Modular connector with improved locking features and assembly method thereof

A modular connector, comprising:

• an insulating body comprising a mating surface, an installation space and a plurality of terminal receiving grooves extending through the mating surface;
• a plurality of conductive terminals installed in corresponding terminal receiving grooves, each conductive terminal comprising a mating portion exposed to the mating surface, the mating portion being configured to be in contact with a terminal of a mating connector;
• a cable module comprising an insulating block and a plurality of cables fixed to the insulating block, the insulating block being assembled into the installation space along a first direction, the cables being in electrical contact with the conductive terminals;
• and
• a metal shell fixed to the insulating body, the metal shell comprising a stop elastic arm protruding into the installation space;
• wherein the insulating block comprises a terminal mounting surface, a cable mounting surface, a plurality of slots extending through the terminal mounting surface, a plurality of cable installation grooves extending through the cable mounting surface, and a protrusion;
• the slots are arranged in alignment with corresponding terminal receiving grooves;
• the cable installation grooves communicate with corresponding slots;
• and a free end of the stop elastic arm is configured to abut against the protrusion along a second direction opposite to the first direction so as to prevent the insulating block from exiting the installation space along the second direction;
• wherein the protrusion comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first protrusion is provided with a first stop surface, and the second protrusion is provided with a second stop surface;
• and
• wherein the stop elastic arm comprises a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm, a free end of the first elastic arm abuts against the first stop surface along the second direction, and a free end of the second elastic arm abuts against the second stop surface along the second direction.

A method for assembling a modular connector, the module connector comprising:

• an insulating body comprising a mating surface, an installation surface, a plurality of terminal receiving grooves extending through the mating surface, and an installation space extending through the installation surface;
• a plurality of conductive terminals installed in corresponding terminal receiving grooves, each conductive terminal comprising a mating portion exposed to the mating surface, the mating portion being configured to be in contact with a terminal of a mating connector;
• a cable module comprising an insulating block and a plurality of cables fixed to the insulating block, the insulating block being received in the installation space, the cables being in electrical contact with the conductive terminals;
• and
• a metal shell fixed to the insulating body, the metal shell comprising a stop elastic arm protruding into the installation space;
• wherein the insulating block comprises a terminal mounting surface, a cable mounting surface, a plurality of slots extending through the terminal mounting surface, a plurality of cable installation grooves extending through the cable mounting surface, and a protrusion;
• the slots are arranged in alignment with corresponding terminal receiving grooves and communicate with each other;
• the cable installation grooves communicate with corresponding slots;
• and the stop elastic arm is configured to abut against the protrusion so as to prevent the insulating block from exiting the installation space;
• the method comprising following steps:
• S1, providing the insulating body;
• S2, providing the metal shell, assembling and fixing the metal shell to the insulating body;
• S3, providing the insulating block, passing the cables in the cable installation grooves of the insulating block to form the cable module;
• S4, assembling the insulating block of the cable module in the installation space;
• wherein at an initial stage of assembling the insulating block, the protrusion of the insulating block presses the stop elastic arm;
• when the insulating block is assembled in place, the stop elastic arm rebounds, so that a free end of the stop elastic arm abuts against the protrusion to prevent the insulating block from exiting the installation space;
• and
• S5, providing the conductive terminals, assembling the conductive terminals in the terminal receiving grooves, and pressing the conductive terminals to pierce the cables so as to be in electrical contact with the cables;
• wherein the protrusion comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first protrusion is provided with a first stop surface, and the second protrusion is provided with a second stop surface;
• and
• wherein the stop elastic arm comprises a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm, a free end of the first elastic arm abuts against the first stop surface, and a free end of the second elastic arm abuts against the second stop surface.