U.S. patent application number 09/751495 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for connector assembly.
Invention is credited to Zhao, Qijun, Zheng, Qishen, Zhou, Hongbin.
Application Number | 20020052130 09/751495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21674452 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020052130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zheng, Qishen ; et
al. |
May 2, 2002 |
Connector assembly
Abstract
A connector assembly (1) includes an insulative cover (10), an
optical fiber connector (11), an electrical connector (12) and a
dielectric frame (13). The cover defines a first receiving cavity
(101) receiving the optical fiber connector therein and a second
receiving cavity (105) receiving the electrical connector. The
frame is assembled to the cover and the electrical connector. The
optical fiber connector includes a plurality of terminals extending
through the frame. The connector assembly compactly and efficiently
combines the optical fiber connector and the electrical connector
into one package.
Inventors: |
Zheng, Qishen; (Kunsan,
CN) ; Zhou, Hongbin; (Kunsan, CN) ; Zhao,
Qijun; (Kunsan, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wei Te (Joseph) Chung
Foxconn International, Inc.
1650 Memorex Drive
Santa Clara
CA
95050
US
|
Family ID: |
21674452 |
Appl. No.: |
09/751495 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3817 20130101;
G02B 2006/4297 20130101; H01R 13/518 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/79 |
International
Class: |
H05K 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2000 |
TW |
89218879 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector assembly comprising: an insulative cover comprising
a top wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls, the top wall, the
rear wall and the pair of side walls defining first and second
receiving cavities therebetween, the rear wall forming a pair of
inserts extending into the second receiving cavity, the side walls
each forming a supporting rib thereon between the first and second
receiving cavities; an optical fiber connector received in the
first receiving cavity and supported by the supporting ribs, the
optical fiber connector comprising an insulative housing and a
plurality of terminals accommodated in the insulative housing; and
an electrical connector received in the second receiving cavity,
the electrical connector comprising an electrical terminal, a
dielectric housing defining a through hole, a rear portion of the
through hole being divided by the electrical terminal into two
halves to receive the inserts of the rear wall of the cover, and a
conductive shield enclosing the dielectric housing and the
electrical terminal.
2. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising
a dielectric frame assembled to the cover, the optical fiber
connector and the electrical connector.
3. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top
wall of the cover forms a top block depending downwardly therefrom
and the housing of the optical fiber connector defines a recess for
receiving the top block.
4. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each
supporting rib defines a guiding groove therein and the housing of
the optical fiber connector forms a pair of guiding ribs received
in the guiding grooves.
5. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each side
wall of the cover forms a protrusion thereon extending into the
first receiving cavity and the housing of the optical fiber
connector defines a pair of recesses engaging with the
protrusions.
6. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising
a dielectric frame comprising a pair of lateral sides and a rear
side connecting the lateral sides.
7. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rear
side of the frame defines a plurality of terminal holes receiving
the terminals of the optical fiber connector therethrough.
8. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rear
side of the frame forms a pair of spacing plates extending
forwardly therefrom, and the housing of the electrical connector
defines a pair of recessed sections engaging with the spacing
plates.
9. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein each
lateral side of the frame defines a retention portion and each side
wall of the cover forms a foot thereon secured by the retention
portion of a corresponding lateral side of the frame.
10. A connector assembly combining an optical fiber connector and
an electrical connector together, comprising: a cover having a top
wall, two side walls respectively downwardly extending from two
opposite edges of the top wall and a rear wall downwardly extending
from a rear edge of the top wall, the rear wall connecting at two
lateral sides thereof with the side walls, the cover defining an
upper cavity fixedly receiving the optical fiber connector therein
and a lower cavity fixedly receiving the electrical connector, a
pair of stopping blocks extending forwardly from the rear wall of
the housing into the lower cavity, an insert being formed on a
front face of each stopping block, the inserts extending into two
halves of a through hole of a housing of the electrical connector
which are separated by a terminal of the electrical connector, and
the stopping blocks abutting against a rear face of the housing of
the electrical connector.
11. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein a pair
of supporting ribs are formed on inside surfaces of the side walls
of the cover and extend between the upper and lower cavities.
12. An interconnection assembly comprising: an insulative cover
defining upper and lower receiving cavities therein; an optical
fiber connector retainably received within one of said upper and
said lower receiving cavities, said optical fiber connector
including a housing with at least connection piece downwardly
extending around a rear face of the cover; an electrical connector
retainably received within the other of said upper and said lower
receiving cavities, said electrical connector including a housing
with at least one downwardly extending conductive terminal; and a
frame attached to a bottom face of the cover and restraining the
corresponding connector in the lower cavity.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and
particularly to a connector assembly comprising an optical fiber
connector and an electrical connector.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventional signal transmission is achieved using
electrical wires, which requires electrical connectors for use in
wire interconnection. Following the development of high speed,
large volume and long distance signal transmission, optical fiber
connectors were developed to meet evolving requirements. In some
situations, a combination of electrical and optical fiber
connectors is necessary. A combination electrical/optical fiber
connector in a mechanically secure and dimensionally compact
package is required to meet the current trend toward
miniaturization in information processing devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector
assembly consisting of an optical fiber connector and an electrical
connector which are reliably assembled together in a compact
manner.
[0006] A connector assembly according to the present invention
comprises an insulative cover, an optical fiber connector, an
electrical connector and a dielectric frame. The cover defines
first and second receiving cavities to receive the optical fiber
connector and the electrical connector therein, respectively. The
frame is assembled to the cover and the electrical connector and
receives terminals extending from the optical fiber connector.
[0007] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector assembly in
accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the connector
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view of an insulative cover of
the connector assembly of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an electrical connector
of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 with a shield thereof removed;
and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector assembly partially
cut away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a connector assembly 1 in accordance
with the present invention comprises an insulative cover 10, an
optical fiber connector 1 1, an electrical connector 12 and a
dielectric frame 13.
[0014] The cover 10 comprises a top wall 100, a pair of side walls
104 and a rear wall 1110. The cover 10 is open at a bottom and
front thereof. An ear 109 extends upwardly from a front side of the
top wall 100. The top wall 100 of the cover 10 further forms a top
block 103 (best seen in FIG. 3) extending downwardly from a rear
side of an inner face thereof into a first receiving cavity 101 in
an upper portion of the cover 10. The cover 10 further defines a
second receiving cavity 105 located below and communicating with
the first receiving cavity 101. A pair of supporting ribs 110 are
formed on inside surfaces of the side walls 104, respectively, and
are located between the first and second receiving cavities 101,
105. Each supporting rib 110 defines a guiding groove 110a therein
open to a front thereof. Each side wall 104 forms a protrusion 102
in the first receiving cavity 101 and a foot 106 extending from a
bottom edge thereof. A pair of stopping blocks 107 are formed on an
inner face of the rear wall 1110 protruding into the second
receiving cavity 105 and an insert 108 projects forwardly from a
lower portion of each stopping block 107. A top surface of each
supporting rib 110 is flush with a top surface of each stopping
block 107 and the supporting ribs 110 and the stopping blocks 107
define three gaps 1078 therebetween (best seen in FIG. 3). Each
insert 108 has a semicircular configuration.
[0015] The optical fiber connector 11 comprises a dielectric
housing 111 and three terminals or connecting pieces 112 depending
downwardly from the dielectric housing 111. The dielectric housing
111 defines a pair of recesses 113 in opposite outer side surfaces
thereof and a plug receiving space 114 therein. A pair of slots 115
(only one shown) are defined in opposite inner side surfaces of the
housing 111 and in communication with the plug receiving cavity
114. A light emitting element 1113 is mounted in a rear wall of the
housing 111 and comprises a contact portion 1112 exposed to the
plug receiving cavity 114. The housing 111 further defines an upper
recess 119 above a top of the light emitting element 1113 in the
rear wall thereof. A dustproof door 116 is pivotally mounted in a
way ordinary in the pertinent art on a front side of the housing
111. The door 116 is pushed rearward and upward when a
complementary plug connector (not shown) is inserted along the
slots 115 into the plug receiving space 114 to contact the contact
portion 1112, and returns back to its initial position when the
complementary plug connector is disengaged from the optical fiber
connector 11. The connection mechanism of the light emitting
element 1113, the complementary plug connector and the terminals
112 are commonly known to one skilled in the pertinent art, so
detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein. A pair of guiding
ribs 118 protrude from a bottom surface 117 of the housing 111.
[0016] Also referring to FIG. 4, the electrical connector 12
comprises an insulative housing 121, an electrical terminal 126
mounted in the insulative housing 121 and a conductive shield 122
enclosing the housing 121 and the electrical terminal 126. The
housing 121 defines a through hole 123 extending therethrough. A
rear end portion of the through hole 123 in the housing 121 is
divided by the terminal 126 into two halves. The housing 121
defines a pair of opposite recessed sections 124 on an outer, rear,
lower portion thereof. The shield 122 comprises a pair of grounding
tabs 125 projecting downwardly from a bottom edge thereof.
[0017] The frame 13 is hollow and has a substantially rectangular
configuration, and comprises a pair of lateral sides 133, a front
side 134 and a rear side 137. The lateral sides 133 are higher than
the front side 134 and are lower than the rear side 137. The
lateral sides 133 each define a retention portion 135 in an inner
face thereof. A plurality of terminal holes 132 are defined through
a lower portion of the rear side 137 and a pair of spacing plates
136 extend forwardly from the rear side 137.
[0018] In assembly, the optical fiber connector 11 is inserted into
the first receiving cavity 101. The guiding ribs 118 slide in the
guiding grooves 11 Oa until the protrusions 102 are engaged in the
recesses 113. The top block 103 is received in the upper recess
119. The terminals 112 depend downwardly through the gaps 1078,
respectively, and are thus insulatively separated from each other.
A rear portion of the electrical connector 12 is received in the
second receiving cavity 105 by extending the inserts 108 into the
two halves of the rear portions of the through hole 123 until the
stopping blocks 107 abut against a rear face of the housing 121 of
the electrical connector 12. The frame 13 is finally assembled to
the subassembly of the cover 10, the optical fiber connector 11 and
the electrical connector 12. In the assembling, the spacing plates
136 extend into the recessed sections 124 of the housing 121 and
the feet 106 are reliably retained by the retention portions 135.
The terminals 112 extend through the terminal holes 132 of the
frame 13 to a position beyond a bottom of the frame 13. The
grounding tabs 125, the electrical terminal 126 and the terminals
112 all extend beyond the bottom of the frame 13.
[0019] From the above disclosures, the present invention provides a
very compact and secure structure for combining an electrical
connector and an optical fiber connector together, thereby meeting
the innovative requirements of current information technology.
[0020] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
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