CN100536242C - Plug connector with mating protection and alignment means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a plug connector (1200, 300) having a main body portion and a circuit card (1212, 304) extending forwardly from a mating face (1211, 302) of the connector. The circuit board card is protected in place by a pair of protective flanges (1215, 310, 1216, 312) extending forward from the main body portion, the protective flanges (1215, 310, 1216, 312) being placed on the sides of the circuit board card , to prevent stubbing and provide first means for aligning the plug connector with the socket connector. One or more protrusions formed on the exterior of the plug connector provide a second means (1226, 351) for aligning the plug connector with the socket connector.

Description

Plug connectors with mating protection and alignment

technical field

In general, the present invention relates to cable connectors, and more particularly to cable connectors that mate with circuit board connectors having structures that eliminate the need for protective cages or guide frames to utilize mating circuit board connectors.

Background technique

In the electronics field, it is conventional practice to connect cables to circuit boards by terminating the cables to connectors, typically plug connectors, which are then mated to receptacle connectors mounted on the circuit board. A well-known problem with connecting cables to board-mounted headers is that the weight and movement of the cables tend to loosen the jack header's attachment point to the board, interrupting the signal path and causing the board to fail.

This can be avoided by using a large lead frame mounted to the circuit board to enclose the socket connector, the lead frame defining an opening into which a plug or similar connector can be inserted. However, such leadframes are relatively large, taking up useful space on the circuit board that could be used for additional circuitry or terminals. Additionally, such guide frames are typically metal mold cast and prone to breaking when lowered.

There are also problems when mating such a plug connector to its associated receptacle connector, in small confined spaces it is difficult to orient the receptacle for proper mating, and in small spaces debris and contamination can Easy access to jack connector terminals.

Connector jack strain is also an issue, which can be caused by the weight, size and movement of the cable. Furthermore, the connector plug and its mating connector receptacle are sometimes misaligned with each other, making the assembly process unnecessarily complicated. In high-speed connectors, portions of the terminals are often exposed on the outside of the connector housing, where contamination of the terminals can occur. . Accordingly, there is a need for a plug connector that includes integrally formed means for aligning itself for mating with an opposing connector without taking up too much space on a circuit board.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a plug connector which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and provides the aforementioned desirable advantages.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a plug connector which is guided by a guide element into engagement with an opposing connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector which fits onto a surface mounted socket connector, the socket connector comprising a recess provided along its bottom surface, the plug connector having at least one protruding flange, said The protruding flange helps to align the plug connector with the female connector, which fits into the female connector recess.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector for mating with a socket connector as described above, the plug connector comprising means for engaging guide elements which align and guide the plug connector into mating engagement with the socket connector, The plug connector has mating projections in the form of a circuit board, the plug connector also includes a pair of protective flanges spaced apart from the circuit board card, the pair of protective flanges extending outwardly above and below the circuit board card, the plug connector The flange covers opposing surfaces of the receptacle connector and prevents portions of the exposed terminals of the receptacle connector from contacting foreign materials, such as contaminants.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a plug connector for use with the above-mentioned socket connector and guide element, the plug connector comprising a mating surface with a forwardly protruding mating blade (blade) fitted into the socket In a corresponding slot in the joint, the plug joint also includes at least one protruding tab extending above and in front of the mating face of the plug joint, the tab having a recess in which a corresponding pin or tab of the guide element is received, when the plug joint When the plug connector fins mate with the housing of the jack connector, the plug connector fins extend above the housing.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a connector for mating with a socket connector mounted on a circuit board, the socket connector includes a widthwise mating slot disposed therein, the jack connector mating slot includes a plurality of conductive terminals, so The conductive terminals are supported in place by other external slits of the receiving terminals, the terminals extend into the mating slits of the receptacle connectors, the connectors include circuit boards protruding therefrom, and when the two connectors are mated together, the circuit The board is received in the socket connector mating slot. The connector also includes a main body with at least one flange extending therefrom on the circuit card, the flange extending over part of the at least one set of terminals of the receptacle connector, the flange including a guide for guiding the connector and the receptacle connector. Aligned angled lead-in configuration.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector that cooperates with a socket connector mounted on a circuit board, the plug connector first passing through a guide on the circuit board in front of the socket connector, the plug connector The connector has one or more stops in the form of lugs protruding from the body of the plug connector, the lugs engaging corresponding means formed on the guide to limit the insertion travel of the plug connector in the receptacle connector, the lugs Helps align the mating blade portion of the connector with the socket connector.

The present invention achieves these and other objects and aspects by virtue of its structure, which in one main aspect comprises a plug connector with a housing insertable into a guide element associated with a socket connector, which guides and enables The plug connectors line up with the female connectors.

The socket connector used in the present invention generally has a body with a card receiving slot extending in the width direction of the connector body, and the conductive terminal is inserted into the connector body and contacts its portion extending into the slot. The plug connector of the present invention includes a circuit board which, in a preferred embodiment, is a mating blade portion projecting from the front of the plug connector so as to extend into the slot of the receptacle connector. The socket connector may include a recessed portion disposed on its underside, between the mounting legs and below the card receiving slot. The plug connector preferably includes a lower or first flange extending forwardly from the front. This flange is received within the recess and acts as a guide for proper mating of the plug connector to the socket connector. The lower flange is also preferably of sufficient length that it extends at least partially over some of the exposed terminals along the bottom surface of the receptacle connector and serves to protect them from debris and contamination build-up. The lower flange also preferably has a width smaller than the card of the circuit board, whereby the lower flange does not encounter any interference when entering the lower recess defined between the socket connector and the circuit board.

In another general aspect of the invention, the plug connector includes a housing with a defined mating surface from which the circuit card and the first flange project. A second flange may be provided spaced apart from the first flange and the circuit card such that the two flanges are located on the sides of the circuit card. In a typical application of the invention, the second flange acts as the top flange of the plug connector, while the first flange acts as the lower or bottom flange of the plug connector. The second flange also extends forwardly of the mating surface and preferably has a length and width sufficient to cover the circuit board. The first flange initially acts as a primary guide that guides the alignment of the plug with the jack connector, and as such, it may include an angled lead-in edge that contacts the jack connector guide. When the plug connector is pushed further forward and the circuit card comes into contact with the female connector card receiving slot, the second flange will cover the portion of the exposed terminal on the upper surface of the female connector.

The guide element for the socket connector may also comprise an extension in the form of a compression or spring arm which preferably extends towards and above the top surface of the socket connector plate thereof. A slot or channel may be formed in the top surface of the second flange of the socket connector. The channel receives a portion of the guide element pressing arm, preferably a detent or the like, so that an audible or tactile click can be heard or felt when the plug connector is properly fitted onto the socket connector. Click. The channel on the top flange helps to hold the top flange in place on a portion of the top surface of the receptacle connector.

In yet another general aspect of the invention, the plug connector body may include one or more features for effecting a second level of alignment between the plug connector and the receptacle connector. These features may take the form of protrusions or lugs provided on the outside surface of the plug connector body. In a preferred embodiment, these lugs have the shape of a T, the legs of each T extending in length or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connector body and the top of each T transverse to the plug connector body The longitudinal axis extends. These T-shaped lugs engage corresponding slots formed in the leading edge of the socket connector guide element and also act as stop elements limiting the forward travel of the plug connector in the guide element and the socket connector.

The plug connector of the present invention may be provided with a locking mechanism which locks and unlatches the engagement of the plug connector with the socket connector guide element with a simple "push" action. The plug connector body or housing is preferably provided with a locking frame on the top surface of the plug connector body. The frame defines the space occupied by the metal locking mechanism, and the frame may include one or more undercuts into which parts of the locking mechanism fit. In a preferred embodiment, the locking element is formed from a sheet metal folded over along the leading edge to define an anchor portion or a base portion and a locking portion, the base portion being fitted into the locking frame and cut into the housing material to hold it in place. Location. The locking portion has one or more engagement tabs formed thereon and a compression surface for compressing the locking portion downward.

In an alternative embodiment, for a vertical socket connector, a plug connector may be used in a vertical orientation, in which case the first and second flanges do not act as top and bottom flanges, Rather, as front and rear flanges or left and right flanges.

In summary, the present invention provides a plug connector for connecting a wire to a mating connector, comprising: a connector housing including an insulative body portion including a forward facing surface;

a mating blade portion including a leading edge with contacts for mating with the mating connector, the mating blade portion leading edge extending forwardly from the connector housing body portion for a preselected length;

a plurality of wires terminated to contacts; and

The connector housing body portion includes: a first flange extending forwardly from the connector housing body portion a first preselected distance and spaced from the mating blade portion; and a second flange a second flange extending forwardly a second preselected distance from the connector housing body portion and spaced apart from the mating blade portion and the first flange, wherein the guide of the mating blade portion Both the edge and the first and second flanges have respective widths, the width of the leading edge of the mating blade portion being less than the width of the first flange but greater than the width of the second flange.

The present invention also provides a plug connector for connecting a wire to a mating connector, comprising: a connector housing including an insulating body portion including a forward facing surface;

a mating blade portion including a leading edge with contacts for mating with the mating connector, the mating blade portion leading edge extending forwardly from the connector housing body portion for a preselected length;

a plurality of wires terminated to contacts; and

The connector housing body portion includes: a first flange extending forwardly from the connector housing body portion a first preselected distance and spaced from the mating blade portion; and a second flange a second flange extending forward a second preselected distance from said connector housing body portion and spaced apart from said mating blade portion and first flange,

Wherein, the first preselected distance of the first flange is greater than the second preselected distance of the second flange.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description.

Description of drawings

A better understanding of the invention, together with its objects and advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements, wherein:

1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic assembly utilizing connector guide elements associated with circuit board mounted receptacle connectors to align a first embodiment of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention with a receptacle connector;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the socket connector and guide element in Figure 1, showing the use of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is the same view as Figure 2, but with the first embodiment plug connector inserted into the guide element and engaged with the socket connector and the guide element;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the front portion of the receptacle connector spaced apart from the guide element in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear of the plug connector of Figure 4 after the plug connector has been inserted into the guide element;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a vertical guide element for use with a vertical, surface mount receptacle;

Figure 8 is the same view as Figure 7, but viewed from the opposite side;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector and associated cover or guide member with a second embodiment of a plug connector spaced from and aligned with the receptacle connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 10 is the same view as Figure 9, but with the plug connector partially inserted into the cover plate;

Figure 11 is the same view as Figure 10, but with the plug connector fully engaged in the bezel and matingly engaged with the socket connector;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the plug connector in Figure 9 viewed from its front;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 13-13 of Figure 9, with the plug connector in place within the cover and mated to the circuit board connector;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the left side of the plug connector in Fig. 14;

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector in Figure 14 taken along line 16-16;

Figure 17 is the same view as Figure 14, but with the cable removed for greater clarity and the locking element removed and spaced from the retaining frame on the plug connector housing;

Figure 18 is a front view of the plug connector of Figure 14;

Figure 19 is the same view as Figure 16, but with the locking elements removed for greater clarity; and,

Figure 20 is a rear view of the plug connector of Figure 14 .

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an electronic assembly 2 for exchanging electrical signals between conductive traces 6 of a circuit board 4 or other substrate and electrical conductors of an electrical cable 101 . In FIG. 1 , the electronic assembly 2 is shown comprising a circuit board 4 on which electronic components such as integrated circuits, resistors, capacitor inductors and the like can be mounted. As is well known, electronic components mounted on a circuit board are interconnected by one or more conductive traces 6 , at least some of which are situated on at least one surface of the substrate 4 . Electrical signals can be transmitted through the conductive traces 6 by means of a socket connector 8 mounted to the base plate 4 and cooperating with an opposing cable connector.

Figure 1 shows the socket connector 8 attached to the circuit board 4 in place as shown by means of mounting posts, screws or soldering, as are well known in the prior art. The socket connector 8 has two opposing sides 10 and 12 , a top 14 , a bottom 15 , a front 16 and a back 18 . The socket connector 8 is constructed and arranged to maintain the spacing of several front-accessible electrical contacts 20 each electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive trace 6 on the circuit board 4 .

The electrical and mechanical connection of the contacts 20 accessible on the front side 16 in the socket connector 8 takes place by extending the plug-type mating connector 100 to the contact socket connector 8 . The plug connector 100 has its own set of conductive contacts, preferably arranged along mating blades, which mate with the socket connector contacts 20 . In the assembly shown in Figures 1-6, the plug connector is at least partly introduced into position via a guide element 24 associated with the socket connector 8, preferably in front of and spaced from the socket connector 8. Installed on the circuit board 4 in the open position. In a preferred embodiment, the guide element 24 has a substantially inverted U-shape and forms a cover or shroud which is attached to the circuit board 4 by suitable means, such as soldering. The guide element 24 defines a hollow passage 80 through which the plug connector 100 extends and engages the mating socket connector 8 .

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , splice guide element 24 preferably includes at least two planar sides 26 and 28 . One of the planar sides 26 has a top edge 30 and a bottom edge 32 and the second side 28 also has a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 36 . Each planar side 26 and 28 further includes a front edge and a rear edge. The first side 26 has a front edge 38 and a rear edge 42 . The first side 28 has a front edge 40 and a rear edge 44 . Two mounting posts 70 (Fig. 4) are preferably formed in the guide element along the bottom of the sides, these posts may be cylindrical, or may be molded as part of the guide element itself. Regardless of the configuration, posts 70 extend downwardly from sides 26 and 28 and are received in mounting holes 25 formed in circuit board 4 . They can be used to solder guide elements in place on the circuit board 4 .

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the opposing first and second sides 26 and 28 of the guide element have a substantially equal height 46 between the top and bottom edges, preferably between the front and rear edges of each side. have a substantially equal width 48 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the sides 26 and 28 are generally upright, extending generally at right angles to the planar top 52 . Although for the purposes of the disclosure the preferred embodiment of the guide member 24 is molded from a single piece of sheet metal, the top 52 and the two sides 26 and 28 could also be joined to each other at a common edge. The top 52 has a first side edge 54 and a second side edge 56, the first side edge 54 being on the right and the second side edge 56 being on the left when viewed from the front of FIG. 1 . The top 52 also has a front edge 58 and a rear edge 60 .

Typically, the guide element 24 is stamped from a metal blank by which an extension of the guide element in the form of a rearwardly extending tab or spring arm 64 is formed. In the figures, it extends in a cantilever fashion, preferably at a slight downward angle, to create a bias or preload to the arm 64 . This bias forces a plug engaging portion, shown as a bump or detent 62, located near the distal end of the spring arm 64, to engage a corresponding slot or recess 102 formed in a corresponding portion of the plug connector.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the relative positions of the connector socket 8 and the guide element 24 with respect to the connector plug 8 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the guide element 24 is mounted to the circuit board 4 such that the guide element 24 is positioned spaced apart from, ie not in contact with, the connector receptacle and positioned in front of the mating face 16 of the receptacle connector 8 . FIG. 2 also shows the connection traces 6 on the circuit board 4 and their connection to the electrical contacts 20 of the socket connector 8 . FIG. 2 also shows the side locking locking or engaging tabs 53 formed in the side panels 28 by molding. These engagement tabs 53 extend inwardly, i.e. inside the channel 80 of the guide element 24 , and are sized and shaped to frictionally contact when the plug 100 is inserted into the guide element 24 and engaged with the socket connector 8 . The side wall 110 of the plug connector 100 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the plug connector is provided with an opening 57 in its side wall, in which opening 57 the guide element engaging tab 55 catches.

Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the electronic assembly of Figure 1 and shows the circuit board 4, the rear 18 of the socket connector 8, the contacts 20 of which are mounted and locked in place by means of the plug The connector 100 establishes an electrical connection between the board trace 6 and the plug connector 101 . In FIG. 3 , the plug connector 100 of the present invention is shown extending through the guide element 24 until the spring arm catch 62 engages the slot 102 at the top of the plug connector 100 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the catch sits near the distal end, ie, the end furthest from where the spring arm 64 extends away from the rear edge 60 of the top 52 of the guide element 24 . This claw-slit engagement configuration provides not only an audible engagement "click" but also a tactile click that the assembler can hear when mating the plug connector 100 onto the receptacle connector. and feel.

FIG. 4 shows the relative positions of the guide element 24 and the joint 100 of the joint 100 prior to insertion into the guide element 24 . FIG. 4 omits the depiction of the circuit board 4 for better clarity. As clearly shown, the plug connector 100 has a connector locking slot 102 cut, molded or otherwise formed in the body of the connector 100 configured to receive a catch when the connector 100 is fully engaged with the female connector. It can be seen that the plug connector comprises a mating portion which preferably takes the form of an edge card 120 with a leading edge protruding from the front mating face 121 of the plug connector 100 .

The edge card 120 has a plurality of conductive traces 125 disposed about its leading edge for cooperating with the contacts 20 of the socket connector 8 when the plug connector 100 is inserted into the socket connector 8 . The plug connector housing may also include an extension 130 extending forwardly from the mating face 121 and over the edge card 120 . The extension 130 is shown as a first flange extending widthwise over at least the entire width of the edge card 120 , which preferably has a greater width than the edge card 120 . This first flange, primarily intended to prevent stubbing of the edge card 120, extends over a portion of the top of the receptacle connector 8 to cover the exposed terminals supported therein. Support for the recessed portion 102 is also provided.

It can also be clearly seen in FIG. 4 that the plug connector flange has an angled side 131 which provides a lead-in surface so that the plug connector can be easily inserted into the 100 guides to align with the socket connector. The length of the first flange preferably extends forward from the mating surface 121, which is greater than the length that the edge card 120 protrudes from the mating surface 121, so as to prevent the contacts on the edge card 120 from contacting the guide element 24 or other than the socket connector 8. any other parts.

FIG. 4 also shows a side locking lock 55 formed in one side 28 of the guide element 24 . In this embodiment, the side locking lock 55 is simply stamped by the metal forming the guide element 24 so that on the side it extends towards the opposite side 26 and engages a corresponding side detent 57 formed in the corresponding side of the plug connector 100 form small fins. When the plug connector 100 is fully engaged with the opposing socket connector, the side lock locks 55 (which are preferably formed on the sides 26, 28 of the guide element 24), will engage the corresponding detents 57 and lock the plug connector 100. "Locked" in the state of being engaged with the socket connector 8 . The locking in this embodiment is achieved by the guide element 24 rather than the socket contact 8 , so that the strain on the assembly caused by the wire 101 is absorbed by the guide element 24 and not by the socket contact 8 . Additionally, any misalignment of the contacts in the plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 8 is minimized by the plug-receptacle alignment function performed by this aspect of the guide element 24 .

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the adapter 100 fully inserted into the guide element 24 . In this figure, guide element catch 62 interlockingly engages slot 102 in joint 100 . When the plug connector 100 is fully inserted into the guide element 24 , the deflection or “bias” on the spring arm 64 pushes the catch 62 downwardly into the engagement slot 102 . Also, because the side locking locks 55 (one shown on each side) are curved inwardly, they can extend into the plug connector recess 57 to prevent the plug connector 100 from being pulled out without applying any significant pull-out force. remove. The guide element also provides strain relief and conductor alignment when the plug connector 100 is thus connected to the socket connector 8 .

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the joint 100 installed in the joint alignment guide 24 . In this figure, the interlocking engagement of the plug engagement lock 62 is clearly shown on the right hand side of the figure. It can be seen that the engagement lock 62 biased downward into the joint slot 102 functions to retain the joint 100 within the alignment guide 24 . Also shown are two mounting posts 70 attached to the bottom edges 32 of the connector guide sides 26 and 28 for electrically and mechanically mounting the alignment guide 24 to a circuit board or other substrate 4 .

Although the flange 130 is shown as being positioned at the top of the plug connector 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 , the flange 130 may also be oriented at the bottom of the plug connector mating face 121 . In this orientation, the flange still serves a protective function against stubbing and also provides an alignment feature in which it will be received under the edge card receiving slot of the socket connector 8 along the bottom of the socket connector 8. formed in the recessed portion.

7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a plug connector 200 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It is intended to be used vertically on a circuit board. As shown, the receptacle header 201 is surface mounted to the circuit board 202 in a vertical fashion. The connector 201 has an insulating housing 204 and supports a plurality of conductive terminals 206 . The terminals 206 have tail portions 208 of pads or traces that are soldered to the surface of the circuit board 202 . An electrically conductive guide element 210 is provided for the joint 202, and it can be seen that the guide element 210 may have a generally U-shaped shape with a top plate 212 having two side plates 213 extending transversely therefrom. These three plates collectively define a channel 215 that extends partially around and over the receptacle connector 201 . The top plate 212 of the guide element is slotted and has a recessed portion 218 into which the gripper element 220 protrudes. The catch member has an elbow 221 formed therein which preferably engages a slot (not shown) in the plug connector housing 250 in the same manner as shown in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the plug connector 240 is only mostly vertically oriented and has an insulating housing 250 from which the edge tab and the first flange extend. The first flange extends partly over the exposed terminal of the socket connector 201, which has a slot for engaging the catch element 220 of the vertical guide element.

Figure 9 illustrates another electronic assembly showing another embodiment of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this assembly, a fascia (or guide element) 1100 is shown having a top wall 1102 interconnecting two spaced apart side walls 1104,1105. Viewed from one end, the cover plate 1100 has a substantially inverted U-shape, and the cover plate 1100 is placed on the circuit board 1110 spaced apart from the receptacle connector 1150 mounted to the circuit board 1110 . The receptacle 1105 is similar in shape to the receptacle 8 described and shown in FIGS. 1-6 , including an opening or recess along the bottom surface of the receptacle 1105 located below the card receiving slot and the bottom surface of the receptacle 1105 . The slot receives the leading edge of the circuit board used in the plug connector 1200 as its blade portion. The cover plate 1100 is provided with a hollow channel 1106 , the hollow channel 1106 can guide the plug connector 1200 to engage with the circuit board connector 1150 .

The shroud 1100 also serves to hold the plug connector 1200 in place after mating. In this regard, the fascia 1100 includes an elongated extension 1117 extending forwardly from the top wall 1102 of the fascia, and the fascia 1100 may preferably also include one or more aligned A slot 1135, the alignment slot 1135 extends longitudinally forward, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail below. Additional means 1119 for guiding the plug connector 1200 may also be provided on the cover plate 1100 in the form of fins 1118 bent inwards and extending a predetermined distance away from the side walls 1104,1105.

As best shown in Figures 13 and 15, the plug connector 1200 has a generally polygonal configuration, which is shown generally in the drawings with a top surface 1202, two side walls 1204, 1205, a bottom surface 1206 and a rear surface 1208 solid rectangle. The cables normally exit the rear surface 1208, but have been omitted from the drawings for clarity. The front end 1210 of the connector defines the mating end of the plug connector 1200. In applications such as those shown in FIGS. Tab 1212, which is typically in the form of the leading edge of circuit card 1214. Top surface 1202 (and in the drawing, bottom surface 1206 ) may have an extension 1215 in the form of a first flange extending forwardly from forward facing face 1211 , which sits above and spaced from circuit card 1212 . In this embodiment there is preferably also a further extension, best seen in Figures 12 and 13, which takes the form of a second flange 1216 also extending forwardly from the forward face 1211, which sits on the circuit The board card 1214 and the first flange 1215 are below and separated from each other. In this type of configuration, the two flanges 1215 , 1216 can be considered to be on the "sides" of the circuit board card 1212 .

The shroud holddown tab 1117 is bent downward to slightly bias it to slidingly or abuttingly contact the top surface 1202 of the mating connector 1200 , and in particular the top extension 1215 thereof. In Fig. 13 clearly showing this type of engagement, the top flange 1214 may be provided with a transverse slit or recess 1214 spaced a specified distance from the leading end of the top flange 1215, Make it engage the detent portion of the bezel compression tab 1117 . This engagement serves to help maintain the plug connector 1200 in mating engagement with the female connector 1150 and also assists the operator in establishing a complete engagement between the two connectors 1200,1150. The downwardly biased compression tab 1117 "snaps" into the recess 1214 both audibly and tactilely, so the operator not only feels the engagement, but also "hears" it join.

Fascia 100 may also include one or more slots or recesses 1130 provided in its top wall 102 that are engaged by means 1220, such as lugs, preferably formed as part of a locking mechanism on the on the plug connector 200. These lugs 220 can be engaged with and disengaged from the slit 1130 by means of a push button 1225 consisting of a certain curve bent along the line forming the different base or anchoring and actuating parts. A range of flake formations will be explained in more detail below.

As noted above, the fascia 1100 may also include a pair of alignment slots 1135 formed in the fascia sidewalls 1104, 1105, preferably along their outwardly facing edges. These notches 1135 engage corresponding structures such as lugs 1226 formed on the exterior of the plug connector housing 1200 . These lugs 1226 have a generally T-shape when viewed from the side, with a central leg 1227 received inside a corresponding fascia alignment slot 1135, the other two legs forming a base 1228 perpendicular to the central leg 1227 . The base 1228 acts as a stop when abutting the edge of the side wall 1104 . For the present invention, the tabs 1118 of the bezel 100 are received in notches 1207 extending lengthwise along the exterior of the plug connector, these tabs 1118 and notches 1207 are used to first orient and position the plug inside the bezel 1100 Plug connector 1200 , notches 1135 and lugs 1226 cooperate to reorient circuit board card 1212 of plug connector 1200 opposite the card receiving slot of receptacle connector 1150 .

14-19 illustrate another embodiment of a plug connector 300 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In Figure 14, the plug connector 300 includes an insulating housing 301 with a forward mating face 302 from which a protruding mating blade 304 extends, in this and other embodiments, The forward mating surface 302 is shown as a circuit board 305 . The circuit card has a leading leading edge 306 which is angled or chamfered as shown for entry into corresponding slots of opposing receptacle connectors of the type described and shown above with reference numerals 8 and 1150 . The plug connector 300 includes first and second flanges (or top and bottom flanges) 310, 312 extending forwardly from the plug connector body portion 309. , specifically extending forward from the front face 302 .

As shown in FIG. 15, both the top and bottom flanges 310, 312 preferably extend a predetermined distance D across the leading edge 306 of the circuit card 305 to provide protection against stubbing and accidental shorting of the leading edge 306 of the circuit card. . Top flange 310 is preferably angled along its side edges 316, and these angled edges provide a degree of "relaxation" to flange 310 and plug connector 300 when either or both of the guide member, receptacle connector, or both are inserted. import". As can be clearly seen in FIG. 18 , the top flange 310 preferably has a width greater than the width of the circuit board card 305 , but the bottom flange 312 preferably has a width smaller than the width of the circuit board card 305 . Thereby, the bottom flange 310 can be easily fitted into the receiving space along the bottom surface of the socket connector for use with the plug connector of the present invention. Because of this distance difference, it is unlikely that the bottom flange 310 will collide with the opposing socket leg. The circuit board 305 is disposed between these two flanges 310, 312, each flange providing a degree of protection for the circuit board 305 regardless of whether the circuit board 305 is oriented horizontally or vertically.

The embodiment 300 also includes a locking mechanism 325 comprising a frame member 326 which preferably forms part of the fitting body portion 309 . The frame member 326 defines a slot 327 for receiving a locking member 328 . The locking element 328 is best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and may be formed from a single piece of metal folded over along its forward edge 329 . This fold divides the sheet into two parts, the first part is a generally flat base part or anchor part 330 and the second part is an undulating actuation part 331 . The base portion has one or more interference protrusions 332 formed along the side edges 333 that fit or “cut into” the interior side walls 340 of the frame member slots 327 to substantially hold the locking member 328 in place in the plug connector 300. position.

One or more upturned locking tabs 346 are formed in the locking member 328 which engage corresponding openings or recesses formed in the guide member, best seen in FIG. 11 . Actuation portion 331 is bent upwards at a slight angle such that it flexes within the constraints of frame member 326 . In this regard, slot 327 includes an internal groove or channel 340 , as best shown in FIG. 19 , which contacts side edge 333 and cut-in protrusion 332 of locking element 328 . The base portion 330 is slightly larger than the actuation portion 331 so that there will be an interference fit inside the frame member so that the actuation portion can easily flex up or down inside the frame member 326 . To capture the actuating portion 331, its rear end 335 may include one or more laterally protruding tabs 336 formed by the inner surface 340 along the slot 327 during possible vertical movement (up and down) The shoulder 329 constraints. The area below shoulder 329 is recessed at 341 to allow tab 336 to fit and deflect when button portion 326 of actuation portion 331 is depressed.

Front end 345 of frame member 326 may be formed to abut firmly against the top surface of the plug connector body portion, which may also have angled side edges 346 . This front end 345 may serve as another key feature in addition to the body portion notch 1207 and the aforementioned top and bottom flanges. To perform such a critical function, the guide element may include a channel that guides and receives the front end 345 of the frame element. The top flange 310 is also provided with a transverse recessed portion 311 remote from the front edge of the top flange 310 . This recess receives a corresponding detent of the guide element pressing tab as previously described.

In this embodiment, the circuit board card alignment device 350 takes a slightly different form. The alignment means includes protruding lugs 351 extending outwardly from the side surfaces of the plug connector body portion 309, but unlike the single protruding lugs, the rear portion 309a of the connector body portion has an increased width such that the two stop surfaces 352 are defined on each side of the lug 351 . The overall T-shape is still there, however, the lug/stop is made more resistant to shearing forces of the stop surface cutting into the plug connector. In this regard, the forward area of the lug 351 can be seen as being recessed with respect to the enlarged rear portion 309a of the connector body portion.

Claims (20)

1. one kind is used to connect the line to the bullet connector that cooperates on the joint, comprising: joint shell, and this joint shell comprises the insulating body part, this main part comprises forward surface;

Cooperate sword sheet part, this cooperations sword sheet comprises partly and has the guide edge that is used for the contact of matching with the cooperation joint that cooperation sword sheet part guide edge extends the length of pre-selected forward from joint shell main part forward surface;

A plurality of leads that terminate to the contact; With

Described joint shell main part comprises: first flange, and this first flange extends the distance of first pre-selected forward from described joint shell main part, and spaced apart with the described sword sheet part that cooperates; With second flange, this second flange extends the distance of second pre-selected forward from described joint shell main part, and it is spaced apart with described sword sheet part and first flange of cooperating, wherein, the guide edge of described cooperation sword sheet part and first flange and second flange all have width separately, the width of the guide edge of described cooperation sword sheet part is less than the width of described first flange, but greater than the width of described second flange.

2. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, first flange of described joint shell main part is arranged on the relative both sides of described cooperation sword sheet part with second flange.

3. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the distance of first pre-selected of described first flange is greater than the distance of second pre-selected of described second flange.

4. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described first flange comprises the angled introducing structure along its lateral edges.

5. bullet connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described second flange is suitable for being received in the recess, and this recess is arranged at the cooperation joint below that is installed on the circuit board.

6. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described cooperation sword sheet partly comprises circuit-board card, and described forward surface comprises the transverse slot, and circuit-board card runs through described transverse slot and extends.

7. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described joint shell comprise be used for this joint shell with and cooperates the alignment device of the induction element aligning that joint links, described alignment device is arranged on the described joint shell main part.

8. bullet connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein, described alignment device comprises the alignment protrusion of stretching out from described joint shell main part.

9. bullet connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described alignment protrusion comprises at least one T shape projection.

10. bullet connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described alignment protrusion comprises the T shape projection on a pair of opposite flank that is arranged on described joint shell.

11. bullet connector as claimed in claim 10, wherein, described joint shell main part has enlarged rear, and described T shape projection is by partly limiting along the recess of described joint shell one side with respect to the described enlarged rear setting of described joint shell main part.

12. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, also comprise locking mechanism by described joint shell body supports, this locking mechanism comprises the frame element of support locking member wherein, described locking member comprises itself to be folded up to limit the flexible metal element of anchorage part and actuation part, described anchorage part is received in the frame element, and described actuation part is arranged on described anchorage part top.

13. bullet connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein, described circuit-board card has the guide edge that has a width, and described first flange has a width, and the width of the guide edge of described circuit-board card is less than the width of described first flange.

14. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a flange in described first flange and second flange comprises the joint recess that is arranged on its top surface, is used for engaging when described bullet connector is inserted into induction element the bonding part of described induction element.

15. bullet connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described joint shell main part comprises two side surfaces, each side surface is all in the extension in a lateral direction of described first flange and second flange, and each in described two side surfaces includes the bonding part that at least one is used to engage the exterior guiding element.

16. bullet connector as claimed in claim 15, wherein, described bonding part is included in one of described side surface and goes up the recess that forms.

17. bullet connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein, described first flange is arranged on described circuit-board card top, and described second flange is arranged on described circuit-board card below.

18. one kind is used to connect the line to the bullet connector that cooperates on the joint, comprises: joint shell, this joint shell comprises the insulating body part, this main part comprises forward surface;

Cooperate sword sheet part, this cooperations sword sheet comprises partly and has the guide edge that is used for the contact of matching with the cooperation joint that cooperation sword sheet part guide edge extends the length of pre-selected forward from joint shell main part forward surface;

A plurality of leads that terminate to the contact; With

Described joint shell main part comprises: first flange, and this first flange extends the distance of first pre-selected forward from described joint shell main part, and spaced apart with the described sword sheet part that cooperates; With second flange, this second flange extends the distance of second pre-selected forward from described joint shell main part, and spaced apart with described sword sheet part and first flange of cooperating,

Wherein, the distance of first pre-selected of described first flange is greater than the distance of second pre-selected of described second flange.

19. bullet connector as claimed in claim 18, wherein, first flange of joint shell main part is arranged on the relative both sides of described cooperation sword sheet part with second flange.

20. bullet connector as claimed in claim 18, wherein, described first flange comprises the angled introducing structure along its lateral edges.

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