Printed circuit board connector assembly having contact shield with integral securing members

A connector assembly configured to electrically and mechanically mate to a printed circuit board (PCB) may include a housing including a first ganging feature on a first side, and a second ganging feature on a second side that is opposite from the first side. The second ganging feature may be reciprocal to the first ganging feature. The first and second ganging features may be parallel to and oriented and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing. The assembly may include a contact shield retained by the housing. The contact shield may include a main body and at least one securing member configured to secure the connector assembly to the PCB. The securing member(s) may be integrally formed together with the main body from a single piece of material.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to electrical connector assemblies, and, more particularly, to electrical connector assemblies having contact shields with integral securing members.

Right angle connectors have been used to connect printed circuit boards. A typical right angle connector may include a plurality of receiving terminals oriented at a right angle to a number of a plurality of pins.

USCAR30 is a standard for Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors for use in automotive applications. A known USCAR30 right angle (ninety degree) header PCB connector includes a housing that retains a contact shield. The shield is configured to retain and shield electrical contacts having terminals that connect to pins at right angles. Typically, separate and distinct solder nails that are used to connect the housing to the PCB are configured to be retained within reciprocal openings formed in a PCB. Moreover, the solder nails are typically separate and distinct loose pieces, which may be misplaced or mis-positioned, that are manufactured and packaged separately.

The housings of a known ninety degree connector include ganging structures that allow each housing to be secured to another housing. As such, the housings may provide a modular assembly. Notably, the ganging structures are typically perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. It has been found that the ganging structures on the housing require specialized tools to form. For example, specialized side-action tooling is typically required to separately form the ganging structures.

As can be appreciated, the process of forming the shield and the housing of a typical ninety degree connector may be time and labor intensive, thereby increasing the cost of production for each connector. The shield and separate solder nails are typically separately affixed to the housing. Further, the housing that is configured to receive the shield is typically formed using complicated tooling in order to form ganging features. As can be appreciated, the process of forming a typical housing of a USCAR30 connector with ganging features requires complex tooling, thereby increasing the cost of production for each connector. Additionally the use of separate solder nails increases the cost of the finished connector in that additional components are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a connector assembly that is configured to electrically and mechanically mate to a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector assembly may include a contact shield retained by a housing. The contact shield may include or otherwise retain a dielectric component that retains one or more electrical contacts. Accordingly, the contact shield, which may include the dielectric component, may be configured to retain one or more electrical contacts. The contact shield may include a main body and at least one securing member configured to secure the connector assembly to the PCB. The securing member(s) may be integrally formed with the main body. For example, the main body and the securing member(s) may be integrally formed together from a single piece of material. In at least one embodiment, the main body and the securing members(s) may be stamped and formed from a single piece of metal. In at least one embodiment, the main body and the securing member(s) may be integrally molded and formed together from a single mold, such as by molten metal being injected or poured into a single mold and cooling and hardening within the single mold.

In at least one embodiment, the connector assembly may include two inner securing members and two outer securing members. Each of the two inner securing members may include a planar beam that is coplanar with a lateral wall of the contact shield. Each of the two outer securing members may be outside of a plane of the lateral wall of the contact shield. The securing member(s) may include a solder nail or tail configured to be received and retained within a reciprocal opening formed within the PCB.

The housing may include a first ganging feature on a first side, and a second ganging feature on a second side that is opposite from the first side. The second ganging feature may be reciprocal to the first ganging feature. That is, the first ganging feature may be configured to securely connect to a second ganging feature of another housing, or vice versa. The first and second ganging features may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first and second ganging features may be oriented and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a connector assembly that is configured to electrically and mechanically mate to a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector assembly may include a housing having a first ganging feature on a first side, and a second ganging feature on a second side that is opposite from the first side. The second ganging feature may be reciprocal to the first ganging feature. The first and second ganging features may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a connector assembly that may include a housing and a contact shield. The housing may include a first ganging feature on a first side, and a second ganging feature on a second side that is opposite from the first side. The second ganging feature is reciprocal to the first ganging feature. The first and second ganging features are parallel to and oriented and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing. The contact shield is retained by the housing, and is configured to retain one or more electrical contacts. The contact shield includes a main body and at least one securing member configured to secure the connector assembly to the PCB. The securing member(s) may be integrally formed together with the main body from a single piece of material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective rear exploded view of a printed circuit board (PCB) connector assembly10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The PCB connector assembly10includes a contact shield12that is configured to be secured within a housing14. The contact shield12may include or otherwise retain a dielectric component that retains one or more electrical contacts16having pins18that connect to terminals (hidden from view inFIG. 1). Accordingly, the contact shield12may retain more electrical contact(s)16. The pins18may connect to the terminals at right angles. The electrical contacts16may be integrally formed pieces of metal that are electrically conductive and configured to allow electrical signals to pass therethrough. The pins18are configured to be received and retained within reciprocal through-holes (not shown) formed in a first PCB. The terminals are configured to electrically mate with terminals of another connector, for example, which may, in turn, be connected to a universal serial bus (USB) cable, for example.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective front view of the contact shield12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the contact shield12may be integrally formed as a single piece of material, such as a metal. The contact shield12includes a main body20having a base24connected to lateral walls26, which, in turn, connect to a top wall28, thereby defining a central channel29therebetween. Terminals of electrical contacts are configured to extend into the central channel29. As shown, the base24may not extend over an entire length L of the contact shield12. Instead, the base24may be proximate to only an edge of the contact shield12. Optionally, the base24may extend over a greater (or lesser) distance than shown inFIG. 2.

Inner securing members30may extend downwardly from the lateral walls26and spaced apart from an interface edge32. The inner securing members30may be legs, arms, tails, nails, beams, posts, studs, barbs, or the like that are configured to be received and retained within reciprocal openings formed in a PCB. For example, the inner securing members30may be solder legs. The inner securing members30may be positioned within the reciprocal openings of the PCB and soldered therein to securely anchor the contact shield12to the PCB. As such, the inner securing members30may be solder tails or nails. Each inner securing member30may include a planar beam34having a distal beveled lead-in tip36, which may be configured to align and orient the inner securing members30into the reciprocal openings formed in the PCB. Each inner securing member30may also include an abutting ridge38that may be configured to abut into an upper surface of the PCB. The abutting ridge38may be configured to control the depth to which the inner securing member30is inserted into the reciprocal opening of the PCB. For example, the abutting ridge38may be too large to fit into the reciprocal opening.

As shown, each inner securing member30may be coplanar with an outer surface of a respective lateral wall26. Alternatively, the inner securing members30may be offset with respect to the lateral walls26, such as through beams that are positioned outside (or inside) of a plane of the lateral walls26.

The contact shield12may also include outer securing members40, such as legs, tails, nails, beams, studs, posts, or the like that are configured to be received and retained within reciprocal openings formed in a PCB. For example, the outer securing members40may be solder legs. The outer securing members40may be positioned within the reciprocal openings of the PCB and soldered therein to securely anchor the contact shield12to the PCB. The outer securing members40are outside of the inner securing members30in relation to a central longitudinal axis42of the contact shield12. Each outer securing member40may include an extension beam44that may be perpendicular to the lateral wall26. The extension beam44connects to a planar beam46, which may be perpendicular to the extension beam44and parallel with the lateral wall26. The planar retaining beam46may include a distal beveled lead-in tip48, which may be configured to align and orient the outer securing members40into the reciprocal openings formed in the PCB. Alternatively, the securing members40may not be outer securing members, but may instead be aligned in the same planes as the inner securing members30. For example, the securing members40may not include the extension beams44. Also, alternatively, the securing members30may be outer securing members, while the securing members40may be inner securing members40.

As shown, the contact shield12may include a total of two inner securing members30and two outer securing members40. Alternatively, the contact shield12may include more or less inner and outer securing members than shown. For example, the contact shield12may include five or more securing members. As another example, the contact shield12may include three or less securing members.

Unlike known contact shields, the securing members30and40are integrally formed with the main body20as a single, contiguous piece without any securing interfaces (such as separable joints, adhesives, or the like) positioned therebetween. For example, the securing members30and40may be integrally molded and formed as a single piece of metal. As another example, the securing members30and40may be stamped from a single piece of metal and formed as shown by bending, crimping, or the like the securing members30and40into position. Unlike known contact shields, the securing members30and40are not separate and distinct loose pieces that are separately affixed to the main body20.

In at least one embodiment, the contact shield12may be integrally formed from a single piece of metal. For example, an entire contiguous body of the contact shield12, including the main body20and the securing members30and40, may be cut from a single planar sheet of metal. The single, contiguous body may then be bent, crimped, and otherwise formed to produce the contact shield12, such as shown inFIG. 2.

In at least one embodiment, a single mold may be used to form the contact shield12, including the main body20and the securing members30and40. The single mold may include a separable construction having an inner cavity that defines the shape of the contact shield12. A forming material, such as molten metal, may be poured or injected into the mold. The forming material is then allowed to cool and harden with the mold to form the contact shield12. After the contact shield12is cooled and fully-formed, the mold may be opened and the formed contact shield12may be removed.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the top wall28of the main body20may include deflectable spring members50and52that are configured to provide a contact with another mating shield. More or less spring members than shown may be used.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective front view of the housing14, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The housing14may be an integrally formed and molded piece of dielectric material, such as an injection-molded plastic, for example. The housing14includes a base60connected to lateral walls62, which in turn connect to an upper wall64. An interface chamber66is defined between the base60, the lateral walls62, and the upper wall64. The interface edge32of the contact shield12(shown inFIG. 2, for example) is configured to be retained within the interface chamber66so that contact terminals may be exposed therein in order to mate with other contact terminals, for example.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, the housing14may also include a shield-retaining block68having a rear wall70integrally connected to lateral connecting or ganging walls72. As shown inFIG. 1, a shield-receiving chamber74is formed through the rear wall70. Reciprocal latching members76extend into the shield-receiving chamber74and are configured to securely mate with the deflectable spring members50and52and/or other features of the contact shield12to securely connect the contact shield12within the housing14.

The lateral ganging walls72include housing-ganging features80and82that are configured to securely mate with housing-ganging features82and80, respectively on another housing14in order to allow multiple housings14to be secured to one another. In this manner, the ganging features80and82provide a modular assembly that may include a desired number of housings14, and therefore PCB connector assemblies.

As shown, the ganging features80and82are aligned and oriented to be parallel with a longitudinal axis90of the housing14. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the ganging features80and82are horizontally-oriented with respect to the housing14. The ganging features80and82may be aligned with and extend along a length of each lateral ganging wall72, as opposed to being perpendicularly oriented with respect to the length of each lateral ganging wall72. For example, the ganging features80and82may not be vertically oriented with respect to the length of each lateral ganging wall72. It has been found that aligning and orienting the ganging features80and82to be parallel with the longitudinal axis90of the housing14(such that the ganging features80and82are aligned with and extend along a length of each lateral ganging wall72), allows the housing14to be integrally molded and formed as a single piece, without the need for separate and distinct tooling to form the ganging features80and82. As such, unlike known housings, the housing14may be more amenable to mass production.

FIG. 4illustrates a front view of the PCB connector assembly10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5illustrates a lateral view of the PCB connector assembly10, whileFIG. 6illustrates a rear view of the PCB connector assembly10. Referring toFIGS. 4-6, the ganging feature80may extend from a first side92of the housing14, while the ganging feature82may extend from a second side94, which is opposite from the first side92.

The ganging feature80may include a central longitudinal connecting beam96that is aligned with and oriented with respect to longitudinal axis90of the housing14. Guide tracks98may be positioned above and below the connecting beam96. The guide tracks98are defined between the connecting beam96and retaining ridges100.

The ganging feature82is formed as a reciprocal feature that may be retained by the ganging feature80. The ganging feature82includes a central latch102positioned between wall clips104having extension beams106integrally formed with perpendicular beams108.

In order to modularly connect a first housing to a second housing, the ganging feature80is slid into the ganging feature82(or the ganging feature82is slid onto the ganging feature80). During this movement, the wall clips104slide over the connecting beam96. The housings continue to be slid towards one another until the central latch102latchably secures onto a reciprocal feature of the connecting beam96, thereby securely connecting the housings together.

Accordingly, each housing14may be integrally formed and molded as a single piece with one side having one or more connecting or ganging members, such as the ganging feature80, and an opposite side having one or more reciprocal, complimentary connecting ganging members, such as the ganging feature82. The ganging features80and82are aligned and oriented to be parallel with respect to a central longitudinal axis90of the housing14, which allows for the housing14to be integrally formed and molded a single piece, including the ganging features80and82, without the use of a separate and distinct tool to form the ganging features.

Various other ganging features other than the ganging features80and82may be used. For example, one side of the housing14may include an outwardly extending fin that is parallel with the longitudinal axis90, while the opposite side of the housing14includes a reciprocal channel configured to receive and retain another fin.

As shown inFIG. 4, contact terminals120of the electrical contacts16retained by the contact shield12may be positioned within the shield-retaining block68. Alternatively, the contact terminals120may extend into the interface chamber66of the housing14. As shown inFIG. 6, the contact pins18of the electrical contacts16extend downwardly below the shield-retaining block68of the housing14at a right angle with respect to the contact terminals120.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the securing members30and40extend below the shield-retaining block68of the housing14. The securing members30and40are configured to be received and retained within a PCB, for example.

FIG. 7illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the securing members30and40of the PCB connector assembly10secured within through-holes130of a printed circuit board140, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a front end142of the PCB140may abut into a rear wall of an interface shroud144of the housing14. A reciprocal feature of another housing may be configured to mate with the interface shroud144. For example, a plug of another housing may be secured into an interface chamber defined by the interface shroud144in order to mate contact terminals together.

Referring toFIGS. 1-7, the PCB connector assembly10may be configured as a right angle connector. Alternatively, the PCB connector assembly10may be configured in various other orientations. For example, the PCB connector assembly10may be configured as an in-line or vertical connector assembly in which the contact shield retains straight electrical contacts (as opposed to bent contacts).

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a PCB connector assembly including a contact shield that may be integrally formed from a single piece of material, for example. Securing members may be integrally formed with a main body. As such, the contact shield may not use separate and distinct securing members that are separately affixed to the main body. Instead, the securing members integrally extend from the main body. Accordingly, the manufacturing process may be simplified and more efficient.

Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a PCB connector assembly including a housing having ganging features that may be integrally molded and formed without the use of a distinct tool, such as side action tooling. The ganging features may be oriented and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a connector assembly including a contact shield having a main body and securing members formed as a single component (as opposed to a main body and separate and distinct securing members). The main body and securing members may be formed from (and connected with respect to) a single piece of material, such as a single piece of metal.

Also, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a housing having ganging features that may be oriented 90 degrees in relation to known housings. For example, known ganging features are vertically-oriented with respect to (or otherwise perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of) the housing, while embodiments of the present disclosure provide ganging features that may be horizontally-oriented with respect to (or otherwise parallel and aligned with the longitudinal axis of) the housing. Orienting the ganging features in this manner simplifies the tooling and manufacturing process.

While various spatial terms, such as upper, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.