Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-06-22

2001-07-31

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield

Shielding individually surrounding or interposed between...

C439S607560

Reexamination Certificate

active

06267624

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector.
2. The Prior Art
A plug connector inserted into a socket connector mounted on a circuit board to establish electrical connection therebetween is well known in the electronics field. Guiding means is usually provided between the plug and socket connectors for properly aligning with each other during insertion of the plug connector into the socket connector. Examples of a conventional plug connector are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,472 and Taiwan Patent Application No. 82203331. A conventional plug connector
6
is illustrated in
FIG. 1
of the attached drawings, and comprises guiding posts
60
for being received in corresponding bores defined in the socket connector (not shown). A metal shell
61
encloses the plug connector
6
for electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection and electrostatic discharge (ESD) purposes.
However, correctly aligning the guiding posts
60
of the plug connector
6
with the bores of the socket connector is sometimes difficult. Furthermore, the manufacturing process of the plug connector
6
is complicated.
It is thus desirable to have an electrical connector that overcomes the problems mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having guiding means for mating the connector with a mating connector.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a shielding member received in a receiving space thereof for electrically engaging with a grounding member of a mating connector to facilitate electrostatic discharge.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a simplified manufacturing process.
To achieve the above objects, an electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises an insulative housing having a first face on which a tongue plate is formed. Passageways are defined in the housing and are further defined by grooves formed on surfaces of the tongue plate for receiving and retaining contact elements therein. A shroud wall having three sections and a guide wall are formed on the first face of the housing and define a space therebetween for receiving a mating connector. The guide wall and the shroud wall have diverging inside faces for guiding a mating connector into the space. A shielding member having three sections is received in the space and supported by the sections of the shroud wall. The shielding member has a lower edge received in a slot defined in the housing and an outwardly bent top edge for guiding the insertion of the mating connector into the space and electrically engaging with the mating connector for electrostatic discharge purposes. A rib is formed on the shielding member for enhancing electrical engagement with the mating connector. Barbs are formed on the shielding member for engaging with recesses defined in the housing to secure the shielding member in position. A notch having inwardly extending barbs is defined in the shielding member for receivingly engaging with a projection formed on the housing for more securely retaining the shielding member in position.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4690479 (1987-09-01), Hollyday et al.
patent: 4842529 (1989-06-01), Frantz et al.
patent: 5052948 (1991-10-01), Hyzin
patent: 5921814 (1999-07-01), Maruyama

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrical connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrical connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2501611