Modular jack type electrical connector

Details Modular jack type electrical connector Modular jack type electrical connector

1999-05-20

2001-04-03

Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With insulation other than conductor sheath

Plural-contact coupling part

C439S607070

Reexamination Certificate

active

06210235

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector, and in particular, to a modular jack having a simplified structure for facilitating manufacture and assembly thereof.
2. The Prior Art
Modular jacks are widely used in telecommunication systems for facilitating connection of components thereof. Conventional modular jacks are disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 78207828, 82201698, 83212694 and 84101576. The conventional modular jack comprises a number of contact elements each being bent and then individually mounted into an insulative member, which hinders the manufacturing process of the modular jack and increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the contact elements may not be securely retained in position which may lead to undesired short-circuiting therebetween, causing deterioration of signal transmission quality.
The modular jack is often encased in and shielded by a shielding member for EMI (electromagnetic interference) protection. Conventionally, the shielding member is formed with extensions for grounding to and positioning on a circuit board. Such extensions have a poor mechanical strength which often leads to deformation thereof due to misalignment during insertion into holes defined in the circuit board. In addition, since the extensions are portions of the shielding member which is usually made of a metal plate, the positioning pins have a thin flat configuration which wears away inner surfaces of the holes during insertion into the circuit board thereby damaging the circuit board.
It is thus desirable to provide a modular jack type electrical connector for overcoming the above problems of the prior art connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a modular jack type electrical connector including a spacer for securely retaining the contact elements before insertion into an insulative housing thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector comprising a unitary shielding member substantially enclosing an insulative housing for EMI protection and having extensions for mounting to a circuit board whereby the extensions are soundly supported by corresponding portions of the housing.
To achieve the above objects, a modular jack electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises an insulative housing defining an interior space for receiving and mechanically engaging with a mating connector. A plurality of contact elements are insert-molded in and retained by first and second spacers which are separated from each other. The contact elements are bent whereby the first and second spacers are substantially normal to each other. The housing further defines a slot in communication with the interior space for receiving and retaining the first spacer therein and the second spacer is attached to an outer face of the housing. A shielding member substantially encloses the housing and the spacers. The shielding member has grounding tabs extending therefrom. The housing has a post extending therefrom corresponding to each of the grounding tabs. The post has an outer face having a flat section abutting against and supporting the grounding tab for providing mechanical strength during insertion thereof into a hole defined in a circuit board. The outer face of the post further has an arcuate section which provides a smooth and substantially non-abrasive engagement with an inside surface of the hole of the circuit board.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4029388 (1977-06-01), Knoll
patent: 5766043 (1998-06-01), Talend
patent: 5934940 (1999-08-01), Maranto et al.

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