Shielded electrical connector system

Details Shielded electrical connector system Shielded electrical connector system

1999-02-22

2001-03-27

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield

Shielding individually surrounding or interposed between...

C439S939000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206728

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a shielded electrical connector system wherein an electrical connector is mounted in an opening in a conductive chassis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, an electrical connector typically includes some form of dielectric housing designed in a predetermined configuration for mating with a complementary mating connector or other connecting device such as a printed circuit board or the like. The housing mounts a plurality of conductive terminals which have contacting and/or terminating portions for engaging the terminals or circuits of the complementary mating connector or other connecting device. Some connectors are provided with conductive shields, such as stamped and formed sheet metal shrouds, which cover or surround at least portions of the housing. The shields provide protection against the ingress and/or egress of electromagnetic interference (EMI) . The connector shield typically is grounded to a shield of the complementary mating connector shield enclosure or to ground traces on a printed circuit board.
In some applications, shielded electrical connectors are designed for mounting within apertures in a conductive chassis, panel or backplane. The shield of the connector typically is grounded to the chassis in areas about the aperture at which the connector is mounted. It is highly desirable to provide a good or strong engagement between the shield and the chassis to provide an adequate ground path therebetween. On the other hand, the strong interengagement between the shield and the chassis causes problems in creating undesirable forces in oblique directions not appropriate for given applications. The present invention is directed to solving these problems by providing a shielded electrical connector system wherein an electrical connector is mounted in an opening in a conductive channel and the shield of the connector engages the channel in precise directions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector system of the character described.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system includes a conductive chassis having an opening, with an electrical connector insertable into the opening in an insertion direction. The connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of terminals. A conductive shield is mounted about at least a portion of the housing and includes at least one side wall having a contact beam projecting outwardly thereof and extending back over the side wall to apply a normal force to the chassis adjacent the opening in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion direction.
As disclosed herein, the conductive chassis is fabricated of die-cast metal material, and the conductive shield is stamped and formed of sheet metal material. The contact beam of the shield is bent outwardly of and folded back over the side wall of the shield. The contact beam terminates in a rounded distal end for engaging the chassis adjacent the opening therein. Preferably, the conductive shield substantially surrounds the dielectric housing, and a plurality of the contact beams are spaced along at least two opposite sides of the connector.
In an alternative embodiment, the contact beam(s) are formed to apply a normal force to a surface of the chassis adjacent the opening therein, in a direction generally parallel to the insertion direction of the connector.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5112251 (1992-05-01), Cesar
patent: 5378172 (1995-01-01), Roberts
patent: 5622523 (1997-04-01), Kan et al.
patent: 5637015 (1997-06-01), Tan et al.
patent: 5702271 (1997-12-01), Steinman
patent: 5967806 (1999-10-01), Patterson
patent: 5-152031 (1993-06-01), None
patent: 8-106961 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 8-222324 (1996-08-01), None
patent: WO 97/10628 (1997-03-01), None

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