Abstract:
An electrical connector comprising a housing, an electrical contact in the housing, and a shield connected to the housing. The shield comprises a latching section with a latch, a deflection control section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extending laterally from the latching section at a location between the latch and the deflection control section. The beam connects the latching section to the rest of the shield.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an electrical connector having a combined shield and latch. 
     2. Brief Description of Earlier Developments 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,711 discloses an electrical connector with a shield jacket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,558 discloses an electrical connector having a shield with integral latch arms. U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,002 discloses an electrical connector with a movable outer hood and a snap-lock latch. Most cable assemblies that are used to interconnect units of electronic equipment are required to perform a number of functions in addition to the normal function of providing an electrical pathway between two pieces of equipment. The cable connectors must be rugged and resistant to damage by normal use. They must be capable of being mechanically secured to the equipment so that they are not easily dislodged during use. The electromagnetic integrity of the electronic systems needs to be maintained between the electronic systems so that undesirable electronic signals are not emitted from the system. The multiple functions required of these connectors tends to make “external” cable assemblies high in cost, since they typically require a number of component parts to perform the various mechanical and electrical functions such as signal transmission, mechanical latching and electromagnetic shielding. All of the various pieces of the system must also fit together properly for reliable function. Therefore it is desirable to integrate some of these functions to lower the number of components and their costs and to improve reliability. This is particularly true in miniaturized systems where the requirements for precision and accuracy are great. There is a need for an electrical connector having integration of shielding and latching functions for a lower manufacturing cost and higher potential reliability than prior art designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a housing, an electrical contact connected to the housing, and an electromagnetic grounding shield connected to the housing. The shield comprises a latching section with a latch, a deflection control section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extending laterally from the latching section at a location between the latch and the deflection control section. The bean connects the latching section to the rest of the shield. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a housing, at least one electrical contact connected to the housing, and an electromagnetic grounding shield. The housing comprises a base and a cover movably connected to the base. The cover comprises a latch deflector. The electromagnetic grounding shield is connected to the housing. The shield comprises a front latch and a deflection control section. The deflection control section is located beneath the latch deflector. The front latch and latch deflector are movable between up and down positions in reverse unison. The latch deflector is movable to depress the deflection control section which raises the latch. 
     In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an electrical connector is provided comprising steps of connecting an electromagnetic shield to a base of a housing of the connector, the shield comprising an integral latch and an integral latch deflection control; and connecting a cover to the base over the shield, the cover comprising a latch deflector located at the latch deflection control, wherein the cover is movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position, wherein when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position the latch deflector moves the latch deflection control in an inward direction causing the latch to deflect in an outward direction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of a portion of a cable assembly having an electrical connector incorporating features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 shown with a mating electrical connector; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector as shown in FIG. 2 with the cover moved to a rearward position; and 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the shield used in the connector shown in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a partial perspective view of a cable assembly  10  incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the single embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
     The cable assembly  10  generally comprises a cable  12  and an electrical connector  14  connected to one end of the cable  12 . In alternate embodiments the connector  14  could be provided separate from the cable  12 . The opposite end of the cable  12  could be connected to another electrical connector (not shown) or connected directly to an electronic component. The cable  12  preferably comprises a plurality of electrical conductors  16  with individual insulative covers  18  and a main common cover  20 . However, any suitable type of cable could be provided. The cable  12  could also include any suitable number or type of conductors  16 . Further, cable  12  could include, for example, conductive braiding (not shown) to which a suitable portion of connector  14  (e.g.: conductive base  28  or shield  26 ) connects using known techniques. 
     Referring also to FIG. 2, the connector  14  generally comprises a housing  22 , a contact sub-assembly  24 , and an electromagnetic grounding shield  26 . The housing  22  generally comprises a base  28  and a cover  30 . The base  28  is preferably comprised of a suitable conductive material such as metal or plastic with a metalized surface. In a preferred embodiment the base  28  has a general “U” shaped profile with an open top. The cover  30  is preferably comprised of an insulative material such as molded plastic, but any suitable material could be used. The cover  30  is also preferably provided with a general “U” shaped profile, but with an open bottom. The side walls  32  of the cover extend along the extension side of the side walls  34  of the base  28  and connect to the cover and base to each other. The cover  30  is slidingly connected to the base  28  between a forward position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a rearward position as shown in FIG. 3 for latching/unlatching purposes. The underside  36  of the top section  38  of the cover  30  includes a protrusion  40 . The protrusion  40  projects inwardly and forms a latch deflector. The housing  22 , formed by the base  28  and cover  30 , forms an enclosure for the contact sub-assembly  24  and the shield  26 . The base  28  and cover  30  define a receiving area  42  therebetween that extends from a front end  44  for receiving a portion of a mating electrical connector  46 . The front end of the contact sub-assembly  24  extends into the receiving area  42 . In alternate embodiments any suitable type of housing could be provided and may comprise more components than merely the base and cover mentioned above. In addition, any suitable type of base and cover could be used. The housing could also be a one-piece member. 
     The contact sub-assembly  24  generally comprises an insert  48  and a plurality of electrical contacts  50  mounted to the insert  48 . The insert  48  preferably includes a center contact support  52  projecting from a base  54 . Insert  48  is preferably unitary and comprised of dielectric material, such as molded plastic. However, any suitable insert could be provided. The contacts  50  are preferably comprised of a suitable conductive material such as a copper alloy which has been stamped and formed from a sheet into the individual contacts  50 . The contacts  50  are preferably inserted through openings in insert  48  and extend along the center contact support  52 . The ends of the conductors  16  are attached to the opposite ends of respective ones of the contacts  50  extending from the other side of insert  48 , such as by soldering, welding or any other suitable attachment technique. The base  54  of the insert  48  can, for example, fixedly attach to the base  28  of the housing  22  with rail  56  located in groove  58 . However, other attachment methods, such as latches, could be used. In addition, insert  48  could be overmolded about contacts  50 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 4, a top plan view of the shield  26  is shown. The shield  26  is preferably one-piece and made from a suitable sheet of conductive material which has been stamped and formed into the shape shown. However, in an alternate embodiment the shield could be comprised of multiple pieces, or any suitable type of shield could be provided. The shield  26  generally comprises a generally movable latching section  60  and a substantially stationary section  62 . The latching section  60  generally comprises a latch  64  and a deflection control section  66 . The shield  26  also has connecting sections  68  which connect the latching section  60  to the substantially stationary section  62 . The latch  64  is formed by removing material of the shield from areas  65 , such as during stamping. The latch  64  generally comprises a latch hole  70  through the shield  26 . The latch  64  is located in the front of the shield and extends in a forward general cantilevered fashion from the area where the connecting sections  68  are connected to the latching section  60 . Preferably, the front edge  72  of the latch  64  is sloped upward to provide a lead-in surface. The deflection control section  66  also extends in a general cantilevered fashion from the area where the connecting sections  68  are connected to the latching section  60 , but in a rearward direction; generally opposite to the direction of the latch  64 . The deflection control section  66  is formed by removing material of the shield from area  67 , such as during stamping. As seen best in FIG. 2, the rear section  76  of deflection control section  66  also extends upwardly. A deformation  74  stamped into shield  26  extends between latching section  60  and deflection control section  66 . The deformation  74  functions as a stiffener between the latch  64  and the deflection control section  66 . The substantially stationary section  62  has sides  78 . The sides  78  can extend downwardly and may latch onto the side walls  34  of the base  28 . The shield  26  can, thus, make an electrical connection with the base  28  to substantially surround the contact sub-assembly  24  and receiving area  42  with an electromagnetic shield. The bottom side of the shield  26 , at the connecting sections  68 , rest against the top side of the mounting support  54  of the contact sub-assembly frame  48 . 
     With the cover  30  in the forward position shown in FIG. 2, the latch  64  is in a down latching position and the deflection control section  66  is in an up position. The inward protrusion  40  from the cover  30  is located in front of the ramp  77  leading up to the elevated rear section  76  of the deflection control section  66 . This allows latch  64  to move resiliently or to deflect upwardly as the mating connector  46  is inserted into the receiving area  42 . 
     The mating connector  46  generally comprises a housing  80  and electrical contacts  82 . The housing  80  includes a latch structure  84  on its top side. The latch structure  84  includes a front ramp surface  86  and a rear latch surface  88 . The housing  80  also forms a receiving area  90  with the contacts  82  for receiving the front portion  25  of the contact sub-assembly  24 . When the mating connector  46  is inserted into the receiving area  42 , the contacts  82  make electrical connection with the contacts  50 . The latch structure  84  also makes a latching engagement with the latch  64 . The front ramp surface  86  wedges the latch  64  upward until the latch structure  84  comes into registry with the hole  70 . The connecting sections  68  can resiliently twist or torsionally deflect during this process to allow latch  64  to ride over latch structure  84 . Once engaging surface  88 , the latch  64  then resides such that the surfaces  71 ,  88  prevent unintentional withdrawal or disconnection of the two connectors  14 ,  46  from each other. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the connector  14  is shown with the cover  30  moved to its rearward position. The cover  30  is moved by the user in order to disengage the latching engagement of the two latches  64 ,  84  which allows disconnection of the two connectors  14 ,  46  from each other. As the cover  30  is moved rearward, the cover  30  slides along the side walls  34  of the base  28 . The substantially stationary section  62  does not move with the cover  30 . However, the latch deflector  40  comes into contact with the ramp  77  as the cover  30  moves rearward. As the latch deflector  40  continues its rearward travel along the ramp  77  towards the elevated rear section  76 , the deflection control section  66  is deflected or pushed inwardly as indicated by arrow A in FIG.  3 . Because the latching section  60  is connected to the substantially stationary section  62  by the connecting sections  68 , and because of the stiffener  74 , the inward movement of the deflection control section  66  causes the connecting sections  68  to resiliently deflect. More specifically, the connecting sections  68  twist or torsionally deflect. Since connecting sections  68  rest on the top of the contact sub-assembly frame  48 , the proper deflection of latch  64  is ensured. As the deflection control section  66  is deflected downwardly, and because of the resultant twisting of the connecting sections  68 , the latching section  60  essentially pivots or rotates relative to the substantially stationary section  62  at the connecting sections  68 . This rotation causes the latch  64 , located at the front of the latching section  60 , to be moved or rotated upward as indicated by arrow B. This upward movement of the latch  64  causes the hole  70  and its latch surface  71  to move above the latch  84 . This prevents the two latch surfaces  71 ,  88  from engaging each other and allows the two connectors  14 ,  46  to be disconnected from each other. When the cover  30  is returned back to its forward position, the latch deflector  40  moves off the elevated section  76  and off the ramp  77 , and the connecting sections  68  resiliently return to their straight shapes. This causes the latching section  60  to rotate in directions reverse to A and B to thereby return the latching section  60  to the position shown in FIG.  2 . The connector  14  can, thus, be connected to the connector  46  again. 
     In an alternate embodiment the shield  26  could have only one connecting section  68  or more than two connecting sections. In another alternate embodiment the connector  14  could have a stationary cover with a push-button type of deflection control section. The present invention is an integrated electromagnetic shield and latch system, preferably for a miniaturized cable connector. The present invention provides an integration of a shielding function and a latching function at a significantly lower cost and higher potential reliability than a conventional design. The cable connector in one embodiment of this design concept has three or four basic components. The connector base is a “U”” shaped die cast metal or metallized plastic frame. This frame is the basic structural element of the connector body. The contact wafer or contact frame support is the second element. In the preferred case the contact wafer is a molded wafer with mating contacts on both sides of the wafer, with a front portion being mating contacts and the rear portion being contacts for metallurgical bonding conductors of the cable to the contacts. This mates with the connector frame and registered by means of grooves in the frame and a matching feature on the wafer. The third element is the shield/latch plate. This is preferably a stamped part. It has bent down side walls and a latch configuration blanked and formed into the top surface. This blanked and formed piece is then pressed into place in suitable grooves in the cable connector frame. Barbs or latches may secure it in place, and this shield member could also secure the contact wafer in the connector frame. The stamped and formed plate functions to complete the electromagnetic shield of the connector. 
     When the connector is mated with its corresponding receptacle, the shield contacts either a suitable conductive shield on the corresponding receptacle connector or a metallized surface of the receptacle. This maintains the continuity of the electromagnetic shield through the connector interface. Around the mid-line of the shield is the latching member. Again, when the cable connector is mated with the corresponding receptacle, this member deflects over a projection on the external surface of the receptacle and consequently latches the connector in place. It also provides a tactile indication that the connector is fully inserted as well as providing additional shielding contact between the two connector bodies. The latch can be disengaged in a number of ways. Minimally, there can be a member rearward of the latching member attached to the rest of the sheet metal by two beams capable of torsional deflection. As the latching member ride s up over the latch bump, these beams rotate. When rearward member is depressed downward the reverse process occurs where the latching member is elevated. In the preferred design this rearward member is depressed by a cam feature that is part of an external cover for the connector. In this case, in order to remove the connector from the system, the cover is grasped either by the side or by the top and bottom of the connector and pulled toward the cable portion of the connector. The cam on the interior or the sliding cover then depresses the rearward member and disengages the latch. The cover is then returned to the previous position by the return of the rearward member to its original position. Alternatively, a button-like arrangement can be molded into the cover and the disengagement can be accomplished by depressing the button. 
     In miniaturized systems this latching arrangement has particular functional advantages, since in small portable equipment it is difficult to design in enough space to make it easy to activate more conventional types of latching systems. In this case, only the larger exterior body of the connector, which is usually accessible, needs to be activated, which allows for denser packaging of the I/O connectors. 
     As described above, since base  28  is made from a conductive material, shield  26  need only reside generally above contacts  50 . If, however, base  28  was made from an insulative material, then shield  26  should preferably surround contacts  50 . 
     In summary, this design integrates the shielding, shield interconnection and latching function into a single component of the cable assembly, potentially reducing cost and improving reliability. This design allows the latch to be actuated in a number of ways including a sliding cover, which can minimize the packaging space required for the system. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.