Patent ID: 12244104

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, an electrical connector assembly10has a shell housing12and a preassembled crosstalk shield14. The connector assembly10may be a plug connector assembly or a receptacle connector assembly.

The shell housing12has a mating end20and a conductor receiving end22. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the shell housing12has a mating portion24proximate the mating end20. The mating portion24has a smaller outside diameter than the remainder of the shell housing12. However, other configurations of the shell housing12may be used.

A recessed portion26is provided on the shell housing12proximate the conductor receiving end22. The recessed portion26has multiple projections28which extend from the surface thereof. A shoulder30extends circumferentially around the conductor receiving end22of the shell housing12. The shoulder30is provided at one end of the recess portion26. However, other configurations of the shell housing12may be used.

Crosstalk shield receiving recesses or slots32extend from the conductor receiving end22toward the mating end20. The crosstalk shield receiving slots32extend through the shoulder30and into the recessed portion26. In the embodiment shown, four crosstalk shield receiving slots32are provided to accommodate the configuration of the crosstalk shield14. However, other numbers of crosstalk shield receiving slots32may be used to accommodate different configurations of the crosstalk shield14.

Referring to illustrative embodiment shown inFIGS.2through4, the preassembled crosstalk shield14has a first shield member40and a second shield member42. In the illustrative embodiment, the first shield member40and the second shield member42are made from nickel silver material, however, other materials, including corrosion resistant materials, may be used which exhibit the shielding characteristics required.

As shown inFIG.3, the first shield member40has a first portion44, a second portion46and a third portion48. The first portion44has a larger width than the second portion46, and the second portion46has a larger width than the third portion48. When assembled, the first portion44is positioned in the crosstalk shield receiving slots32, the third portion48is provided in the mating portion24of the shell housing12, and the second portion46extends between the first portion44and the third portion48. A mating slot50extends from the third portion48into the second portion46. A relief area51is provided at the end of the mating slot50to allow for the mating slot50to open as the second shield member42is inserted into the mating slot50.

As shown inFIG.4, the first portion44has one or more first projections or embossments52and one or more second projections or embossments54which extend therefrom. The first embossments52extend from ends56of the first portion44in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first portion44. The second embossments54extend from ends56of the first portion44in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first portion44, and in a direction opposite from the first embossments52.

The second shield member42has a first portion64, a second portion66and a third portion68. The first portion64has a larger width than the second portion66, and the second portion66has a larger width than the third portion68. When assembled, the first portion64is positioned in the crosstalk shield receiving slots32, the third portion68is provided in the mating portion24of the shell housing12, and the second portion66extends between the first portion64and the third portion68. A mating slot70extends from the first portion64into the second portion66. A relief area71is provided at the end of the mating slot70to allow for the mating slot70to open as the first shield member40is inserted into the mating slot70.

The first portion64has one or more first projections or embossments72and one or more second projections or embossments74which extend therefrom. The first embossments72extend from ends76of the first portion64in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first portion64. The second embossments74extend from ends76of the first portion64in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first portion64, and in a direction opposite from the first embossments72.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, first embossments52,72and second embossments54,74are shown on every third portion48,68of the first shield member40and the second shield member42. However, in other embodiments, first embossments52,72and second embossments54,74may not be provided on every third portion48,68of the first shield member40and the second shield member42. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the first shield member40is positioned at essentially a right angle to the second shield member42.

During manufacturing, the first shield member40is inserted into the mating slot70of the second shield member42and the second shield member42is inserted into the mating slot50of the first shield member40to form the crosstalk shield14as shown inFIGS.1and2. As this occurs, the mating slots50,70are resiliently deformed, causing the walls of the mating slot50to exert a force on the second shield member42and the walls of the mating slot70to exert a force on the first shield member40. The first shield member40and the second shield member42are retained in position relative to each other by the friction engagement of the walls of the mating slots50,70with the second shield member42and the first shield member40.

With the crosstalk shield14properly assembled, the crosstalk shield is inserted into the shell housing12through the conductor receiving end22. As this occurs, the third portions48,68of the first shield member40and the second shield member42are positioned in the mating portion24of the shell housing12. As insertion occurs, the first portions44,64of the first shield member40and the second shield member42are positioned in the recessed portion26of the shell housing12.

When fully inserted, the third portions48,68of the first shield member40and the second shield member42are positioned spaced from the walls of the mating portion24of the shell housing12. However, other configurations may be used.

In the fully inserted position, the ends56,76of the first portions44,64of the first shield member40and the second shield member42are positioned in the crosstalk shield receiving slots32of the shell housing12. In this position, the first embossments52,72and second embossments54,74of the third portions48,68of the first shield member40and the second shield member42are deformed by the walls of the crosstalk shield receiving slots32to provide a press fit or interference engagement between the first portions44,64of the first shield member40and the second shield member42and the walls of the crosstalk shield receiving slots32. The interference engagement provides a secure mechanical and electrical connection therebetween

In the illustrative embodiment shown, the engagement of the first embossments52,72and second embossments54,74with the walls of the crosstalk shield receiving slots32provides at least 12 points of contact to provide a stable interference engagement therebetween. The interference engagement is sufficient to require a push out force of greater than 3 lbs., greater than 4 lbs., between 3 lbs. and 6 lbs., between 4 lbs. and 5 ilbs. This allows the crosstalk shield14to be maintained in the shell housing12during shipping. Consequently, the crosstalk shield14is assembled or preassembled to the shell housing12during manufacturing of the connector assembly10, rather than in the field where the assembly is currently done.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials and components and otherwise used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.