Patent Publication Number: US-2012040550-A1

Title: Electrical connector assembly with a latch mechanism easily operated

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to connectors suitable for transmitting data, more specifically to input/output (I/O) connectors with high-density configuration and high data transmitting rate. This application relates to a copending application with the same inventor, the same assignee, the same title and the same filing date. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     One aspect that has been relatively constant in recent communication development is a desire to increase performance. Similarly, there has been constant desire to make things more compact (e.g., to increase density). For I/O connectors using in data communication, these desires create somewhat of a problem. Using higher frequencies (which are helpful to increase data rates) requires good electrical separation between signal terminals in a connector (so as to minimize cross-talk, for example). Making the connector smaller (e.g., making the terminal arrangement more dense), however, brings the terminals closer together and tends to decrease the electrical separation, which may lead to signal degradation. 
     In addition to the desire at increasing performance, there is also a desire to improve manufacturing. For example, as signaling frequencies increase, the tolerance of the locations of terminals, as well as their physical characteristics, become more important. Therefore, improvements to a connector design that would facilitate manufacturing while still providing a dense, high-performance connector would be appreciated. 
     Additionally, there is a desire to increase the density of I/O plug-style connectors and this is difficult to do without increasing the width of the connectors. Increasing the width of the plug connectors leads to difficulty in fitting the plug into standard width routers and/or servers, and would require a user to purchase non-standard equipment to accommodate the wider plug converters. As with any connector, it is desirable to provide a reliable latching mechanism to latch the plug connector to an external housing to maintain the mated plug and receptacle connectors together modifying the size and/or configuration the connector housing may result in a poor support for a latching mechanism. Latching mechanisms need to be supported reliably on connector housings in order to effect multiple mating cycles. Accordingly, certain individuals would appreciate a higher density connector that does not have increased width dimensions and which has a reliable latching mechanism associated therewith. 
     As discussed above, an improved electrical connector overcoming the shortages of existing technology is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with a reliable latch mechanism. 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, an electrical connector assembly, comprises a housing having a receiving room therein; two paralleled printed circuit boards received into the receiving room and engaged with the housing; a latching member disposed in a receiving cavity of the housing; a pulling member disposed on a top surface of the housing; and a retaining piece interconnecting the latching member and the pulling member. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial exploded, perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3 , but viewed from another aspect; 
         FIG. 5  is another partial exploded, perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5 , but viewed from another aspect; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but viewed from another aspect; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross section view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  9 - 9 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  10 - 10 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  11 - 11 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section view of the electrical connector assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  12 - 12 ; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail. 
       FIGS. 1 to 4  illustrate perspective views of an electrical connector assembly  100  made in accordance with the present invention. And in conjunction with  FIGS. 9 to 12 , the electrical connector assembly  100  comprises a housing  1  having a receiving room  11  therein, two paralleled printed circuit boards (PCBs)  2  disposed in the receiving room  11 , a spacer  3  disposed between the two printed circuits boards  2  and positioned with the housing  1 , two cables  4  respectively electrically connected with a printed circuit board  2  and a strain relief  5  disposed in the housing  1  and spaced apart with the two cables  4 . The strain relief  5  has two side surfaces respectively in alignment with two side surfaces of the housing  1 . The electrical connector assembly  100  further comprises a latch mechanism assembled to a top surface of the housing  1  and a metallic holder  8  surrounding a portion of the housing  1  and the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises a latching member  6  and a pulling member  7  interconnected with each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 8 , the housing  1  is made of metallic material and formed in a die-cast manner. The housing  1  defines a body portion  12  and a mating portion  13  extending forward from the body portion  12  for mating to a complementary connector (not shown). The body portion  12  has a cross section larger than that of mating portion  13 . The housing  1  defines a receiving room  11  extending rearward from a front surface to a rear surface thereof. The body portion  12  of the housing  1  has a top surface defined as a first surface  121 , the mating portion  13  of the housing  1  has a top surface defined as a second surface  131 . The first surface  121  is disposed above the second surface  131 . And, the first surface  121  defines an inclined surface extending toward to the second surface  131 . The body portion  12  defines a receiving cavity  14  extending downwardly from the inclined surface for a distance. The receiving cavity  14  has a bottom surface  141  located on a same level with the second face  131 . And, the bottom surface  141  is defined as a third surface. A pair of prominences  142  are formed in a front edge of the receiving cavity  14  and spaced apart with each other along a transversal direction. A cutout (not figured) is formed between the two prominences  142 . Thus, the second surface  131  is communicated with the third surface  131  along a front to rear direction. And, each of the prominence  142  further defines a protrusions  1421  formed on a top surface thereof. In addition, the receiving cavity  14  defines two recesses  144  formed on two inner side surfaces thereof. A supporting piece  17  has two side portions respectively received into the two recesses  144 . Thus, the supporting piece  17  is positioned with the housing  1  for supporting the pulling member  7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 8 , the housing  1  comprises a box-shape first shield part  15  and a second shield part  16  assembled with each other. The first shield part  15  defines a rectangular frame  151  formed at a front end thereof and defined as a mating port of the housing  1 . The first shield part  15  further defines an opening  152  formed at a bottom end thereof. The opening  152  of the first shield part  15  will be shielded when the second shield part  16  is assembled to the first shield part  15 . The first shield part  15  defines two first positioning posts  153  formed on an inner side surface thereof and another two first positioning posts  153  formed on another inner side surface thereof. Each of the two first positioning posts  153  are spaced apart with each other along a front-to-rear direction. Each of the first positioning post  153  has a semi-circular cross section. The first positioning posts  153  are used for supporting the printed circuit board  2  along an up-to-down direction. In addition, two second positioning posts  154  are respectively formed on two inner side surface of the first shield part  15 . Each of second positioning post  154  is disposed between the two first positioning posts  154  along a front-to-rear direction and used for limiting a movement of the printed circuit board  2  along a front to rear direction. Each of second positioning post  154  also has a semi-circular cross section. And, the second positioning post  154  is longer than the first positioning post  153  along an up-to-down direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7  and in conjunction with  FIGS. 9 to 10 , two printed circuit boards  2  are received into the receiving room  11  of the insulative housing  1 . Each of the printed circuit board  2  has a mating section  21  formed at a front end thereof, a terminating section  22  formed at a rear end thereof and a connecting section  23  disposed between the mating section  21  and the terminating section  22 . A pair of slots  231  are respectively formed at two sides of the connecting section  23  of the printed circuit board  2 . The pair of slots  231  are cooperated with two second positioning posts  154  along a vertical direction for limiting a movement along a front to rear direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 9 , a spacer  3  is formed of insulative material and defines an upper surface and a lower surface. The spacer  3  defines a pair of ribs  34  formed at two sides of the upper surface thereof and another pair of ribs  34  formed at two sides of the lower surface thereof for supporting the two printed circuit boards  2 . The spacer  3  further defines a pair of grooves  33  respectively formed on two sides thereof and extending along a vertical direction for cooperating with the corresponding second positioning posts  154 . The spacer  3  further defines a grounding plate  35  integrative formed therein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 8 , two cables  4  are respectively electrically connected with two printed circuit boards  2 . Each of the cable  4  has a plurality of conductors  41  formed therein and a ring  42  formed at a front end thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 8  and in conjunction with  FIG. 10 , a strain relief  5  is made of metallic material and received into a receiving room  11  of the housing  1 . The strain relief  5  has two depressed sections  51  respectively formed on a top and bottom surfaces thereof for receiving a portion of the two rings  42 . The strain relief  5  defines a pair of receiving holes  52  formed on a rear surface thereof. The electrical connector assembly  100  further comprises a pair of engaging devices  18  received into the pair of receiving holes  52 . In this embodiment, the engaging device  18  is a screw. The metallic holder  8  is interconnected with the strain relief  5  through the pair of screws  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 9 , the latching member  6  is stamped and formed from a metallic plate and comprises a vertical retaining portion  61 , a connecting portion  62  extending forwardly from a bottom side of the retaining portion  61  and a latching portion  63  extending forwardly from the connecting portion  62 . A front portion of the latch  6  is defined as a latching portion  63 . The retaining portion  61  defines a plurality of sharp projections (not figured) formed at two sides thereof. The connecting portion  62  defines a pair of quadrate holes  622  cooperated with the pair of protrusions  1421  of the prominences  142 . The latching portion  63  defines a pair of barbs  631  formed at two sides thereof. In addition, the connecting portion  62  further defines two hooks  623  formed on a top surface thereof. Thus, two through holes  621  are respectively formed by the two hooks  623  and the top surface of the connecting portion  62 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 8 , the pulling member  7  is made of insulative material and structured in a flat shape. The pulling member  7  defines two actuating sections  73  formed at a front end thereof, an operating section  71  formed at a rear end thereof and a connecting section  72  disposed between the two actuating sections  73  and the operating section  71 . The connecting section  72  has a horizontal section  721  and a curving section  722 . The actuating sections  73  and the curving section  722  are extended into the receiving cavity  14 . The curving section  722  is supported by the supporting piece  17 . Each of the actuating section  73  has a through hole  731  extending along a transversal direction. The operating section  73  defines a slit  711 . A tape  74  is connected to the pulling member  7  through the slit  711 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 7  and in conjunction with  FIGS. 9 and 12 , the metallic holder  8  defines a base portion  81  and a shielding portion  82  extending forwardly from the base portion  81 . The base portion  81  has a top wall  811 , a bottom wall  812  and a pair of side walls  813  connected with the top wall  811  and the bottom wall  812 . The base portion  81  defines a receiving space  814  surround by the top wall  811 , the bottom wall  812  and the pair of side walls  813 . The shielding portion  82  extends forwardly from the top wall  811 . The top surface  121  of the body portion  12  of the housing  1  is shielded by the top wall  811  and the shielding portion  82 . Each of the side wall  813  defines a tab  815  extending into the receiving space  814 . Each of the tab  815  defines a through hole  8151  in alignment with the receiving hole  52  of the strain relief  5  along a front to rear direction. Each of the screw  18  is passed through the through hole  8151  of the tab  815  and received into the receiving hole  52  of the strain relief  5 . Thus, the metallic holder  8  is interconnected with the strain relief  5  through the pair of screws  18 . The metallic holder  8  is also interconnected with the housing  1  due to the strain relief  5  received in the housing  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 9 , the retaining piece  9  is a pin. The pulling member  7  is interconnected with the latching member  6  through the retaining piece  9 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 12 , the assembling process of the electrical connector assembly  100  made in according to the present invention starts from soldering the conductors  41  of each cable  41  to a terminating section  22  of the printed circuit board  2 . 
     After the two cables  4  are respectively connected to the two printed circuit boards  2 , then turning over the first shield part  15  to make the opening  152  facing upward and assembling the printed circuit board  2  to the first shield part  15  through the opening  152 . The printed circuit board  2  is supported by the first positioning posts  153  of the shield part  15  along a vertical direction. The printed circuit board  2  is positioned with the first shield part  15  along a front-to-rear direction due to the pair of slots  231  of the printed circuit board  2  cooperated with the pair of second positioning posts  154  of the shield part  15 . And, a front end of the cable  4  is supported by a rear end of the first shield part  15 . 
     After the cable  4  and the printed circuit board  2  are assembled to the first shield part  15 , then assembling the strain relief  5  to a rear end of first shield part  15 . And, the ring  41  of the cable  4  is received into a space formed between the first shield part  15  and the strain relief  5 . 
     After the strain relief  5  is assembled to the first shield part  15 , then assembling the spacer  3  to the first shield part  15 . The spacer  3  is positioned with the first shield part  15  and located on the printed circuit board  2 . The pair of second positioning posts  154  of the first shield part  15  pass through the corresponding two grooves  33  of the spacer  3  along an up-to-down direction to limit a movement of the spacer  3  along a front to rear direction. 
     After the spacer  3  is assembled to the first shield part  15 , then assembling another printed circuit board  2  and cable  4  together to the first shield part  15  and located on the spacer  3 . The printed circuit board  2  is positioned with the first shield part  15  along a front-to-rear direction due to a pair of slots  231  of the printed circuit board  2  cooperated with the pair of second positioning posts  154  of the shield part  15 . And, a front end of the cable  4  is supported by the strain relief  5 . The ring  42  of the cable  4  has a half portion located in a depressed section  51  of the strain relief  5 . 
     After another printed circuit board  2  and cable  4  are together assembled to the first shield part  15 , then assembling the second shield part  16  to the first shield part  15 . Thus, the opening  152  of the first shield part  15  is shielded by second shield part  16  along an up-to-down direction. And, the two printed circuit boards  2  and a spacer  3  are received into the receiving room  11  of the housing  1  and positioned in the housing  1 . 
     After the second shield part  16  is assembled to the first shield part  15 , then assembling the latching member  6  to the pulling member  7  together through following steps. Firstly, the pulling member  7  is disposed above the latching member  6  to make the two through holes  731  of the two actuating sections  73  in alignment with two through holes  621  of the latching member  6  along a transversal direction. The pair of actuating sections  73  of the pulling member  7  are located at two sides of the two hooks  623  of the latching member  6 . Secondly, the retaining piece  9  is passed through the through holes  621 ,  623 . Thus, the pulling member  7  is interconnected with the latching member  6  by the retaining piece  9 . The pulling member  7  can be rotated to the latching member  6  based on the retaining piece  9  along a clockwise direction. 
     Then, assembling the latching member  6  and the pulling member  7  together to an exterior surface of housing  1 . The latching member  6  is disposed in the receiving cavity  14 . The pulling member  7  is located on the top surface  121  of the body portion  12  of the housing  1 . The supporting piece  17  is disposed in the receiving cavity  14  when the pulling member  7  is rotated along a clockwise direction. Two sides of the supporting piece  17  are received into the two recesses  144 . The supporting piece  17  is spaced apart with the bottom surface  141  of the receiving cavity  14 . Then, the pulling member  7  is rotated along a counter-clockwise direction and attached to the top surface  121  of the body portion  12  of the housing  1 . Thus, the curving section  722  of the pulling member  7  is supported by the supporting piece  17 . The retaining section  61  of the latching member  6  is engaged with a rear end of the receiving cavity  14 . The connecting section  62  of the latching member  6  is disposed above the bottom surface  141  of the receiving cavity  14 . The latching portion  63  extends forwardly and is located above the second surface  131  of the mating portion  13  of the housing  1 . The latching portion  63  is cantilevered from the retaining portion  61 . The two actuating sections  73  of the pulling member  7  is generally located above the connecting section  62  of the latching member  6 . A tape  74  is passed through the slit  711  and connected to the pulling member  7 . When a rearward pulling force is exerted on a rear end of the pulling member  7  or the tape  74 , the latching portion  63  of the latching member  6  will be raised up. When the rearward pulling force is released, the latching portion  63  of the latching member  6  will resume to an original state. 
     Finally, assembling the metallic holder  8  to the housing  1  along a rear-to-front direction. The first part  15 , the second shield part  16  and the strain relief  5  are bound together by the metallic holder  8 . A portion of the pulling member  7  and the latching member  6  is also shielded by the metallic holder  8 . And, the pulling member  7  can be moved along a front to rear direction relative to the housing  1  and limited by the metallic holder  8  along a vertical direction. Two tabs  815  are attached to the rear surface of the strain relief  5 . Two retaining pieces  9  are respectively passed through the two holes  8151  of the two tabs  815  and received into the two receiving holes  52  of the strain relief  5 . Thus, the metallic holder  8  is engaged with the strain relief  5 . 
     After the above assembling steps, the entire process of assembling of the electrical connector assembly  100  is finished. The electrical connector assembly  100  has a new mating surface to meet higher and higher data transmitting rate. In addition, the electrical connector assembly  1  has a narrow profile and high-density configuration. Thus, the complementary connector (not shown) for mating with the electrical connector assembly  100  will also occupy little space to meet a miniaturization of an internal room of the communication device. On another aspect, a reliable latch mechanism is provided to an exterior surface of the housing. And, an easily and conveniently operating manner between the latching member  6  and the pulling member  7  is achieved. 
     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.