locking projection

53. Positioning tongue piece

100. Shell

101. First wall

101a first edge

101b second edge

101c hasp

102. Second wall

102a first edge

102b second edge

102c hasp

103. Third wall

104. The fourth wall

105a first positioning groove

105b second positioning groove

107. First locking hole

109. First notch

109a side wall

109b side wall

109c bottom wall

109d first notch

109e second notch

110. Second locking hole

111. Third locking hole

113. Bent part

117. Second recess

119. Connecting pin

200. Insulating shell

200a first section

200b second section

200b1 first sub-section

200b2 second sub-section

200c connecting part

200d connecting part

201. First side surface

202. Second side surface

203. Third side

204. The fourth side

205. Butt joint surface

205a first side

205b second side

206. Mounting surface

207. First protruding part

207a first part

207b second part

208. Inserting groove

210. Second locking projection

211. Third locking projection

213. Corner part

213a retraction part

215a first boss

215b second boss

216a T shaped protrusion

216b T-shaped clamping groove

217. Second protrusion

217a first part

217b second part

300. Conductive terminal

300a first group of conductive terminals

300b second group of conductive terminals

300b1 first sub-group conductive terminal

300b2 second sub-group conductive terminal

301. Mating end

303. Tail end of the tube

305. Intermediate section

400a first butt groove

400a1 first section

400a2 second section

400a21 first subsection

400a22 second subsection

400b second docking slot

400b1 third section

400b2 fourth segment

400b21 third subsection

400b22 fourth subsection

500. Terminal holder

600. Electrical connector assembly

S containing space

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these examples are not meant to limit the present application in any way. Furthermore, features in various embodiments or examples of the application may be combined with each other without conflict. It should be understood that the dimensions, proportions and numbers of elements in the drawings are not intended to limit the present application.

A receptacle connector 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present application and an electrical connector assembly 600 comprising such a receptacle connector 1 are described in detail below in connection with fig. 1 to 11.

As shown in fig. 8 to 11 and as will be described below, the receptacle connector 1 is configured for mating with a plug connector 5 along a mating direction 3. The receptacle connector 1 may be configured to be mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and electrically connected to corresponding conductive structures on the circuit board. The receptacle connector 1 may also be referred to as a "board-end connector". The plug connector 5 may be used to terminate a cable (not shown). The plug connector 5 may also be referred to as a "line end connector". As shown in fig. 8 and 10, the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 5 may be mated together to form an electrical connector assembly 600. The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 5 are capable of establishing an electrical connection between the circuit board and the cable when mated together. It should be understood that the types of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 5 may not be limited thereto. For example, the plug connector 5 may be configured to connect a circuit board to the receptacle connector 1. As another example, the receptacle connector 1 may be configured to connect the receptacle connector 1 to a cable.

Fig. 1 to 5 schematically show a version of a socket connector 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present application. As shown, the receptacle connector 1 includes an insulative housing 200, a housing 100 disposed on the insulative housing 200, and a plurality of conductive terminals 300 disposed in the insulative housing 200.

The case 100 may also be referred to as an "outer shell". As best shown in fig. 2, the case 100 includes a first wall 101, a second wall 102, a third wall 103, and a fourth wall 104 configured to enclose the accommodating space S. The first wall 101 of the case 100 is opposed to the second wall 102, and the third wall 103 is opposed to the fourth wall 104. That is, opposite ends of the first wall 101 of the case 100 are attached to first ends of the third and fourth walls 103 and 104, respectively, and opposite ends of the second wall 102 are attached to second ends of the third and fourth walls 103 and 104, respectively, opposite to the first ends. The casing 100 may be made of a metallic material or a non-metallic material. For example, the case 100 may be made of metal or a metal alloy such as a zinc alloy. The sleeve 100 may be manufactured using any suitable process, such as stamping, bending, die casting, machining, and the like.

The insulating housing 200 may also be referred to as an "insulator". As best shown in fig. 2, the insulating housing 200 includes a first side 201, a second side 202, a third side 203, and a fourth side 204. Examples of insulating materials suitable for making the insulating housing 200 include, but are not limited to, plastic, nylon, liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). The insulating housing 200 is elongated in a longitudinal direction 7 perpendicular to the mating direction 3. Accordingly, the sleeve 100 is also elongated in the longitudinal direction 7.

As best shown in fig. 1, 3 to 5, the insulation case 200 is disposed in a portion of the accommodation space S such that a first side 201 of the insulation case 200 faces the first wall 101 of the case 100, a second side 202 of the insulation case 200 faces the second wall 102 of the case 100, a third side 203 of the insulation case 200 faces the third wall 103 of the case 100, and a fourth side 204 of the insulation case 200 faces the fourth wall 104 of the case 100. At least one of the first and second walls 101 and 102 of the casing 100 is spaced apart from a corresponding one of the first and second sides 201 and 202 of the insulating housing 200 to form a docking slot (shown as first and second docking slots 400a and 400b in the drawing) therebetween, and a portion of the at least one wall is recessed into the docking slot toward the corresponding side such that the portion defines a positioning groove (shown as first and second positioning grooves 105a and 105b in the drawing) on a side (i.e., an outer side) facing away from the corresponding side. That is, the positioning groove is defined by an outer surface of the portion of the at least one wall facing away from the insulating housing 200. The third wall 103 of the sleeve 100 is adjacent the third side 203 of the insulated housing 200 and the fourth wall 104 of the sleeve 100 is adjacent the fourth side 204 of the insulated housing 200. By "adjacent" it is meant that there may be no gap (i.e., abutment) or only a small gap between the wall of the casing 100 and the corresponding side of the insulating housing 200 such that there is no docking slot therebetween as described above.

As will be described in detail below, the aforementioned mating slots are configured for receiving the mating tongues 51 of the plug connector 5 along the mating direction 3 when the receptacle connector 1 is mated with the plug connector 5 (fig. 8 to 11), and the aforementioned positioning grooves are configured for receiving the positioning tongues 53 of the plug connector 5 along the mating direction 3 when the receptacle connector 1 is mated with the plug connector 5 (fig. 8 to 11). The mating grooves and the positioning recesses can play a role of positioning and guiding when the receptacle connector 1 is mated with the plug connector 5, preventing the receptacle connector 1 from being mated with the plug connector 5 in a wrong orientation. In this way, it is possible to provide a reliable positioning and guiding function during mating of the receptacle connector 1 with the plug connector 5, reducing the risk of incorrect mating orientation and thus the risk of damage to the connectors.

In some embodiments, the casing 100 may have a stiffness greater than that of the insulating housing 200. In this way, the sleeve 100 can provide the insulative housing 200 with protection during mating of the receptacle connector 1 with the plug connector 5, thereby improving the service life of the receptacle connector 1.

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the sleeve 100 further includes a first locking hole 107 formed in at least one of the first wall 101 and the second wall 102. As will be described in detail below, the first locking hole 107 is configured to receive and hold a first locking protrusion 51a (fig. 8 to 11) on the mating tongue 51 of the plug connector 5 when the receptacle connector 1 is mated with the plug connector 5 to lock the plug connector 5 to the receptacle connector 1. The first locking holes 107 and the first locking projections 51a can provide a reliable retaining force between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 5, thereby reducing the risk of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 5 being unintentionally unmated.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-5, the first wall 101 of the sleeve 100 is spaced apart from the first side 201 of the insulating housing 200 to form a first docking slot 400a therebetween, and the second wall 102 of the sleeve 100 is spaced apart from the second side 202 of the insulating housing 200 to form a second docking slot 400b therebetween. Forming the first and second docking slots 400a and 400b on both sides of the insulative housing 200 can provide more flexibility in mating the receptacle connector 1. The first docking slot 400a and the second docking slot 400b are each elongated in the longitudinal direction 7. A first portion of the first wall 101 of the sleeve 100 is recessed into the first docking slot 400a towards the first side 201, such that it delimits the first positioning groove 105a on the side facing away from the first side 201. A second portion of the second wall 102 of the sleeve 100 is recessed into the second docking slot 400b toward the second side 202 such that the second portion defines a second detent 105b on a side facing away from the second side 202. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the docking slot may be formed between the wall of the casing 100 (i.e., the first wall 101 or the second wall 102) and the corresponding side of the insulating housing 200 (i.e., the first side 201 or the second side 202) only on a single side of the insulating housing 200.

Each of the first and second positioning grooves 105a and 105b includes opposite side walls and a bottom wall joining the two side walls. As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the first positioning groove 105a includes two opposing side walls 109a and 109b and a bottom wall 109c joining the two side walls 109a and 109b, and the second positioning groove 105b includes two opposing side walls 109a and 109b and a bottom wall 109c joining the two side walls 109a and 109 b. Each of the bottom wall 109c of the first positioning groove 105a and the bottom wall 109c of the second positioning groove 105b may be adjacent to a corresponding side of the insulating housing 200. That is, the bottom wall 109c of the first positioning groove 105a may be adjacent to the first side 201 of the insulating housing 200, and the bottom wall 109c of the second positioning groove 105b may be adjacent to the second side 202 of the insulating housing 200. By "adjacent" it is meant that there may be no gap (i.e., abutment) or only a small gap between the bottom wall of the positioning groove and the corresponding side of the insulating housing 200, such that there is no docking slot described above therebetween. In some embodiments, the bottom wall 109c of the first positioning groove 105a and/or the bottom wall 109c of the second positioning groove 105b may abut against respective sides of the insulating housing 200. In this manner, mechanical support may be provided to the case 100, enhancing the stability and resistance of the case 100 to deformation (e.g., due to impact from an external force). Further, in the case where both the bottom wall 109c of the first positioning groove 105a and the bottom wall 109c of the second positioning groove 105b are configured to abut on the respective sides of the insulating housing 200, it is possible to provide positioning and guiding during the housing of the jacket 100 to the insulating housing 200, thereby improving the assembling efficiency of the jacket 100 to the insulating housing 200.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the insulative housing 200 further includes a mating face 205 configured to face the plug connector 5 and a mounting face 206 opposite to the mating face 205. The mating face 205 and the mounting face 206 of the insulating housing 200 are both substantially perpendicular to the mating direction 3 and both join the first side 201, the second side 202, the third side 203 and the fourth side 204. That is, the butting face 205 joins the first side face 201, the second side face 202, the third side face 203, and the fourth side face 204 at one side of the insulating housing 200, and the mounting face 206 joins the first side face 201, the second side face 202, the third side face 203, and the fourth side face 204 at the other side. As such, the insulating housing 200 is substantially defined by the mating face 205, the mounting face 206, the first side 201, the second side 202, the third side 203, and the fourth side 204. Insulative housing 200 also includes slots 208 (three slots 208 are shown in fig. 1-5) that are recessed into insulative housing 200 from mating face 205. The slot 208 is configured to receive a conductive portion (not shown) of the plug connector 5 when the receptacle connector 1 is mated with the plug connector 5.

Each of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 is formed of a conductive material. The conductive material suitable for manufacturing the conductive terminal 300 may be a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper or a copper alloy. As shown in fig. 1-5, each of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 includes a mating end 301, a tail end 303 opposite the mating end 301, and a middle portion 305 extending between the mating end 301 and the tail end 303. The intermediate portions 305 of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 may be held in the insulative housing 200. For example, a portion of the insulative housing 200 may be molded over the intermediate portions 305 of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 to retain the plurality of conductive terminals 300. As another example, a separate terminal holder 500 (fig. 2 and 5) may be provided to surround the intermediate portions 305 of the plurality of conductive terminals 300, and then the terminal holder 500 and the plurality of conductive terminals 300 are assembled together into the insulative housing 200. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. When the plurality of conductive terminals 300 are held in the insulative housing 200, the mating ends 301 of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 are exposed in the slots 208 of the insulative housing 200 for establishing electrical connection with the conductive portions of the plug connector 5 when the receptacle connector 1 is mated with the plug connector 5, and the tail ends 303 of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 protrude from the mounting face 206 of the insulative housing 200. For example, the tail ends 303 of the plurality of conductive terminals 300 may be mounted to respective conductive portions, such as conductive pads or traces, on a circuit board by surface mount soldering.

As best shown in fig. 2, the sleeve 100 is configured to be sleeved onto the insulative housing 200 from the mating face 205 of the insulative housing 200 along the mating direction 3. Each of the first and second positioning grooves 105a and 105b further includes first and second notches 109d and 109e opposite in the mating direction 3. When the cover case 100 is fitted to the insulating housing 200, the second notch 109e is closer to the mounting surface 206 of the insulating housing 200 than the first notch 109 d. The sleeve 100 further comprises a first notch 109 recessed into the bottom wall 109c of the respective positioning groove at a second notch 109e. The insulation housing 200 further includes a first protrusion 207 protruding from the first and second side faces 201 and 202 (i.e., the side faces of the insulation housing 200 corresponding to the first and second positioning grooves 105a and 105 b) adjacent to the mounting face 206. The first protrusion 207 includes a first portion 207a configured to slide into and catch in the first notch 109 of the sleeve 100 in the docking direction 3 when the sleeve 100 is sleeved on the insulation case 200 to prevent the sleeve 100 from moving further in the docking direction 3. In this way, a first lower stop feature for holding the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200 together can be provided.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the first protrusion 207 of the insulating housing 200 further includes a second portion 207b extending laterally from the first portion 207a thereof and spaced apart from the respective sides of the insulating housing 200 (i.e., the sides of the first and second sides 201 and 202 corresponding to the first and second positioning grooves 105a and 105 b). The second portion 207b is configured to press against the bottom wall 109c in the positioning groove when the sleeve 100 is fitted to the insulating housing 200. This can provide a positioning and retaining function between the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200, thereby improving the retaining force of the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200.

As best shown in fig. 1 to 2, 4, and 9 to 11, the insulation case 200 further includes a second locking protrusion 210 (fig. 9 to 11) protruding from the third side 203 and a third locking protrusion 211 (fig. 1 to 2 and 4) protruding from the fourth side 204. Correspondingly, the sleeve 100 further comprises a second locking hole 110 (fig. 9-11) formed in the third wall 103 and a third locking hole 111 formed in the fourth wall 104. When the sleeve 100 is fitted over the insulating housing 200, the second locking protrusion 210 is received in the second locking hole 110 and the third locking protrusion 211 is received in the third locking hole 111 to prevent the sleeve 100 from moving back away from the insulating housing 200 in the mating direction 3. In this way, a first upper stop feature for holding the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200 together can be provided.

As best shown in fig. 1 to 3 and 5, the insulating housing 200 further includes a retracting portion 213a that is retracted from the butting face 205 into the insulating housing 200 at least one corner 213 of the corners 213 joining adjacent two of the first side 201, the second side 202, the third side 203, and the fourth side 204. In fig. 1 and 2, it is shown that there are indents 213a indented into the insulating housing 200 from the butting face 205 at three corners 213 joining the first side 201 and the third side 203, joining the second side 202 and the third side 203, and joining the second side 202 and the fourth side 204. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. The casing 100 further includes a bent portion 113 cut out from a corresponding one of the third wall 103 and the fourth wall 104 and bent toward the retracted portion 213a. The bending portion 113 is configured such that when the sleeve 100 is sleeved on the insulating housing 200, the bending portion 113 abuts against the retraction portion 213a to prevent the sleeve 100 from further moving along the docking direction 3. In this way, a second lower stop feature for holding the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200 together can be provided.

The insulating housing 200 may include one or more sections. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-5, the insulating housing 200 includes at least a first section 200a and a second section 200b. The plurality of conductive terminals 300 includes at least a first set of conductive terminals 300a disposed in the first section 200a and a second set of conductive terminals 300b disposed in the second section 200b. The first and second sets of conductive terminals 300a and 300b are spaced apart by the joint 200c of the first and second sections 200a and 200b. As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the first section 200a and the second section 200b of the insulation case 200 are integrally formed. The first set of conductive terminals 300a may be comprised of power terminal sets and/or sideband signal terminal sets, and the second set of conductive terminals 300b is comprised of high speed signal terminals. High speed signals are, for example, signals used in PCIe Gen3, PCIe Gen4, PCIe Gen5, PCIe Gen6, SAS4.0, 10G and above Ethernet networks. In some examples, the high speed signal may be a differential signal.

Fig. 6 and 7 schematically show another version of the receptacle connector 1. In fig. 6 and 7, similar parts to those in fig. 1 to 5 are denoted by similar reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. The receptacle connector 1 shown in fig. 1 to 5 differs from the receptacle connector 1 shown in fig. 6 and 7 only in that: the first section 200a and the second section 200b of the insulative housing 200 of the receptacle connector 1 shown in fig. 6 and 7 are separate sections formed separately from each other and connected together at the joint 200 c. For example, first segment 200a and second segment 200b may be connected together at joint 200c by a T-joint. Specifically, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, one of the first and second sections 200a and 200b of the insulating housing 200 may include a T-shaped protrusion 216a protruding therefrom, and the other of the first and second sections 200a and 200b may include a T-shaped slot 216b recessed therein. The T-shaped protrusion 216a may be inserted into the T-shaped slot 216b to form a T-joint to connect the first section 200a and the second section 200b of the insulating housing 200 together. It will be appreciated that the T-joint may be replaced by a dovetail joint, or may be in the form of any other suitable joint. Configuring the first section 200a and the second section 200b of the insulative housing 200 as separate sections formed separately from each other can provide greater flexibility in the configuration of the receptacle connector 1.

In some embodiments, referring back to fig. 1-5, each of the first and second positioning grooves 105a, 105b may be disposed adjacent to the joint 200c of the first and second sections 200a, 200b of the insulating housing 200. As best shown in fig. 1 and 3-5, the first positioning groove 105a of the sleeve 100 is disposed adjacent to the joint 200c and divides the first docking slot 400a into a first segment 400a1 along the first segment 200a and a second segment 400a2 along the second segment 200b. The second positioning groove 105b of the sleeve 100 is disposed adjacent to the joint 200c and divides the second docking slot 400b into a third section 400b1 along the first section 200a and a fourth section 400b2 along the second section 200b. The second section 400a2 and the fourth section 400b2 are each elongated in the longitudinal direction 7 and have a length substantially equal to the length of the second section 200b. As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to an amount ranging from, for example, a majority, or almost all, or about 80% to about 100%.

In some embodiments, the first section 200a of the insulative housing 200 of the receptacle connector 1 shown in fig. 6 and 7, the sub-portion of the sleeve 100 fitted over the first section 200a, and the first set of conductive terminals 300a disposed in the first section 200a may be used as separate receptacle connectors. In this case, such a separate receptacle connector may also be configured for mating with a mating plug connector along mating direction 3 (fig. 7). It is contemplated that the sub-portion of the case 100 may also include a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall configured to enclose the accommodating space, wherein the first wall is opposite to the second wall and the third wall is opposite to the fourth wall. It is also contemplated that the first section 200a of the insulated housing 200 may also include a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The first segment 200a may be disposed in a portion of the receiving space such that the first side faces the first wall, the second side faces the second wall, the third side faces the third wall, and the fourth side faces the fourth wall. The third wall is adjacent the third side and the fourth wall is adjacent the fourth side. At least one of the first and second walls is spaced apart from a respective one of the first and second sides to form a docking slot therebetween (i.e., docking slot 400a1 and/or docking slot 400b1 in fig. 6 and 7), and at least one end portion of the at least one wall (in fig. 6 and 7, the end portion of the first segment 200a proximate the connection 200 c) is recessed into the docking slot toward the respective side such that the end portion defines a stepped recess on a side facing away from the respective side (which stepped recess corresponds to a portion of the first and second positioning recesses 105a, 105b in fig. 6 and 7). The mating slot is configured for receiving the mating tongue of the plug connector in the mating direction 3 when the receptacle connector is mated with a mating plug connector, and the stepped recess is configured for receiving the positioning tongue of the plug connector in the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector. The stepped recess includes a side wall (109 a in fig. 7) and a bottom wall (109 c in fig. 7). The bottom wall is adjacent to or rests on the respective side. The first section 200a of the insulative housing 200 also includes a mating face (i.e., 205a in fig. 6 and 7) configured to face toward the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face. The docking surface and the mounting surface are both substantially perpendicular to the docking direction 3 and both join the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side. The sub-portion of the sleeve 100 may be configured to sleeve onto the first segment 200a from the docking face along the docking direction 3. The stepped recess further comprises a first inlet (109 d in fig. 7) and a second inlet (109 e in fig. 7) opposite in the mating direction 3. When the sub-portion of the casing 100 is fitted to the first section 200a, the second inlet is closer to the mounting surface than the first inlet. The sub-portion of the case 100 further comprises a first recess (not shown in fig. 6 and 7, but see recess 109 in fig. 1-5) recessed into the bottom wall at the second inlet. The first section 200a also includes a first projection (207 in fig. 7) projecting from the respective side adjacent the mounting face. Similar to the first protrusion described above in connection with fig. 1-5, the first protrusion shown in fig. 6 and 7 may comprise a first portion configured to slide into and snap into the first recess in the docking direction 3 when the portion of the case 100 is fitted onto the first section 200a to prevent the portion of the case 100 from moving further in the docking direction 3. Similar to the first tab described above in connection with fig. 1-5, the first tab 207 shown in fig. 6 and 7 may further include a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and spaced apart from the respective side surface configured to press against the bottom wall in the stepped recess when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-5, the interface 205 of the insulating housing 200 includes a first face 205a at the first section 200a and a second face 205b at the second section 200b. The first surface 205a and the second surface 205b are not coplanar in the mating direction 3 so that the coupling portion 200c has a stepped shape. By providing such a mating face 205 with a stepped portion, the risk of an incorrect mating orientation occurring during mating of the receptacle connector 1 with the plug connector 5 can be further reduced. For example, the second face 205b is indented into the insulating housing 200 relative to the first face 205a in the mating direction 3. In the case where the first set of conductive terminals 300a is constituted by a power terminal set and/or a sideband signal terminal set and the second set of conductive terminals 300b is constituted by a high-speed signal terminal, retracting the second face 205b relative to the first face 205a in the mating direction 3 enables the first set of conductive terminals 300a to establish electrical connection with corresponding conductive portions of the plug connector 5 prior to the second set of conductive terminals 300b during mating of the receptacle connector 1 with the plug connector 5, thereby protecting the second set of conductive terminals 300b. As another example, the first face 205a may be recessed into the insulating housing 200 relative to the second face 205b in the mating direction 3.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-5, the rim of the wall portion of the case 100 surrounding the first segment 200a is flush with the first face 205a of the insulating case 200, and the rim of the wall portion of the case 100 surrounding the second segment 200b is flush with the second face 205b of the insulating case 200. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto. For example, a wall portion of the case 100 surrounding the first segment 200a may extend beyond the first face 205a, and/or a rim of a wall portion of the case 100 surrounding the second segment 200b may extend beyond the second face 205b.

As best shown in fig. 1 and 3-5, the insulation housing 200 includes a first boss 215a and a second boss 215b. The first boss 215a protrudes from the second section 200b of the insulation case 200 into the second section 400a2 of the first docking slot 400a from the first side face 201 to abut against the first wall 101 of the casing 100. The second boss 215b protrudes from the second section 200b into the fourth section 400b2 of the second docking slot 400b from the second side 202 to abut against the second wall 102 of the case 100. In this manner, additional mechanical support may be provided to the case 100, enhancing the stability and resistance to deformation of the case 100.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 3-5, the first boss 215a separates the second section 400a2 into a first sub-section 400a21 and a second sub-section 400a22, and the second boss 215b separates the fourth section 400b2 into a third sub-section 400b21 and a fourth sub-section 400b22. The first sub-section 400a21 and the third sub-section 400b21 are arranged opposite to each other on opposite sides of the second section 200b, and the second sub-section 400a22 and the fourth sub-section 400b22 are arranged opposite to each other on opposite sides of the second section 200b. The first 400a21, second 400a22, third 400b21 and fourth 400b22 subsections each comprise a length along the longitudinal direction 7 perpendicular to the docking direction 3. The first and second bosses 215a, 215b are configured such that the first subsection 400a21 is a different length than the fourth subsection 400b22, and such that the second subsection 400a22 is a different length than the third subsection 400b 21. In this way, a function of preventing the reverse insertion of the plug connector 5 can be provided.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-5, the insulation housing 200 includes a second protrusion 217 protruding from at least one of the first and second bosses 215a, 215b adjacent the mounting face 206. The first wall 101 and the second wall 102 of the jacket 100 each include first edges (upper edges) 101a and 102a and second edges (lower edges) 101b and 102b opposite in the mating direction 3. When the sleeve 100 is sleeved on the insulation housing 200 from the butting face 205 of the insulation housing 200 along the butting direction 3, the first edge 101a of the first wall 101 and the first edge 102a of the second wall 102 are adjacent to the butting face 205 of the insulation housing 200, and the second edge 101b of the first wall 101 and the second edge 102b of the second wall 102 are adjacent to the mounting face 206 of the insulation housing 200. At least one of the first wall 101 and the second wall 102 of the sleeve 100 includes a second notch 117 recessed into the at least one wall at the second rims 101b and 102b. The second protrusion 217 of the insulation case 200 includes a first portion 217a configured to slide in the mating direction 3 and to be caught in the second notch 117 when the sleeve 100 is fitted to the insulation case 200, to prevent the sleeve 100 from further moving in the mating direction 3. In this way, a third lower stop feature for holding the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200 together can be provided.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-8, the second projection 217 further includes a second portion 217b extending laterally from the first portion 217a and spaced apart from a respective one of the at least one boss (i.e., the first and second bosses 215a, 215 b). The second portion 217b of the second protrusion 217 is configured to press against the outer surface of the corresponding one of the first wall 101 and the second wall 102 when the sleeve 100 is fitted to the insulating housing 200. This can provide a positioning and retaining function between the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200, thereby further improving the retaining force of the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, 3 and 5, at least one of the first and second walls 101 and 102 of the case 100 further includes a snap (labeled "101c" and "102c" in the figures) extending from the respective first edges 101a and 102a toward the insulating housing 200. The snap portions are configured to snap onto respective ones of the first and second bosses 215a and 215b to prevent the sleeve 100 from moving further in the mating direction 3 when the sleeve 100 is fitted to the insulation case 200. In this way, a fourth lower stop feature for holding the sleeve 100 and the insulating housing 200 together can be provided.

By virtue of the cooperation of at least one of the first lower stop feature, the third lower stop feature, and the fourth lower stop feature with the first upper stop feature, the insulating housing 200 can be reliably held in the sleeve 100.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-5, the second segment 200b includes a first sub-segment 200b1 and a second sub-segment 200b2. The second set of conductive terminals 300b includes a first subset of conductive terminals 300b1 disposed in the first sub-section 200b1 and a second subset of conductive terminals 300b2 disposed in the second sub-section 200b2. The first and second subsets of conductive terminals 300b1 and 300b2 are spaced apart by the linking portion 200d of the first and second sub-sections 200b1 and 200b2. The first and second bosses 215a, 215b are each disposed adjacent the joint 200d of the first and second sub-sections 200b1, 200b2.

As shown in fig. 1-5, the sleeve 100 may further include a connecting foot 119 extending from the second rim 101b of the first wall 101 and the second rim 102b of the second wall 102 for securing the sleeve 100 to a circuit board or other structure. Thus, by means of the sleeve 100, the insulating housing 200 can be reliably held on a circuit board or other structure.

The electrical connector assembly 600 including the aforementioned receptacle connector 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to fig. 8 to 11. The electrical connector assembly 600 comprises the aforementioned receptacle connector 1 and plug connector 5.

As previously described, the positioning groove of the sleeve 100 divides the docking slot into a first docking slot segment and a second docking slot segment. Specifically, the first positioning groove 105a of the jacket 100 divides the first docking slot 400a into a first section 400a1 and a second section 400a2, and the second positioning groove 105b divides the second docking slot 400b into a third section 400b1 and a fourth section 400b2.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 8 and 9, the plug connector 5 is a unitary connector and includes a docking tongue 51 configured to be inserted into the first docking slot section (the first section 400a1 and the third section 400b 1) and the second docking slot section (the first subsection 400a21 and the second subsection 400a22 of the second section 400a2 and the third subsection 400b21 and the fourth subsection 400b22 of the fourth section 400b 2), respectively, along the docking direction 3, and a positioning tongue 53 configured to be inserted into the positioning groove (the first positioning groove 105a and the second positioning groove 105 b) along the docking direction 3.

In other partial embodiments, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, the plug connector 5 includes a first plug connector 5a, a second plug connector 5b, and a third plug connector 5c that are separated from each other. The first plug connector 5a comprises a docking tongue 51 configured to be inserted into the first docking slot section (the first section 400a1 and the third section 400b 1) along the docking direction 3, and a positioning tongue 53 configured to be inserted into the positioning groove (the first positioning groove 105a and the second positioning groove 105 b) along the docking direction 3. The second plug connector 5b comprises a docking tongue 51 configured to be inserted into the second docking slot section (the first sub-section 400a21 of the second section 400a2 and the third sub-section 400b21 of the fourth section 400b 2) along the docking direction 3. The third plug connector 5c comprises a docking tongue 51 configured to be inserted into the second docking slot section (the second sub-section 400a22 of the second section 400a2 and the fourth sub-section 400b22 of the fourth section 400b 2) along the docking direction 3. It should be understood that the plug connector 5 may include two (e.g., the first plug connector 5a and the other plug connector) or more than three plug connectors separated from each other, and the present application is not limited thereto.

According to the receptacle connector 1 of the present application, it is possible to provide reliable positioning and guiding functions during mating with the plug connector 5, reducing the risk of occurrence of wrong mating orientation and thus reducing the risk of damage to the connector.

It will be understood that the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used merely to distinguish one element or portion from another element or portion, but such elements and/or portions should not be limited by such terms.

The present application is described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and the embodiments shown in the drawings are to be considered exemplary and not restrictive of the application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the application, and these changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of the application.

Claims (32)

1. A receptacle connector configured for mating with a plug connector along a mating direction, the receptacle connector comprising:

a case including a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall configured to enclose an accommodation space, the first wall being opposite to the second wall, and the third wall being opposite to the fourth wall;

an insulating case including a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the insulating case being disposed in a portion of the accommodating space such that the first side faces the first wall, the second side faces the second wall, the third side faces the third wall, and the fourth side faces the fourth wall; and

a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulative housing;

wherein:

the third wall is adjacent the third side and the fourth wall is adjacent the fourth side;

at least one of the first and second walls is spaced apart from a respective one of the first and second sides to form an abutment slot therebetween, and a portion of the at least one wall is recessed into the abutment slot toward the respective side such that the portion defines a locating recess on a side facing away from the respective side; and

the mating slot is configured to receive a mating tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector, and the positioning groove is configured to receive a positioning tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector.

2. The receptacle connector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a first locking aperture formed in the at least one wall, the first locking aperture configured to receive and retain a first locking protrusion on the mating tongue of the plug connector to lock the plug connector to the receptacle connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector.

3. The receptacle connector according to claim 1, wherein the positioning groove includes two opposing side walls and a bottom wall joining the two side walls, the bottom wall being adjacent to the respective side surface.

4. Socket connector according to claim 3, wherein the bottom wall abuts against the respective side face.

5. The receptacle connector according to claim 3, wherein:

the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face both being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and both joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side;

the sleeve is configured to be sleeved on the insulating shell from the butting face along the butting direction;

the positioning groove further includes a first notch and a second notch opposite in the mating direction, the second notch being closer to the mounting surface than the first notch when the cover case is fitted over the insulating housing, the cover case further including a first notch recessed into the bottom wall at the second notch; and

the insulative housing further includes a first tab projecting from the respective side adjacent the mounting face, the first tab including a first portion configured to slide into and snap into the first notch along the mating direction when the sleeve is fitted over the insulative housing to prevent the sleeve from moving further along the mating direction.

6. The receptacle connector of claim 5, wherein the first tab further includes a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and spaced apart from the respective side, the second portion of the first tab configured to press against the bottom wall in the positioning groove when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

7. The receptacle connector according to claim 5, wherein:

the insulating case further includes a second locking protrusion protruding from the third side and a third locking protrusion protruding from the fourth side;

the sleeve further including a second locking aperture formed in the third wall and a third locking aperture formed in the fourth wall; and

when the sleeve is fitted over the insulating housing, the second locking protrusion is received in the second locking hole, and the third locking protrusion is received in the third locking hole to prevent the sleeve from moving back away from the insulating housing in the mating direction.

8. The receptacle connector according to claim 5, wherein:

the insulating case further includes a receding portion receding from the butting face into the insulating case at least one of corners joining two adjacent sides among the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side; and

the sleeve further includes a bent portion cut out from a corresponding one of the third wall and the fourth wall and bent toward the indented portion, the bent portion riding on the indented portion to prevent the sleeve from further moving in the mating direction when the sleeve is fitted to the insulating housing.

9. The receptacle connector according to claim 1, wherein:

the casing is a metal casing; and/or

The casing has a rigidity greater than that of the insulating housing.

10. Socket connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:

the insulating housing comprises at least a first section and a second section;

the plurality of conductive terminals includes at least a first set of conductive terminals disposed in the first section and a second set of conductive terminals disposed in the second section; and

the first and second sets of conductive terminals are spaced apart by the joint of the first and second sections.

11. The receptacle connector according to claim 10, wherein the first section and the second section are separate sections formed separately from each other and connected together at the junction.

12. The receptacle connector of claim 11, wherein the first section and the second section are connected together at the junction by a T-joint or a dovetail-joint.

13. The receptacle connector of claim 10, wherein the first section is integrally formed with the second section.

14. The receptacle connector according to claim 10, wherein the positioning groove is provided adjacent to the coupling portion.

15. The receptacle connector according to claim 10, wherein:

the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face the plug connector, and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face both being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and both joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side of the insulative housing; and

the abutment face includes a first face at the first section and a second face at the second section, the first face and the second face being non-coplanar in the abutment direction such that the joint is stepped.

16. The receptacle connector of claim 15, wherein the second face is set back into the insulative housing relative to the first face in the mating direction.

17. The receptacle connector of claim 15, wherein a rim of the wall portion of the case surrounding the first segment is flush with the first face and a rim of the wall portion of the case surrounding the second segment is flush with the second face.

18. The receptacle connector according to claim 10, wherein:

the first group of conductive terminals are composed of a power supply terminal group and/or a sideband signal terminal group; and

the second group of conductive terminals is composed of high-speed signal terminals.

19. The receptacle connector according to claim 10, wherein:

the first wall is spaced from the first side to form a first docking slot therebetween, and a first portion of the first wall is recessed into the first docking slot toward the first side such that the first portion defines a first positioning groove on a side facing away from the first side; and

the second wall is spaced from the second side to form a second docking slot therebetween, and a second portion of the second wall is recessed into the second docking slot toward the second side such that the second portion defines a second detent on a side facing away from the second side.

20. The receptacle connector according to claim 19, wherein:

the first detent groove is disposed adjacent the joint and separates the first docking slot into a first segment along the first section and a second segment along the second section;

the second positioning groove is disposed adjacent the joint and separates the second docking slot into a third section along the first section and a fourth section along the second section; and

the second section includes a first boss protruding from the second section into the second section from the first side face to abut the first wall and a second boss protruding from the second section into the fourth section from the second side face to abut the second wall.

21. The receptacle connector according to claim 20, wherein:

the first boss divides the second section into a first subsection and a second subsection;

the second boss divides the fourth section into a third subsection and a fourth subsection;

the first and third subsections are disposed opposite each other on opposite sides of the second section, and the second and fourth subsections are disposed opposite each other on opposite sides of the second section; and

the first subsection, the second subsection, the third subsection, and the fourth subsection each include a length along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the docking direction, the first boss and the second boss are configured such that the first subsection is different from the fourth subsection length, and such that the second subsection is different from the third subsection length.

22. The receptacle connector according to claim 20, wherein:

the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face toward the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face each being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the insulative housing;

the sleeve is configured to be sleeved on the insulating shell from the butting face along the butting direction;

the insulating housing includes a second projection projecting from at least one of the first boss and the second boss adjacent the mounting face;

the first wall and the second wall each include first and second opposed rims in the mating direction, the first rim being adjacent the mating face and the second rim being adjacent the mounting face when the sleeve is fitted over the insulating housing, at least one of the first wall and the second wall including a second notch recessed into the at least one wall at the second rim; and

the second protrusion includes a first portion configured to slide into and snap into the second notch along the mating direction when the sleeve is fitted over the insulating housing to prevent the sleeve from moving further along the mating direction.

23. The receptacle connector of claim 22, wherein the second protrusion further includes a second portion extending laterally from the first portion of the second protrusion and spaced apart from a respective one of the at least one boss, the second portion of the second protrusion configured to press against an outer surface of a respective one of the first and second walls when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

24. The receptacle connector of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall further includes a snap extending from the first edge toward the insulative housing, the snap configured to snap over a respective one of the first boss and the second boss when the sleeve is placed over the insulative housing to prevent the sleeve from moving further in the mating direction.

25. The receptacle connector according to claim 20, wherein:

the second section including a first sub-section and a second sub-section, and the second set of conductive terminals including a first subset of conductive terminals disposed in the first sub-section and a second subset of conductive terminals disposed in the second sub-section, the first and second subsets of conductive terminals being spaced apart by the junction of the first sub-section and the second sub-section; and

the first boss and the second boss are each disposed adjacent to the junction of the first sub-section and the second sub-section.

26. The receptacle connector according to claim 20, wherein:

the insulating housing is elongated in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction; and

the second and fourth segments are each elongated in the longitudinal direction and have a length substantially equal to a length of the second segment.

27. The receptacle connector according to claim 1, wherein:

the insulative housing further including a mating face configured to face the plug connector, a mounting face opposite the mating face, and a slot recessed into the insulative housing from the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face each being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side of the insulative housing, the slot configured to receive a conductive portion of the plug connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector; and

each of the plurality of conductive terminals includes a mating end exposed in the slot for establishing an electrical connection with the conductive portion of the plug connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector and a tail end opposite the mating end that extends from the mounting surface.

28. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

the receptacle connector according to any one of claims 1 to 27; and

a plug connector mated with the receptacle connector.

29. The electrical connector assembly of claim 28, wherein:

the positioning groove of the receptacle connector divides the mating slot into a first mating slot section and a second mating slot section;

the plug connector is in one of the following forms:

the plug connector is a unitary connector and includes mating tabs configured to be inserted into the first and second mating slot sections, respectively, along the mating direction, and positioning tabs configured to be inserted into the positioning grooves along the mating direction; or

The plug connector comprises at least a first plug connector and a second plug connector separated from each other, the first plug connector comprising a first mating tongue configured to be inserted into the first mating slot section along the mating direction and a positioning tongue configured to be inserted into the positioning groove along the mating direction, the second plug connector comprising a second mating tongue configured to be inserted into the second mating slot section along the mating direction.

30. A receptacle connector configured for mating with a plug connector along a mating direction, the receptacle connector comprising:

a case including a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall configured to enclose an accommodation space, the first wall being opposite to the second wall, and the third wall being opposite to the fourth wall;

an insulating case including a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the insulating case being disposed in a portion of the accommodating space such that the first side faces the first wall, the second side faces the second wall, the third side faces the third wall, and the fourth side faces the fourth wall; and

a plurality of conductive terminals disposed in the insulative housing;

wherein:

the third wall is adjacent the third side and the fourth wall is adjacent the fourth side;

at least one of the first and second walls is spaced apart from a respective one of the first and second sides to form a docking slot therebetween, and at least one end portion of the at least one wall is recessed into the docking slot toward the respective side such that the end portion defines a stepped recess on a side facing away from the respective side; and

the mating slot is configured to receive a mating tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector, and the stepped recess is configured to receive a positioning tongue of the plug connector along the mating direction when the receptacle connector is mated with the plug connector.

31. The receptacle connector according to claim 30, wherein:

the stepped recess includes a side wall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall abutting against the respective side surface;

the insulative housing further includes a mating face configured to face toward the plug connector and a mounting face opposite the mating face, the mating face and the mounting face each being substantially perpendicular to the mating direction and each joining the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side;

the sleeve is configured to be sleeved on the insulating shell from the butting face along the butting direction;

the stepped recess further comprising a first inlet and a second inlet opposite in the mating direction, the second inlet being closer to the mounting face than the first inlet when the casing is fitted over the insulating housing, the casing further comprising a first notch recessed into the bottom wall at the second inlet; and

the insulative housing further includes a first tab projecting from the respective side adjacent the mounting face, the first tab including a first portion configured to slide into and snap into the first notch along the mating direction when the sleeve is fitted over the insulative housing to prevent the sleeve from moving further along the mating direction.

32. The receptacle connector of claim 31, wherein the first tab further includes a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and spaced apart from the respective side surface, the second portion of the first tab configured to press against the bottom wall in the stepped recess when the sleeve is sleeved onto the insulative housing.

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