# US 2022/0045459 A1 · Electrical connector assembly having improved locking portions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0045459 A1 - Document ID: US20220045459A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/394,779 - Filed: 2021-08-05 - Published: 2022-02-10 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-05 - Assignees: Foxconn (Kunshan) Computer Connector Co., Ltd.; Foxconn Interconnect Technology Limited - Applicants: Foxconn (Kunshan) Computer Connector Co., Ltd.; Foxconn Interconnect Technology Limited - Inventors: XIAO-JUAN LIN; CHUN-HSIUNG HSU - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220045459A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/6273: {comprising two latching arms} - H01R 12/716: {Coupling device provided on the PCB} - H01R 12/79: connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures - H01R 13/055: {co-operating with sockets having a rectangular transverse section} - H01R 13/113: {co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section} - H01R 13/428: by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members - H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) - H01R 13/629: Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure {electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances (separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26)} - H01R 13/639: Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} - H01R 12/75: connecting to cables except for flat or ribbon cables - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An electrical connector assembly includes a board connector and a cable connector. The board connector includes a first seat comprising a base and two first sidewalls commonly defining a mating space, and a pair of first locking portions with locking heads projecting into the mating space, and a plurality of first terminals retained in the first seat and comprising contacting portions projecting into the mating space and leg portions. The cable connector includes a second seat including a pair of second locking portions to engage with the first locking portions and plural second terminals retained in the second seat. The first seat of the board connector further includes a second sidewall unitarily connecting with the base and first sidewalls at a same side and the second sidewall defines a first locking section to engage with a second locking section defined on the cable connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical connector assembly comprising: a board connector comprising: a first seat comprising a base and two opposite first sidewalls commonly defining a mating space, and a pair of first locking portions with locking heads projecting into the mating space; and a plurality of first terminals retained in the first seat and comprising contacting portions projecting into the mating space and leg portions extending out of the base; and a cable connector adapted for mating with the board connector, the cable connector comprising: a second seat comprising a pair of second locking portions to engage with the first locking portions of the board connector; and a plurality of second terminals retained in the second seat; wherein the first seat of the board connector further comprises a second sidewall unitarily connecting with the base and the first sidewalls at a same side, and the second sidewall defines a first locking section to engage with a second locking section defined on the cable connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first locking section of the board connector comprises at least one locking hole running through the second sidewall in a second direction perpendicular to the second sidewall, and the second locking section of the cable connector comprises at least one locking bump on the second seat to be received in the at least one locking hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board connector defines a recess recessed from a front face of the base of the first seat, and the cable connector defines a post protruding forward to be received in the recess. ### Claim 4 A board connector adapted for mating with a cable connector, comprising: a first seat comprising a base, two opposite first sidewalls arranged along a first direction, and a second sidewall connecting with the base and the first sidewalls at top faces thereof; and a plurality of first terminals retained in the base and comprising contacting portions projecting from a front face of the base and arranged along the first direction between the two first sidewalls; wherein the second sidewall defines a first locking section for engaging with a corresponding second locking section defined on the cable connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The board connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first locking section comprises at least one locking hole or at least one locking bump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The board connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one locking hole runs through a lower face of the second sidewall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The board connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one locking hole is located between front ends of the contacting portions and the base in the second direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The board connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second sidewall defines two locking holes distinct from each other along the first direction for serving as the first locking section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The board connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein a pair of first locking portions is provided at an inside of the first sidewalls, the first locking portions is capable of deforming in the first direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The board connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second sidewall defines two longitudinal slots aligned with the first locking portions, and the first locking portion is surrounded within the corresponding longitudinal slot in the second direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The board connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first locking portion comprises a cantilever arm unitarily extending from the base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The board connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cantilever arm is provided with a locking boss at a front end thereof, the locking boss is disposed at an upper portion of the front end of the cantilever arm. ### Claim 13 A cable connector comprising: a second seat defining a front face, two small faces and two larger faces perpendicular to each other, a plurality of passageways opening through the front face and one of the large faces; and a plurality of second terminals received in the passageways; wherein each of the small faces defined a first locking portion and another of the large faces defines a second locking section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cable connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second locking section comprises two locking bumps.