Abstract:
A cable assembly ( 100 ) includes a connector ( 1 ) having a mating interface ( 200 ) to mate with a mating connector and a rear passage ( 201 ), a cable ( 4 ) having conductors ( 40 ) passing through the rear passage to electrically connect to the connector, and a cable guide ( 6, 9 ) attached to the rear passage and dimensioned to hold at least a portion of the cable so as to have the cable extend out of the connector along a pre-determined direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to a cable assembly, and more particularly to a cable assembly which having a cable guide for leading extension of the cable.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     A cable assembly comprising a connector and a cable connected to the connector is generally provided for transmitting data between two electronic equipments. A common cable has a moderate flexibility, each of the cables curves moderately at a portion leading out from the connector by a self-weight of the cable, and is adequately contained in the space, hardly causing a problem. However, for obtaining good transmission performance, the cable assembly provided for data transmission between a computer and a server comprises a plurality of differential signal pairs. Correspondingly, a cable has twice many conductors as a conventional cable needs is needed to electrically connect with the corresponding differential signal pairs, therefore, it is hard to leading out the cable with so many conductors from the connector by its self-weight without a worry about transmission problem.  
         [0005]     Hence, an improved cable guiding member attached to a cable assembly is highly desired to overcome the disadvantages of the related art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable assembly having a cable extending out along a pre-determined direction.  
         [0007]     In order to achieve the object set forth, a cable assembly a connector having a mating interface to mate with a mating connector and a rear passage, a cable having conductors passing through the rear passage to electrically connect to the connector, and a cable guide attached to the rear passage and dimensioned to hold at least a portion of the cable so as to have the cable extend out of the connector along a pre-determined direction.  
         [0008]     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is an assembled, perspective view of an electrical cable assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of the electrical cable assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of the electrical cable assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view showing relationship of a cable guide and a lower cover shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  taken along line  6 - 6 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  taken along line  7 - 7 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cable assembly shown in  FIG. 2  with a cable guide attached in an opposite direction;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is an assembled, perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged, perspective view of a cable guide shown in  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9  taken along line  11 - 11 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a cable assembly  100  in accordance with the present invention comprises a connector  1  and a cable  4  connected to the connector  1 . The connector  1  comprises a metal shell  2  defining a front mating interface  200  and a rear passage (not labeled), a connector module  3  having a plurality of terminals  30  thereon enclosed in the shell  2 , a strain relief  5  assembled to the cable  4 , a cable guide  6  engaged to a rear side of the shell  2 , a latch  7  and a pair of skews  8 . The cable  4  has a plurality of conductors  40  electrically connected to the terminals  30  of the connector  1 .  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the metal shell  2  is composed of an upper cover  21  and a lower cover  22  mated with the upper cover  21 . The lower cover  22  comprises a base plate  220 , a pair of side walls  221  upwardly extending from opposite lateral sides of the base plate  220  and a first rear flange  222  having a certain thickness. A mating frame  223  is formed on a front end of the lower cover  22 . The mating frame  223  defines the mating interface  200  therethrough. Each side wall  221  defines a top opened first channel  224  extending through the lower cover  22 . The first rear flange  222  defines a semicircular-shaped first aperture  225  and a pair of vertical grooves  226  located on opposite lateral sides of the first aperture  225 . The first rear flange  222  further defines a pair of rear opened circular first cutouts  227  at outsides of the pair of vertical grooves  226 . A pair of rectangular first locating posts  228  ( FIG. 4 ) respectively protrudes upwardly from bottom surfaces of the cutouts  227 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the upper cover  21  comprises a cover plate  210 , a pair of side walls  211  downwardly extending from opposite sides of the cover plate  210  and a second rear flange  212  having a thickness same as that of the first rear flange  222  of the lower cover  22 . Each side wall  211  defines a bottom opened second channel  214  corresponding to the first channel  224  of the lower cover  22 . The second rear flange  212  defines a semicircular-shaped second aperture  215  in alignment with the first aperture  225  and a pair of circular second cutouts  217  in correspondence with the first cutouts  227 . A pair of second locating posts  218  respectively protrudes downwardly from bottom surfaces of the cutouts  217  in alignment with the pair of first locating posts  228  of the lower cover  21 . The upper cover  21  further comprises a pair of shot bar  216  on bottom surface of the second aperture  215 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 5  and  7 , the connector module  3  is fittingly disposed in the lower cover  22  and comprises an insulative housing  31  and a circuit substrate  32  assembled to a rear end of the housing  31 . The housing  31  defines a plurality of slots (not labeled) therein, the plurality of terminals  30  are respectively received in the corresponding slots with rear ends thereof straddled on the circuit substrate  32  and electrically connected with traces on the circuit substrate  32 .  
         [0025]     Particularly referring to  FIGS. 3-4  in conjunction with  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cable  4  comprises a plurality of sub-wires  41  and an insulating outer jacket (not labeled). The conductors  40  are composed of a plurality of signal wires (not labeled) and a plurality of drain wires (not labeled) for grounding. Each sub-wire  41  comprises a pair of signal conductors each covered with insulative material, a drain wire also covered with insulative material, and a thin aluminum foil (not labeled) enclosing the signal conductors and the drain wire therein.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the strain relief  5  is typically made of electrical conductive material with high rigidity, such as copper. The strain relief  5  has an arcuate portion  51  and a pair of legs  52  extending downwardly from bottom ends of the arcuate portion  51 . Each leg  52  has a plurality of barbs  53  thereon. The arcuate portion  51  has a plurality of securing tabs  54  punched inwardly.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , the cable guide  6  is configured in a tube form and comprises a pair of engaging portions  600  attached to the shell  2 . The cable guide  6  is composed of a first part  61  and a second part  62  coupled with the first part  61 . The first part  61  defines a first surface  617  on one side thereof, which is to be joint with a second surface  627  of the second part  62  when the first, second parts  61 ,  62  are combined with each other. The first part  61  comprises a curved first body portion  610  having a certain curvature radius, a pair of first lateral portions  611  respectively laterally extending from the first body portion  610 , a pair of columnar first connecting portions  612  forwardly extending from the first lateral portion  611 , a pair of first anchoring portions  613  at front ends of the first connecting portion  612  and a pair of first latching portions  616  at opposite sides of a rear end of the first body portion  610 . The anchoring portion  613  has a lateral dimension much more larger than that of the connecting portion  612 . The first lateral portion  611  and the first anchoring portion  613  respectively have an interconnecting post  614  and a protrusion  615  extending toward the second part  62  from the first surface  617  of the first part  61 . Each first anchoring portion  613  further defines a sunken portion  618  opposite to the protrusion  615 .  
         [0028]     Particularly referring to  FIG. 3 , the second part  62  of the cable guide  6  has a configuration similar to the first part  61  and comprises a curved second body portion  620 , a pair of second latching portions  626  for respectively latching to the first latching portions  616  of the first part  61 , and a pair of second lateral portions  621 , second connecting portions  622  and second anchoring portions  623 , which are respectively in correspondence with the first lateral portions  611 , the first connecting portions  612  and the first anchoring portions  613  of the first part  61 . The second lateral portion  621  defines a first recess  624  in the second surface  627 . Each second anchoring portion  623  defines a second recess  625  therethrough for receiving the locating post  228  and the first positioning portion  615 . The second latching portion  626  is configured in an L-shape so as to lock with the first latching portion  616  of the first part  61 .  
         [0029]     For facilitating detachment of the cable assembly  100  from a complementary connector (not shown), the latch  7  is provided. The latch  7  is assembled to the lower cover  22  with two arm portions  71  respectively received in the first channels  224 . An operating portion  72  connects the two arm portions  71  and locates behind the first rear flange  222  of the lower cover  22 . The latch  7  further comprises a pair of elastic metal claws  73  respectively assembled to the arm portions  71  for latching with the complementary connector.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , the connector module  3  is assembled in the lower cover  22  and is accessible from the mating interface  200 . The second part  62  of the cable guide  6  is assembled to the lower cover  22  with the second anchoring portions  623  respectively disposed in the second cutouts  227 , and with the first connecting portions  622  properly passing through rear openings of the cutouts  227 . The first locating posts  227  of the lower cover  22  are inserted into the second recess  625  of the second anchoring portions  623 . The cable  4  is then provided for extending through the first aperture  225  with the conductors  40  electrically connecting to circuit traces on the circuit substrate  32 , therefore establishing electrical connection between the conductors  32  and the terminals  30  via circuit substrate  32 . The cable  4  held and led out by the first body portion  620  of the first part  61 . The strain relief  5  is assembled to the lower cover  22  with legs  52  respectively inserted into the grooves  226 . The barbs  53  interferencely engage with inner walls of the grooves  226 . The arcuate portion  51  covers on the cable  4  with the securing tabs  504  abutting against the exposed out jacket of the cable  4 . The first part  61  is then attached to the second part  62  with the cable  4  extending therebetween. The interconnecting posts  614  are respectively received in the first recesses  624  of the second part  62 . Accordingly, the protrusions  615  are respectively inserted into the second recesses  625  from a top side of the second part  62 . At the rear end of the cable guide  6 , the first latching portions  616  and the second latching portions  626  are locked with each other. Particularly referring to  FIG. 6 , the first anchoring portions  613  and the second anchoring portion  623  are combined to form the pair of engaging portions  600  of the cable guide  6 .  
         [0031]     The upper cover  21  is assembled to the lower cover  22 . The first aperture  225  and the second aperture  215  are joined together to form the rear passages holding the cable  4  and the strain relief  5 . Specially, the first anchoring portions  613  of the first part  61  are received in the corresponding second cutouts  217 , and the second locating posts  218  of the upper cover  21  are respectively received in the corresponding sunken portions  618  of the first part  61 . The engaging portions  600  are reliably held between the upper and the lower covers  21 ,  22 . The screws  8  are assembled to the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  22  to form the shell  2  enclosing the cable  4  and the connector module  3  therein.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the first part  61  of the cable guide  6  is in engagement with the upper cover  21 , and the second part  62  is attached to the lower cover  21 . Therefore, the cable guide  6  leads out the cable  4  from the shell  2  in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the cable  4  shown in  FIG. 2 . Obviously, the structure in which the cable guide  6  can be attached to the shell  2  in a different direction is useful in many applications.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 9-11  show another embodiment of the present invention. The cable assembly  100 ′ is same to the cable assembly  100  except for a cable guide  9 . The cable guide  9  comprises a base part  90  and a retention part  91  attached to the base part  90  with the cable  4  extending therethrough. The base part  90  defines a curved channel  901  therethrough for fittingly partially receiving the cable  4  therein. A pair of ribs  908  are formed on inner surface of the channel  901  at opposite ends for reliably securing the cable  4 . The base part  90  comprises a pair of L-shaped linking portions  902  at a front end and a pair of columnar engaging portions  903  connecting with the linking portions  902 . Each engaging portion  903  defines a pair of receiving recesses  904  oppositely recessed from top and bottom sides thereof. It is also acceptable to define a groove through each engaging portion  902 . The base part  90  has a semicircular cross section and comprises two pairs of locking portions  907  at front and rear ends thereof. In this embodiment, each locking portion  907  defines a hollow  906  through, thus, forming a retention bar  905  at an outside of the hollow  906 . The retention part  91  is formed by a pair of arcuate clasps  910 . Each clasp  910  has a cross section approximate to the semicircular, and comprises a deforming portion  911  at the middle thereof and a pair of fasteners  912  at opposite ends. The deforming portion  911  is configured in a crapy form. Each fastener  912  has an outwardly protruding tab  913  for locking to the base part  90 .  
         [0034]     Particularly referring to  FIG. 11 , the engaging portions  902  of the base part  90  are disposed between the upper and the lower covers  21 ,  22  with the first and the second locating posts  218 ,  228  received in the corresponding receiving recesses  904 . The screws  8  are assembled to the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  22 . Consequently, the pair of clasps  911  is attached to the base part  90 , with the fasteners  912  passing through the corresponding hollows  906  to lock the tabs  913  thereon with the corresponding bars  905  of the base part  90 . As the deforming portion  911  is crapy, the deforming portion  911  creates a spring force to secure the cable  4  between the retention part  91  and the base part  90 . In other embodiments, the retention part  91  and the base part  90  can be combined together in other engaging, locking or latching ways via different simple configurations. Besides, the short bars  216  on the upper cover  21  are tightly compressed to the strain relief  5  for increasing securing force.  
         [0035]     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrated only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.