Electrical connectors – Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield – Multi-part shield body
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-04
2001-03-27
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield
Multi-part shield body
C439S607070, C439S607560
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206730
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a shielded electrical connector which includes a multi-function metal shield.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from simple connecting interfaces between hard conductor wiring to more sophisticated applications involving such components as printed circuit boards, flat flexible cables and optical fibers. Basically, electrical connectors include some form of contacts, terminals or other conductors which interconnect one electrical device to another electrical device. The electrical connectors may involve systems whereby the connectors provide receiver-transmitter functions which, in addition, can convert high speed signals from solid (copper) cables or fiber optic cables to high speed signals on a system printed circuit board. As used herein, the terms “electrical” or “electrical connectors” are intended to include optical devices.
For instance, in the telecommunications industry, switching systems or circuitry may be provided on a rather sizable mother board at a particular location. A plurality of high speed electrical converter modules are mounted by appropriate frame structures on the mother board. Mating “plug-in” connector modules are plugged into the converter modules from outside the switching system. The incoming signals from the cables attached to the plug-in modules are at high speed, such as in the gigabit range, and the converter modules transfer and maintain the signals at high speed and transmit them to the circuitry on the mother board. Continuing problems have been encountered in the design and manufacturability of such systems. Many of the problems center around providing adequate protection for the connecting interface from electromagnetic interference (EMI) as well as providing protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD). The present invention is directed to solving those problems by providing a simple system which is cost effective to manufacture, assemble and use, and which provides extensive EMI and ESD protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved shielded electrical connector for mounting on a printed circuit board in association with an adapter for receiving a complementary mating connector.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector includes a dielectric housing having a forward mating end and a rear terminating end, with a plurality of terminal-receiving passages extending therebetween. A plurality of terminals are received in the passages and include tail portions projecting from the terminating end of the housing for connection to appropriate circuit traces on the printed circuit board. A one-piece stamped and formed sheet metal shield is mounted about at least the rear terminating end of the housing. The shield includes at least one integral ESD clip projecting downwardly for insertion into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board. The shield includes at least one integral contact arm projecting forwardly for engaging the complementary mating connector. The shield includes at least one integral grounding tab projecting outwardly for engaging the adapter. The shield includes at least one integral grounding leg projecting downwardly for connection to an appropriate ground circuit on the printed circuit board.
As disclosed herein, the shield includes a top wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls. A pair of the ground contact arms project forwardly from the pair of side walls. The grounding leg projects downwardly from the rear wall. The grounding tab projects outwardly from the top wall. A pair of the ESD clips project downwardly from the pair of side walls.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5017156 (1991-05-01), Sugiyama
patent: 5254010 (1993-10-01), Davis
patent: 5700164 (1997-12-01), Weidler et al.
Avery Hazelton P.
Banakis Emanual G.
Dunham David E.
Legge Jeannette H.
Mead David G.
Donovan Lincoln
Molex Incorporated
Tirva A. A.
Webb Brian S.
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