Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-09-15

2001-07-24

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield

Shielding individually surrounding or interposed between...

C439S357000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06264504

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and particularly to an electrical connector which can securely engage with a mating connector.
As communication frequency between electronic systems increases, electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted from the electronic systems or surrounding devices has more adversely affects signal transmission. Therefore, a conventional connector commonly comprises one or more shields for protecting the connector from EMI.
When an electrical connector is mated with another connector, electrostatic discharge (ESD) may occur between two conductive shields or conductive components of the connectors. In serious cases, sparks may be generated between the shields or the terminals thereby damaging sensitive electronic circuitry. Therefore, a conventional connector commonly has one or more shields each forming one or more projections for conducting ESD therethrough.
Pertinent conventional connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,249, and Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 85213720 and 86200240. Referring to
FIG. 1
, an electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing
6
receiving a plurality of contacts therein, and a conductive shroud
7
enclosing the housing
6
. The shroud
7
forms a plurality of detents
72
integrally extending inward from peripheral side walls thereof for electrically contacting a shell of a mating connector thereby forming a grounding loop therethrough. However, retention forces applied by the detents of the shroud
7
are usually insufficient for securely retaining the mating connector after the mating connector is inserted into the connector. Thus, the shell of the mating connector may easily become loosened or slide away from the connector thereby resulting in poor electrical connection or even disengagement therebetween.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which can establish secure electrical engagement with a mating connector.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a shield system for protecting the connector from electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge.
An electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a dielectric housing receiving a plurality of contacts therein, and a shielding system consisting of an outer shield enclosing the housing and a pair of inner shields received in the housing for providing an improved shielding effect. Each inner shield forms a number of latching arms inwardly extending from peripheral walls thereof toward an inner space, and a detent extending from a bottom wall thereof.
Each latching arm further forms an inwardly extending latching tab thereby increasing a retention force between the inner shields and the shell of the mating connector. Each latching tab extends in a direction opposite to a direction in which the corresponding latching arm extends, thereby providing better deformation resilience between the latching tabs and the shell of the mating connector. Thus, improved grounding effects and electrical connections can be achieved via the shielding system.
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: 5362249 (1994-11-01), Carter
patent: 5766041 (1998-06-01), Morin et al.
patent: 5769666 (1998-06-01), Wu
patent: 5797770 (1998-08-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5975954 (1999-11-01), Wu et al.

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