The invention relates to an electrical contact assembly that accommodates high speed data transfer.
Current connection systems require increasingly higher reliability and data speed transmission. For example, current connection systems are required to meet standards, such as IEEE 802.3. IEEE 802.3 is a collection of standards relating Ethernet, which is one of the most common computer-to-computer data communication methods. At higher speeds, however, the signal degrades due to crosstalk interference between conductors. That is particularly the case where the conductors are untwisted and terminated to a connector, such as a plug or socket.
Therefore, a need exists for a contact assembly that can accommodate high data speeds while also maintaining a size for retrofit applications in existing connection systems.
The present invention generally provides a contact assembly that comprises an outer body and an insert assembly that is receivable in the outer body. The insert assembly includes a housing and a conductive bather that is received in the housing. The conductive barrier defines first and second receiving areas in the housing. At least a first contact member is receivable in the first receiving area and at least a second contact member is receivable in the second receiving area. Each of the first and second contact members is adapted to accept a conductor. In one embodiment, the contact assembly may be a plug assembly, and in another embodiment, the contact assembly may be a socket assembly.
The present invention may also provide a contact assembly that comprises an outer body and an insert assembly that is receivable in the outer body. The insert assembly has a housing that includes first and second identical insulator halves, and a conductive barrier that is disposed between the first and second identical halves. The conductive barrier defines first and second receiving areas in the housing. A contact member is receivable in the first receiving area and is adapted to receive a conductor; and a contact member is receivable in the second receiving area and is adapted to receive a conductor.
The present invention may also provide a contact assembly that comprises an outer body and an insert assembly that is receivable in the outer body. The insert assembly includes a unitary one-piece housing with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A conductive barrier is receivable in the housing and defines first and second receiving areas in the housing. At least a first contact member is receivable in the first receiving area of the housing; and at least a second contact member is receivable in the second receiving area of the housing, wherein each of the first and second contact members is adapted to accept a conductor.
The present invention may also provide a method for assembling a contact assembly where the contact assembly includes an outer body, first and second insulator halves, a conductive barrier, and first and second contacts. The method may include the steps of coupling the first and second halves with the conductive barrier sandwiched therebetween to create an insert assembly; sliding first and second conductors into the first and second contacts; sliding the first contact with the first conductor into a first receiving area of the insert assembly defined between the first insulator half and the barrier; and sliding the second contact with the second conductor into a second receiving area of the insert assembly defined between the second insulator half and the barrier.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The outer body 110 may be a connector shell, such as the plug shell illustrated in
As seen in
As best seen in
The conductive barrier 230 is preferably sandwiched between the first and second insulator halves 210 and 220. Holes 360 may be provided at the ends the bather 230 which correspond to inner detents 370 and notches 372 of the halves 210 and 220 for securing the barrier 230 therebetween. Alternatively, the barrier 230 can be simply sandwiched between the two halves 210 and 220 and/or an adhesive may be used to further secure the bather 230. The barrier 230 may be sized and shape, that is in length and width, to generally match the size and shape of the two halves 210 and 220, as seen in
The plurality of contact members 130 are preferably grouped in pairs with a first pair of contact members being adapted for insertion into the first receiving area 250 of the insert assembly 120 and the second pair of contact members being adapted for insertion into the second receiving area 260. As best seen in
To assemble the contact assembly 100, the insert assembly 120 is assembled by sandwiching the bather 230 between the first and second insulator halves 210 and 220 of the housing. The retaining clips 240 are then clipped to the outer surfaces of the halves 210 and 220 to secure the halves together. The clips 240 are retained on the insulator halves 210 and 220 by clipping the ends 340 thereof into the outer open areas 330 of each half, as seen in
The end of the cable is prepared by exposing the ends of its conductors, as is well known in the art. Each conductor is coupled to a respective contact member 130. More specifically, the prepared end of the conductor is inserted and crimped to the receiving end 152 of the contact member 130. Pairs of the contact members 130 with the conductors crimped thereto are then inserted into the first and second receiving areas 250 and 260, respectively, of the insert assembly 120. When in the receiving area, the contacts ends 154 of the contact members 130 are inserted into the inner bores 310 of the insulator halves until the shoulders 156 of the contacts 130 abut the inner wall 410 of the bores 130, as seen in
The insert assembly 120 with the contacts 130 coupled thereto is then inserted into the outer body 110 such that the contact ends 154 are exposed to form pins. The crimp ferrule 140 is then used to crimp the insert assembly 120 and contacts 130 to the outer body 110.
As seen in
Unlike the first embodiment, extensions 780 are added to the first and second insulator halves 710 and 720, as seen in
While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the contact assembly is designed for 2 pairs of conductors, the contact assembly may be design to accommodate any number of contacts including 1 or more pairs of conductors.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/333,961, filed on May 12, 2010, entitled High Speed Electrical Contact Assembly.
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1152498 | Nov 2001 | EP |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20110281454 A1 | Nov 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61333961 | May 2010 | US |