Electrical connector with an improved switch structure

Details Electrical connector with an improved switch structure Electrical connector with an improved switch structure

1999-12-29

2001-05-15

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06231362

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular jack electrical connector, and particularly to a connector having an improved switch structure for connecting the terminals of the connector to a circuit in a printed circuit board when the terminals are not mated to a mating connector.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,123 discloses a modular jack connector referring to FIG.
7
. The conventional connector
200
comprises an insulative housing
60
and a plurality of terminals
80
received in the housing
60
. One end of each terminal
80
is a resilient contact portion
82
and the other end is a solder portion
84
extending out of the housing
60
for soldering to the printed circuit board (not shown). The conventional connector
200
furthermore comprises a plurality of switch members
90
received in the housing
60
. One end of each switch member
90
is a free contacting portion
92
slantingly extending for contacting the contact portion
82
of the terminal
80
. The other end of the switch member
90
also extends out of the housing
60
for soldering to the printed circuit board, whereby a circuit on the printed circuit board can be closed via contact between the switch member
90
and the terminal
80
. The contacting portion
92
of the switch member
90
engages with the contact portion
82
except when a mating connector (not shown) is mated with the conventional connector
200
, which presses the contact portion
82
down and breaks the connection between the contact portion
82
and the contacting portion
92
. The contacting portion
92
is subject to resilient fatigue and easily loses its resiliency when the contact portion
82
is engaged therewith. Additionally, a patina forms on the surface of the switch member whereby the contact resistance of the switch member increases after long use. Hence, an improved electrical connector is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a door covering the switch member whereby the switch member is biased in two opposite directions when a mating connector mates and when a mating connector is not mated with the modular jack.
A modular jack electrical connector comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals received in the housing, a pair of switch members also received in the housing, and a door assembled in the housing and abutting against the switch member.
The housing comprises opposing top and bottom walls, two side walls, and front and rear walls. A mating opening is defined through the front wall and a receiving cavity is defined in the housing and in communication with the mating opening. Each terminal has a free contact portion extending into the receiving cavity and moveable by a mating connector. Each switch member comprises a securing portion secured to the rear wall of the insulative housing and a depending portion extending from the securing portion for electrically connecting with a corresponding terminal. The door is pivotally mounted in the top wall of the housing, and comprises a main body abutting against the depending portion of the switch member. In a first position, when no mating connector is inserted into the receiving cavity, the depending portion of each switch member is biased outwardly by a pushing force from a corresponding terminal. In a second position, when an inserted mating connector has been inserted, the terminals are pushed downward away from the switch members, and the door is pushed rearward, exerting an opposite biasing forces inward against the switch members. Thus the switch members are subject to two opposite biasing forces, helping them maintain resiliency over a longer period.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5030123 (1991-07-01), Silver
patent: 5704797 (1998-01-01), Meyerhoefer et al.
patent: 6012936 (2000-01-01), Siemon et al.

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