Electrical connector with polyswitch

Details Electrical connector with polyswitch Electrical connector with polyswitch

1999-08-10

2001-04-03

Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With circuit component or comprising connector which fully...

Termination circuit

Reexamination Certificate

active

06210232

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and particularly to an electrical connector with a polyswitch retained therein for preventing excessive current from damaging the connector.
2. Description of Prior Art
A resettable device is commonly used to protect against a current exceeding a rated operational value anticipated by an electronic device such as a monitor, a keyboard and a stand-alone hub. The resettable device may take various forms such as a fuse, a bimetal, a ceramic PTC device or a polymeric PTC device which can be a polyswitch. To prevent excessive current from damaging or destroying an electronic system such as a computer, the resettable device is conventionally mounted on a mother board and occupies a significant amount of space thereon. Since the efficient use of space on the mother board is extremely important due to the trend of miniaturization, removing the resettable device from the mother board to reduce the occupied space thereon is requisite.
Therefore, a long and unfilled need exists in the prior art for removing the resettable device from the mother board in promotion of miniaturization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector with a polyswitch retained therein for reducing occupied space on a mother board and for preventing excessive current from damaging an electronic system thereby ensuring reliable signal transmission.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for simply and securely retaining a polyswitch in an electrical connector by means of a pair of contact members.
In order to achieve the objects set forth, an electrical connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an insulative body defining a plurality of contact-receiving passageways therein, a shield enclosing the insulative body, a plurality of contacts received in the corresponding passageways of the insulative body, and a polyswitch retained in the insulative body. The plurality of contacts comprises a contact consisting of first and second contact members. The first contact member is adapted for mating with a corresponding mating contact of a complementary connector, and the second contact member is adapted for being soldered to a circuit board.
The polyswitch sandwiched between the first and second contact members is made from a polymer composition containing polymer materials of high molecular weight. Under normal temperature conditions, the polyswitch acts as a conductor, whereas under high temperature conditions, the polyswitch acts as an insulator. Accordingly, when a current passing through the first contact member due to connection with the mating contact is within the rated operational current of an electronic system, the polyswitch acts as a conductor to allow the current to pass through the second contact member to form a closed circuit. When the current passing through the first contact member exceeds the rated operational current, the polyswitch acts as an insulator and creates an open circuit thereby preventing damage to the electronic system.
A transverse T-shaped cavity is formed in the insulative body for retaining the first and second contact members and the polyswitch. The polyswitch is sandwiched between the first and second contact members thereby being securely retained in the insulative body instead of being mounted on a mother board and occupying a significant amount of space thereon.
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: 4820203 (1989-04-01), Figone
patent: 4862311 (1989-08-01), Rust et al.
patent: 5224878 (1993-07-01), Lurie et al.
patent: 5674085 (1997-10-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5865648 (1999-02-01), Clyatt, III
patent: 5928035 (1999-07-01), Jankowsky et al.

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