U.S. patent number RE35,896 [Application Number 08/636,730] was granted by the patent office on 1998-09-15 for grounding electrical connectors.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Molex Incorporated. Invention is credited to David L. Brunker, Gary S. Manchester, Richard A. Nelson, Michael O'Sullivan.
United States Patent |
RE35,896 |
Brunker , et al. |
September 15, 1998 |
Grounding electrical connectors
Abstract
A grounding electrical connector system includes first and
second mateable connector modules each having dielectric blocks
mounting a plurality of terminals and a ground plate. The ground
plates of the connector modules interengage with one another in a
cross-shaped grounding configuration therebetween. The terminals of
the connector modules are located in spaced dispositions such that
a pair of mating terminals from each connector module is located in
each of four quadrants defined by the cross-shaped grounding
structure of the interengaging ground plate.
Inventors: |
Brunker; David L. (Naperville,
IL), Manchester; Gary S. (Naperville, IL), Nelson;
Richard A. (Geneva, IL), O'Sullivan; Michael
(Willowbrook, IL) |
Assignee: |
Molex Incorporated (Lisle,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22255466 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/636,730 |
Filed: |
April 19, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
096117 |
Jul 22, 1993 |
05304069 |
Apr 19, 1994 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/108; 439/101;
439/607.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6585 (20130101); H01R 12/00 (20130101); H01R
12/712 (20130101); H01R 12/7029 (20130101); H01R
12/7023 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
12/00 (20060101); H01R 12/16 (20060101); H01R
013/652 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/101,108,608,607,610,98 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Paumen; Gary F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cohen; Charles S.
Claims
We claim:
1. In an electrical connector system which includes a shielded
connector for mating with a complementary connector along a mating
axis, the shielded connector having a dielectric housing, and an
outer conductive shield member generally surrounding a mating
portion of the dielectric housing, wherein the improvement
comprises an opening in said housing and a grounding terminal
module adapted to be inserted into the opening, the module
including a ground member clamped by and between a pair of
dielectric terminal blocks, and at least one terminal mounted in
each terminal block.
2. In an electrical connector system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said terminal blocks are fabricated of molded plastic
material with the respective terminals thereof being insert molded
therein.
3. In an electrical connector system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said ground member comprise a generally planar ground
plate.
4. In an electrical connector system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein said complementary connector includes a generally planar
ground plate for engaging the ground plate of the grounding
terminal module, one of the ground plates of the module and the
complementary connector including a dot for receiving the other
ground plate and thereby define an interengaging cross-shaped
grounding structure therebetween.
5. In an electrical connector system as set forth in claim 4,
wherein each dielectric terminal block around a pair of terminals
in a spaced disposition such that one terminal is located in each
of four quadrants defined by the cross-shaped grounding structure
of the interengaging ground plates.
6. In an electrical connector system as set forth in claim 5,
wherein said terminal blocks are fabricated of molded plastic
material with the respective terminals thereof being insert molded
therein. .Iadd.
7. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
a first connector having a first dielectric housing means, a first
mating axis, and at least three first terminal means extending to a
first mating region of said first connector, each of said first
terminal means having a first mating portion in said first mating
region and extending in the direction of said first mating axis
through a corner of a first rectangularly shaped area having a
first center on a first line extending generally parallel to said
first mating axis;
a second complementary connector having a second dielectric housing
means, a second mating axis, and at least three second terminal
means extending to a second mating region of said second connector,
each of said second terminal means having a second mating portion
in said second mating region for mating with said first terminal
means and extending in the direction of said second mating axis
through a corner of a second rectangularly shaped area having a
second center on a second line extending generally parallel to said
second mating axis;
a first generally planar grounding means disposed in said first
dielectric housing means and extending in a plane parallel to said
first line and extending from said first center to at least
opposite outer edges of said first rectangularly shaped area,
equidistantly between at least an adjacent pair of said first
terminal means and along said first mating axis to at least said
first mating region;
a second generally planar grounding means disposed in said second
dielectric housing and extending in a plane parallel to said second
line and extending from said second center to at least opposite
outer edges of said second rectangularly shaped area, equidistantly
between at least an adjacent pair of said second terminal means and
along said second mating axis to at least said second mating
region; and
interengaging means in said first grounding means for receiving at
least a portion of said second grounding means to thereby mate said
first and second grounding means when said first and second
connectors are mated along said first and second mating axes such
that said first and second interengaged grounding means are
disposed perpendicular to each other to define four quadrants with
only one of said mated first and second terminal means disposed in
each of said four quadrants. .Iaddend..Iadd.8. An electrical
connector assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first
grounding means is a generally planar first ground plate having a
first mating end disposed between said first mating portions of at
least one adjacent pair of said first terminal means, said second
grounding means is a generally second ground plate having a second
mating end disposed between said second mating portions of at least
one adjacent pair of said second terminal means and said
interengaging means includes a slot extending in said first around
plate to at least said first mating end for receiving said second
around plate when said first and second connectors are mated.
.Iaddend..Iadd.9. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in
claim 8 wherein said first and second around plates form a
cross-shaped grounding structure when said first and second
connectors are mated. .Iaddend..Iadd.10. An electrical connector
assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first connector
includes four first terminal means disposed equidistantly and
symmetrically with respect to said first line and wherein said
second connector includes four second terminal means disposed
equidistantly and symmetrically with respect to said second line
such that one of said first terminal means and one of said second
terminal means are disposed in each of said four quadrants defined
by said cross-shaped grounding structure when said first and second
connectors are mated. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. An electrical connector
assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first and second
lines are coextensive when said first and second connectors are
mated and said first and second grounding means intersect along
said first and second lines when said first and second connectors
are mated. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. An electrical connector assembly as
set forth in claim 7 wherein said first dielectric housing means
includes a first outer conductive shielding means generally
disposed about said first mating region and wherein said second
dielectric housing means includes a second outer conductive
shielding means generally disposed about said second mating region.
.Iaddend..Iadd.13. An electrical connector adapted to mate with a
complementary connector having a complementary dielectric housing
means, a complementary mating axis, and at least three
complementary terminal means extending to a complementary mating
region of said complementary connector, each of said three
complementary terminal means having a complementary mating portion
in said complementary mating region that extends in the direction
of said complementary mating axis through a corner of a
complementary rectangularly shaped area having a complementary
center on a complementary line extending generally parallel to said
complementary mating axis, said electrical connector
comprising:
a dielectric housing means having a mating axis and at least three
terminal means extending to a mating region of said connector, each
of said three terminal means having a mating portion in said mating
region that extends in the direction of said mating axis through a
corner of a rectangularly shaped area having a center on a line
extending generally parallel to said mating axis;
a grounding means disposed in said dielectric housing means that
extends along said mating axis to at least said mating region
between an adjacent pair of terminal means and to at least opposite
outer edges of said rectangularly shaped area, said grounding means
being adapted to be mated with a complementary grounding means
disposed in said complementary dielectric housing means that
extends along said complementary mating axis to at least said
complementary mating region between an adjacent pair of
complementary terminal means and to at least opposite outer edges
of said complementary rectangularly shaped area, said grounding
means having an interengaging means for receiving at least a
portion of said complementary grounding means to thereby mate said
grounding means and said complementary grounding means
perpendicular to each other when said connector and said
complementary connector are mated along said mating axis and said
complementary mating axis such that each of said terminals means
and said complementary terminal means that are mated together are
separated from each adjacent ones of said terminal means and said
complementary terminal means by said mated grounding means and
complementary grounding means. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. An electrical
connector adapted to be mated with a complementary connector having
a complementary dielectric housing means extending from a
complementary forward mating end to a complementary rear end, a
complementary mating axis, and at least three complementary
terminal means extending to a complementary mating region of said
complementary connector, each of said three complementary terminal
means having a complementary mating portion extending to a
complementary mating region of said complementary connector at said
complementary forward mating end, having a complementary tail
portion extending from said complementary rear end of said
complementary housing means and extending in the direction of said
complementary mating axis through a corner of a complementary
rectangularly shaped area having its complementary center on a
complementary line extending generally parallel to said
complementary mating axis, said electrical connector
comprising:
a dielectric housing means extending from a forward mating end to a
rear end, having a mating axis, and at least three terminal means
extending to a mating region of said connector, each of said three
terminal means having a mating portion extending to a mating region
of said connector at said forward mating end, having a tail portion
extending from said rear end of said housing means and extending in
the direction of said mating axis through a corner of a
rectangularly shaped area having its center on a line extending
generally parallel to said mating axis; and
a generally planar grounding means being disposed in said
dielectric housing means that extends in a plane parallel to said
line from said center to at least opposite outer edges of said
rectangularly shaped area, equidistantly between at least an
adjacent pair of said terminal means and along said mating axis to
at least said mating region so as to be disposed between said
mating portions of said adjacent pair of said terminal means and to
beyond said rear end of said housing means so as to be disposed
between said tail portions of said adjacent pair of said terminal
means, said grounding means being adapted to be mated with a
complementary grounding means disposed in said complementary
dielectric housing means that extends in a plane parallel to said
complementary line from said complementary center to at least
opposite outer edges of said complementary rectangularly shaped
area, equidistantly between at least an adjacent pair of said
complementary terminal means and along said complementary mating
axis to at least said complementary mating region so as to be
disposed between said complementary mating portions of said
adjacent pair of said complementary terminal means and to beyond
said complementary rear end of said complementary housing means so
as to be disposed between said complementary tail portions of said
adjacent pair of said complementary terminal means, and said
grounding means further having an interengaging means for receiving
at least a portion of said complementary grounding means to thereby
mate said grounding means and said complementary grounding means
when said connector and said complementary connector are mated
along said mating and said complementary mating axes such that each
of said mated terminal means and complementary terminal means are
separated from each adjacent ones of said mated terminal and
complementary terminal means by said mated grounding means
and complementary grounding means. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. A shielded
electrical connector adapted to mate with a complementary connector
having a complementary dielectric housing means, a complementary
mating axis, and at least three complementary terminal means
extending to a complementary mating region of said complementary
connector, each of said three complementary terminal means having a
complementary mating portion in said complementary mating region
that extends in the direction of said complementary mating axis
through a corner of a complementary rectangularly shaped area
having a complementary center on a complementary line extending
generally parallel to said complementary mating axis and a
complementary grounding means disposed in said complementary
dielectric housing means that extends along said complementary
mating axis to at least said complementary mating region between an
adjacent pair of complementary terminal means and to at least
opposite outer edges of said complementary rectangularly shaped
area, and adapted to be terminated to a plurality of cables, each
of said cables including an inner conductor, an inner dielectric
surrounding said inner conductor, a metallic shield surrounding at
least a portion of said inner dielectric and a dielectric sheath
surrounding at least a portion of said metallic shield, said
electrical connector comprising:
a dielectric housing means with an opening therein, having a mating
axis, a mating region generally surrounded by an outer conductive
shield member, and at least three terminal means extending to said
mating region of said connector, each of said three terminal means
having a mating portion in said mating region that extends in the
direction of said mating axis through a corner of a rectangularly
shaped area having a center on a line extending generally parallel
to said mating axis;
a grounding means disposed in said dielectric housing means that
extends along said mating axis to at least said mating region
between an adjacent pair of terminal means and to at least opposite
outer edges of said rectangularly shaped area, said grounding means
and said complementary grounding means having interengaging means
for mating said grounding means and said complementary grounding
means perpendicular to each other when said connector and said
complementary connector are mated along said mating axis and said
complementary mating axis such that each of said terminals means
and said complementary terminal means that are mated together are
separated from each adjacent ones of said terminal means and said
complementary terminal means by said mated grounding means and
complementary grounding means;
a grounding terminal module adapted to be inserted into said
opening, said grounding terminal module including a dielectric
block with said terminal means and said grounding means mounted
therein; and
a grounding termination member on said grounding means for securing
said metallic shield of said cable to said grounding means.
.Iaddend..Iadd.16. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 15
wherein said dielectric block is fabricated of molded plastic
material with said terminal means being insert molded therein.
.Iaddend..Iadd.17. A shielded electrical connector adapted to mate
with a complementary connector having a complementary dielectric
housing means, a complementary mating axis, and at least three
complementary terminal means extending to a complementary mating
region of said complementary connector, each of said three
complementary terminal means having a complementary mating portion
in said complementary mating region that extends in the direction
of said complementary mating axis through a corner of a
complementary rectangularly shaped area having a complementary
center on a complementary line extending generally parallel to said
complementary mating axis and a complementary around plate disposed
in said complementary dielectric housing means that extends along
said complementary mating axis to at least said complementary
mating region between an adjacent pair of complementary terminal
means and to at least opposite outer edges of said complementary
rectangularly shaped area, and adapted to be terminated to a
plurality of cables, each of said cables including an inner
conductor, an inner dielectric surrounding said inner conductor, a
metallic shield surrounding at least a portion of said inner
dielectric and a dielectric sheath surrounding at least a portion
of said metallic shield, said electrical connector comprising:
a dielectric housing means having a mating axis, a front mating
region generally surrounded by an outer conductive shield member, a
rear portion, and at least three terminal means extending to said
mating region of said connector, each of said three terminal means
having a mating portion in said front mating region that extends in
the direction of said mating axis through a corner of a
rectangularly shaped area having a center on a line extending
generally parallel to said mating axis and having a tail portion
extending beyond said rear portion of said housing means;
a ground plate disposed in said dielectric housing means that
extends along said mating axis to at least said mating region
between an adjacent pair of terminal means, to at least opposite
outer edges of said rectangularly shaped area, and to a around
coupling portion that projects beyond the rear portion of said
housing means between at least two of said tail portions of said
terminal means, said around plate and said complementary around
plate having interengaging means for mating said around plate and
said complementary around plate perpendicular to each other when
said connector and said complementary connector are mated along
said mating axis and said complementary mating axis such that each
of said terminals means and said complementary terminal means that
are mated together are separated from each adjacent ones of said
terminal means and said complementary terminal means by said mated
around plate and complementary ground plate; and
a plurality of grounding termination members projecting from said
ground coupling portion of said ground plate, each of said
grounding termination members coupling said metallic shield of one
of said plurality of cables to said around plate.
.Iaddend..Iadd.18. An electrical connector adapted to mate with a
complementary connector having a complementary dielectric housing
means, a complementary mating axis, and at least three
complementary terminal means extending to a complementary mating
region of said complementary connector, each of said three
complementary terminal means having a complementary mating portion
in said complementary mating region that extends in the direction
of said complementary mating axis through a corner of a
complementary rectangularly shaped area having a complementary
center on a complementary line extending generally parallel to said
complementary mating axis and a complementary generally planar
around plate disposed in said complementary dielectric housing
means that extends along said complementary mating axis to at least
said complementary mating region between an adjacent pair of
complementary terminal means and to at least opposite outer edges
of said complementary rectangularly shaped area, said electrical
connector comprising:
a dielectric housing means having a mating axis and at least three
terminal means extending to a mating region of said connector, each
of said three terminal means having a mating portion in said mating
region that extends in the direction of said mating axis through a
corner of a rectangularly shaped area having a center on a line
extending generally parallel to said mating axis; and
a generally planar ground plate disposed in said dielectric housing
means that extends along said mating axis to at least said mating
region between an adjacent pair of terminal means and to at least
opposite outer edges of said rectangularly shaped area, said ground
plate and said complementary ground plate having interengaging
means for mating said ground plate and said complementary ground
plate perpendicular to each other when said connector and said
complementary connector are mated along said mating axis and said
complementary mating axis such that each of said terminals means
and said complementary terminal means that are mated together are
separated from each adjacent ones of said terminal means and said
complementary terminal means by said mated around plate and
complementary
around plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. An electrical connector adapted to
mate with a complementary connector having a complementary
dielectric housing means, a complementary mating axis, and at least
three complementary terminal means extending to a complementary
mating region of said complementary connector, each of said three
complementary terminal means having a complementary mating portion
in said complementary mating region that extends in the direction
of said complementary mating axis through a corner of a
complementary rectangularly shaped area having a complementary
center on a complementary line extending generally parallel to said
complementary mating axis and a complementary generally planar
ground plate disposed in said complementary dielectric housing
means that extends along said complementary mating axis to at least
said complementary mating region between an adjacent pair of
complementary terminal means and to at least opposite outer edges
of said complementary rectangularly shaped area, said electrical
connector comprising:
a dielectric housing means having a mating axis and at least three
terminal means extending to a mating region of said connector, each
of said three terminal means having a mating portion in said mating
region that extends in the direction of said mating axis through a
corner of a rectangularly shaped area having a center on a line
extending generally parallel to said mating axis and a pair of
slots extending in said dielectric housing means perpendicular with
respect to each other from said mating region so as to define four
quadrants with only one of said terminal means disposed in each of
said quadrants; and
a generally planar ground plate disposed in one of said slots in
said dielectric housing means that extends along said mating axis
to at least said mating region between an adjacent pair of terminal
means and to at least opposite outer edges of said rectangularly
shaped area, the other of said slots being adapted to receive said
complementary ground plate when said connector and said
complementary connector are mated such that said around plate and
said complementary ground plate are mated perpendicular to each
other. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical
connectors and, particularly, to an electrical connector system
having grounded interconnectable terminal modules.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors are used to interconnect signal transmission
lines to printed circuit boards, other electronic devices or to
other complementary connectors. The transmission lines transmit
signals through a plurality of conductors which, preferably, are
physically separated and electromagnetically isolated along their
length.
In the electronics industry, particularly the computer industry,
the predominant system embodies a plurality of plug-in type
connectors in mating engagement with receptacle connectors on the
computer, its main printed circuit board or other electronic
devices. The transmission lines typically include coaxial
electrical cables, either in round or flat form, and round cables
are presently being used predominantly in relatively high frequency
applications between various system components.
Classical coaxial designs derive their characteristic impedance
from the geometrical relationship between the inner signal
conductors and the outer shield member and the intervening
dielectric constant. For a given impedance, signal conductor size
and dielectric material, an overall outside dimension is defined.
In order to increase signal density and reduce the overall outside
dimensions of a transmission line connector system, alternate
geometries and/or dielectric materials are required.
For data processing purposes, cables usually utilize twisted pairs
of conductors to achieve the necessary characteristics,
particularly impedance control and cross talk control. Coaxial
cables are used in singular conductor configurations in high
frequency applications, such as to a high-speed video monitor. Most
often, the lower speed data transmission lines are separated from
the high speed signal transmission lines. Consequently, different
electrical connectors are often used for the lower speed data
transmission lines than for the high speed signal lines This adds
to the problem of requiring multiple connectors in ever-increasing
miniaturized and high density applications.
Solutions to the above problems were addressed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,102,353 to Brunker et al. dated Apr. 7, 1992 and assigned to the
assignee of this invention. That patent discloses an electrical
connector which terminates both high speed signal transmission
lines and the slower data transmission lines in a unique manner
providing a common ground for the signal transmission lines.
The present invention is directed to further improvements in such
connectors by providing novel grounding terminal modules having
interconnectable ground plates, the modules being components of
complementary mating electrical connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and
improved electrical connector systems for interconnecting signal
transmission lines in electronic devices, such as computers or the
like.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electrical
connector system includes a shielded connector for mating with a
complementary connector along a mating axis. The shielded connector
has a dielectric housing. An outer conductive shield member
generally surrounds a mating portion of the dielectric housing. The
invention contemplates providing an opening in the housing, and a
grounding terminal module is adapted to be inserted into the
opening. The module includes a ground member clamped between a pair
of dielectric terminal blocks. At least one terminal is mounted in
each terminal block.
As disclosed herein, the terminal blocks are fabricated of molded
plastic material with the respective terminals thereof being inert
molded therein. The ground member is a generally planar ground
plate separating the respective terminals mounted in the terminal
blocks and providing primary capacitive coupling between each
terminal and the ground member.
The invention contemplates that the complementary connector also
include a generally planar ground plate for engaging the ground
plate of the grounding terminal module of the shielded connector.
One of the ground plates of the module and the complementary
connector includes a slot for receiving the other ground plate and
thereby define an interengaging cross-shaped grounding structure
therebetween. Each dielectric terminal block mounts a pair of
terminals in a spaced disposition such that one terminal is located
in each of four quadrants defined by the cross-shaped grounding
structure of the interengaging ground plates.
Other objects features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are
set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,
together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best
understood by reference to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front or mating side of an
electrical connector embodying the concepts of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view looking toward the rear side
of the connector;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the terminal
blocks and its pair of tern forming part of the grounding terminal
module;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of both terminal blocks and their
respective terminals, which clamp the ground plate of the grounding
terminal module;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the fully assembled grounding
terminal module;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the grounding terminal
module;
FIG. 7 is a sectioned perspective view of the high speed signal
transmission portion of a second or complementary electrical
connector for mating with the electrical connector of FIGS.
1-6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the grounding terminal module of
the connector of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a section, on an enlarged scale, as looking toward the
right-hand side of the depiction of the connector in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to FIGS. 1
and 2, the invention is embodied in a hybrid electrical connector,
generally designated 10, for terminating both the conductors of
slower data transmission lines and the conductors of high speed or
high frequency transmission lines. More particularly, electrical
connector 10 includes a dielectric housing, generally designated
12, a conductive shield, generally designated 14, data transmission
terminal modules, generally designated 16 (FIG. 2), a high speed
signal transmission terminal module, generally designated 18, and a
tail aligning device, generally designated 20. The overall
configuration of dielectric housing 12 and conductive shield 14
define a generally rectangular electrical connector.
Dielectric housing 12 includes a forwardly directed, generally
rectangular mating portion 22 projecting forwardly from an
enlarged, transversely outwardly projecting flange portion 24 as
best seen in FIG. 2. A pair of triangulated side wings 26 project
rearwardly from opposite sides of flange portion 24. Mating portion
22 defines a mating face 28 as best seen in FIG. 1. The housing is
unitarily molded of dielectric material such as plastic or the
like, and a pair of ramped latch bosses 30 are molded integral with
and project outwardly from both the top and bottom of flange
portion 24 as seen in FIG. 2, for latching interengagement with
conductive shield 14 as described hereinafter. As seen in FIG. 2,
the rear of dielectric housing 12 includes a receptacle area 34 for
receiving data transmission terminal modules 16, and an opening 36
for receiving high speed signal transmission terminal module 18.
Grooves 38 are formed on the inside of side wings 26 for slidingly
receiving tail aligning device 20. Lastly, as seen in FIG. 1, the
front face 28 of mating portion 22 of the dielectric housing has a
first array of passages 40 for receiving a plurality of lower speed
data contacts or terminals from the complementary mating connector,
and a second array of passages 42 for receiving a plurality of high
speed signal contacts or terminals of the complementary
connector.
Conductive shield 14 has a forwardly projecting, generally
rectangularly shaped shroud portion 44 for surrounding mating
portion 22 of dielectric housing 12, along with a peripheral face
plate portion 46 for substantially covering the front surface of
flange portion 24 of the housing. The shied has a pair of
rearwardly projecting flanges 48, each flange having a pair of
latch apertures 50 formed therein. A pair of legs 52 project
rearwardly from opposite sides of peripheral face plate portion 46,
each leg terminating in a bifurcated boardlock 54 which is
insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in a printed circuit
board and for interconnection with a ground circuit on the board or
in the hole The conductive shield is fabricated of stamped and
formed sheet metal and is assembled to dielectric housing 12 as
shown in FIG. 1, whereupon ramped latch hoses 30 map into latching
engagement within latch apertures 50 of the shield.
High speed signal transmission terminal modules 16 have elongated
dielectric blocks 56 within which a plurality of data transmission
terminals are insert molded. The data transmission terminals
include contact or terminal portions 58 (FIG. 2) which project into
the first array of passages 40 (FIG. 1). The data transmission
terminals have tail portions 60 projecting from the mar of blocks
56 and angled downwardly with composite bonds resulting in a
right-angle to a mating axis of the connector perpendicular to
mating face 28.
Generally, high speed signal transmission terminal module 18
includes a modular block construction, generally designated 62, for
mounting a plurality of high speed signal terminals each having a
forwardly projecting contact or terminal portion 64 (FIG. 2)
projecting into a respective one of the second array of passages 42
(FIG. 1) in mating face 21 of the dielectric housing. The high
speed signal transmission terminals have tail portions 66
projecting rearwardly and downwardly with composite bonds resulting
in a right-angle to the mating axis of the connector. As will be
described in greater detail hereinafter, high speed signal
transmission terminal module 18 includes a ground plate 68 located
between two pairs of terminal tails 66 of the signal transmission
terminal module. The ground plate, itself, has tails 70 projecting
downwardly therefrom.
Tails 60 of the terminals of data transmission modules 16, tails 66
of the signal terminals of high speed signal transmission terminal
module 18 and tails 70 of ground plate 68 all are adapted for
insertion into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board for
solder connection to circuit traces on the board or in the holes.
Therefore, tail aligning device 20 includes a first array of
apertures 72 for receiving tails 60 of the data transmission
terminals and a second array of apertures 74 for receiving tails 66
of the terminals of high speed signal transmission terminal block
18.
In assembly, tail aligning device 20 is assembled to terminal
modules 16 and 18 by insertion of the tails of the terminals into
apertures 72,74 as described above, and as indicated by arrow "A"
in FIG. 2. This subassembly then is assembled to dielectric housing
12 in the direction of arrow "B" by inserting data transmission
terminal modules 16 into receptacle area 34 and high speed signal
transmission terminal module 18 into opening 36, as tail aligning
device 20 slides within grooves 38 of the dielectric housing.
The invention herein is directed primarily to the construction of
high speed signal transmission terminal module 18, as well as to an
electrical connector system wherein the terminal module is
groundingly interconnected with a terminal module of a second or
complementary electrical connector, described hereinafter.
More particularly, referring to FIGS. 3-6 in conjunction with FIG.
2, the mounting block structure 62 of terminal module 18 includes a
pair of identical terminal blocks 62a, one terminal block being
shown in FIG. 3, and a pair of the terminal blocks being shown in
FIG. 4 in a mirror-imaged orientation. A pair of terminals,
generally designated 80 in FIG. 3, are insert molded in each
terminal block 62a so that contact or terminal portions 64 project
forwardly out of the front side of the terminal blocks and tails 66
project rearwardly out of the rear side of the blocks as seen in
FIG. 4. The terminal blocks have sots 82 for edge-wise clamping
ground plate 68 therebetween, as described hereinafter. Lastly,
each terminal block 62a includes a ramped latch boss 84 for
snapping behind upper and lower ramped latch bosses 86 (FIG. 2)
when terminal module 18 is inserted or assembled into opening
36.
FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 show how terminal blocks 62a clamp ground plate 68
therebetween. In assembly of terminal module 18, the ground plate
is located between the two terminals of each terminal block 62a as
best seen in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows that each terminal block 62a
includes an interior cavity 88 for receiving a barbed locking
tongue 90 integral with the ground plate which may be stamped from
sheet metal material. Although the terminal blocks can be
considered to clamp the ground plate when the module is inserted
into opening 36 in connector housing 12, in initial assembled
condition, the terminal blocks actually are locked onto the ground
plate by means of locking tongues 90 within cavities 88 by an
interference fit therebetween.
As best teen in FIGS. 5 and 6, ground plate 68 includes a slot 92
which has a chamfered mouth 92a at the front of terminal module 18.
In other words, the slot opens in a mating direction of the
connector. Specifically, referring back to FIG. 1, ground plate 68
is located in a vertical groove 94 in mating portion 22 of
dielectric housing 12, and mouth 92a opens in mating face 28 of the
housing. For purposes to be described in greater detail
hereinafter, a horizontal slot or groove 96 also is formed in the
mating portion of the dielectric housing, intersecting groove 94
and ground plate 68 in a cross-shaped configuration. It also should
be noted that passages 42 are located individually in each of four
quadrants defined by grooves 94 and 96. Lastly, and referring to
FIG. 2, when high speed signal transmission terminal module 18 is
inserted or assembled into opening 36 in dielectric housing 12,
with tail aligning device 20 preassembled thereto, a pair of
dielectric partitions 98 of the tail aligning device are located on
opposite sides of ground plate 68, between the ground plate and the
longer of the terminal tails 66 on opposite sides of the ground
plate.
.Iadd.As is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-6, each
of the terminals 80 has its projecting contact or terminal mating
portion 64 extending into the mating portion or region 22 of the
connector 10. These terminals 80 extend in the direction of a
mating axis which extends in the direction the connector 10 is to
be mated. The terminals 80 are each disposed such that a
rectangularly shaped area is defined by the terminals 80. One of
the terminals 80 is at each of the corners of this rectangularly
shaped area and the center of the rectangularly shaped area is
located essentially in the slot 92, or in other words, on a line
that extends generally parallel to the mating axis. .Iaddend.
The invention contemplates a novel electrical connector system
wherein connector 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mateable with a second or
complementary connector in a unique manner for providing an
interengaging grounding connection with high speed signal
transmission terminal module 18. More particularly, FIGS. 7-9 show
the high speed signal transmission terminal end of a second or
complementary electrical connector, generally designated 100. The
entire connector is not shown, because the inventive concept is
directed to the grounding interconnection with terminal module
18.
Specifically, a second high speed signal transmission terminal
module, generally designated 102, includes a pair of inner terminal
blocks 102a and 102b which clamp a second ground plate 104
therebetween. Each terminal block 102a and 102b mount a pair of
terminals 106 which are terminated to respective conductor wires
108. The terminals are mounted within the terminal blocks so that
contact or terminal portions 110 project forwardly from the
terminal blocks, with two contact portions from each terminal block
being located on each opposite side of ground plate 104, as best
seen in FIG. 8. Inner terminal blocks 102a and 102b, in turn, are
snapped within a pair of outer terminal blocks 102c and 102d by
means of ramped latch bosses 111 on the inner terminal blocks which
latch behind shoulders 111a of the outer terminal blocks.
Connector 100 also is a shielded electrical connector and includes
a shield member 112 having a forwardly projecting shroud portion
114 which is adapted to surround and engage shroud portion 44 of
shield 14 of connector 10 as best seen in FIG. 1. Shield 112 has a
plurality of apertures 116 for snap-latch engagement with ramped
latch bosses 118 molded integrally with outer terminal blocks 102c
and 102d as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9.
.Iadd.As is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 7-8, each of the
terminals 106 has its projecting contact or terminal mating portion
110 extending into the mating portion or region of the connector
100 that is within the protecting shroud portion 114. These
terminals 106 extend in the direction of a mating axis which
extends in the direction the connector 100 is to be mated with the
connector 10. The terminals 106 are each disposed such that a
rectangularly shaped area is defined by the terminals 106. One of
the terminals 106 is at each of the corners of this rectangularly
shaped area and the center of the rectangularly shaped area is
located on a line that extends generally parallel to the mating
axis. .Iaddend.
The means for clamping ground plate 104 between terminal blocks
102a and 102b is best shown in FIG. 9. Specifically the ground
plate has a hole 120 through which a post 122 from terminal block
102b projects. The post extends through the hole in the ground
plate and into a recess 124 in terminal block 102a. Although post
122 could be press-fit within recess 124 for preliminary assembly
of the terminal blocks and the ground plate, once this subassembly
is inserted into shield 112 as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal blocks
are effective to clamp the ground plate therebetween.
Referring back to FIGS. 7 and 8, ground plate 104 has a spring
finger 126 stamped out of the center thereof. The spring finger is
cantilevered about a point 128. The spring finger has a pair of
dimples 130 formed therein, the dimples being most clearly shown in
FIG. 9.
The mating interconnection of connectors 10 and 100, along with the
functional grounding interconnection between terminal modules 18
and 102, now will be described. Reference particularly should be
made to FIG. 1 wherein mating face 28, along with cross-shaped
grooves 94 and 96 are shown most clearly. When connector 100 is
mated with connector 10, shroud portion 114 of shield 112 of
connector 100 mates about shroud portion 44 of shield 14 of
connector 10 in a telescoping fashion. Contact portions 110 of
terminals 106 enter into passages 42 in the mating face 28 of
connector 10, whereupon contact portions 110 mate with contact
portions 64 of terminals 80 of high speed signal transmission
terminal module 18. During this mating assembly, ground plate 104
(FIGS. 7-9) enters groove 96 (FIG. 1) in mating face 28. When fully
mated, ground plates 104 and 68 define a cross-shaped grounding
structure therebetween, with one pair of the mating terminal
contact portions 64 and 110 being located in each quadrant defined
by the cross-shaped grounding structure of the interengaging ground
plates. Spring finger 126 and detents 130 of ground plate 104 enter
slot 92 of ground plate 68 and establish a solid interconnection
between the two ground plates.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and
not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the
details given herein.
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