USB connector assembly having reduced mating height

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector assembly, and particularly to a USB connector assembly having a reduced mating height.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a plug connector of a USB connector assembly in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an upside-down, assembled view of the plug connector shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle connector of the USB connector assembly in accordance with the present invention;

#Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a USB connector assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a plug connector 1 and a receptacle connector 2.

#The plug connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a dielectric first housing 10, a plurality of terminals 20 accommodated in the dielectric first housing 10, and a first shield 30 comprising an upper shield 33 and a lower shield 34 together enclosing the dielectric first housing 10. The dielectric first housing 10 has a cuboid-shaped main body 11 at a rear end thereof and an elongated front body 12 extending forwards from a front face 112 of the main body 11. A mating tongue 13 is formed at a front end of the front body 12, which is lower than the front body 12. A plurality of passageways 131 are arrayed in the mating tongue 13 for receiving corresponding terminals 20. The front face 112 of the main body 11 defines a pair of recesses 111 on opposite sides of the front body 12.

#The upper shield 33 includes an elongated rear section 31, and a front section 32 extending forwards from the rear section 31 and having dimensions smaller than the rear section 31. The front section 32 includes an inverted U-shaped portion 321 and a rear portion 322 with a channel 323 being defined therein. The inverted U-shaped portion 321 has a receiving passage 326 defined therethrough and communicating with the channel 323 for receiving the mating tongue 13. An engaging groove 311 is provided through the rear section 31 and in communication with the receiving passage 326 and the channel 323, which retains therein the main body 11 of the first housing 10 together with corresponding wires (not shown) connecting with the terminals 20. A protrusion 324 is formed on a topside of the inverted U-shaped portion 321 for correctly and securely mating with the receptacle connector 2. A pair of retaining pads 325 extend oppositely from a rear edge of the rear portion 322 for engaging with the pair of recesses 111. The lower shield 34 engages with the upper shield 33 from a bottom side thereof for substantially enclosing the dielectric housing 10 therein.