Patent Application
20050186853
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to an RJ-45 connector.
Due to highly developed information technology, electrical and information products are more popular and convenient for users. Computer systems and peripherals thereof progress greatly, day by day, and people can search for information and provide services with networks. Via networks, people enjoy a comfortable and fast information search environment.
The wide proliferation of personal computers and networks allows people to utilize networks to search for and provide information. Currently, small quantities of computers and concentrated computers cannot provide enough information and data for business utilization. In a normal company, the computer system is distributed and connected by the network to provide enough service and information for business requirements. Hence, a personal computer, a notebook computer, or even a handheld computer provides an interface to connect to the network.
The computer apparatuses connected to the networks are usually connected to the network directly or through a relative electrical device, for example, a hub with connectors. Conventional and popular connectors for connecting to the network are a pair of a connector, for example an RJ-45 connector and an RJ-45 plug. The RJ-45 connectors are commonly used for network cabling while the RJ-11 connectors are for telephony applications. However, the appearance and dimensions of the RJ-45 connector are similar to that of an RJ-11 connector; the RJ-11 connector is slightly smaller than the RJ-45 connector. Therefore, the RJ-45 connector for network and the RJ-11 for telephone are always disposed adjacently.
Hence, because the RJ-11 connector is smaller than the RJ-45 connector, the RJ-11 plug is very easily inserted into the RJ-45 connector by mistake. Therefore, the electrical equipment with the RJ-11 plug cannot work and/or the network signals are interfered with, and further the electrical equipment can be damaged by a mistake.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a connector to avoid insertions of a non-corresponding plug into the wrong connector so as to avoid electrical equipment damage and network interference as caused by a mistake.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an RJ-45 connector to avoid insertion of a non-RJ-45 connector therein, and especially, to avoid the insertion of an RJ-11 plug into the RJ-45 connector.
To accomplish the above objectives, the present invention provides a connector to avoid erroneous insertion of a non-corresponding connector. For example, an RJ-45 connector prevents the insertion of an RJ-11 or RJ-12 plug effectively. The connector has a housing, a plug, and a stopper. The housing has a receiving hole. The plug is inserted into the receiving hole. The stopper is positioned at the front of the housing to prevent erroneous insertion of the non-corresponding plug.
The stopper is preferably disposed at the front position of the housing and slightly extending into the receiving hole. The stopper comprises a plurality of protrusions respectively positioned at both front sides of the housing. The connector also utilizes a plurality of protrusion disposed at front positions of the housing. For the RJ-45 connector, a height of the protrusion is preferably less than about 0.5 mm.
The stopper is formed on the housing or placed between the housing and the metal shell. The connector utilizes the stopper effectively to avoid erroneous insertion of the non-corresponding connector, and especially to prevent insertion of an RJ-11 or RJ-12 plug into an RJ-45 connector. Therefore, the network environment will be more stable without erroneous insertion and the electrical equipment will work more safely.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention are more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined by referencing the appended claims.
The stopper 130 comprises at least one protrusion slightly extending into the receiving hole of the housing 120. The stopper 130 can be set at all positions at the front on the housing 120 or be placed between the housing 120 and the metal shell 100 to prevent an erroneous insertion of the non-RJ-45 plug, for example, an RJ-11 plug, an RJ-12 plug or the like. The stopper 130 allows insertion of a standard RJ-45 plug 110 and prevents insertion of a non-RJ-45 plug, for example, an RJ-11 plug.
The stopper of the first preferred embodiment shown in
To avoid the RJ-11 plug 320 to be inserted into the RJ-45 connector 120, an end portion 322 of the RJ-11 plug 320 must be stopped by the stopper 130. The RJ-11 plug 320 is smaller and has only six grooves 324, however, the stopper 130 is placed at the bilateral front sides of the housing. Thus, the RJ-11 plug 320 is stopped by the stopper 130 and cannot be inserted into the RJ-45 connector 120.
The stopper comprises a supporting member and a protrusion formed on the supporting member to prevent the housing from any erroneous insertion. To avoid an erroneous insertion of a non-corresponding plug, a stopper is disposed on the housing or between the housing and the metal shell. The stopper is coupled to the housing by welding, clicking, embedding, hooking, or being formed integrally. The metal shell covering the housing can then be connected to chassis or earth ground so as to prevent EMI from entering or leaving the connector housing.
Hence, the RJ-45 connector can effectively avoid an erroneous insertion of the non-RJ-45 plug, especially a RJ-11 plug and a RJ-12 plug. Therefore, the RJ-45 connector according to the present invention can prevent a non-RJ-45 plug from coupling with the RJ-45 housing. Accordingly, the network can effectively keep away from the non-corresponding electrical equipment and the electrical equipment can avoid damage to be caused by an erroneous insertion.
The RJ-45 connector of the foregoing preferred embodiment utilizes the stopper to prevent erroneous insertion of a non-RJ-45 plug, and the stopper can be directly formed on the housing of the RJ-45 connector or formed on a separate stopper that can be installed on the RJ-45 connector. The stopper can couple to the housing of the connector by welding, clicking in, embedding, hooking, or formed integrally. Therefore, a non-RJ-45 plug, and especially an RJ-11 plug, can be effectively prevented from coupling with the RJ-45 connector. The connector can reduce the network interference caused by erroneous insertion, and enhance the network equipment stability and the safety of the electrical equipment.
The connector according to the present invention can be used for the RJ-45 connector or any similar connector, and especially for the connectors for computers and communications to improve erroneous insertion of the connectors. Accordingly, the connector according to the present invention can reduce erroneous insertion and further reduce the electrical equipment damage.
As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended that various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93104657 | Feb 2004 | TW | national |
The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Taiwan Application Serial Number 93104657, filed Feb. 24, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
