SWITCHING CONNECTOR

Abstract: An input/output connector system (20) having spring contacts (68) in the header assembly (22) that engage pins (34) also in the header assembly (22) upon demating the receptacle assembly (24). The spring contacts (68) may remain in contact with the pins (34) while the receptacle assembly (24) is in mating engagement with the header assembly (22) or alternatively provide a make-before-break or break-before-make engagement with the pins (34) upon mating of the receptacle and header assemblies (24, 22).

Description: SWITCHING CONNECTOR This invention relates to an input/output connector system and in particular to a switchable input/output • connector system comprising header and receptacle assemblies in which the header assembly pins are each adapted to be separately connected to circuits on a printed circuit board through spring contacts when the receptacle assembly is unmated from the header assembly and the pins may or may not be connected to the circuit through the spring contacts when the receptacle assembly is inserted in the header assembly. Prior art switching connector systems have contacts biased into position by a helical spring. Upon insertion of a connector the contacts are forced to move axially in the direction of connector insertion, breaking contact with land of a printed circuit board at one location and making contact with land at another location. In this manner, a circuit conductive with the land the contacts initially engage is disconnected while a circuit conductive with the land the contacts finally engage is connected. The prior art switching connector systems are large and bulky as a circuit board, integral with the connector, provided the land. The connector system of the present invention provides a technique for connecting pins in a connector header assembly to respective independent circuits through spring contacts upon de ating of the receptacle assembly. Such a technique may be used when the header assembly is a communication port to terminate the buss or network in the characteristic impedance of the buss or network upon demating of the receptacle assembly. The connector system of the present invention has the further advantage of providing either a make-before-break action between terminals in the receptacle assembly and pins in the header assembly as compared to between pins and spring contacts in the header assembly or a break-before-make action between pins and spring contacts in the header assembly, as compared to terminals in the -receptacle assembly and pins in the header assembly. US-A- 4,179,173 discloses a springingly biased contact for shorting two predetermined male contacts. As a female connector is fitted over the pins, an insulated housing of the connector touches and compresses a portion of the shorting contact, removing the mechanical touching between the shorting contact and the two predetermined male contacts, thus removing the electrical short. In accordance with the present invention, the connector system is characterized in that a plurality of spring contacts in the header assembly have a first end extending from the header assembly mounting face and capable of being connected to independent circuits. Each of the second ends of the spring contacts is biased into engagement with the second end of only one corresponding pin contact when the header assembly and receptacle assembly are not mated. The second end of the spring contacts are deflected out of engagement with the second end of a corresponding pin contact by the receptacle housing when the header assembly and receptacle assembly are mated. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective of the header assembly of an input/output connector system in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle assembly of an input/output connector system, matable with the header assembly of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a cable terminated to a connector in the lower cover of the receptacle assembly; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing latches adde to the subassembly of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a -receptacle assembly; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a receptacle assembly; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a pair of receptacle assemblies mated with a pair of circuit board mounted receptacle assemblies; FIGURE 8 is an enlarged partial plan view of a heade assembly shell showing latching channels; FIGURE 9 is a partial plan view of a receptacle assembly cover showing a latch, stop and aperture; FIGURE 10 is a partial plan view of a receptacle assembly cover cut away with the latch shown operating in the latching channel; FIGURE 11 is a partial plan view similar to Figure 1 with a force applied in the direction of the arrow; FIGURE 12 is a side section view of an embodiment of an input/output connector system with the receptacle assembly received in a cavity of the header assembly prior to engagement of contacts therebetween; FIGURE 13 is a side section view of an embodiment of an input/output connector system with the receptacle assembly received in a cavity of the header assembly subsequent to engagement of contacts therebetween; FIGURE 14 is a side section view of an alternate embodiment of an input/output connector system with the receptacle assembly received in a cavity of the header assembly prior to engagement of contacts therebetween; FIGURE 15 is a side section view of an alternate embodiment of an input/output connector system with the receptacle assembly received in a cavity of the header assembly with the contacts initially engaged; FIGURE 16 is a side section view of an alternate embodiment of an input/output connector system with the receptacle assembly received in a cavity of the header - assembly with the receptacle assembly fully engaged; and FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of a smaller diameter cable terminated in the smaller diameter portion of the strain relief portion of the receptacle assembly. Input/output connector system 20 is comprised of header assembly 22 and receptacle assembly 24 each of which is molded of an insulative thermoplastic Header assembly 22 provides a shroud that aids in alignment and is comprised of pin header 26 secured between upper shell 28 and lower shell 30. Pin header 26 is an array 32 of pins 34, typically .025 inch square on .100 inch center array, secured in insulating spacing member 36. Pins 34 shown in Figure 1 are right angle but are not limited thereto; pins 34 may be straight providing a vertical array 32 of pins 34. In a preferred embodiment the array 32 of pins 34 are arranged in two rows. Upper shell 28 has latches 38 having apertures 40 therein in sidewalls 42 and endwall 44. Latches 38 are received in channels 46 with catches 48 seating in apertures 40 and securing upper and lower shells 28, 30. Sidewalls 42 of upper shell 28 and sidewalls 56 of lower shell 30 have complementary interengaging offset ridges 50 for stability. Guides 52 in sidewalls 42 of upper shell 28 are received in channels 54 of sidewalls 56 and aid in properly positioning upper and lower shells 28, 30 during assembly. The end of spacing member 36 is received in channels 58 in sidewalls 42 and 56. Hold down bar 60 provides a spacing function so that a standard spacing member 36 may be used. With spacing member 36 received in channels 58, the first end 62 of pins 34 extend beyond the lower surface 64 of lower shell 30. The lower surface 64 provides a mounting face for header assembly 22. The second end 66 of pins 34 engage spring contacts 68. Spring contacts 68 have a mounting portion 70 that extend beyond the mounting face provided by lower surface 64. Pin engaging portion 72 of each spring contact 68 is biased by the spring action of spring contact 68 to contact the second end 66 of a pin 34 of pin array 32. With upper shell 28 latched to lower shell 30, shell 28, 30 define cavity 74 therebetween for receiving receptacle assembly 24. Lower shell 30 has a polarizatio slot 76 axially along the mating direction. A complementary polarization protrusion 78 extends from lower cover 80 of receptacle assembly 24. The mounting face, provided by lower surface 64 when pins 34 form a right angle, has means for securing the header assembly to a printed circuit board. In a preferred embodiment, the securing means are mounting leg means 86 (see Figure 12) extending normal to lower surfac 64. Each of the mounting leg means has an outer cylindrical profile and is comprised of a plurality of integral depending leg portions 88 each with an outwardly directed arcuate detent shoulder 90 adjacent the free end thereof. Space 92 between leg portions 88 provides for inward deflection thereof upon tapered ends 94 entering- a aperture in the printed circuit board. Shoulders 90 are spaced from surface 64 substantially the thickness of the printed circuit board such that leg portions 88 deflect outwardly as shoulders 90 pass beyond the thickness of the printed circuit board. Keying of header assembly 22 and receptacle assembly 24 is provided by keying recesses 94 in upper shell 28 and corresponding insertable protrusions 96 in upper cover 98 of receptacle assembly 24. Receptacle assembly 24 includes a complementary connector 100, matable with header assembly 22, to be received in cavity 74. Connector 100 may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,243,288, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and is sold by the Assignee of- the present application under the trade name AMPMODU. Connector 100 has terminals 164 having a mating portion directed toward mating face 182 for mating with pins 34 and a conductor terminating portion, typically an insulation displacing contact, directed away from mating face 182 for terminating conductors 154 of cable 102. Cable 102 may be shielded. As shown in Figure 2, covers 98 and 80 are very similar, each having a forward mating portion and a rearward cable strain relief portion. Lower cover 80 has latches 104 in sidewalls 106 with apertures 108 therein, which receive catches 110 on cover 98. Latches 112 in the cable strain relief portion of lower cover 80 are received in channels 114 with catches 116 on upper cover 98 seating in apertures 118. Latches 120 on sidewalls 106 engage a small lip 121 on upper cover 98. Connector 100 is maintained in position between covers 80 and 98 by lateral ribs 130 in covers 80 and 98 extending into transverse channels 132 of the housing of connector 100. The position of connector 100 is further maintained by vertical ribs 134 engaging the rear surface 135 of the housing of connector 100. Latches 136 in the preferred embodiment are stamped and formed from a spring metal such as stainless steel. Latches 136 comprise first and second arms 138, 140, connected by a bight 142 to yield a generally U-shaped profile. First arm 138 has integral mounting extensions 144 that are received in recesses 146 in upper and lower covers 98, 80 thereby mounting latches 136 to receptacle assembly 24. Second arm 140 extends from bight 142 toward the distal end 148 thereof between conductor guide 150 and sidewalls 106. Conductor guides 150 provide a channel 152 though which individual conductors 154 pass between connector 100 and the cable stress relieving portion. Cable guides 150 thereby provide a region 156 free of interference with conductors 154 in which the distal end 148 of second arm 140 can move substantially transverse t the axis of cable 102, albeit while the latch being a spring flexes along its length. The distal end 148 of second arm 138 is formed norma to the plane of second arm 138 providing catch 155 havin latching surface 158 thence is folded back onto itself providing arcuate surface 160 at the fold. With receptacle assembly 24 assembled, latching surface 158a extends through aperture 162a in upper cover 98 and beyon upper cover 98. Latching surface 158b extends through aperture 162b in lower cover 80 and beyond lower cover 80 Catches 155 in the preferred embodiment provide a balance latching of header assembly 22 with receptacle assembly 24. Latching means for securing the two assemblies 22, 2 can take other forms. For example, each catch 155 could extend through apertures in both upper cover 98 and lower cover 80 to operate in channels in the housing of receptacle assembly 24. Latching means could provide an unbalanced latching with a single off-centered latching means. After individual conductors 154 are terminated to terminals 164 in conductor 100, conductors 154 are passed through channel 152 while cable 102 is positioned in channel 166. Connector 100 is positioned in lower cover 80 as described above. Latches 136 are incorporated in the assembly by inserting extensions 144 into recesses 14 at an angle, biasing second arm 140 toward lower cover 80 and down over stop 168 into final, biased position agains stop 168. When latch 136b is incorporated into the assembly, a portion of catch 155a extends through apertur 162b as described above. Upper cover 98 is then assemble with stakes 122 entering recesses 124 guiding the covers 80, 98 together. Extensions 144 enter recesses 146 in upper cover 98, a portion of catch 155a extends through • aperture 162a and the various latches and cooperating catches engage to secure lower cover 80 to upper cover 98 with connector 100 and cable 102 secured therebetween. Spring contacts 68 are deflected away from their unbiased position (see the phantom spring contact 68a in Figure 12) during assembly and are biased against pins 34 thereby providing a springing engagement therewith. As receptacle assembly 24 is mated with header assembly 22, individual circuits are completed from conductors 154 of cable 102 through a corresponding terminal 164 in connector 100 and through a pin 34 to a circuit on a printed circuit board. Simultaneously latches 136 operate in channels 170 to secure receptacle assembly 24 to header assembly 22. Figure 8 shows an enlarged partial plan view of a header assembly shell 28 or 30 showing channels 170. As receptacle assembly 24 mates with header assembly 22, catch 155 of distal end 148 of latches 136 that extends beyond covers 80 and 98 enter channels 170. Arcuate surface 160 rides up ramp 172 further biasing latch 136 toward the axis of cable 102. As mating continues, arcuate surface 160 slides over arcuate corner 174 and the spring bias of latch 136 causes arcuate surface 160 and catch 155 including latching surface 158 to snap into and seat in detent 176, typically with an audible click. In the latched state shown in Figure 10, second arm 140 is biased away from the axis of cable 102. In the preferred embodiment, second arm 140 engages stop 168 rather than arcuate surface 160 bottoming out in detent 176. The spring bias provided by the latches 136 retains arcuate surface 160 in detent 176. Figure 9 shows a view of latch 136 in the latched state with catch 155 including latching surface 158 and arcuate surface 160 operating in aperture 162. Receptacle assembly 24 is demated by pressing on second arms 140 between the bight 142 and distal end 14 causing catches 155 to move laterally until arcuate surface 160 clears arcuate corners 174. A force axiall along cable 102 great enough to overcome the contact 68 and terminal 164 demating forces then demates receptacl assembly 24 from header assembly 22. Figure 11 is similar to Figure 10 in that latch 136 is shown in the latched state, but with a force applied i the direction of arrow 180. The force deforms latch 136 in that catch 155 bends forwardly of the mating directio such that it is not normal to the plane of second arm 140 The angle between latching surface 158 and shoulder 178 increases as the applied force tends to rotate catch 155 around arcuate corner 174. Catch 155 at an angle with respect to shoulder 178 tends to slide across a portion o arcuate corner 174 with the planar portion 153 being axially displaced toward the axis of cable 102 until arcuate surface 160 rides over arcuate corner 174 releasing receptacle assembly 24 and permitting catch 15 to return to being substantially normal to planar portio 153 of second arm 140. Continued application of the forc overcomes the contact demating force and demates receptacle assembly 24 from the shroud provided by heade assembly 22. Clearance between catch 155 and forward edg 179 of channel 170 allows latches 136 to release when a force is applied to receptacle assembly 24. Often the force is applied to cable 102 and transferred to receptacle assembly 24 by a strain relief 159 system. Latches 136 withstand a predetermined force before releasing. Preloading latches 136 in that latches 136 ar spring biased against stops 168 during assembly increases the force that can be withstood before releasing. The force range can be varied by selection, thickness and other characteristics of the material from which latches- 136 are made as well as varying the preloading of latches 136. The Figure 5 embodiment of receptacle assembly 24 shows upper and lower covers 98 and 80 terminating substantially flush with the mating face 182 of connector 100. This embodiment of receptacle assembly does not cause spring contacts 68 to be biased away from pins 34 and therefore may be used for a monitor function wherein both a circuit on printed circuit board 184 through spring contacts 68 and conductors 154 are electrically conductive with pins 34. The Figure 6 embodiment of receptacle assembly 24 shows upper and lower covers 98, 88 extending beyond the mating face 182 of connector 100 such that the mating face 182 is recessed. In this embodiment the extension of upper and ' lower coves 98,80 pass between spring contacts 68 and pins 34 to break the circuit therebetween. The length of extensions 186 and 188 relative to the point of contact between spring contacts 68 and pins 34 determines whether extensions 186 and 188 provide a make-before-brea or break-before-make action as receptacle assembly 24 is- mated with header assembly 22. Channels 190 provide for an insulative material to pass between contact 68 and pin 34 minimizing the deflection of contacts 68 into recess 84. Figures 12 and 13 show an action sequence of side section views of an input/output connector system with receptacle assembly 24 received in cavity 74 of header assembly 22. Upper cover 98 is depicted as not having extension 188 while lower cover 80 is depicted as having extension 186. The initial position of contacts 68a and 68b are shown in Figure 12 engaging respectively pins 34a and 34 as would exist with receptacle assembly 24 demated from header assembly 22. With receptacle assembly 24 inserte into cavity 74, extension 186 is poised to deflect sprin contact 68b in a break-before-make action upon further insertion of receptacle assembly 24 into cavity 74. Figure 13 shows receptacle assembly 24 further inserted into cavity 74 and mated with header assembly 22 Pin 34a is in contact with terminal 164a and spring contact 68a remains in biased contact with pin 34a to provide a monitoring function. Pin 34b is in contact wit terminal 164b. Spring contact 68b has been deflected awa from pin 34b breaking contact therewith by extension 186 A portion of spring contact 68b has been deflected into cavity 84 and a portion has been deflected into cavity 190. Extension 186 insulates pin engaging portion 72b o spring contact 68b from pin 34b. The length of extensio 186 taken with the shape of spring contact 68 determines whether extension 186 provides a make-before-break actio between terminals 164 and pins 34 as compared to between pins 34 and spring contacts 68 or whether a break-before-make action is provided. Figures 14-16 shown an action sequence of side section views of an input/output connector system with receptacle assembly 24 received in cavity 74 of header assembly 22. Upper cover 98 is depicted as having extension 188 that provides a make-before-break action between terminals 164a and pins 34a as compared to betwee pins 34a and spring contacts 68a. Lower cover 80 is depicted as having extension 186 that extends further fro mating face 182 than extension 188 thereby providing a break-before-make action between terminals 164b and pins 34b as compared to between pins 34b and spring contacts 68b. The initial position of contacts 68a and 68b are shown'-in Figure 14 engaging respectively pins 34a and 34b as would exist with receptacle assembly 24 within cavity- 74 demated from header assembly 22. Extension 186 is poised to deflect spring contact 68b in a break-before-make action upon further insertion of receptacle assembly 24 into cavity 74. Figure 15 shows an intermediate stage between an "rύnmated and mated conditions with receptacle assembly 24 further inserted into cavity 74. " Spring contact 68a " remains in biased contact with pin 34a. Pin 34a is also in contact with terminal 164a. Pin 34b is in contact with terminal 164b. Spring contact 68b has been deflected away from pin 34b breaking contact therewith by extension 186. Figure 16 shows receptacle assembly 24 further inserted into cavity 74 and mated with header assembly 22. PiiL 34a is in contact with terminal 164a and spring contact 68a is biased away from.pin 34a and insulated therefrom by extension 188. Pin 34b is in contact with terminal 164b and spring contact 68b is biased away from pin 34b and insulated therefrom by extension 186. The communication port of equipment which communicates over a buss or network is terminated in the characteristic impedance 194 of the buss or network when not connected to the buss or network. The mode of termination is dictated by the mode of communication. The characteristic impedance circuit can be incorporated in a circuit conductive with the spring contacts 68 of an input/output connector system 20 in accordance with the present invention. Upon demating the receptacle assembly 24, with cable 102 representing the buss or network terminated thereto, from the header assembly 22, representing the buss or network port, the characteristic impedance circuit would simultaneously be switched to be conductive with pins 34 as spring contacts 68 engage pins 34. This obviates the need for a separate line terminat having the characteristic impedance 194 of the communication port. It further assures that at all time when the network or buss is not connected to the communication port, the communication port is terminate in the characteristic impedance. Cable 102 is strain relieved in the strain relief portion of receptacle assembly 24.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A connector system having a header assembly (22) having a mounting face (64) and an insulative housing (28, 30) defining a cavity (74) , a plurality of pin contacts (34) having a first end (62) extending from the mounting face (64) and a second end (66) extending into the cavity (74) , a receptacle assembly (24) having a mating face (182) and an insulative housing (80, 98) , a plurality of terminals (164) mounted in the receptacle assembly (24) , said terminals (164) having a mating portion directed toward the mating face (182) for mating with said pin contacts (34) , and a terminating portion directed away from the mating face (182) for terminating conductors (154) of a cable (102) , characterized by a plurality of spring contacts (68) in said header assembly (22) , said spring contacts (68) having a first end (70) and a second end (72) , said first end (70) extending from the mounting face (64) and capable of being connected to independent circuits, each of said second ends (72) in biased engagement with said second end (66) of only one corresponding pin contact (34) when the header assembly (22) and receptacle assembly (24) are not mated, said second end (72) of said spring contacts (68) deflected out of engagement with said second end (66) of a corresponding pin contact (34) by said receptacle housing (80, 98) when the header assembly (22) and receptacle assembly (24) are mated, whereby upon mating of said header (22) and receptacle (24) assemblies, said receptacle assembly housing (80, 98) causes said second end (72) of said spring contacts (68) to break electrical engagement with said second end (66) of corresponding pin contacts (34) , which disconnects the independent circuits from the pin contacts (34) . 2. A connector system as recited in claim 1 further characterized by a recess (84) in the header assembly housing (28,30) proximate the spring contacts (68) into which the spring contacts (68) deflect. 3. A connector system as recited in claim 1 furthe characterized by latching means (136,155,158,162,168,170, 172,174,176,178,179) for securing the header assembly (22 to the receptacle assembly (24) upon mating. 4. A connector system having a header assembly (22) having a mounting face (64) and an insulative housing (28,30) defining a cavity (74), a plurality of pin contacts (34) having a first end (62) extending from the mounting face (64) and a second end (66) extending into the cavity (74) , a receptacle assembly (24) having a mating face (182) and an insulative housing (80,98), a plurality of terminals (164) mounted in the receptacle assembly (24) , said terminals (164) having a mating portion directed toward the mating face (182) for mating with said pin contacts (34), and a terminating portion directed away from the mating face (182) for terminating conductors (154) of a cable (102) , characterized by said receptacle assembly (24) having an extension (186 or 188) on the receptacle assembly housing (80,98) extending forwardly of the mating face (182) , and a plurality of spring contacts (68) in said header assembly (22) , said spring contacts (68) having a first end (70) and a second end (72) , said first end (70) extending from the mounting face (64) and capable of being connected to independent circuits, said second end (72) in biased engagement with said second end (66) of a corresponding pin contact (34) when the header assembly (22) and receptacle assembly (24) are not mated, said extension (186 or 188) adapted to wipingly engage the spring contacts (68) and deflect the spring contacts (68) to break the engagement thereof with corresponding pin contacts (34) upon mating of the header (22) and receptacle (24) assemblies. 5. A connector system as recited in claim 4 further characterized in that the length of the extension (186 or 188) provides a making of a circuit between-a pin contact- (34) and a corresponding terminal (164) before the breaking of a circuit between said pin contact (34) and a corresponding spring contact (68) . 6. A connector system as recited in claim 4 further characterized in that the length of the extension (186 or 188) provides a breaking of a circuit between a pin contact (34) and a corresponding spring contact (68) before the making of a circuit between said pin contact (34) and a corresponding terminal (164) . 7. A connector system as recited in claim 4 further characterized in that the header assembly extension (186 or 188) is thinner than the housing (28 or 30) , whereby the extension (186 or 188) provides an insulative separator between the pin contacts (34) and the spring contacts (68) with minimal deflection of the spring contacts (68) . 8. A connector system as recited in claim 4 further characterized by a recess (84) in the header assembly housing (28,30) proximate the spring contacts (68) into which the spring contacts (68) deflect. 9. A connector system as recited in claim 4 further characterized in that the first end (70) of the spring contacts (68) are electrically conductive with a circuit of characteristic impedance (194) such that upon demating the receptacle assembly (24) , the pin contacts (34) are electrically conductive with the characteristic impedance (194).

Inventors: ASICK JOHN CARL, LANDIS JOHN MICHAEL, YINGST STEPHEN MICHAEL, ASICK, JOHN, CARL, LANDIS, JOHN, MICHAEL, YINGST, STEPHEN, MICHAEL
Applicants: AMP INC, AMP INCORPORATED
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13