US20020052130A1 - Connector assembly - Google Patents
Connector assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020052130A1 US20020052130A1 US09/751,495 US75149500A US2002052130A1 US 20020052130 A1 US20020052130 A1 US 20020052130A1 US 75149500 A US75149500 A US 75149500A US 2002052130 A1 US2002052130 A1 US 2002052130A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- housing
- optical fiber
- cover
- pair
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/516—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods
- H01R13/518—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3817—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres containing optical and electrical conductors
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4296—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements coupling with sources of high radiant energy, e.g. high power lasers, high temperature light sources
- G02B2006/4297—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements coupling with sources of high radiant energy, e.g. high power lasers, high temperature light sources having protection means, e.g. protecting humans against accidental exposure to harmful laser radiation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a connector assembly, and particularly to a connector assembly comprising an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly consisting of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector which are reliably assembled together in a compact manner.
- a connector assembly comprises an insulative cover, an optical fiber connector, an electrical connector and a dielectric frame.
- the cover defines first and second receiving cavities to receive the optical fiber connector and the electrical connector therein, respectively.
- the frame is assembled to the cover and the electrical connector and receives terminals extending from the optical fiber connector.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector assembly in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view of an insulative cover of the connector assembly of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an electrical connector of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 with a shield thereof removed;
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector assembly partially cut away.
- a connector assembly 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises an insulative cover 10 , an optical fiber connector 1 1 , an electrical connector 12 and a dielectric frame 13 .
- the cover 10 comprises a top wall 100 , a pair of side walls 104 and a rear wall 1110 .
- the cover 10 is open at a bottom and front thereof.
- An ear 109 extends upwardly from a front side of the top wall 100 .
- the top wall 100 of the cover 10 further forms a top block 103 (best seen in FIG. 3) extending downwardly from a rear side of an inner face thereof into a first receiving cavity 101 in an upper portion of the cover 10 .
- the cover 10 further defines a second receiving cavity 105 located below and communicating with the first receiving cavity 101 .
- a pair of supporting ribs 110 are formed on inside surfaces of the side walls 104 , respectively, and are located between the first and second receiving cavities 101 , 105 .
- Each supporting rib 110 defines a guiding groove 110 a therein open to a front thereof.
- Each side wall 104 forms a protrusion 102 in the first receiving cavity 101 and a foot 106 extending from a bottom edge thereof.
- a pair of stopping blocks 107 are formed on an inner face of the rear wall 1110 protruding into the second receiving cavity 105 and an insert 108 projects forwardly from a lower portion of each stopping block 107 .
- a top surface of each supporting rib 110 is flush with a top surface of each stopping block 107 and the supporting ribs 110 and the stopping blocks 107 define three gaps 1078 therebetween (best seen in FIG. 3).
- Each insert 108 has a semicircular configuration.
- the optical fiber connector 11 comprises a dielectric housing 111 and three terminals or connecting pieces 112 depending downwardly from the dielectric housing 111 .
- the dielectric housing 111 defines a pair of recesses 113 in opposite outer side surfaces thereof and a plug receiving space 114 therein.
- a pair of slots 115 (only one shown) are defined in opposite inner side surfaces of the housing 111 and in communication with the plug receiving cavity 114 .
- a light emitting element 1113 is mounted in a rear wall of the housing 111 and comprises a contact portion 1112 exposed to the plug receiving cavity 114 .
- the housing 111 further defines an upper recess 119 above a top of the light emitting element 1113 in the rear wall thereof.
- a dustproof door 116 is pivotally mounted in a way ordinary in the pertinent art on a front side of the housing 111 .
- the door 116 is pushed rearward and upward when a complementary plug connector (not shown) is inserted along the slots 115 into the plug receiving space 114 to contact the contact portion 1112 , and returns back to its initial position when the complementary plug connector is disengaged from the optical fiber connector 11 .
- the connection mechanism of the light emitting element 1113 , the complementary plug connector and the terminals 112 are commonly known to one skilled in the pertinent art, so detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein.
- a pair of guiding ribs 118 protrude from a bottom surface 117 of the housing 111 .
- the electrical connector 12 comprises an insulative housing 121 , an electrical terminal 126 mounted in the insulative housing 121 and a conductive shield 122 enclosing the housing 121 and the electrical terminal 126 .
- the housing 121 defines a through hole 123 extending therethrough. A rear end portion of the through hole 123 in the housing 121 is divided by the terminal 126 into two halves.
- the housing 121 defines a pair of opposite recessed sections 124 on an outer, rear, lower portion thereof.
- the shield 122 comprises a pair of grounding tabs 125 projecting downwardly from a bottom edge thereof.
- the frame 13 is hollow and has a substantially rectangular configuration, and comprises a pair of lateral sides 133 , a front side 134 and a rear side 137 .
- the lateral sides 133 are higher than the front side 134 and are lower than the rear side 137 .
- the lateral sides 133 each define a retention portion 135 in an inner face thereof.
- a plurality of terminal holes 132 are defined through a lower portion of the rear side 137 and a pair of spacing plates 136 extend forwardly from the rear side 137 .
- the optical fiber connector 11 is inserted into the first receiving cavity 101 .
- the guiding ribs 118 slide in the guiding grooves 11 Oa until the protrusions 102 are engaged in the recesses 113 .
- the top block 103 is received in the upper recess 119 .
- the terminals 112 depend downwardly through the gaps 1078 , respectively, and are thus insulatively separated from each other.
- a rear portion of the electrical connector 12 is received in the second receiving cavity 105 by extending the inserts 108 into the two halves of the rear portions of the through hole 123 until the stopping blocks 107 abut against a rear face of the housing 121 of the electrical connector 12 .
- the frame 13 is finally assembled to the subassembly of the cover 10 , the optical fiber connector 11 and the electrical connector 12 .
- the spacing plates 136 extend into the recessed sections 124 of the housing 121 and the feet 106 are reliably retained by the retention portions 135 .
- the terminals 112 extend through the terminal holes 132 of the frame 13 to a position beyond a bottom of the frame 13 .
- the grounding tabs 125 , the electrical terminal 126 and the terminals 112 all extend beyond the bottom of the frame 13 .
- the present invention provides a very compact and secure structure for combining an electrical connector and an optical fiber connector together, thereby meeting the innovative requirements of current information technology.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and particularly to a connector assembly comprising an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- Conventional signal transmission is achieved using electrical wires, which requires electrical connectors for use in wire interconnection. Following the development of high speed, large volume and long distance signal transmission, optical fiber connectors were developed to meet evolving requirements. In some situations, a combination of electrical and optical fiber connectors is necessary. A combination electrical/optical fiber connector in a mechanically secure and dimensionally compact package is required to meet the current trend toward miniaturization in information processing devices.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly consisting of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector which are reliably assembled together in a compact manner.
- A connector assembly according to the present invention comprises an insulative cover, an optical fiber connector, an electrical connector and a dielectric frame. The cover defines first and second receiving cavities to receive the optical fiber connector and the electrical connector therein, respectively. The frame is assembled to the cover and the electrical connector and receives terminals extending from the optical fiber connector.
- Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector assembly in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view of an insulative cover of the connector assembly of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an electrical connector of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 with a shield thereof removed; and
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector assembly partially cut away.
- Referring to FIG. 1, a
connector assembly 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises aninsulative cover 10, anoptical fiber connector 1 1, anelectrical connector 12 and adielectric frame 13. - The
cover 10 comprises atop wall 100, a pair ofside walls 104 and arear wall 1110. Thecover 10 is open at a bottom and front thereof. Anear 109 extends upwardly from a front side of thetop wall 100. Thetop wall 100 of thecover 10 further forms a top block 103 (best seen in FIG. 3) extending downwardly from a rear side of an inner face thereof into afirst receiving cavity 101 in an upper portion of thecover 10. Thecover 10 further defines asecond receiving cavity 105 located below and communicating with thefirst receiving cavity 101. A pair of supportingribs 110 are formed on inside surfaces of theside walls 104, respectively, and are located between the first and second receivingcavities rib 110 defines a guidinggroove 110 a therein open to a front thereof. Eachside wall 104 forms aprotrusion 102 in thefirst receiving cavity 101 and afoot 106 extending from a bottom edge thereof. A pair ofstopping blocks 107 are formed on an inner face of therear wall 1110 protruding into thesecond receiving cavity 105 and aninsert 108 projects forwardly from a lower portion of eachstopping block 107. A top surface of each supportingrib 110 is flush with a top surface of eachstopping block 107 and the supportingribs 110 and thestopping blocks 107 define threegaps 1078 therebetween (best seen in FIG. 3). Eachinsert 108 has a semicircular configuration. - The
optical fiber connector 11 comprises adielectric housing 111 and three terminals or connectingpieces 112 depending downwardly from thedielectric housing 111. Thedielectric housing 111 defines a pair ofrecesses 113 in opposite outer side surfaces thereof and aplug receiving space 114 therein. A pair of slots 115 (only one shown) are defined in opposite inner side surfaces of thehousing 111 and in communication with theplug receiving cavity 114. Alight emitting element 1113 is mounted in a rear wall of thehousing 111 and comprises acontact portion 1112 exposed to theplug receiving cavity 114. Thehousing 111 further defines anupper recess 119 above a top of thelight emitting element 1113 in the rear wall thereof. Adustproof door 116 is pivotally mounted in a way ordinary in the pertinent art on a front side of thehousing 111. Thedoor 116 is pushed rearward and upward when a complementary plug connector (not shown) is inserted along theslots 115 into theplug receiving space 114 to contact thecontact portion 1112, and returns back to its initial position when the complementary plug connector is disengaged from theoptical fiber connector 11. The connection mechanism of thelight emitting element 1113, the complementary plug connector and theterminals 112 are commonly known to one skilled in the pertinent art, so detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein. A pair of guidingribs 118 protrude from abottom surface 117 of thehousing 111. - Also referring to FIG. 4, the
electrical connector 12 comprises aninsulative housing 121, anelectrical terminal 126 mounted in theinsulative housing 121 and aconductive shield 122 enclosing thehousing 121 and theelectrical terminal 126. Thehousing 121 defines a throughhole 123 extending therethrough. A rear end portion of thethrough hole 123 in thehousing 121 is divided by theterminal 126 into two halves. Thehousing 121 defines a pair of oppositerecessed sections 124 on an outer, rear, lower portion thereof. Theshield 122 comprises a pair ofgrounding tabs 125 projecting downwardly from a bottom edge thereof. - The
frame 13 is hollow and has a substantially rectangular configuration, and comprises a pair oflateral sides 133, afront side 134 and arear side 137. Thelateral sides 133 are higher than thefront side 134 and are lower than therear side 137. Thelateral sides 133 each define aretention portion 135 in an inner face thereof. A plurality ofterminal holes 132 are defined through a lower portion of therear side 137 and a pair ofspacing plates 136 extend forwardly from therear side 137. - In assembly, the
optical fiber connector 11 is inserted into thefirst receiving cavity 101. The guidingribs 118 slide in the guidinggrooves 11 Oa until theprotrusions 102 are engaged in therecesses 113. Thetop block 103 is received in theupper recess 119. Theterminals 112 depend downwardly through thegaps 1078, respectively, and are thus insulatively separated from each other. A rear portion of theelectrical connector 12 is received in thesecond receiving cavity 105 by extending theinserts 108 into the two halves of the rear portions of the throughhole 123 until the stopping blocks 107 abut against a rear face of thehousing 121 of theelectrical connector 12. Theframe 13 is finally assembled to the subassembly of thecover 10, theoptical fiber connector 11 and theelectrical connector 12. In the assembling, thespacing plates 136 extend into therecessed sections 124 of thehousing 121 and thefeet 106 are reliably retained by theretention portions 135. Theterminals 112 extend through theterminal holes 132 of theframe 13 to a position beyond a bottom of theframe 13. Thegrounding tabs 125, theelectrical terminal 126 and theterminals 112 all extend beyond the bottom of theframe 13. - From the above disclosures, the present invention provides a very compact and secure structure for combining an electrical connector and an optical fiber connector together, thereby meeting the innovative requirements of current information technology.
- It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (12)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TW89218879 | 2000-10-31 | ||
TW089218879U TW474464U (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-10-31 | Optoelectronic connector assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6368150B1 US6368150B1 (en) | 2002-04-09 |
US20020052130A1 true US20020052130A1 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
Family
ID=21674452
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/751,495 Expired - Fee Related US6368150B1 (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-12-29 | Connector assembly |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6368150B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3078530U (en) |
TW (1) | TW474464U (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2453278A3 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-08-29 | Research In Motion Limited | Device with magnetically coupled data connector for electrical and optical data circuits |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2603714Y2 (en) * | 1992-12-28 | 2000-03-21 | 株式会社 エムアイケア | Mobile beauty salon car |
TW517888U (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2003-01-11 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Electrical connector component |
JP4071604B2 (en) * | 2002-11-18 | 2008-04-02 | 株式会社ルネサステクノロジ | Information processing apparatus provided with clock generation circuit and information processing apparatus provided with clock delay circuit |
US20050153598A1 (en) * | 2004-01-14 | 2005-07-14 | Meister Douglas L. | Connector assembly |
TWM329781U (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2008-04-01 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Optical fiber connector |
TWM349582U (en) * | 2008-06-04 | 2009-01-21 | yi-fang Zhuang | Multi-port connector with different specifications |
CN101872041B (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2012-08-29 | 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 | Photoelectric connector |
TWM379181U (en) * | 2009-11-12 | 2010-04-21 | nai-qian Zhang | Connector for linking external antenna |
TWI449267B (en) * | 2010-09-30 | 2014-08-11 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Connector assembly |
CN113178720A (en) * | 2021-04-20 | 2021-07-27 | 杭州耀芯科技有限公司 | Pluggable free space photoelectric hybrid connector |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4412571C1 (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1995-06-08 | Framatome Connectors Int | Combined optical waveguide metal cable plug-connector |
EP0713111A1 (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1996-05-22 | The Whitaker Corporation | Sealed multiposition fiber optic connector |
DE19533295C1 (en) * | 1995-09-08 | 1997-04-10 | Siemens Ag | Hybrid connector with modular electrical and fiber optic connectors |
US5755592A (en) * | 1996-09-27 | 1998-05-26 | The Whitaker Corporation | Combined ground strap and board lock for electrical connector assembly |
US6168462B1 (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 2001-01-02 | Wen Jung Liao | Connector structure |
US6074228A (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2000-06-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Guide rail and CAM system with integrated connector for removable transceiver |
-
2000
- 2000-10-31 TW TW089218879U patent/TW474464U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-12-22 JP JP2000009064U patent/JP3078530U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-12-29 US US09/751,495 patent/US6368150B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2453278A3 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-08-29 | Research In Motion Limited | Device with magnetically coupled data connector for electrical and optical data circuits |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP3078530U (en) | 2001-07-10 |
TW474464U (en) | 2002-01-21 |
US6368150B1 (en) | 2002-04-09 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HON HAI PRECISION IND. CO., LTD., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZHENG, QISHEN;ZHAO, OIJIN;ZHOU, HONGBIN;REEL/FRAME:011429/0623 Effective date: 20001211 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20100409 |