Abstract:
A receptacle for an electrical connector comprising a housing having a first face and a second face, a plurality of electrical terminals each extending from the first face to the second face, and a plurality of longitudinal sides interposed between the first face and the second face. Conductive shielding is superimposed over at least some of the longitudinal sides, and includes latches extending into the housing and proximal to at least some of the electrical terminals.

Description:
This application is a 371 of PCT/US98/17096 filed Aug. 17, 1998 which claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/056,596 filed Aug. 20, 1997 and Ser. No. 60/076,277 filed Feb. 27, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to modular connectors for use in connecting a daughter printed wiring board to a mother printed wiring board. 
     2. Brief Description of Prior Developments 
     In the manufacture of computers and other various electronic assemblies, daughter boards are commonly connected to mother boards by means of a connector having a receptacle having a plastic housing and a first and second face wherein terminals are connected in one face to the daughter board and at the other to a header connected to the mother board. Various arrangements have been suggested to ground such connectors to the mother or daughter boards but such arrangements have tended to complicate the construction of the connector. A need, therefore, exists for simple and inexpensive means for grounding connectors between mother and daughter boards. There is also a need for such a connector which reduces crosstalk and increases band width. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The receptacle of the present invention comprises a housing having a first face and a second face and a plurality of signal conducting means. Each of these terminals extends from said first face to said second face. The housing has a plurality of longitudinal sides interposed between said first face and said second face, and there being a conductive shielding means superimposed over at least some of said longitudinal sides. Interior conductive shielding means are interposed between at least some of said signal conductive means. 
     In the electrical connector of the present invention the above described receptacle is connected to a daughter board through a shielded header. The header has two end walls and a medial wall and is comprised of a conductive material, preferable a suitable metallic alloy. A plurality of apertures extend through the medial wall and retain signal pins which contact the terminals in the receptacle. There is a first and second face on the medial wall. The first face interfaces with the second face of the receptacle. The second face abuts the printed wiring board. On the second face there are a plurality of recesses into which conductive pins are press fitted to ground the connector. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which. 
     FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of the receptacle of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exterior shielding used in the receptacle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior shielding used in the receptacle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insulative housing used in the receptacle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the composite terminals and insulative frames used in the receptacle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exterior shielding engaged to one of the interior shields; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1 which is cut-away to show terminal arrangement; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view through  9 — 9  in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view through  10 — 10  in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a vertical cross sectional view through an insulative frame as is shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 12 is a vertical cross sectional view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1 engaged with a header. 
     FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the receptacle of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic top cutaway view showing the receptacle engaging a printed circuit board; 
     FIG. 17A is a cross sectional view through  17 — 17  in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17B is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 17A in which the receptacle is shown engaging a header; 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a shield used in a receptacle used in FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of contacts used in the receptacle shown in FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 20 is a cutaway perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is a front view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 24 is a rear end view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of an inner shield in the receptacle shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 26 is a rear end view of the inner shield shown in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the shield shown in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of a composite insulative frame and conductive contact which is used in the receptacle shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 29 is an end view of the insulative frame and contacts shown in FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 30 is a rear plan view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the receptacle of the present invention; 
     FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view through  32 — 32  in FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 34 is a top perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 35 is a rear plan view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 30 with the top shield removed; 
     FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of a header adapted to be connected to the receptacle shown in FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 37 is a top view of the header shown in FIG. 36; 
     FIG. 38 is a front plan view of the header shown in FIG.  36 . 
     FIG. 39 is a side elevational view of a composite insulative frame and conductive contacts which may be used in the receptacle shown in FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 40 is an end view of the composite insulative frame and conductive contacts which is shown in FIG. 39; and 
     FIG. 41 is a top view of the composite insulative frame and conductive contacts shown in FIG.  40 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-2, the receptacle shown generally at numeral  10 . The receptacle has a first face  12  on a front insulative housing shown generally at numeral  14 . The receptacle also has a second face  16  on its bottom side, and conductive signal terminals as at  18  extend from the first face to the second face. The first face has a plurality of openings as at  20  where, as is explained hereafter, pins from a header engage the signal terminals. As is conventional, the receptacle also includes ground pins as at  22 . The receptacle also includes lateral longitudinal sides  24  and  26  and a top longitudinal side  28 . In opposed relation to the first face there is an end  30 . The longitudinal sides  24  and  26  and the end  30  are covered by a U-shaped shield  32 . This shield is comprised of longitudinal sections  34  and  36  which are superimposed, respectively over longitudinal sides  24  and  26 . In section  38  of the U-shaped shield  32  is superimposed over the end  30  of the receptacle  10 . On longitudinal side  28  rearwardly of the insulative housing there is also a top shield (not shown). 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 1,  3  and  6 , there are parallel longitudinal internal shielding walls  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48 . Between these internal walls there are longitudinal spaces as at  50  (FIG.  3 ). Each of the internal walls also has a transverse section as at  52  and  53  (FIG.  3 ). 
     Each of these transverse sections has a pair of vertical latches as at  54  and  56  on transverse section  52  and  58  and  60  on transverse section  53 . These vertical latches engage horizontal eyelets as at  62  and  64  (FIGS.  2  and  6 ). On the front top edge of the longitudinal section  34  of U-shaped shield  32  there is a spring latch  66 . On the front top section of longitudinal section  36  of the U-shaped shield  32  there is also a spring latch  68 . Similarly internal shielding wall  40  has a front spring latch  70 , internal shielding wall  42  has a shielding latch  72 , internal shielding wall  44  has a front spring latch  74 , internal shielding wall  46  has a front shielding latch  76  and internal shielding wall  48  has a front spring latch  78 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 4, there are side slots  80  and  82  in the insulative housing. These slots are engaged, respectively, by spring latches  68  and  70 . Between these slots there are medial slots  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90  and  92  which are engaged, respectively, by spring latches  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78  on the internal shielding walls. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS.  1  and  4 - 5 , it will be seen that the terminals are enclosed within insulative frames  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  101  and  102 . These frames have, respectively, frame latches  103 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112 . These frame latches engage, respectively, apertures  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and  122  in the insulative housing (FIG.  4 ). 
     Referring to FIGS.  5  and  7 - 8  particularly, it will be seen that in addition to terminal  18 , insulative frame  94  also holds signal terminal  124 ,  126 ,  128  and  130 . Each of these terminals extends first upwardly and then horizontally. Each of these terminals has, respectively, at its horizontal terminal end a split pin engagement section  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  and  140 . As is conventional, the receptacle also has a pair of code key holders  142  and  144  and press pins  146 ,  148  and  150 . 
     Referring to FIG. 11, an insulative frame is shown as being vertically bisected. This bisected frame is centrally recessed and has a plurality of contact receiving structures  151   a - 151   h.    
     Referring to FIG. 12, the receptacle engages a header shown generally at numeral  152 . The header has a pair of end walls  154  and  156  and a medial wall. There are apertures in the medial wall through which conductive pins as at  160  extend to engage the first face of the receptacle and be received in the split pin engagement sections of the terminals. 
     A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 13-20. Referring particularly to FIG. 13, the front face of the receptacle is shown generally at numeral  210  and a bottom face at  211 . On this face there are conventional pin receiving apertures as at  212  for connection with the plug. The receptacle also includes, as is conventional, a press attachment peg  214  and location pegs  216  and  218 . Also included are spacers  220  and  222  and polarization alignment keys  224  and  226 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 14-15, the top face  228 , rear face  230  and a side face  232  and  234  are shown in greater detail. From this figure it will be seen that there are slots as at  236  and  237  for receiving shields in the top face, bottom face and rear face which run parallel to the side faces. Between the shields there are elongated contact receiving slots as at  238  and  239 . At vertical spaced intervals along the shield receiving slot there are also pairs of grooves  240  and  242 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 16-20 signal contacts as at  244 ,  246 ,  248 ,  250  and  252  pass through each of the contact receiving slots in the receptacle. These contacts are connected at one end to the printed circuit board  254  (FIG.  16 ). (It will be understood that the contacts between individual sets of shields all extend rearwardly by the same overall length although in FIG. 16 engagement of the printed circuit board schematically shows several different rearward positions to illustrate various positions on the board which may be engaged by the contacts.) At their other end they have a V-shaped structure as at  256  to engage pins at the pin receiving apertures. Referring particularly to FIGS. 17A-17B and  19  the shields have ground pins as at  258 ,  260  and  262  that pass through the bottom face of the receptacle to be grounded to the PCB. The shield also has a lower resilient ground  264  which extends downwardly through a lower slot in the receptacle then rearwardly to be grounded to a shrouded header  265  (FIG.  17 B). Similarily the shield has an upper resilient ground structure  266  which passes through one of the slots in the upper face of the receptacle to be grounded to a header (not shown). A header which would be suitable for engagement with these resilient ground projections would, for example, be either one shown in International Patent Application No. WO96/31922, published Oct. 10, 1996 and assigned to the assignee of this application. 
     A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 20-29. The front face of the receptacle is shown generally at numeral  410  and a bottom face at  411 . On this face there are conventional pin receiving apertures as at  412  for connection with the plug. The receptacle also includes, as is conventional, a press attachment peg  414  and location pegs  416  and  418 . 
     The top face  428 , rear face  430  and a side face  432  and  434  are shown in greater detail. As in the above cited related applications, there are slots for receiving shields in the top face, bottom face and rear face which run parallel to the side faces. Between the shields there are elongated contact receiving slots. At vertical spaced intervals along the shield receiving slot there are also pairs of grooves. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 25-27, the shields have ground pins as at 458 that pass through the bottom face of the receptacle to be grounded to the PCB. The shield also has a lower resilient ground  458  which extends downwardly through a lower slot in the receptacle then rearwardly to be grounded to a shrouded header. The shield has a rearward section  461  which extends perpendicularly from the main section  463 . This rearward section  461  has another lower resilient ground  465 . Similarily the shield has an upper resilient ground structure  466  which passes through one of the slots in the upper face of the receptacle to be grounded to a header (not shown). A header which would be suitable for engagement with these resilient ground projections would (for example) either one shown in International Patent Application No. WO96/31922, published Oct. 10, 1996 and assigned to the assignee of this application. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 29-30, a frame is shown in which the contacts as at contact  467  are held by an insulative member  469 . The contacts are integral with the insulative member  469  and at one end they have a terminal as at terminal  471  and at the other end they have a V-shaped structure as at structure  456  to engage pins at the pin receiving aperture. The insulative member  469  also includes mounting recesses as at recess  473  which serve as a ground connection between the contact and the exterior shield. 
     Referring to FIGS. 30-35, a fourth preferred embodiment of the receptacle shown generally at numeral  810 . This receptacle has a first face  812  at its front of housing  814  and a second face  816  on its bottom side. A plurality of conductive signal terminals as at terminal  818  extends from the first face  812  to the second face  818 . The first face  812  has a plurality of openings in rows  820   a ,  820   b ,  820   c ,  820   d  and  820   e . In these openings pins form a header, described hereafter, engage signal terminals. The receptacle also includes lateral longitudinal sides  824  and  826  and a top longitudinal side  828 . The receptacle also includes an end  830 , and an angular external shield  832  is superimposed over the end  830  and the top longitudinal side  828 . The longitudinal side  824  is made up of a metallic wall  834 . Referring particularly to FIG. 35, it will be seen that there are a plurality of internal shielding walls  838 ,  840 ,  842 ,  844 ,  846  and  848 . Adjacent each of these internal shielding walls there is a longitudinal air space  850   a ,  850   b ,  850   c ,  850   d , and  850   e . Each conductive shield has an upper contact latch  852   a ,  852   b ,  852   c ,  852   d ,  852   e  and  852   f . Similarly these conductive shields also have a lower latch  854   a ,  854   b ,  854   c ,  854   d ,  854   e  and  854   f  (FIG.  35 ). In the external shield  832  there are also top slots  858   a - 858   f  to accommodate the spring latches  852   a - 852   f . There are also edge slots  858   a - 858   c  to facilitate bending of the external shield  832  to its angular position. The shield also includes bottom slots  860   a - 860   f  to accommodate the lower spring contact latches. 
     Referring to FIG. 35, interposed between the conductive shields there are insulative frames  894 ,  896 ,  898 ,  900 ,  902  and  904 . These frames serve to retain the contacts in a way similar to the embodiments described before. For example, in addition to terminal  818  insulative frame  894  holds signal terminals  924 ,  926 ,  928  and  930 . Each of these terminals extends first upwardly then horizontally. Each of these terminals has respectively at its horizontal end a split pin engagement section  932 ,  934 ,  936 ,  938  and  940 . A receptacle also includes a lower conductive plate  941  which has perpendicular extensions  942  and  944 . The lower plate  941  has horizontal extensions  946  and  947  which engage mating header pins through respective recesses  946  and  947  extending from the housing. The housing also includes longitudinal partitions  949   a - 949   e , interposed between these partitions there are contacts  950   a - 950   e.    
     Referring to FIGS. 36-38, a header which is adapted to engage receptacle  810  is shown generally at  952 . This header includes end walls  954  and  956  and a medial wall  958 . The header also includes rows of signal pins  960   a - 960   e . There is also a shortened row of ground pins  962 . In opposed relation to the pins  960   a - 960   e  there are terminals  972   a - 972   e , and in opposed relation to pins  962  there are terminals  974 . In wall  954  there are also ground contacts  976  and  978 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 39-41, a preferred insulative frame includes for use in the receptacle shown in FIG. 30 includes contacts as at contact  967  held by an insulative member  969 . The contacts are integral with the insulative member  969  and at one end they have a terminal and at the other end they have a V-shaped structure as at structure  1056  to engage pins at the pin receiving aperture. The insulative member  969  also includes mounting recesses as at recesses  975  and  977  which serve as ground connections between the contacts and the interior shell. 
     It will be appreciated that there has been described a simple and inexpensive receptacle which provides for effective shielding and grounding between mother and daughter boards, as well as signal carrying conductors. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.