PCB MOUNTED TRIAXIAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100, 100′) having a conductive exterior shell (116, 116′) and a conductive intermediate shell (141) frictionally engaged by corresponding conductive contacts (149, 149), (149) of the same construction in the form of strip form clips having electrical terminals (152, 152) projecting outwardly of an insulative body (102, 102′) that positions the shells (116, 116′), (141) with respect to the openings (114, 114), (114′) into which the contacts (149, 149), (149) are inserted for latched engagement with an insulative body (102, 102′) and for electrical connection with the corresponding shells (116, 116′), (141).

Description: The invention relates to an electrical connector assembly for mounting on a printed circuit board, PCB, and to an electrical connector of either coaxial or triaxial construction and assembled with electrical contacts for mounting in a PCB having apertures arranged in a pattern wherein one of the apertures is surrounded by other apertures of the pattern. A locking clasp for an electrical connector is known from US Patent 3 121 583, and from Japanese Patent Publication 52-107385, published August 16, 1977. The known locking clasp is retained in a housing that receives the connector for interlocking engagement with the locking clasp. The locking clasp has opposed resilient springs that are resiliently biased to move toward each other to register in a slot on the exterior of the connector and to clamp the connector. There is described in EP-A-0 209 974 which has a priority date earlier than the priority dates of the present application but which was published on 28 January 1987 and therefore falls under Art 54(3) EPC, an electrical connector comprising a housing with a base for mounting on a printed circuit board, projecting mounting posts extending from the base, a conductive outer shell and a dielectric body surrounded by the housing. The present invention consists in an electrical connector assembly comprising an insulative body having a base, an electrical connector encircled by the insulative body and having a conductive exterior shell with a disconnect coupling portion and having an electrical disconnect contact encircled concentrically by said exterior shell with an electrical disconnect contact portion and an electrical terminal projecting outwardly from an end of said exterior shell and projecting outwardly from the base, the body holding and positioning the connector within a hollow interior portion of the body, and positioning the exterior shell in alignment with a contact receiving opening in the body, the opening in the body communicating with the hollow interior portion, an electrical contact constructed for insertion along the opening towards the connector and into engagement with the shell, and electrical terminals of the electrical contact extending from the body, these terminals projecting outwardly from the base, wherein the electrical contact includes a holder shaped along its length to conform to and engage against the exterior of the shell the holder having an open side for receiving passage of the exterior of the shell, and the opening in the body is constructed with a cross section to receive passage of the holder transversely of its length and towards the shell in the hollow interior portion with the open side of the holder facing the shell. Thus, the construction of the connector assembly provides for ease of assembly of the contact in the insulative body and into electrical connection with the shell of the connector that is already positioned in the connector assembly. According to an embodiment of the invention the connector assembly provides for the assembly of a plurality of electrical contacts, each into a corresponding opening of the insulative body of the connector assembly, and each having a clasp portion to engage and clasp onto a corresponding conductive portion of an electrical connector positioned in the connector assembly, the corresponding openings being of similar construction, and the corresponding conductive portions of the electrical connector being of similar construction, thereby to be capable of assembly with a corresponding one of plural electrical contacts of similar form and construction. The electrical terminals of the contacts that project outwardly from the connector in a common direction and are spaced apart from one another, may be arranged in a pattern wherein one of the terminals is surrounded by the other terminals, and said other terminals provide electrical shunts for absorbing radiant electrical energy in the form of electrical signals emitted from the surrounded terminal or in the form of electrical interference that interferes with electrical signals transmitted along the surrounded terminal. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of an electrical connector assembly of triaxial configuration and with parts in exploded configuration. Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a PCB, and further illustrating the parts shown in Figure 1 assembled to form an electrical connector assembly. Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the assembly shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section view of the assembly shown in Figure 2, and taken generally along the line 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of an electrical connector assembly of coaxial configuration. Figures 1 through 4 of the drawings show an electrical connector assembly 100. An insulative body 102 of the assembly 100 is fabricated, for example, by moulding a polymeric plastics material, and includes a hollow rectangular portion 103 that is integral with a hollow cylindrical portion 104. External threads 105 are on the cylindrical portion 104 for establishing a threaded connection to a panel, not shown. The body 102 has a cylindrical hollow interior portion 106 extending axially through an open end 107 of the cylindrical portion 104 and through an open end 108 of the rectangular portion 103. A radially projecting interior shoulder 109 on the body 102 faces toward the open end 107 of the cylindrical portion 104. A radially inclined projecting interior shoulder 110 faces toward the open end 108 of the rectangular portion 103. One exterior wall 111 of the rectangular portion 103 provides a base having projecting feet 112 for standing against a PCB 113. A pair of spaced apart openings 114, 114 of similar construction communicate with the wall 111 and the interior portion 106. The assembly 100 further includes a triaxial electrical connector 115 having a hollow and conductive exterior shell 116 of stepped cylindrical form for assembly by insertion into the open end 107 of the cylindrical portion 104 of the body 102. The exterior shell 116 has a disconnect coupling portion 117 provided with bayonet coupling prongs 118 for disconnect coupling with a complementary electrical connector, not shown. The exterior shell 116 further has an exterior and radially projecting shoulder 119 engaged against the end 107 and a second exterior radially projecting shoulder 120 engaged against the interior shoulder 109 to limit the extent of insertion into the body 2. A flat recess 120′ in the exterior shell 116 intercepts the shoulder 120. As shown in Figure 1, a rear end 121 of the shell 116 is of reduced cylindrical thickness and projects axially from an internal cylindrical shoulder 122 at the junction of the reduced thickness with the increased thickness of the remainder of the shell 116. As shown in Figure 3, the rear end 121 is flared after insertion in the body 102 to form a radially outwardly flared lip engaged against the inclined shoulder 110 to prevent axial movement of the shell 116 toward the open end 107 of the cylindrical portion 4. A recess 123 of groove form encircles the cylindrical exterior of the shell 116 and is located along the shell 116 between the flared end 121 and the shoulder 120. The insulative body 102 holds the shell 116 in position within the hollow interior portion 106 of the body, with the reccess 123 positioned in alignment with a corresponding opening 114. The assembly 100 includes a hollow cylindrical insulative liner 124 for the shell 116. The liner 124 is assembled by insertion into the open end 108 of the insulative body 102 and into the flared end 121 of the shell 116. A rear end 125 of the liner 124 has a radially projecting external flange 126 that covers the flared end 121 of the shell 116, and has a radially outward projecting external shoulder 127 adjacent the flange 126 that engages the interior shoulder 122 of the shell 116 to limit insertion of the liner 124. As shown in Figures 1 through 3, the assembly 100 further includes a conductive electrical disconnect contact 128 formed by stamping a metal strip. The disconnect contact 128 has a disconnect contact portion 129 for disconnect connection with a known complementary electrical connector, not shown. The disconnect contact portion 129 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical electrical receptacle formed by bending the strip into a hollow cylindrical shape. The disconnect contact 128 has an elongated portion 130 in the plane of the strip and having tapered wedge barbs 131, 131 in the plane of the strip, and an elongated tubular electrical terminal 132 at the end of the strip formed by bending elongate edges of the strip out of the plane of the strip to form an elongated tube. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the disconnect contact 128 is inserted concentrically into an open front end 133 of a hollow interior 134 of a cylindrical dielectric body 135. The disconnect contact portion 128 engages a radially projecting shoulder 136 of a cylindrical portion 137 of the interior 134, to limit insertion. The shoulder 136 is at an intersection with a passage 138 along which is disposed the elongated portions 130 and 132 of the contact 128. The barbs 131, 131 of the tapered wedge portions lodge in the interior 234 and resist withdrawal of the disconnect contact 128 from the interior 134. The electrical terminal 132 of the contact projects outwardly of the dielectric body 135 for insertion into an aperture 139 of the PCB 113. The dielectric body 135 is inserted concentrically into an open front end 140 of a conductive intermediate shell 141. The front end 140 provides a disconnect connection to a complementary electrical connector, not shown. A hollow interior 142 of the intermediate shell 141 has a radially projecting shoulder 143 that engages an external radially outward projecting shoulder 144 on the dielectric body 135 to limit insertion. The intermediate shell 141 is assembled by insertion concentrically into the rear end 125 of the insulative liner 124. A rear end 145 of the intermediate shell 141 has an external radially projecting flange 146 of stepped diameter. An end of the flange 146 seats against the rear end 125 of the insulative liner 124. Portion 146a of the flange 146 spans the interior 106 and provides a conductive barrier and electrical shield. The insulative body 104 holds the intermediate shell 141 in position within the hollow interior portion 106 of the body 104. The exterior of the flange 146 is provided with an external recess 147 that encircles the exterior of the flange 146 and is positioned due to assembly with the body 104 in alignment with a corresponding opening 114. Following insertion of the intermediate shell 141, the terminal 132 of the contact 128 is bent as shown in Figures 6 and 8 to project along a channel 148 that extends through the end 108 transversely of the axis of the dielectric body 102 and through the base 111. Similarly, the terminal 32 is bent to project along a channel 148a that extends laterally of the axis of the intermediate shell 141 and that communicates with the interior 142. Figures 1 and 3 show the rear end 145 having a cylindrical recess 145a communicating with the channel 148a. A thin conductive cap 145b initially of bulbous form is inserted into the recess 145a and its bulbous form is flattened by the application of pressure thereon causing the cap 145b to expand radially and span the recess 145a and frictionally engage the side of the recess to be retained in place and electrically shield the terminal 132. Figures 1, 2 and 4 show a pair of contacts 149, 149 of the same construction adapted for insertion along respective openings 114, 114. Each contact 149, 149 is formed as a unitary strip form clip of metal of constant thickness and width. The width of the contact 149 is perpendicular to its length and thickness. The strip form clip is curved along its length and transversely of its thickness to provide an arcuate holder 150 with an open side 151 of a length less than the diameter of the remainder of the holder 150. Elongated electrical terminals 152, 152 extend from opposite ends of the curved holder 150. As shown in Figure 4, corresponding portions of the terminals extending from the holder form doubled back curved resilient springs 153, 153 that oppose each other across the open side 151. The holder 150 includes an outwardly projecting bight 153′ spaced equally between and along the holder 150 from the springs 153, 153 and extending the length of each spring 153, 153 over which resilient flexure is distributed. Tab latching portions 154, 154 are cut from the terminals 152, 152 and are bent to project diagonally from the thickness plane of the terminals 152, 152. Ends 155, 155 of the terminals 152, 152 are formed with elongated channels by bending elongate edges of the terminals out of the plane of the contact 149 to form edges of the channels. The ends 155, 155 are constructed for insertion into corresponding apertures 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d of the PCB 113, and resilient spring energy residing in the terminals 154, 154 holds the terminals 154, 154 in the apertures 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d until the terminals are joined to the PCB 113 with solder not shown. Figure 4 shows the construction of a corresponding opening 114 into which a contact 149 is inserted to establish an electrical connection with the outer shell 116. The opening 114 communicates with the base 111 and has an interior 156 of rectangular cross section with a width that slidably receives and confines the width of a corresponding contact 149. The contact 149 is inserted in the opening 114 and moved toward the shell 116, with the open side 151 of the holder 150 facing the shell 116. The terminals 152, 152 pivot toward each other during insertion, deflicting the springs 153, 153 and storing resilient spring energy therein. With reference to Figure 4, the interior 156 of the opening 114 has clearance spaces 157, 157 defined between the interior 156 of the opening and corresponding springs 153, 153 of the terminals 152, 152 extending from the holder 150 to the latching protions 154, 154. The clearance spaces 157, 157 allow for resilient flexure of the springs 153, 153 away from each other, pivoting about the bight 153′, such that the open side 151 of the holder 150 is lengthened in response to passage of exterior shell 116 through the open side 151 and into the confines of the holder 150. After passage of the exterior shell 16, the springs 153, 153 move toward each other to urge resiliently against the shell 116 in opposite directions, and to close the holder 150 frictionally in engagement on the exterior of the shell 116. The bight 153′ remains outwardly spaced from the shell 116. The resilient spring energy urges the terminals 152, 152 to pivot away from each other and to impinge opposite sides of the interior 114. The latching portions 154, 154 are urged into the clearance spaces 157, 157. Interior shoulder 158, 158 are provided at the intersection of the clearance spaces 157, 157 with the remainder of the interior 156. The latching portions 154, 154 of respective terminals 152, 152 project against respective shoulders 158, 158 to retain the corresponding contact 149 in the corresponding opening 114 and resist removal of the contact 149 from the opening 114. The clearance spaces 157, 157 communicate with corresponding passageways 159, 159 extending to the exterior of the body 102 and serving as access for a tool blade, not shown, for deflection of the latching portions 154, 154 away from the shoulders 158, 158, which disengages the contact 149 from the interior 156 of the opening 114 and allows withdrawal of the contact 149 from the opening 114. Figure 4 shows the recess 123 with a diameter conforming to the arcuate shape of a corresponding holder 150. The recess 123 has a width to receive and conform to the width of the holder 150. Figure 3 shows the intermediate shell 141 and the exterior shell 116 with corresponding recesses 123 and 147 having the same width, the same diameter dimension and positioned by the insulative body 102 similarly with respect to corresponding openings 114, 114 to connect with respective contacts 149, 149 having the same construction. The terminals 132, 152, 152, 152, 152 are spaced apart and project outwardly from the connector 115 in a common direction and are arranged in a pattern wherein the terminal 132 is surrounded or circumscribed by an spaced equidistant from the other terminals 152, 152, 152, 152 that are spaced apart to form a square shaped portion of the pattern and that provide electrical shunts for absorbing radiant electrical energy in the form of electrical signals emitted from the circumscribed terminal 132, or in the form of electrical interference that would interfere with electrical signals transmitted along the circumscribed terminal 132. The PCB 113 includes first and second parallel surfaces 113a and 113b. The apertures 139, 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d are spaced apart, extend through the thickness of the PCB 113 and communicate with the surfaces 113a and 113b. Conductive means are in the form of elongated electrical circuit paths 113c, 113c, 113c, 113c adhered to the surface 113a and elongated electrical circuit paths 113c′, 113c′ adhered to the surface 113b. The conductive means 113c, 113c, 113c, 113c, 113c, 113c′, 113c′ join corresponding additional conductive means 113d, 113d, 113d, 113d, 113d in the form of conductive walls lining the corresponding apertures 139, 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d. A first aperture 139 is constructed to receive the electrical terminal 132 of the contact 128. The apertures 155a and 155b receive the terminals 152, 152 connected to the external shell 116, and the apertures 155c, 155d receive the terminals 152, 152 connected to the intermediate shell 141. The apertures 139, 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d are spaced apart from one another and are arranged in a pattern wherein the first aperture 139 is surrounded or circumscribed by the other apertures 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d of the pattern. The conductive walls 113d, 113d, 113d, 113d of the corresponding apertures 152a, 152b, 152c, 152d are arranged by the pattern to provide electrical shunts for radiated electrical energy in the form of electrical signals emanating from the conductive wall 113d of the circumscribed aperture 139 or from the terminal 132, or in the form of electrical interference that interferes, or would interfere, with the electrical signals transmitted along the wall 113d of the circumscribed aperture 139 or along the terminal 132. Figure 5 illustrates an electrical connector assembly 100' including an insulative body 102′ and a coaxial electrical connector 115′. The coaxial connector 115′ includes the same disconnect contact 128 as the triaxial connector 115, and a conductive exterior shell 116′ similar to the shell 116, with bayonet prongs 118′, 118′. An insulative body 141′ concentrically surrounds the disconnect contact 128 and, in turn is concentrically surrounded by the exterior shell 116′. A corresponding contact 149 of the type disclosed previously is inserted into a corresponding opening 114′ of the body 102′ and engages the exterior shell 116′ in a recess 123′ similar to the recess 123 of the shell 116.

Claims: An electrical connector assembly comprising an insulative body (102,102') having a base (111), an electrical connector (115) encircled by the insulative body (102,102' ) and having a conductive exterior shell (116,116') with a disconnect coupling portion (117) and having an electrical disconnect contact (128) encircled concentrically by said exterior shell (116,116') with an electrical disconnect contact portion (129) and an electrical terminal (132) projecting outwardly from an end (121) of said exterior shell (116,116') and projecting outwardly from the base (111), the body (102,102') holding and positioning the connector (115) within a hollow interior portion (106) of the body (102,102'), and positioning the exterior shell (116,116') in alignment with a contact receiving opening (114) in the body (102,102'), the opening (114) in the body (102,102') communicating with the hollow interior portion (106), an electrical contact (149) constructed for insertion along the opening (114) towards the connector (115) and into engagement with the shell (116,116'), and electrical terminals (152) of the electrical contact (149) extending from the body (102,102'), these terminals (152) projecting outwardly from the base (111), wherein the electrical contact (149) includes a holder (150) shaped along its length to conform to and engage against the exterior of the shell (116,116') the holder having an open side (148) for receiving passage of the exterior of the shell (116,116'), and the opening (114) in the body (102,102') is constructed with a cross section to receive passage of the holder (150) transversely of its length and towards the shell (116,116') in the hollow interior portion (106) with the open side (148) of the holder (150) facing the shell (116,116'). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that: the insulative body (102,102') includes shoulders (158,158) in the interior (106), the conductive terminals (152,152) have latching portions (154,154) latched to the shoulders (158,158), and passageways (159,159) in the insulative body (102,102') are aligned with the shoulders (158,158) and extend from the interior (106) to an exterior of the insulative body (102,102'). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that; the conductive contact (149) includes doubled back curved resilient springs (153,153) opposing each other across the open side (151), and the holder (150) includes an outwardly projecting bight (153′) spaced from the springs (153, 153). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that; the contact receiving opening (114) is a passage extending through the base (111) admitting the conductive contact (149) into the interior (106) from the base (111). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that; the connector (115) includes a conductive intermediate shell (141) concentrically between the exterior shell (116) and the electrical contact (128), an end (145) of the intermediate shell (141) projects from the end (121) of the exterior shell (116), the electrical contact (128) projects outwardly from the intermediate shell (141), a second conductive contact (149) includes a holder (150) having an open side (148) for passage of the intermediate shell (141) into engagement with the holder (150), the second conductive contact (149) includes conductive terminals (152, 152) extending from the holder (150) and outwardly from the base (111), and a second contact receiving passage (114) in the insulative body (102) admits the holder (150) and the conductive terminals (152, 152) of the second conductive contact (149) into the interior (106). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that; the end (121) of the exterior shell (116) and the end (145) of the intermediate shell (141) have the same width, and the holders (150, 150) of the corresponding conductive contacts (149, 149) engage corresponding ends (121, 145) of the shells (116, 141). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that; the insulative body (102) includes additional shoulders (158, 158) in the interior (106), the conductive terminals (152, 152) of the second conductive contact (149) have latching portions (154,154) latched to the additional shoulders (158, 158), and additional passageways (159, 159) in the insulative body (102) are aligned with the additional shoulders (158, 158) and extend from the interior (106) to an exterior of the insulative body (102). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that; the second conductive contact (149) includes doubled back curved resilient springs (153, 153) opposing each other across the open side (151), and the holder (150) of the second conductive contact (149) includes an outwardly projecting bight (153′) spaced from the springs (151, 151). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that; the second contact receiving opening (114) is a passage extending through the base (111) admitting the second conductive contact (149) into the interior (106) from the base (111). An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that; a conductive cap (145b) covers an opening (145a) in the end (145) of the intermediate conductive shell (141).

Inventors: CAPP, RANDOLPH ERIC, JOHNESCU, DOUGLAS MICHAEL, LAUDIG, RONALD CLAIR, MICHAEL, GEORGE WILSON, III
Applicants: AMP INCORPORATED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: H01R17
IPC codes: H01R13