Electrical connectors – Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-11-20
Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...
C439S668000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319030
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a receptacle connector, and particular to a switching receptacle connector comprising uniform switch contacts which have advantages of simple structures and convenient assembly thereby decreasing manufacturing costs thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Switching receptacle connectors, especially jack connectors, usually adopt various signal contacts and at least one grounding contact for achieving multi-channels sound or picture video/audio signal transmissions therethrough. Pertinent prior art can be referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,022,872 and 5,893,767 as well as Taiwan patent application Nos. 85218465 and 82207507. As can be seen from these references, the configurations of the signal contacts of a conventional switching receptacle connector are commonly different from each other. Accordingly, a housing of the conventional switching receptacle connector should be formed to have receiving slots or grooves with different configurations for retaining the different signal contacts and the grounding contact therein, respectively. The complete structure of the switching receptacle connector is thus complicated. Moreover, the signal contacts and the grounding contact need to be assembled to the housing respectively. Consequently, the manufacturing process of the switching receptacle connector is complicated and the manufacturing cost thereof is increased. Furthermore, automatic mass production of the switching receptacle connector is difficult to be realized.
Another pertinent prior art can referred to U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,907. Three contact assemblies are disclosed in the '907 patent. Among them, two pairs of them are substantially the same. Each pair of the two pairs of the contact assemblies has a movable contact and a stationary contact. Each movable contact includes upper and lower spring elements integrally connected together by punching or welding in overlapping relationships. The movable contact and the stationary contact of a same pair each form a contacting portion for electrically contacting with each other before a plug is inserted therebetween. Another pair of the contact assembly also includes a movable contact and a stationary contact. The movable contact is different from the movable contacts of the former two pairs of the contact assemblies and forms a V-shaped element 61 for electrically contacting with the plug.
However, it is still difficult to realize mass-production which benefits reduced manufacturing costs thereof since the three pairs of the contact assemblies are not all the same and the structures of the contact assemblies are quite complicated. To the contrary, the complicated connections between the upper and lower spring elements of the movable contacts of the former two pairs will result in higher costs thereof.
Therefore, a switching receptacle connector with improved contacts design is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a switching receptacle connector having uniform contacts thereby simplifying manufacturing process thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching receptacle connector having uniform contacts whose configuration is substantially in compliance with a mating terminal of a mating plug.
A switching receptacle connector in accordance with the present invention comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of pairs of switch contacts retained within the housing. The housing defines a longitudinal mating opening for extension of a mating plug terminal and a plurality of receiving slots in communication with the mating opening for receiving the corresponding switch contacts. Each contact pair includes a first contact and a second contact. Each first contact has a first soldering section for being surface mounted to a circuit board, a first retaining section for engaging with corresponding retaining slot of the housing, and an abutting section for abutting against the corresponding second contacts. Each second contact forms a second soldering section for being surface mounted to the circuit board, a second retaining section for engaging with a corresponding retaining slot of the housing, and a mating section for contacting with a mating plug terminal. The mating section of each second contact is configured to comply with the configuration of the mating plug terminal thereby providing a good electrical contact therebetween. The mating section of each second contact forms a contacting section for electrically engaging with the abutting section of a corresponding first contact. When the electrical engagement between the coupled first and second contacts occurs can be designed according to requirements. That is, the engagement between the first and second contacts can occur before the mating plug terminal is inserted into the mating opening of the housing. Or, the engagement therebetween can occur after the insertion of the mating plug terminal.
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: 4364625 (1982-12-01), Baker et al.
patent: 4367907 (1983-01-01), Buck
patent: 4867708 (1989-09-01), Iizuka
patent: 5022872 (1991-06-01), Shichida
patent: 5893767 (1999-04-01), Broschard, III
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Paumen Gary
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