JP3057562B2 - Electrical connector key mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to a key mechanism for an electrical connector.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electrical connectors are often provided with a key mechanism to ensure that a given electrical connector can only be connected to its appropriate mating connector or other connection device with the correct signal transmission. For example, a key mechanism is required to prevent a given plug connector from being inserted only into a particular receptacle while other plug connectors are being inserted into that receptacle. Such a key mechanism is similar to a polarized mechanism in which the connector must be mated only in a predetermined orientation to ensure that the mating terminals are properly engaged.

[0003]

In such a key mechanism, the key projection can be inserted into the key groove only when the arrangement of the key projections matches the arrangement of the key grooves. One problem with such a key mechanism is that it is expensive.

[0004] In other words, if a plug connector mates only with its complementary receptacle connector, the two connectors must be "custom" as a particular key mechanism. To prevent "mis-fitting" of other connectors, the other connectors must be custom ordered with different key mechanisms. This successive change to prevent improper mating involves significant manufacturing and inventory costs.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to overcoming these problems in a unique configuration that significantly reduces manufacturing costs. For example, the present invention describes a cable plug connector that includes a standard housing for all connectors and requires only that the faceplate of the housing be changed to change the key mechanism. Furthermore,
Comprising a stamped electrically conductive receptacle having a plurality of non-bent tabs, the key mechanism is described for a plurality of different shield such as the key structure is obtained type signal transmission system by simply bending it rata drive. Alternatively, a pre-bent tab can be cut to obtain a different key mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved key mechanism for an electrical connector.

The key mechanism of the present invention describes a ground shroud assembly for receiving a cable plug. The cable plug includes a housing that includes at least one key recess at a selected side position. The ground shroud assembly includes a conductive frame having a base and at least one pair of side walls extending from the base, which defines a receptacle for receiving a cable plug. At least one of the side walls has at least one key protrusion for extending into the key recess. A conductive spring is disposed around at least one side wall of the conductive frame.

The conductive frame is formed by stamping and molding a metal material, and the key projection is a tab bent inward on at least one side wall. The sidewall includes a plurality of stamped unbent tabs, so that one or more tabs can be bent inward to form one or more key protrusions. In a grounded shroud assembly, the conductive springs are generally U-shaped, and the conductive frames are also generally U-shaped and are nested within the U-shaped springs.

According to the present invention, the housing of the cable plug includes a plurality of keyways on at least one side thereof. The face plate is attached to the housing,
The faceplate includes at least one key notch aligned with the keyway to form the key depression. Other keyways are blocked by the faceplate. Therefore, a different arrangement of key projections can be accommodated simply by replacing the faceplate without replacing the entire housing. This significantly reduces manufacturing and inventory costs.

The novel concept of the present invention is not limited to a ground shroud assembly for receiving a cable plug. The invention is equally applicable to a wide variety of electrical connectors.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a ground shroud assembly 12 according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, this ground shroud assembly 12
Is mounted in the opening 14 in the panel 16 and is shown receiving the cable plug 18 on one side of the panel 16 and the contact pins 20 from the printed circuit board 22 on the other side of the panel 16.

FIG. 2 shows the ground shroud assembly 12 mounted in the opening 14 in the panel 16. The ground shroud assembly 12 is shown in FIG. 2 mounted on a printed circuit board 22 such that contact pins 20 project into the assembly 12. Cable plug 18 can be inserted into ground shroud assembly 12 in the direction of arrow A.

In this regard, the printed circuit board 22 comprises
It is generally of a normal configuration, with a normal contact pin 20 protruding therefrom. The panel 16 is formed of a conductive material and is a part of a shield case for protecting electric components on the printed circuit board 22 from electromagnetic radiation. Except for the key mechanism described below, the cable plug 18 is of a conventional structure having an outer shield and has a contact pin 2
A plurality of female terminals for receiving 0 are attached.
The female terminals are terminated to conductors within the shield or coaxial cable 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ground shroud assembly 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes two main components, a frame 26 and one or more springs 28. Figure
1, the ground shroud assembly 12 shown in FIG. 2 is designed to receive a pair of cable plugs 18,
Thus, the split plate 6 is used to split the frame 26 into two separate receptacles for the two plugs 18.
6 (described below) are used. Correspondingly, two separate springs 28 are used.

Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 3, the frame 26 of the ground shroud assembly 12 is generally U-shaped and includes a base or bottom wall 30 and a pair of side walls 32 extending upwardly therefrom. Have. Frame 26 is stamped and formed from a conductive sheet metal material such as brass, and base 30 and side walls 32 form a receptacle therebetween for receiving one or more cable plugs 18.

The frame 26 is formed on the printed circuit board 22.
A plurality of holes 34 for receiving contact pins 20 from
36 and 38 are also provided. The holes 34 are generally rectangular and freely accept ground pins from the printed circuit board 22. The holes 36 are circular and also accept freely ground pins from the printed circuit board 22. Hole 3
Numeral 8 is circular and larger than hole 36 to receive signal contact pins from printed circuit board 22.

Further, the frame 26 includes a slot 40 in the side wall 32 and a notch 42 in the upper edge of the side wall 32. These slots 40 and notches 42 are provided for attaching a conductive dividing plate 66 described below. Tabs 44 project longitudinally outward from both ends of side wall 32, and base 30 has notches 46 at both ends. Tabs 44 are provided for attaching conductive end plates 80, as described below. Notch 46, to facilitate mounting of the scan-flops ring 28.

Further, a plurality of tabs are formed on the side wall 32.
ing. Some of them are bent inward of the frame 26 to form key protrusions 48b, and others are unbent.
The tab 48a is in a music state. This keytab 48 immediately
Key projection 48b formed by bending and an unbent tab
The arrangement of 48a cooperates with the keying of the cable plug 18, as described below.

Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 3, each spring 28 is stamped and formed of a conductive spring metal such as beryllium copper and has a base 50 for enclosing a generally U-shaped frame 26. And a pair of upright side walls 52 extending therefrom. The side wall 52 has a protrusion in the form of an integral outwardly curved portion 52a, which extends through the opening 14 in the panel 16 to attach the ground shroud assembly 12 to the panel 16 as shown in FIG. Engage with the inner wall. The spring 28 also includes an integral inwardly bent portion 52b that extends inwardly of the side wall 32 of the frame 26 to frictionally and electrically engage the outer shield of the cable plug 18. .

Each spring 28 of the ground shroud assembly 12 has a plurality of holes 54, 56 and 58 through its base 50. The hole 54 is provided with a pair of opposing tabs 54.
The tabs 5 are H-shaped so as to form a.
4a grips it is deformed when the contact pin 20A for grounding extends through the hole 54. This involves connecting the ground shroud assembly 12 to the printed circuit board 22 as shown in FIG.
Function to be attached to. The hole 56 is circular,
Another ground contact pin 20B from the printed circuit board 22
Accept freely. To avoid excessive mounting force,
Not all holes for receiving ground pins are H-shaped. The holes 58 are free to receive contact pins 20C for signals from the printed circuit board 22. The H-shaped hole 54 of the base 50 of the spring 28 is
, The small round hole 56 of the spring 28 aligns with the small round hole 36 of the frame 26, and the large round hole 58 of the spring 28 aligns with the large round hole 38 of the frame 26. In addition, tab 6
0 project outwardly from the base 50 at the end of each spring 28 for the purposes described below.

The U-shaped conductive spring 28 is attached to the U-shaped conductive frame 26 by sliding it toward both ends of the frame 26 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. FIG. 6 shows two springs 28 fully attached to and surrounding frame 26. In this fully installed position, the tab 60 at the end of the base 50 of the spring 28 is bent into a notch 46 in the base 30 of the frame 26.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a state in which the contact pins 20 from the printed circuit board 22 are inserted into the holes of the base 50 of the spring 28 and the base 30 of the frame 26. FIG. More specifically, the contact pin 20A of FIGS . 7 and 8 is a ground pin inserted into the H-shaped hole 54 of the spring 28 and the rectangular hole 34 of the frame 26. Opposing tab 54
a grips this ground pin 20A and effectively attaches the ground shroud assembly 12 to the printed circuit board 22.
7 and 8 correspond to the printed circuit board 22.
Small round hole 56 of spring 28 and frame 2
Another ground pin that extends freely through the six small round holes 36. 7 and 8 are signal pins that extend freely from the printed circuit board 22 through the large round hole 58 of the spring 28 and the large round hole 38 of the frame 26. These signal pins are routed through large holes adapted to the impedance characteristics to be achieved at the connector.

Referring to FIG . 9 , the dividing plate 66 includes:
A pair of mounting legs 70 include a generally flat body 68 projecting downward. The pair of arms 72 are outwardly spaced from both edges of the main body 68 to form a groove 74. The arm 72 terminates in an outwardly projecting stop flange 76. The split plate 66 is stamped from a conductive sheet metal material having substantially the same thickness as the sheet metal material of the frame 26.

The dividing plate 66 is attached to the frame 26 in the direction of arrow C and takes the position shown in FIG.
The frame 26 is provided with two
Split into two separate receptacles. Split plate 66
Is attached to the frame 26, the frame 26
Side wall 32 moves into a groove 74 inside the arm 72 of the split plate 66, and the bottom of the groove 74 eventually becomes the frame 26.
At the top notch 42 of the side wall 32. The mounting feet 70 at the bottom of the split plate 66 extend into mounting holes 78 ( FIG. 10 ) in the printed circuit board 22.

As shown in FIG . 10 , the end of the ground shroud assembly 12 is closed using a pair of end plates 80. End plate 80 has substantially the same structure as split plate 66, and therefore, similar portions of end plate 80 corresponding to the same portions of split plate 66 are indicated by the same reference numerals. As is clear from FIG. 10 , the end plates 80 are attached to both ends of the frame 26,
Both ends of the side wall 32 of the frame 26 are connected to an end plate 80.
Is press-fitted into a groove 74 inside the arm 72 of FIG. The mounting leg 70 of the end plate 80 has a mounting hole of the printed circuit board 22.
Project to 78 .

After the ground shroud assembly 12 is attached to the printed circuit board 22, as shown in FIG.
This subassembly is mounted in the opening 14 of the panel 16, and the panel 16 abuts against the split flange 66 and the stop flange 76 of the end plate 80.

The frame 26 forms a rugged receptacle for receiving the cable plug 18 if it is formed of a strong, thick material such as brass. A spring 28 formed of a thin resilient material, such as beryllium copper, has a resilient structure for attaching it to the opening 14 in the panel 16 and for gripping the plug 18 and the contact pin 20 in the H-shaped hole 54. Form the body. Further, the uninterrupted surface of the spring 28 is not bent with the key projection 48b.
It provides shielding against electromagnetic radiation passing through the opening formed by the curved tab 48a.

FIG . 11 shows a cable plug 18 having a mating end face 82 having a plurality of passages 84 for receiving contact pins 20 from a printed circuit board 22.
Passageway 84 leads to a plurality of female terminals or contacts in cable plug 18 that mate with contact pins 20 from printed circuit board 22. The mating surface 82 is defined by a face plate 86 attached to the insulating housing 88 of the cable plug 18.

The ground shroud assembly 12 and the cable plug 18 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 are unique in that they prevent a given cable plug 18 from being inserted into the wrong receptacle of the ground shroud assembly 12. It has a key mechanism. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 , a plurality of keyways 90 are provided on both sides of the housing 88 of the cable plug 18. A plurality of key notches 92 are provided on the face plate 86. These key notches 92 are aligned with the selected keyways 90 to provide key recesses 93 for receiving key projections 48b.
To form For example, in FIG. 11 , the key notch 92 at the top of the faceplate 86 is aligned with the outermost keyway 90 of the housing 88. However, key notch 92 of the bottom portion of the face plate 86, FIG. 11
, When viewed from the left, is aligned with the first and third keyways 90 at the bottom of the housing 88. Therefore, the cable plug 18
Has a different key configuration than its bottom.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the key configuration of the top of the cable plug 18 is the same as the key arrangement of the cable plug 18 of Figure 11. In other words, the key notch 92 of the face plate 86 is
Open to the two outermost keyways 90. Middle of the two key grooves 90 of the top of the housing 88, because blocked by the face plate 86, the key projection 48b
It does not become the key depression 93 to accept .

However, as apparent from the bottom of the cable plug 18 shown in FIGS . 12 and 13 ,
The face plate 86 of FIG. 12 is provided with two key notches 92 at the right end thereof, and the face plate 86 of FIG. 13 is provided with two key notches 92 at the left end thereof. Therefore, the cable plug 1 shown in FIG.
8 is different from the cable plug 18 shown in FIG .

[0032] As apparent from FIG. 14, key projection 48
b is the side wall 32 of the frame 26 so as to match the key notch 92 of the face plate 86 of the cable plug 18.
Is bent inward from In other words, the cable plug 18 shown in Figure 12, can be inserted into the ground shroud assembly 12 at the top of FIG. 14, and FIG.
Cable plug 18 shown in 13, can be inserted into the ground shroud assembly 12 in the lower part of FIG. 14. These two cable plugs 18 cannot be replaced in each receptacle on both sides of the split plate 66 due to the different key configuration.

As shown in FIG . 11 , the plug housing 8
By providing a plurality of keyways 90 in the keyway 8, the key projections 48 of the shroud assembly 12 can be obtained simply by replacing the faceplate 86 having the key notches 92 in the selected arrangement.
Some or all parts of the keyway 90 to accept b can be exposed. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the entire plug housing 88 to change the key configuration. To change the key mechanism, it is only necessary to replace the faceplate 86 with the selected arrangement of key notches 92. Similarly, the key protrusion of the side wall 32 of the frame 26
The key 48b can also be easily bent inward or cut at a selected location corresponding to the location of the key notch 92 of each cable plug 18. Spring 28
The key projection 48b can be cut with a small cutting tool even when is already installed and cannot access the frame 26.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a connector having a unique configuration that significantly reduces manufacturing costs, includes a standard housing for all connectors, and includes a key mechanism. plug connector may cable only replace the only face plate of the housing is provided to change, further, a plurality of non-bent
Comprising a stamped electrically conductive of receptors <br/> cycle having a tab 48a, a plurality of different keys consists only bend the tabs for these keys connectors obtained was provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded end view of a ground shroud assembly of the present invention, showing from top to bottom a printed circuit board having cable plugs, panels, and contact pins.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a ground shroud assembly attached to the panel and connected to a printed circuit board, and a cable plug is about to be inserted into the ground shroud assembly.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a frame and a pair of springs of the ground shroud assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a frame.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one spring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spring attached to a frame.

FIG. 7 shows 3 projecting through holes in the spring and frame.
It is a fragmentary view of a contact pin of a book.

8 is a partial top view of the structure of FIG. 7 as viewed from below.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing a state in which the split plate of the ground shroud assembly is about to be mounted.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a completed ground shroud assembly attached to a panel opening and a printed circuit board.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fitting end of the cable plug.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing a fitting end of a cable plug having a different key configuration.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view showing a fitting end of a cable plug having a different key configuration.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a state where two cable plugs having the key mechanisms of FIGS. 12 and 13 are inserted into a ground shroud assembly having the same key configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Ground Shroud Assembly 14 Opening 16 Panel 18 Cable Plug 20 Contact Pin 22 Printed Circuit Board 24 Cable 26 Frame 28 Spring 30 Base 32 Side Wall 34, 36, 38 Hole 40 Slot 42 Notch Tab 48 Key Tab 48a Unbent Tab 48b Key Projection 50 Base 52 Side wall 52a Outwardly bent portion 52b Inwardly bent portion 54, 56, 58 Hole 54a Tab 66 Split plate 68 Body 70 Mounting leg 72 Arm 74 Groove 76 Stop flange 80 End plate 82 Fitting end face 84 Passage 86 face plate 88 housing 90 key groove key notch 93 key recess

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-7822 (JP, A) JP-A-5-215939 (JP, A) JP-A-6-21670 (JP, A) JP-A-7-702 29640 (JP, A) JP-A-3-114155 (JP, A) JP-A-60-216480 (JP, A) JP-A-9-35819 (JP, A) JP-A-3-79175 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 2-3677 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 1-174879 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/64

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. The key mechanism of a ground shroud assembly (12) for receiving a cable plug (18), wherein a housing (88) of the cable plug (18) having a plurality of terminals is located at a selected position on a side surface thereof. The stamped and formed conductive frame (26) of at least one key recess ( 93 ) and of the ground shroud assembly (12) includes a base (30) and a base (3).
U ) having at least a pair of side walls (32) extending from the cable plug (18) for receiving the cable plug (18).
Defining the type of receptacle, at least in part of the side wall (32), a plurality of tabs
At least one of them is bent inward so that
-Arrangement of key projections (48b) projecting into recesses (93)
A key mechanism for an electrical connector, wherein a key mechanism is formed . 2. The key mechanism of an electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive spring (28) around at least said one side wall (32) of said conductive frame (26). 3. The at least one side wall (32)
3. The electrical connector of claim 2 including a plurality of stamped unbent tabs (48a), one or more of which may be bent inward to form said key projections ( 48b ). br /> Key mechanism. 4. The conductive spring (28) is generally U-shaped, and the conductive frame (26) is nested in the generally U-shaped conductive spring (28). The key mechanism of an electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein 5. The housing (88) includes a plurality of keyways (90) on at least one side thereof, and the housing (88) has a faceplate (86) mounted thereon. Includes a key notch (92) aligned with one of the keyways (90) to form the key recesses ( 93 ), and the other of the keyways (90) comprises the faceplate (92). electrodeposition of claim 1 that is blocked by 86)
Key connector key mechanism. 6. A panel (16) mounted in an opening (14) and receiving a cable plug (18) on one side of the panel (16) and a printed circuit board (22) on the other side of the panel (16). In the keying mechanism of the ground shroud assembly (12) for receiving contact pins (20), the housing (88) of the cable plug (18) having a plurality of terminals has at least one key recess in a selected position on its side. ( 93 ), a generally U-shaped conductive frame (36) including a base (30) and at least one pair of side walls (32) extending from the base (30). The base (30) defines a receptacle for receiving the cable plug (18) therebetween, and the base (30) defines the contact pin (20).
Has a hole (34, 36, 38) for receiving, at least in part of the side wall (32), a plurality of tabs
At least one of them is bent inward so that
-Arrangement of key projections (48b) projecting into recesses (93)
There is formed, and generally U-shaped conductive spring (28) includes a base (50), the base comprise at least a pair of side walls extending from (50) (52), in the general Enclosing a U-shaped conductive frame (26) and allowing the ground shroud assembly (12) to be easily attached to the opening (14) of the panel (16) ; The base (50) of the spring (28) is adapted to receive a hole (3) in the base (30) of the conductive frame (26) for receiving the contact pin (20).
A key mechanism for an electrical connector having holes (54, 56, 58) aligned with the holes (4, 36, 38). 7. The housing (88) includes a plurality of keyways (90) on at least one side thereof, and the housing (88) has a faceplate (86) mounted thereon. Includes a key notch (92) aligned with one of the keyways (90) to form the key recesses ( 93 ), and the other of the keyways (90) comprises the faceplate (92). electrodeposition of claim 6 which is blocked by 86)
Key connector key mechanism. 8. A key mechanism for an electrical connector, comprising: a cable plug (18) including a housing (88), wherein a plurality of keyways (90) are formed on at least one side of the housing (88). A face plate (86) is attached to the housing (88), and the face plate (86) is attached to the keyway (9).
0) includes at least one key notch (92) aligned with some of the keyways (90);
The face plate is blocked by (86), and further comprising a conductive frame (26) forming a receptacle for receiving the cable plug (18), this Riseputaku Le is the key notch (92) and
The key groove formed by the key groove (90) aligned with the key groove
A key projection (48b) extending into the recess (93) , so that the housing (88) is not replaced,
Replace the face plate (86), the Risepu <br/> Tak Le key projection (48b) different sequences electrical connector of key mechanism, characterized in that it is accepted. 9. The conductive frame (26) is stamped and formed from a metal material, and the key protrusion (48b).
9. A key mechanism for an electrical connector as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the key is bent inward of the side wall of the conductive frame . 10. The conductive frame (26) includes a plurality of unbent tabs (48a) , one or more of which may be bent inward to form the key protrusions (48b). Item 10. A key mechanism for an electrical connector according to Item 9 . 11. The housing (88) has a plurality of keyways (90) on both sides thereof, and the face plate (86) has a housing (8) on each of a pair of both sides.
8) At least one aligned with the keyway (90) on each side
One key notch (92) and the receptacle
At least one key projection on each of the side walls (32) of the
The key mechanism of an electrical connector according to claim 9 , wherein 48b is formed.