Electrical connectors – Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector – Butt coupling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-12
2001-09-18
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector
Butt coupling
C439S941000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290524
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a system for varying the capacitive coupling between adjacent terminals in an electrical connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In some applications, electrical connectors generally require liberal performance tolerances and manufacturing tolerances to allow for the abusive conditions under which they are used. The terminals within such connectors must be physically long to allow a relatively large deflection range without degrading the long-term performance and properties of the terminal connections. A consequence of increased length is higher inductance and, since the terminals typically are mounted in parallel within a conductor, they may be prone to capacitive coupling when high-speed signals are transmitted by adjacent terminals. High capacitive coupling creates “cross-talk” between terminals of different differential pairs, which is one of the main reasons for electronic signal degradation.
In order to solve these problems, counter-measures have been taken, such as miniaturizing the connector components including the terminals. However, this complicates the associated tooling and assembly processes. Additional electronic devices can be added to “filter” the cross-talk or noise that has been introduced into the electrical signals. However, this significantly increases the costs of the connector. In some instances, selective pairing of terminals in a differential pair allows the characteristics of the original signal to be re-constructed. However, most connector designs cannot provide for a large variety of paired and de-coupled terminal combinations.
The present invention is directed to solving the myriad of problems described above by a unique terminal configuration in which the terminals are relatively long; the terminals providing maximum flexibility; the orientation of the terminals in pairs thereof being easily varied; and no additional costs being involved in tooling or assembly to achieve the design's flexibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved system for varying the capacitive coupling between adjacent terminals in an electrical connector.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having at least a pair of adjacent terminal-receiving passages. At least a pair of terminals are insertable into the passages. Each terminal includes a contact end, a terminating end and a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced arms extending in a given direction between the contact and terminating ends. One end of one of the arms is joined to the contact end, and one end of the other arm is joined to the terminating end. An irregularly shaped portion joins the ends of the arms opposite said one ends. Therefore, the pair of terminals can be inserted into the passages as mirror images of each other to maximize capacitive coupling between the terminals with the entire surface of each of the pair of terminals overlapping one another. Alternatively, the pair of terminals can be inserted into the passages inverted relative to each other to transversely misalign the irregularly shaped portions and, thereby, reduce the capacitive coupling between the terminals with only portions of the surface of each of the pair of terminals overlapping one another. As disclosed herein, the irregularly shaped portions of the terminals are S-shaped.
According to one aspect of the invention, each of the terminals includes a base portion extending transversely of the arms of the terminal and to which the one end of said other of the arms is joined. The terminating end of the terminal comprises a tail portion extending from the base portion. The base portion is elongated sufficiently to provide plural locations from which the tail portion can extend therefrom. The contact end of the terminal comprises a contact blade.
In the preferred embodiment, the pair of arms of the pair of terminals substantially overlap each other transversely of the arms when the terminals are inverted relative to each other. As disclosed herein, a plurality of pairs of the terminal-receiving passages are provided in the connector housing for receiving a corresponding plurality of pairs of the terminals. Therefore, at least one pair of terminals can be oriented as mirror images of each other, and at least one other pair of terminals can be oriented as inverted relative to each other. Consequently, those two pairs will have a differential capacitive coupling.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Abrams Neil
Molex Incorporated
Weiss Stephen Z.
LandOfFree
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