Electrical connectors – With indicating or identifying provision – Connection indicating provision
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-12-04
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With indicating or identifying provision
Connection indicating provision
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325664
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to miniature electrical connectors used in printed circuit board and other microelectronic applications, and to an improved microelectronic connector having an electromagnetic interference shield and indicators, and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Technology
Existing microelectronic electrical connectors (such as those of the RJ 45 or RJ 11 type) frequently incorporate light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other indication devices within or as part of the connector body itself. The indicating devices provide an indication to the user of various functions associated with the connector such as electrical continuity or the operational status of the connector. Typically, these indicating devices are contained within discrete slots or cavities within the connector body, and their associated leads run down the back of the connector body in order to facilitate electrical connection with a circuit board or other device. Furthermore, the noise shield (if installed) is external to the connector body and the indicating devices. However, the fabrication of such prior art connectors require significant labor in preparing the mold from which the connector body is formed. The cavities or discrete slots, and any electrical lead penetrations associated with the indicating devices contained therein, must be considered in designing and fabricating the mold. Additionally, when the indicating devices are in close physical proximity to the connector conductors and magnetics and not shielded with respect thereto, significant electromagnetic interference (EMI) can be transmitted from the indicating devices to the magnetics or conductors, thereby increasing unwanted conductive emissions from the connector.
Accordingly, it would be most desirable to provide an improved design of microelectronic connector with indicating devices which would reduce the amount of labor associated with preparing the molds used to form the connector body. Similarly, it would be desirable to provide an improved connector having indicating devices which minimized the EMI or noise transferred to the internal electrical components of the connector from the indicating devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an improved microelectronic connector with indicating devices and EMI shielding, and methods of fabricating the same.
In a first aspect of the invention, an improved microelectronic connector is disclosed which utilizes indicating devices such as LEDs which are located external to the connector body. In one embodiment, one or more channels are formed in the exterior of the connector body which receive the devices and their leads. The channels are formed generally on the connector surface proximate to the circuit board (or other device) to which the connector leads are being mated, thereby minimizing the length of the leads and facilitating their direct connection to the circuit board. The channels are designed to retain the leads of the indicating devices in a substantially fixed relationship to the connector body, thereby obviating the need for a cavity or recess for the indicating device, or apertures leading from the cavity/recess to the exterior of the package.
In a second aspect of the invention, an improved microelectronic connector is disclosed having a noise shield which helps retain the aforementioned indicating devices within external channels formed in the connector body. In one embodiment, a one-piece metallic shield is folded around the exterior of the connector body and indicating devices (LEDs), thereby retaining the LEDs in place within the portion of the connector body proximate to the circuit board. In a second embodiment, the shield is contoured to the channel of the connector body such that the indicating devices are external to the shield and connector, thereby shielding the connector conductors and magnetics from EMI generated by the indicating devices as well as that from external sources.
In a third aspect of the invention, a method of fabricating the connector of the present invention is described.
A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will become evident to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
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Shutter Ronald A.
Someda Derek T.
Abrams Neil
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Nasri Javaid
Pulse Engineering Inc.
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