Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-06-11

2001-06-26

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With insulation other than conductor sheath

Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation

C439S080000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06250971

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and particularly to an electrical connector having contacts which facilitate assembly thereof.
As connector size is required to be smaller and smaller, a space between two contacts of the connector is getting closer and closer. Such a connector is termed as a high density connector. A dielectric housing of a high density connector comprises thin partition walls for spacing adjacent contacts. However, the thin partition walls are easily damaged due to large forces exerted thereon by the contacts during insertion into the housing.
A pertinent conventional connector is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 86207970. Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, a conventional electrical connector commonly comprises a dielectric housing
6
defining a plurality of passageways
60
for receiving a plurality of contacts
7
therein. The contacts
7
are received in the corresponding passageways
60
. Each contact
7
comprises a mating portion
70
, a joining potion
71
, and an engaging portion
72
between the mating portion
70
and the joining portion
71
. The engaging portion
72
of each contact
7
forms a pair of barbs
720
on opposite lateral edges thereof for securing within the corresponding passageway
60
of the housing
6
. A resilient bent portion
721
is formed between the joining portion
71
and the engaging portion
72
and has a width substantially the same as other portions of each contact
7
. The joining end
71
is apt to deflect due to inner stress or other reasons when being bent to form the bent portion
721
thereby resulting in misalignment between the joining portions
71
and corresponding holes of a circuit board. Therefore, an improved electrical connector which can provide stable and reliable signal transmission is required.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having contacts which prevent damage from occurring to a dielectric housing during assembly thereby facilitating assembly of the electrical connector.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical connector having contacts which avoid deflection thereby enhancing signal transmission quality.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector comprises an elongate dielectric housing, a plurality of contacts received in the housing, and a shield enclosing the housing. The housing forms a pair of mating portions at opposite ends thereof. Each mating portion defines a receiving chamber therein. A mating board extends into each receiving chamber cantilevered therein. Each mating board defines a plurality of passageways for receiving the corresponding contacts therein. An opening is defined in a top face of a peripheral wall of each mating portion in communication with the receiving chamber.
Each contact comprises a contacting portion received in the corresponding passageways of the housing, an engaging portion latching within the passageway, and a joining portion electrically connecting with a circuit board. The engaging portion of each contact defines a hollow area symmetrical about a centerline thereby providing the engaging portion with proper resilience. Such a designation of the hollow area of the contact only exerts a small stress against opposite partition walls of the corresponding passageways thereby effectively preventing the engaging portions of the contacts from damaging the partition walls. Moreover, such a designation provides the engaging portion of each contact with appropriate resilience for securely latching within the corresponding passageway.
A bent portion is formed between the engaging portion and the joining portion of each contact. The width of the bent portion is smaller than the contacting portion and the engaging portion. Thus, a tool can easily fix it at its required configuration without any undue deflection after the tool is released from the bent portion.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4230384 (1980-10-01), Anhalt
patent: 4909754 (1990-03-01), Paradis
patent: 5709556 (1998-01-01), Tan et al.
patent: 5782644 (1998-07-01), Kiat

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