Electrical connectors – Alternatively connected – Coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-27
2001-02-13
Patel, T. C. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Alternatively connected
Coupling part
C439S607070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186807
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to an electrical connector assembly or system wherein the individual components of an electrical connector can be assembled in multiple different orientations to provide different configurations of electrical connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, an electrical connector includes some form of dielectric housing which mounts a plurality of conductive terminals. The housing may be mounted in a casing, such as a metal shield which protects the mating interface of the connector from electromagnetic or radio frequency interferences. Electrical connectors of this general type are used in a wide variety of applications, including mounting on printed circuit boards. Consequently, such connectors are provided in a wide variety of configurations, orientations and directional matings to accommodate a myriad of electrical functions.
For example, a printed circuit board mounted electrical connector might be mounted on either side of the printed circuit board. However, if it is desired to preserve the mating orientation of the connector with a complementary mating connector for aesthetic or functional reasons, a different connector must be provided for mounting on one side of the board versus mounting on the opposite side.
Even if the connector is not a board mounted connector, discrete connector components, such as the connector housings, terminals, metal shells or the like, often must be changed to create problems that are very similar in function but are used in different orientations. With a board mounted connector, terminals often must be oriented in different directions relative to the soldering plane of the board.
In order to accommodate mass production of such electrical connectors, it often is required to provide very similar tooling but which is slightly changed to manufacture a plurality of slightly different connectors, such as described above. This near-duplication in tooling significantly increases the manufacturing cost of the connectors by increasing capital expenditures for molds, dies and assembly tools. In addition, tool utilization and output yield rates may vary significantly in relation to the demands for specific product versions. Inventory costs of different connectors also adds to the individual costs thereof. The logistics of warehousing components that may be very difficult to distinguish visually requires multiple (redundant) checks and balances to assure that the correct products are delivered as requested. The present invention is directed to solving these many problems by providing an electrical connector system wherein a plurality of connector components can be assembled in multiple orientations to provide multiple different configurations of electrical connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector assembly of the character described.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved board mounted electrical connector system.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a system wherein the components of a connector can be assembled in multiple orientations to provide multiple different connector configurations.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical connector assembly or system includes a metal shield having a cavity and which is mountable on a substrate in at least two different orientations. A dielectric housing is mountable within the cavity in the shield in at least two different orientations for each orientation of the shield. A plurality of terminals are mountable on the housing in at least two different orientations for each orientation of the housing. Therefore, the total combinations of different orientations of the metal shield, the dielectric housing and the conductive terminals effectively provide at least eight different configurations of electrical connectors utilizing the same connector components.
As disclosed herein, the metal shield has two sides, either of which is mountable on the substrate, and only one of which has an open seam. The shield can be mounted in one orientation with the seamed side away from the substrate to provide resiliency for the shield, and in a second orientation with the seamed side against the substrate to provide substantially complete shielding at the sides of the shield away from the substrate.
The housing includes polarizing means so that a complementary connector can mate with the housing in only one orientation. Therefore, the mating connector has at least two different orientations relative to the shield.
The terminals are generally U-shaped to define a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion. Only one of the leg portions of each terminal has a terminating portion whereby the terminating portions are located at different positions relative to the housing corresponding to the at least two different orientations of the terminals. The bight portions of the terminals comprise contact portions for engaging appropriate contact portions of a plurality of terminals of a complementary mating connector. The substrate may be a printed circuit board, and the terminating portions of the terminals, therefore, comprise tail portions for connection to appropriate circuit traces on the printed circuit board.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4959626 (1990-09-01), Mouissie
patent: 5257948 (1993-11-01), Peterson
patent: 5540599 (1996-07-01), Bishop
patent: 5697799 (1997-12-01), Consoli et al.
patent: 5704808 (1998-01-01), Chishima
patent: 5993257 (1999-11-01), Maruyama
patent: 5993258 (1999-11-01), Matsunuma et al.
patent: 6056560 (2000-05-01), Wu et al.
Molex Part No. 91181-0001 first sold in the United States in the Fall of 1998.
Molex Incorporated
Patel T. C.
Weiss Stephen Z.
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