Connector assembly having dielectric cover

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6821150
  • Patent Number
    6,821,150
  • Date Filed
    Friday, November 22, 2002
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 23, 2004
    19 years ago
Abstract
A connector assembly comprising a central contact, an inner ground shield surrounding at least a portion of the central contact, and a dielectric cover. The dielectric cover has an inner cavity that receives the central contact and the inner ground shield. The dielectric cover includes a dielectric member formed integral therewith. The dielectric member extends into the inner cavity and at least partially surrounds the central contact to partially electrically isolate and separate the central contact and the inner ground shield from one another within the dielectric cover.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to electrical connector assemblies. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to connector assemblies that include receptacle housings having integrally formed dielectric covers, and having stamped contacts and inner shields.




In the past, connectors have been proposed for interconnecting coaxial cables. Generally, coaxial cables have a circular geometry formed with a central conductor (of one or more conductive wires) surrounded by a dielectric material. The dielectric material is surrounded by a cable braid (of one or more conductive wires) that serves as a ground, and the cable braid is surrounded by a cable jacket. In most coaxial cable applications, it is preferable to match the impedance between source and destination electrical components located at opposite ends of the coaxial cable. When sections of coaxial cable are interconnected by connector assemblies, it is equally preferable that the impedance remain matched through the interconnection.




Today, coaxial cables are widely used. Recently, demand has arisen for radio frequency (RF) coaxial cables in applications such as the automotive industry. The demand for RF coaxial cables in the automotive industry is due in part to the increased number of signals carried within automobiles, such as AM/FM radios, cellular phones, GPS, satellite radios, Blue Tooth™ compatible systems and the like.




Conventional coaxial connectors include diecast or screw machined outer shells, molded or screw machined dielectric housings and screw machined or drawn center contacts. The center contact is terminated to the center conductor of the coaxial cable. The center conductor is slid through an opening in the outer shell until seated. A ferrule is then slid into place and crimped thereby providing a ground path.




Some connector assemblies include matable plug and receptacle housings carrying separate dielectric subassemblies. The dielectric subassemblies include dielectric members, metal outer shields, and center contacts. The dielectric subassemblies receive and retain coaxial cable ends, and the outer shields have pins that pierce the jacket of the cable to electrically contact the cable braids while the center contacts engage the central conductors. The plug and receptacle housings include interior latches that catch and hold the dielectric subassemblies, and thus the coaxial cable ends, therein. When the plug and receptacle housings are mated, the dielectric subassemblies are engaged such that the outer shields are interconnected and the center contacts are interconnected with the dielectric members interconnected therebetween to form a dielectric layer between mated outer shields and mated center contacts.




However, some coaxial connector assemblies suffer from certain drawbacks. The interior latches allow the dielectric subassemblies to axially float forward and backward within the plug and receptacle housings. When the plug and receptacle housings are mated, the dielectric subassemblies have a limited longitudinal clearance in order that the mated dielectric subassemblies separate slightly from each other without being disconnected or interrupting the electrical connection. When such a separation occurs, the dielectric members are slightly separated such that air gaps develop between the connected center contacts and the connected outer shields. Because air has a different dielectric constant than that of the dielectric members and cable dielectric material, the impedance experienced by the electric signals changes at the point where the dielectric subassemblies interconnect. The change in impedance causes the electric signals to be reflected at the point of interconnection, which increases the power required to electrically connect the coaxial cables.




Additionally, typical connector assemblies include many separate components that are screw-machined and die-cast. These processes add additional costs to the assemblies themselves, and to the process of assembling the connector. Further, connector assemblies having circular cross-sectional geometries are difficult to manufacture, and often have tolerances that may produce variations in impedance.




Thus, a need exists for a more efficient and easier-to-assemble electrical connector.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Embodiments of the present invention provide a connector assembly comprising a first housing configured to be mounted to a coaxial cable and a second housing configured to be mounted on a circuit board. The first and second housings mate with one another and at least one of the first and second housings comprises a central contact, a ground shield and a dielectric cover.




The ground shield surrounds at least a portion of the central contact. The dielectric cover holds the central contact and the ground shield. The dielectric cover comprises a contact cavity having an open front end and a closed rear wall. The rear wall comprises a dielectric member formed integral therewith and extending outwardly into the contact cavity to a position between the central contact and the ground shield. The central contact and the ground shield are electrically isolated and separated from one another within the dielectric cover by at least the dielectric member. The dielectric member may extend along at least one complete side of the central contact. The dielectric member of one of the first and second housings is configured to slide along a corresponding dielectric member of the other housing.




The ground shield may include bottom and side panels formed integrally with one another. The bottom panel is positioned below the central contact and the dielectric member is positioned above the central contact. Optionally, the ground shield includes top and side panels formed integrally with one another such that the top panel is positioned above the central contact and the dielectric member is positioned below the central contact.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

illustrates an isometric view of an electrical connector assembly in a pre-mated position according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

illustrates an isometric view of a fully mated electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 3

illustrates an exploded isometric view of a receptacle housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 4

illustrates an isometric rear view of a receptacle housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 5

illustrates an isometric front view of a receptacle housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 6

illustrates an exploded isometric view of a receptacle housing according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 7

illustrates an isometric front view of a receptacle housing according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 8

illustrates an isometric bottom view of a receptacle housing according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 9

illustrates an isometric bottom view of a receptacle housing according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 10

illustrates an isometric bottom view of a receptacle housing according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 11

illustrates an isometric view of a plug housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.











The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.




DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION





FIGS. 1 and 2

illustrate isometric views of a pre-mated and fully assembled electrical connector assembly


10


. The connector assembly


10


includes a receptacle housing


12


and a plug housing


14


. The receptacle housing


12


is configured to be mounted on a printed circuit board


16


in the direction of line A. The receptacle housing


12


includes a rear end


17


and lateral walls


18


integrally formed with a top wall


20


and a bottom wall


22


. The lateral, top and bottom walls


18


,


20


and


22


, which define a plug reception cavity


24


, are configured to slidably receive and retain the plug housing


14


within the plug reception cavity


24


. The plug housing


14


includes lateral walls


26


formed integrally with top and bottom walls


28


and


30


, a receptacle interface end


32


and a coaxial cable interface end


34


. The cable interface end


34


receives an end of a coaxial cable


36


that is retained by the plug housing


14


. The plug housing


14


is further described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/191,136, entitled “Electrical Connector Assembly for Coaxial Cables,” filed Jul. 9, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.





FIG. 11

illustrates an isometric view of the plug housing


14


according to an embodiment of the present invention. The interface end


32


of the plug housing


14


is configured to mate with the plug reception cavity


24


of the receptacle housing


12


. An inner cavity


33


is formed within the interface end


32


and includes a dielectric member


35


protruding from an interior wall. The dielectric member


35


includes a contact channel


37


that is configured to receive a clip portion of a central contact (shown below). The plug housing


14


mates with the receptacle housing


12


so that the central contact of the receptacle housing


12


is mated with an inner contact of the plug housing


14


. Additionally, a dielectric member of the receptacle housing


12


is positioned on one side of the central contact and the dielectric member


35


is positioned on the opposite side of the central contact when the plug housing


14


is mated into the receptacle housing


12


.




During mating, the plug housing


14


is slid into the plug reception cavity


24


in a longitudinal direction denoted by line B until an electrical contact within the plug housing


14


, which is electrically connected to the cable


36


, is mated with an electrical contact (shown and discussed below) housed within the receptacle housing


12


. The receptacle housing


12


is in turn electrically connected to the circuit board


16


. As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the connector assembly


10


is a right angle connector. Optionally, the connector assembly


10


may be formed straight or at a different angle.





FIG. 3

illustrates an exploded isometric view of the receptacle housing


12


according to an embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle housing


12


includes an integrally-formed, one-piece dielectric cover


38


that includes the side walls


18


, top and bottom walls


20


,


22


, plug reception cavity


24


and the rear end


17


. The receptacle housing


12


includes a central contact


40


and an inner shield


42


, which partially surrounds and shields the central contact


40


within the plug reception cavity


24


. The central contact


40


and the inner shield


42


are loaded into the dielectric cover


38


through an opening in the rear end


17


. The inner shield


42


is electrically isolated from the central contact


40


by the dielectric cover


38


.




The central contact


40


includes a post


44


formed integrally with an intermediate portion


46


. The post


44


is configured to be received and retained within via or throughhole (not shown) formed in the circuit board


16


. The intermediate portion


46


is joined with a right-angled transition portion


48


, which is, in turn, joined with a clip portion


50


. Optionally, the central contact


40


may be surface mounted to the circuit board


16


. Alternatively, the central contact


40


may include a conductive pad, which electrically mates with a through-hole of the circuit board


16


, instead of the post


44


. The clip portion


50


includes a contact clip


52


that is configured to mate with a blade contact (not shown) of the plug housing


14


. The central contact


40


is a signal contact that forms a transmission line in combination with the inner shield


42


and allows a signal to pass to and from the plug housing


14


through the receptacle housing


12


and into the circuit board


16


. As mentioned above, the central contact


40


is covered and shielded by the inner shield


42


, which is a ground member. That is, the inner shield


42


is configured to partially surround the central contact


40


. However, while the inner shield


42


covers, or otherwise surrounds, the central contact


40


, the inner shield is separated from the inner shield


42


by interior structures of the dielectric cover


38


(as discussed below with respect to FIGS.


4


and


5


).




The inner shield


42


includes side panels


54


formed integrally with a back panel


56


and a top panel


58


. The side panels


54


are L-shaped and, in conjunction with the back and top panels


56


and


58


, define a central contact chamber


60


. The inner shield


42


also includes a main cavity portion


59


and a passage portion


57


. The main cavity portion


59


extends outwardly from the passage portion


57


. At least one of the side panels


54


includes an outwardly projecting tab


62


that assists in interlocking the inner shield


42


into the dielectric cover


38


. As shown below in

FIG. 5

, the projecting tabs


62


fold over a portion of rear cavity wall


72


of the receptacle housing


12


. The projecting tabs


62


pass through slots formed in the rear cavity wall


72


and are then folded over a portion of the rear cavity wall


72


. Alternatively, the projecting tab


62


may snapably or latchably engage a corresponding structure within the extended portion


67


(discussed below) of the dielectric housing


38


so that the inner shield


42


is securely retained within the dielectric housing


38


. Referring again to

FIG. 3

, additionally, at least one of the side panels


54


may include an anti-stubbing tab


61


configured to engage or pre-align a corresponding structure of the plug housing


14


, such as the inner shield


42


, to ensure a secure connection between the inner shield


42


and the plug housing


14


. While the inner shield


42


is shown as an L-shape, it may alternatively be formed in the shape of a “J” or “U.”




Each side panel


54


also includes posts


64


integrally formed therewith. The posts


64


extend downwardly from the side panels


54


and are configured to be received and retained by vias or throughholes (not shown) formed within the circuit board


16


. The inner shield


42


may include more or less posts


64


than those shown. Similar to the post


44


of the central contact


40


, the posts


64


may be configured to be surface mounted or through-hole mounted to the circuit board


16


. Optionally, the posts


64


may include conductive pads that electrically mate with corresponding structures on the circuit board


16


. Alternatively, instead of posts


64


, the side panels


54


may include conductive pads extending downwardly therefrom.





FIG. 4

illustrates an isometric rear view of the receptacle housing


12


. The receptacle housing


12


includes a main body


63


and an extended portion


67


at the rear end


17


. The extended portion


67


has side and top walls


66


and


68


that define a passage


70


that is configured to receive and retain the inner shield


42


. The extended portion


67


also includes an interior rear surface


74


that has a channel


76


formed therethrough. The interior rear surface


74


may allow passage of the central contact


40


therethrough before the inner shield


42


is positioned over the interior rear surface


74


within the receptacle housing


12


. Once the inner shield


42


is inserted into the receptacle housing


12


, a rear wall of the inner shield


42


covers the interior rear surface


74


and the channel


76


.





FIG. 5

illustrates an isometric front view of the receptacle housing


12


. An inner shield channel


75


is formed within a rear cavity wall


72


that allows at least a portion of the inner shield


42


to pass into the plug receptacle cavity


24


. A contact channel


76


is formed within the cavity wall


72


. A dielectric member


80


extends outwardly from the cavity wall


72


into the plug receptacle cavity


24


. As shown in

FIG. 5

, the clip portion


50


of the central contact


40


is separated from the inner shield


42


by the cavity wall


72


and the dielectric member


80


. Upon mating with the plug housing


14


, a dielectric member of the plug housing


14


may be mated into the cavity defined by the top panel


58


of the inner shield


42


and the dielectric member


80


. Upon mating, the dielectric member


80


may cover a bottom side of the clip portion


50


of the central contact


40


while the dielectric member of the plug housing


14


may cover the top side of the clip portion


50


. The dielectric member


80


assists in supporting the clip portion


50


of the central contact


40


. The contact clip


52


may extend outwardly from the contact channel


76


. Alternatively, the contact clip


52


may not extend beyond the front surface of the dielectric member


80


. In either case, the contact channel


76


and the contact clip


52


are configured to allow electrical mating between the central contact


40


and a corresponding contact (not shown) of the plug housing


14


. Optionally, an outer ground shield (similar to outer shield


90


, shown with respect to FIG.


6


), may cover the receptacle housing


12


.





FIG. 6

illustrates an isometric exploded view of a receptacle housing


82


according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle housing


82


includes a one-piece, integrally formed dielectric cover


84


, a central contact


86


, an inner shield


88


, and an outer shield


90


. Alternatively, the receptacle housing


82


need not include the outer shield


90


. The receptacle housing


82


is configured to mate with the plug housing


14


.




The dielectric cover


84


includes side walls


92


integrally formed with a top wall


94


and a base


96


. The base


96


and side and top walls


92


and


94


define a plug reception cavity


98


. The top wall


94


is integrally connected to the side walls


92


through beveled edges


100


. The side walls


92


include ramps


102


formed proximate a rear end


103


of the dielectric cover


84


that engage protrusions formed within the outer shield


90


. The dielectric cover


84


is configured to allow the outer shield


90


to slidably and/or snapably engage the dielectric cover


84


. The base


96


includes ribs


104


extending outwardly therefrom into the plug reception cavity


98


. The ribs


104


longitudinally extend over at least a portion of the base


96


. Additionally, an opening


106


is formed within the base


96


that allows the inner shield


88


and engagement features of the outer shield


90


to pass into the plug reception cavity


98


. Further, a contact channel (not shown) is formed in a rear wall (not shown) of the dielectric cover


84


that allows the central contact


86


to be slidably received and retained with the dielectric cover


84


through a longitudinal direction D. The central contact


86


is slid into the dielectric cover


84


through the rear end


103


of the dielectric cover


84


. Alternatively, the central contact


86


may be inserted into the dielectric cover


84


through the opening


106


in the base


96


through a direction E or through an opening formed in the top wall


94


.




The central contact


86


is similar to the central contact


40


described above. The central contact


86


includes a post


108


formed integrally with an intermediate portion


110


. The post


108


is configured to be received and retained within a via or throughhole (not shown) formed in the circuit board


16


. The intermediate portion


110


is joined with a right-angled transition portion


112


, which is, in turn, joined with a clip portion


114


. Alternatively, the central contact


86


may include a conductive pad, which electrically mates with a corresponding structure of the circuit board


16


, instead of the post


108


. The clip portion


114


includes a contact clip


116


that is configured to mate with a blade contact (not shown) of the plug housing


14


. The central contact


86


may also include a barb


118


, or other such protrusion, extending from an inner edge of the central contact


86


. The barb


118


may securably engage a corresponding structure within the dielectric cover


84


upon assembly of the receptacle housing


82


. The central contact


86


is a signal contact that forms a signal transmission line, in combination with the inner shield


42


, and allows a signal to pass to and from the plug housing


14


through the receptacle housing


82


and into the circuit board


16


. Similar to the central contact


40


discussed above, the central contact


86


is covered and shielded, yet electrically isolated and separated from, the inner shield


88


, which is a ground member. The inner shield


88


is configured to partially surround the central contact


86


.




The L-shaped inner shield


88


includes an upright leg


120


, which is integrally formed with an extension arm


122


. The extension arm


122


and the upright leg


120


form the L-shaped inner shield


88


and define a central contact chamber


123


. The upright leg


120


includes posts


124


downwardly extending from support walls


127


at a mounting end


126


, and a tab


128


outwardly extending from at least one support wall


127


proximate a cavity end


130


. The tab


128


is configured to snapably, latchably, or otherwise securably engage a corresponding structure within the dielectric cover


84


. The extension arm


122


outwardly extends from the upright leg


120


in a perpendicular fashion. The extension arm


122


includes side panels


132


formed integrally with a bottom panel


134


. While the inner shield


42


shown in

FIGS. 3-5

includes a top panel


58


, the inner shield


88


includes a bottom panel


134


with an open top


136


. Structures of the inner shield


88


that are similar to those of the inner shield


42


(for example, the posts


124


and the posts


64


) function similarly.




The outer shield


90


includes side walls


138


formed integrally with a top wall


140


through beveled edges


142


. The outer shield


90


also includes a partially open base


144


having tabs


146


and clamps


148


that securably engage corresponding structures of the dielectric cover


84


. For example, the clamps


148


snapably engage the ribs


104


as the outer shield


90


is slid over the dielectric housing


84


in the direction of line D. Posts


150


extend downwardly from the base


144


and/or the side walls


138


and are received and retained within corresponding cavities within the circuit board


16


. More or less posts


150


than those shown in

FIG. 6

may be used with the outer shield


90


. The outer shield


90


fits over the dielectric cover


84


and is an additional ground layer. Thus, the central contact


86


is shielded from the outside environment by a first ground layer, that is, the inner shield


88


, a dielectric cover


84


that surrounds the inner shield


88


, and a second ground layer, which is the outer shield


90


that surrounds the dielectric cover


84


.





FIG. 7

illustrates an isometric front view of the receptacle housing


82


according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the receptacle housing


12


, the receptacle housing


82


includes an integrally formed dielectric member


152


extending from a rear wall


156


. The dielectric member


152


includes a contact channel


160


that allows the clip portion


114


to pass therethrough. Additionally, the rear wall


156


includes an inner shield channel


154


and a contact channel


158


formed in the rear wall


156


that allow the inner shield


88


and the central contact


86


, respectively, to pass into the plug reception cavity


98


. The dielectric cover


84


also includes a board lock member


162


extending downwardly from the base


96


. The board lock member


162


may be integrally formed with the dielectric cover


84


and is configured to be received and retained by a corresponding locking cavity (not shown) formed in the circuit board


16


. The board lock member


162


includes a central rod


166


integrally formed with coaxial collars


168


. Various other board lock members may be used, such as those shown in

FIGS. 9 and 10

. Also, more or less than one board lock member


162


may be used with the receptacle housing


82


or the receptacle housing


12


.





FIG. 8

illustrates an isometric bottom view of a receptacle housing


82


according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As discussed above, the clamps


148


of the outer shield snapably clamp or otherwise securably engage the ribs


104


of the dielectric cover


84


. Similarly, the tabs


146


engage corresponding divots


147


formed in the base


96


of the dielectric cover


84


. Additionally, the ramps


102


formed proximate the rear end


103


of the dielectric cover


84


snapably engage ramp-receiving members


163


formed proximate a rear edge of the outer shield


90


.





FIG. 9

illustrates an isometric bottom view of a receptacle housing


170


according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle housing


170


may be mated with the plug housing


14


and mounted on the circuit board


16


. The receptacle housing


170


includes a dielectric cover


172


, an inner shield


174


, and a central contact


176


. Additionally, two board locking members


178


extend outwardly from a base


180


of the dielectric cover


172


. Alternatively, more or less board locking members


178


may be used than those shown in FIG.


9


. The board locking members


178


may be integrally formed with the dielectric cover


172


or separately mounted thereon. The board locking member(s)


178


may be used with either the receptacle housing


12


or the receptacle housing


82


. Each board locking member


178


includes a semi-cylindrical straight post


182


and a semi-cylindrical post


184


having a protrusion


185


extending outwardly from an outer terminal end. The straight post


182


and the post


184


are separated by a clearance gap


188


.





FIG. 10

illustrates an isometric bottom view of a receptacle housing


190


according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle housing


190


may be mated with the plug housing


14


and mounted on the circuit board


16


. The receptacle housing


190


includes a dielectric cover


192


, an inner shield


194


, and a central contact


196


. Additionally, two board locking members


198


extend outwardly from board lock mounts


200


integrally formed with side walls


202


of the dielectric cover


192


. Alternatively, more or less board locking members


198


may be used than those shown in FIG.


10


. The board locking members


198


may be integrally formed with the dielectric cover


192


, or may be separately assembled into the board lock mount


200


, either by direct insertion or insert molding. The board locking member(s)


198


may be used with any of the receptacle housing


12


, the receptacle housing


170


or the receptacle housing


82


. Each board locking member


198


may be a clip-type structure including two prongs


208


staked into the board lock housing


200


.




As mentioned above, the electrical connector


10


is a right angle connector. That is, the mating surface of the circuit board


16


is perpendicular to the mating interface of the plug housing


14


. The receptacle housing


12


includes a right angle central contact and a ground inner shield that allows the electrical signals to pass from the plug connector


14


to the circuit board


16


.




The receptacle housings may be color coded to signify appropriate applications. For example, the dielectric covers may be colored to correspond to a variety of different applications. The dielectric covers may be made of different plastics having different dielectric constants. One plastic may be a first color while a second plastic may be a second color, and so on. One type of color-coded receptacle housing may be used with an RF transmission, while another may be used with a video system, and another may be used with an AM/FM stereo. An individual may quickly discern which type of receptacle housing to use based on the color of the dielectric cover.




Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide an electrical connector that is easy to assemble and economical in design. That is, the receptacle housing may be assembled from an integrally formed dielectric cover, an inner shield and a central contact. These components are not screw machined or die-cast, as are the majority of conventional RF receptacle housings. Embodiments of the present invention provide an electrical connector that utilizes an integrally formed, molded, one-piece dielectric cover and a stamped and formed center contact, inner shield and optional outer shield. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in strip line, square coaxial or various other configurations used in RF applications, among others.




While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A connector assembly, comprising:a central contact; an inner ground shield surrounding at least a portion of said central contact; and a dielectric cover having an inner cavity receiving said central contact and said inner ground shield, said dielectric cover including a dielectric member formed integral therewith, said dielectric member extending into said inner cavity and having a channel formed therein and extending along a length of dielectric member to at least partially surround a top and both sides of said central contact to partially electrically isolate and separate said central contact and said inner ground shield from one another within said dielectric cover.
  • 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said connector assembly conveys a coaxial radio frequency (RF) signal.
  • 3. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said dielectric cover includes a rear wall closing a rear end of said inner cavity, said rear wall having said dielectric member formed thereon and projecting into said inner cavity, said channel extending from said rear wall into said inner cavity.
  • 4. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said central contact and said inner ground shield are formed in a right angle configuration.
  • 5. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said central contact and inner ground shield include pins configured to be mounted on a circuit board.
  • 6. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said dielectric cover includes a rear wall having a passage therethrough, said passage permitting at least one of said inner ground shield and said central contact to be loaded therethrough into said inner cavity.
  • 7. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said inner ground shield and said central contact are loaded into said dielectric cover through an opening formed in a base of said dielectric cover.
  • 8. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising an outer ground shield securely mounted over said dielectric cover.
  • 9. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said central contact comprises a clip portion extending perpendicularly from a leg, and wherein said inner ground shield is one of L-shaped, J-shaped and U-shaped and conforms to a contour of said central signal contact.
  • 10. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said dielectric cover comprises a base having a board lock member extending outwardly therefrom, said board lock member being configured to retain said dielectric coyer on a circuit board.
  • 11. A connector assembly comprising a first housing configured to be mounted to a coaxial cable and a second housing configured to be mounted on a circuit board, said first and second housings mating with one another, at least one of said first and second housings comprising:a central contact; a ground shield surrounding at least a portion of said central contact; and a dielectric cover holding said central contact and said ground shield, said dielectric cover comprising a contact cavity having an open front end and a closed rear wall, said rear wall comprising a dielectric member formed integral therewith and extending outwardly into said contact cavity, to a position between said central contact and said ground shield, said dielectric member member having a channel formed in and extending along a length of said dielectric member to at least partially surround a top and both sides of said central contact, wherein said central contact and said ground shield are partially electrically isolated and separated from one another within said dielectric cover by at least said dielectric member.
  • 12. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said dielectric member extends along at least one complete side of said central contact.
  • 13. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said dielectric member of one of said first and second housings is configured to slide along a corresponding dielectric member of the other of said first second housings.
  • 14. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said ground shield includes bottom and side panels formed integrally with one another, wherein said bottom panel is positioned below said central contact and said dielectric member is positioned above said central contact.
  • 15. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said ground shield includes top and side panels formed integrally with one another, wherein said top panel is positioned above said central contact and said dielectric member is positioned below said central contact.
  • 16. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said connector assembly conveys a radio frequency (RF) signal.
  • 17. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said dielectric cover includes a rear wall having a passage therethrough, said passage permitting at least one of said inner ground shield and said central contact to be loaded therethrough into said inner cavity.
  • 18. The connector assembly of claim 11, further comprising an outer ground shield securely mounted over said dielectric cover.
  • 19. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said dielectric cover comprises a base having a board lock member extending outwardly therefrom, said board lock member being configured to retain said dielectric cover on a circuit board.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
6053773 Wu Apr 2000 A
6120318 Reed et al. Sep 2000 A
6447311 Hu et al. Sep 2002 B1
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number Date Country
1 071 170 Jan 2001 EP
WO 0229938 Apr 2002 WO