Patent Publication Number: US-6905366-B2

Title: Connector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to an improved connector that includes individually isolated terminals to avoid mutual interferences between the terminals during transmission of signals at high speed, and to isolate the terminals from external electromagnetic interference (EMI) or crosstalk, so as to enable quicker and more stable transmission of signals via the connector. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   With the increasingly developed technologies, the applications of computer are also diversified. Various kinds of peripheral products for computers are developed and introduced into markets at extremely quick speed to satisfy the consumers&#39; demands. Under the concept of Time is Money in the current industrial society, it is necessary for a computer to process data as quick as possible. Therefore, the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer has been developed to have extremely high operation speed. Similarly, when the Internet has been highly developed and popularized, the connection of users to different networks has been upgraded from dial-up to broadband to increase the computer&#39;s processing speed and save more time. Thus, various peripherals and driving and driven elements for computers must also be designed to provide the same quick processing speed as the CPU. Under this circumstance, cables between the CPU and the driving and driven elements for transmitting signals are very important, and connectors provided at two ends of the cables are particularly important in terms of good signal transmission. While signals are transmitted via the connectors at high speed, the terminals of the connectors inevitably mutually interfere with one another due to a magnetic effect from current, and might be interfered by external interference sources to result in reduced data transmission speed and slow computer processing speed. 
     FIGS. 21 and 22  are exploded perspective and assembled sectional views, respectively, of a conventional interference-proof connector. As shown, the connector includes a plastic core  130  having a front part enclosed with a steel case  136 , and a rear part to which an insertion element  131  is inserted; two signal cables  135  connected to upper and lower sides of the insertion element  131 ; and two outer covers  132  closed onto upper and lower sides of the insertion element  131  to locate above and below the two signal cables  135 . A plurality of terminals  1302  and isolating plates  1303  are inserted into the plastic core  130 . The insertion element  131  is provided at upper and lower surfaces with a plurality of isolating ribs  1311 , so that a groove is formed between two adjacent isolating ribs  1311  for one terminal  1302  on the plastic core  130  to seat therein. The outer covers  132  are provided at a front side with a plurality of receiving slots  1331  for separately receiving one row of conductive plates  133  therein, and at an inner side with a plurality of isolating ribs  134 , which abut on a top of the isolating ribs  1311  on the insertion element  131 , so that the conductive plates  133  in the outer covers  132  form isolating layers enclosing the terminals. Therefore, the terminals are isolated from one another to prevent mutual interference between them. 
   The above-structured connector has the following disadvantages:
     1. When the signals are transmitted via the terminals at high speed, the magnetic effect from the current between the terminals is absorbed by the conductive plates  133  in the outer covers. However, electromagnetic interference (EMI) tends to occur at the terminals in the plastic core that are not covered with the conductive plates, and therefore has adverse influence on the signal transmission speed and stability at the connector.   2. There might be static electricity produced around the terminals of the connector due to some external environmental factors, and static electricity forms an interference source of signal transmission.   3. The connector might be affected by interference sources in the external environments to have reduced transmission speed and stability.   

   It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved connector, so that terminals of the connector do not mutually interfere with one another during signal transmission at high speed, and are isolated from external EMI or crosstalk to ensure quicker and more stable transmission of signals. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector that uses simple structure to prevent mutual interference between terminals of the connector during signal transmission at high speed, so that signals may be transmitted more quickly and stably. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector that eliminates external interference sources to enable signals to be transmitted more quickly and stably. 
   To achieve the above and other objects, the connector according to the present invention mainly includes a plastic core having upper and lower receiving slots, upper and lower rows of terminal slots, and isolating plate slots provided at an inner central portion, two slide ways provided at two lateral inner sides, and a connecting head provided at a front end thereof; a set of terminals including a plurality of terminals located in the terminal slots; a set of isolating plates including a plurality of isolating plates located in the isolating plate slots; two first conductive plates located in the upper and lower receiving slots on the plastic core; an insertion element having two lateral ends slidably engaged with the slide ways on the plastic core, and having a central receiving slot for receiving a second conductive plate therein; and two outer covers enclosing the insertion element in the plastic core, and having two third conductive plates received in receiving recesses provided thereon to contact with the first conductive plates in the plastic core. 
   With the above arrangements, terminals of the connector are individually isolated from one another, so that the terminals do not mutually interfere with one another during signal transmission at high speed. And, since the conductive plates of the connector eliminate electromagnetic interferences (EMI) or crosstalk from internal and external sources, signals may be more quickly and stably transmitted via the connector. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a further partially assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows the assembling of an insertion element to a plastic core of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  shows the connection of signal cables to terminals of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  shows the assembling of outer covers to the plastic core of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is another view showing the assembling of outer covers to the plastic core of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8   a  is a fully assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8   b  is a cross sectional view taken along line B–B′ of  FIG. 8   a;    
       FIG. 9  is an assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1  with the outer covers removed therefrom; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along line D–D′ of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is an assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 11  with outer covers removed therefrom; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view taken along line C–C′ of  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a partially assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 14  before the outer covers are assembled to the connector; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view taken along line A–A′ of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a partially assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a fully assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view taken along ling E–E′ of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a partially assembled perspective view of a conventional EMI-proof connector; and 
       FIG. 22  is a side sectional view of the conventional EMI-proof connector of  FIG. 21 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Please refer to  FIG. 1  that is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and to  FIGS. 2 and 3  that are partially assembled perspective views of the connector of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the connector mainly includes a plastic core  1 , a set of terminals  2 , a set of first isolating plates  3 , two first conductive plates  4 , and an insertion element  5 . 
   The plastic core  1  is provided on an inner central portion at upper and lower sides thereof with upper and lower receiving slots  13 , and at an area of the inner central portion between the upper and lower receiving slots  13  with a plurality of alternately arranged terminal slots  11  and isolating plate slots  12 . The terminal slots  11  are divided into an upper and a lower row. The plastic core  1  is also provided at each of two lateral inner sides with a slide way  14 , in which a retaining slot  141  is provided at a predetermined position. A connecting head  15  is externally provided at a front end of the plastic core  1 . 
   The set of terminals  2  includes a plurality of terminals  21  adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower row of terminal slots  11  to associate with the plastic core  1 . 
   The set of first isolating plates  3  includes a plurality of first isolating plates  31  adapted to separately insert into the isolating plate slots  12  to associate with the plastic core  1 . 
   The two first conductive plates  4  are adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower receiving slot  13  to associate with the plastic core  1 . The first conductive plates  4  received in the upper and lower receiving slots  13  are located above and below the set of terminals  2  to eliminate interference between the terminals  21  in the plastic core  1 , as well as external interference sources adversely affecting the plastic core  1 , so as to ensure quicker and more stable transmission of signals via the connector. 
     FIG. 4  shows the assembling of the insertion element  5  to the plastic core  1 . As shown, the insertion element  5  is provided at each of two lateral outer sides with a projection  51 , which is adapted to engage with a corresponding one of the retaining slots  141  provided on the slide ways  14  of the plastic core  1  and thereby firmly connect the insertion element  5  to the plastic core  1 . As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the insertion element  5  is transversely provided with a central receiving slot  531  for receiving a second conductive plate  53  therein, so as to eliminate mutual interference of the upper row of terminals  11  with the lower row of terminals  11  during transmission of signals. The insertion element  5  is provided at upper and lower sides with second isolating plates  52  corresponding to the set of terminals  2 . 
   Please refer to  FIG. 5  that shows the connection of two signal cables  6  to the set of terminals  2 . As shown, terminals  61  of the signal cables  6  are separately connected to the terminals  21  in the set of terminals  2  for sending signals. 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8   a  that together show the assembling of two outer covers  54  to the plastic core  1 . As shown, the outer covers  54  are located at upper and lower sides of the insertion element  5  to enclose the insertion element  5  in the plastic core  1 . Each of the outer covers  54  is provided at an inner side with a plurality of isolating ribs  55  corresponding to and covering spaces between the second isolating plates  52  on the insertion element  5 . Each of the outer covers  54  is also internally provided at a predetermined position with a transverse recess  541 , into which a third conductive plate  53  is received.  FIG. 8   b  is a cross sectional view taken along line B–B′ of  FIG. 8   a . Please refer to  FIG. 8   b . The third conductive plates  53  received in the two outer covers  54  are in contact with the first conductive plates  4  received in the plastic core  1 , enabling the connector of the present invention to have enhanced interference-shielding effect and increased shielding area to enable quicker and more stable signal transmission. 
     FIG. 9  is a fully assembled perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1  with the outer covers  54  removed therefrom.  FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along line D–D′ of  FIG. 9 . As shown, in the fully assembled connector of the present invention, the first isolating plates  31  together form a plurality of isolated cells separating and isolating individual terminals  21  from one another, and the first conductive plates  4  eliminate the interferences between the terminals  21  and from external environments, so that signals maybe transmitted via the connector more quickly and stably. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  are exploded and partially assembled perspective views, respectively, of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the connector of the second embodiment mainly includes a plastic core  8 , a set of terminals  85 , a set of first isolating plates  86 , first, second, and third conductive plates  87 , an insertion element  88 , and two outer covers  91 . 
   The plastic core  8  is provided on an inner central portion at upper and lower sides thereof with upper and lower receiving slots  84  respectively having a central rib  841 , and at an area of the inner central portion between the upper and lower receiving slots  84  with a plurality of alternately arranged terminal slots  81  and isolating plate slots  82 . The terminal slots  81  are divided into an upper and a lower row. The plastic core  8  is also provided at each of two lateral inner sides with a slide way  83 , in which a retaining slot  831  is provided at a predetermined position. A connecting head  80  is externally provided at a front end of the plastic core  8 . 
   The set of terminals  85  includes a plurality of terminals  851  adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower row of terminal slots  81  to associate with the plastic core  8 . 
   The set of first isolating plates  86  includes a plurality of first isolating plates  861  adapted to separately insert into the isolating plate slots  82  to associate with the plastic core  8 . 
   There are two first conductive plates  87  respectively provided with a central slit  871  and adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower receiving slot  84  with the central slits  871  engaged with the central ribs  841  to thereby firmly associate with the plastic core  8 . 
   The insertion element  88  is transversely provided with a central receiving slot  881  having a central rib  882 , so that one second conductive plate  87  having a central slit  871  is received therein with the central slit  871  engaged with the central rib  882  to firmly hold the second conductive plate  87  in the central receiving slot  881  to eliminate mutual interference of the upper row of terminals  851  with the lower row of terminals  851  during transmission of signals. The insertion element  88  is provided at upper and lower sides with second isolating plates  90  corresponding to the set of terminals  85 . The insertion element  88  is also provided at each of two lateral outer sides with a projection  89 , which is adapted to engage with a corresponding one of the retaining slots  831  provided on the slide ways  83  of the plastic core  8  and thereby firmly connect the insertion element  88  to the plastic core  8 . 
   The outer covers  91  are located at upper and lower sides of the insertion element  88  to enclose the insertion element  88  in the plastic core  8 . Each of the outer covers  91  is provided at an inner side with a plurality of isolating ribs  92  corresponding to and covering spaces between the second isolating plates  90  on the insertion element  88 . Each of the outer covers  91  is also internally provided at a predetermined position with a transverse recess  93  having a central rib  931 , into which a third conductive plate  87  having a central slit  871  is received with the central slit  871  engaged with the central rib  931  and thereby firmly hold the third conductive plate  87  in the transverse recess  93 . The third conductive plates  87  received in the two outer covers  91  are in contact with the first conductive plates  87  received in the plastic core  8 . Finally, terminals  941  of two signal cables  94  are separately connected to the terminals  851  of the set of terminals  85  to enable transmission of signals. The contact of the third conductive plates  87  received in the outer covers  91  with the first conductive plates  87  received in the plastic core  8  enables the connector of the present invention to have enhanced interference-shielding effect and increased shielding area and accordingly provides quicker and more stable signal transmission. 
     FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view taken along line C–C′ of  FIG. 12 . Please refer to  FIG. 13 . As shown, in the fully assembled connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the first isolating plates  861  together form a plurality of isolated cells that separate and isolate individual terminals  851  from one another, and the two first conductive plates  87  eliminate the interferences between the terminals  851  and from external environments, so that signals may be transmitted via the connector more quickly and stably. Moreover, with the engagement of the central slits  871  on the first conductive plates  87  with the central ribs  841  in the upper and lower receiving slots  84  on the plastic core  8 , the central slits  871  on the second conductive plate  87  with the central rib  882  in the central receiving slot  881  of the insertion element  88 , and the central slits  871  on the third conductive plates  87  with the central ribs  931  in transverse recesses  93  of the outer covers  91 , the first, the second, and the third conductive plates  87  may be firmly held to the plastic core  8 , the insertion element  88 , and the outer covers  91 , respectively. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  are exploded and partially assembled perspective views, respectively, of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the connector of the third embodiment mainly includes a plastic core  10 , a set of terminals  106 , a set of first isolating plates  107 , first, second, and third conductive plates  108 , an insertion element  109 , and two outer covers  112 . 
   The plastic core  10  is provided on an inner central portion at upper and lower sides thereof with upper and lower receiving slots  102  respectively having a plurality of equally spaced rib  1021  provided therein, and at an area of the inner central portion between the upper and lower receiving slots  102  with a plurality of alternately arranged terminal slots  103  and isolating plate slots  104 . The terminal slots  103  are divided into an upper and a lower row. The plastic core  10  is also provided at each of two lateral inner sides with a slide way  105 , in which a retaining slot  1051  is provided at a predetermined position. A connecting head  101  is externally provided at a front end of the plastic core  10 . 
   The set of terminals  106  includes a plurality of terminals  1061  adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower row of terminal slots  103  to associate with the plastic core  10 . 
   The set of first isolating plates  107  includes a plurality of first isolating plates  1071  adapted to separately insert into the isolating plate slots  104  to associate with the plastic core  10 . 
   There are two first conductive plates  108  respectively provided with a plurality of equally spaced slits  1081  and adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower receiving slot  102  with the slits  1081  engaged with the ribs  1021  to thereby firmly associate with the plastic core  10 . 
   The insertion element  109  is transversely provided with a central receiving slot  1091  having a plurality of equally spaced ribs  1092  formed in the slot  1091 , so that a second conductive plate  108  having a plurality of equally spaced slits  1081  is received therein with the slits  1081  engaged with the ribs  1092  to firmly hold the second conductive plate  108  in the central receiving slot  1091  to eliminate mutual interference of the upper row of terminals  1061  with the lower row of terminals  1061  during transmission of signals. The insertion element  109  is provided at upper and lower sides with second isolating plates  111  corresponding to the set of terminals  106 . The insertion element  109  is also provided at each of two lateral outer sides with a projection  110 , which is adapted to engage with a corresponding one of the retaining slots  1051  provided on the slide ways  105  of the plastic core  10  and thereby firmly connect the insertion element  109  to the plastic core  10 . 
   The outer covers  112  are located at upper and lower sides of the insertion element  109  to enclose the insertion element  109  in the plastic core  10 . Each of the outer covers  112  is provided at an inner side with a plurality of isolating ribs  113  corresponding to and covering spaces between the second isolating plates  111  on the insertion element  109 . Each of the outer covers  112  is also internally provided at a central position with a transverse recess  114  having a plurality of equally spaced ribs  1141 , into which a third conductive plate  108  having a plurality of equally spaced slits  1081  is received with the slits  1081  engaged with the ribs  1141  and thereby firmly hold the third conductive plate  108  in the transverse recess  114 . The third conductive plates  108  received in the two outer covers  112  are in contact with the first conductive plates  108  received in the plastic core  10 . Finally, terminals  1151  of two signal cables  115  are separately connected to the terminals  1061  of the set of terminals  106  to enable transmission of signals. The contact of the third conductive plates  108  received in the outer covers  112  with the first conductive plates  108  received in the plastic core  10  enables the connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention to have enhanced interference-shielding effect and increased shielding area and accordingly provides quicker and more stable signal transmission. 
     FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view taken along line A–A′ of  FIG. 15 . Please refer to  FIG. 16 . As shown, in the fully assembled connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the first isolating plates  1071  together form a plurality of isolated cells that separate and isolate individual terminals  1061  from one another, and the two first conductive plates  108  eliminate the interferences between the terminals  1061  and from external environments, so that signals may be transmitted via the connector more quickly and stably. Moreover, with the engagement of the slits  1081  on the first conductive plates  108  with the ribs  1021  in the upper and lower receiving slots  102  on the plastic core  10 , the slits  1081  on the second conductive plate  108  with the ribs  1092  in the central receiving slot  1091  of the insertion element  109 , and the slits  1081  on the third conductive plates  108  with the ribs  1141  in transverse recesses  114  of the outer covers  112 , the first, the second, and the third conductive plates  108  may be firmly held to the plastic core  10 , the insertion element  109 , and the outer covers  112 , respectively. 
   Please refer to  FIG. 17  that is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and to  FIGS. 18 and 19  that are partially and fully assembled perspective views, respectively, of the connector of  FIG. 17 . As shown, the connector of the fourth embodiment mainly includes a plastic core  120 , a set of terminals  125 , a set of isolating plates  126 , two first conductive plates  127 , two third conductive plates  127 ′, an insertion element  128 , and two outer covers  129 . 
   The plastic core  120  is provided on an inner central portion at upper and lower sides thereof with upper and lower receiving slots  123 , and at an area of the inner central portion between the upper and lower receiving slots  123  with a plurality of alternately arranged terminal slots  121  and isolating plate slots  122 . The terminal slots  121  are divided into an upper and a lower row. The plastic core  120  is also provided at each of two lateral inner sides with a slide way l 24 . A connecting head  1201  is externally provided at a front end of the plastic core  120 . 
   The set of terminals  125  includes a plurality of terminals  1251  adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower row of terminal slots  121  to associate with the plastic core  120 . 
   The set of isolating plates  126  includes a plurality of isolating plates  1261  adapted to separately insert into the isolating plate slots  122  to associate with the plastic core  120 . 
   The two first conductive plates  127  are adapted to separately insert into the upper and the lower receiving slot  123  to thereby firmly associate with the plastic core  120 . 
   The insertion element  128  may be a printed circuit board (PCB) adapted to slide along the slide ways  124  on the plastic core  120 . The insertion element  128  is provided at upper and lower sides with printed circuits  1281  corresponding to the set of terminals  125 . The insertion element  128  is largely structurally simplified as compared with the insertion elements in the first, the second, and the third embodiment. The second isolating plates on the insertion elements in other embodiments are omitted to enable reduced manufacturing cost of the connector. 
   The outer covers  129  are located at upper and lower sides of the insertion element  128  to enclose the insertion element  128  in the plastic core  120 . Each of the outer covers  129  is provided at an inner side with a plurality of isolating ribs  1291  corresponding to and covering spaces between the printed circuits  1281  on the insertion element  128 . Each of the outer covers  129  is also internally provided at a central position with a transverse recess  1292 , into which a third conductive plate  127 ′ is received. The third conductive plates  127 ′ received in the two outer covers  129  are in contact with the first conductive plates  127  received in the plastic core  120 . Finally, terminals  1283  of two signal cables  1282  are separately connected to the printed circuits  1281  on the insertion element  128  to enable transmission of signals. The contact of the third conductive plates  127 ′ received in the outer covers  129  with the first conductive plates  127  received in the plastic core  120  enables the connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention to have enhanced interference-shielding effect and increased shielding area and accordingly provides quicker and more stable signal transmission. 
     FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view taken along line E–E′ of  FIG. 19 . Please refer to  FIG. 20 . As shown, in the connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the insertion element  128  has simplified structure to enable a reduced manufacturing cost of the connector. And, in the fully assembled connector of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the isolating plates  1261  together form a plurality of isolated cells that separate and isolate individual terminals  1251  from one another, and the first and third conductive plates  127 ,  127 ′ eliminate the interferences between the terminals  1251  and from external environments, so that signals may be transmitted via the connector more quickly and stably. 
   With the above arrangements, terminals of the connector are individually isolated from one another, so that the terminals do not mutually interfere with one another during signal transmission at high speed. And, since the conductive plates of the connector eliminate electromagnetic interferences (EMI) or crosstalk from internal and external sources, signals may be more quickly and stably transmitted via the connector.