Claims
- 1. A matrix connector comprising:
a) a plurality of subassemblies, each having an insulative portion and each with a plurality of conductive elements embedded therein, each conductive element having a mating contact portion extending from a first face of the insulative portion and a contact tail extending from a second face of the insulative portion, b) an organizer attached to the insulative portion of each of the subassemblies, holding the subassemblies in parallel; c) a plurality of first type shield members each first type shield member disposed parallel to and adjacent a subassembly; d) an cap having an opening therein with the contact portions of the subassemblies extending into the opening; and e) a plurality of second type shields, each electrically connected to at least one first type shield, said second type shields having portions disposed in the opening of the cap between adjacent mating contact portions of signal conductors on the same subassembly.
- 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the organizer comprises an insulative housing.
- 3. The matrix connector of claim 2 wherein the insulative housing has a plurality of slots formed therein and the insulative portion of each of the subassemblies includes a tab engaged in one of the slots.
- 4. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein the organizer comprises a metal organizer.
- 5. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein each of the subassemblies has an insulative portion molded around a plurality of conductive elements.
- 6. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein the conductive elements in each of the subassemblies has a contact portion that comprises a pin.
- 7. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein the first face and the second face are orthogonal.
- 8. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein each of the first type shields includes at least one slot therein with a compliant portion therein, with a second type shield inserted in the slot and making electrical connection to the compliant portion.
- 9. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein first type shield members each comprise a contact tail, adapted for making electrical connection to a printed circuit board, whereby the second type shields are electrically connected to the printed circuit board through shields of the first type.
- 10. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein each of the second type shields is connected to each of the first type shields.
- 11. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein each of the second type shields includes a plurality of contact regions, adapted to make electrical connection to a shield in a mating electrical connector.
- 12. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein the cap is made of an insulator.
- 13. The matrix connector of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises a plurality of side walls adapted for receiving a mating connector therebetween.
- 14. The matrix connector of claim 1 additionally comprising a printed circuit board, with the contact tails electrically connected to the printed circuit board.
- 15. The matrix connector of claim 14 in a matrix assembly comprising a first plurality of boards mounted parallel to said printed circuit board and a second plurality of printed circuit boards mounted perpendicular to said board.
- 16. A matrix connector assembly comprising:
a) a first connector, comprising:
i) a plurality of first type subassemblies, each having an insulative portion and each with a plurality of conductive elements embedded therein, each conductive element having a mating contact portion extending from a first face of the insulative portion and a contact tail extending from a second face of the insulative portion, each of the first type subassemblies disposed in parallel with the mating contact portions disposed in a rectangular array in a mating area; ii) a plurality of first type shield members each first type shield member disposed parallel to and adjacent a first type subassembly; iii) a plurality of second type shields, each electrically connected to at least one first type shield, said second type shields having mating portions disposed in the mating area between adjacent mating contact portions of signal conductors on the same subassembly; and b) a second connector, comprising:
i) a plurality of second type subassemblies, each having an insulative portion and each with a plurality of conductive elements embedded therein, each conductive element having a mating contact portion extending from a first face of the insulative portion and a contact tail extending from the insulative portion, each of the first type subassemblies disposed in parallel with the mating contact portions disposed in a rectangular array in a mating area; ii) a plurality of third type shield members, each third type shield member disposed parallel to and adjacent a second type subassembly, each third type shield having a mating portion extending into the mating area; c) wherein, when the first connector and second connector are mated, the mating contact portions of the first connector make contact with the mating contact portions of the second connector and the mating portion of the second shield contacts the mating portion of the third shield.
- 17. The matrix connector assembly of claim 16 wherein the first connector includes a front housing having side walls bounding the mating area.
- 18. The matrix connector assembly of claim 17 wherein the front housing comprises an insulator and the plurality of second type shields are attached to the front housing in parallel with a side wall.
- 19. The matrix connector of claim 17 wherein each of the second type shields is connected to each of the first type shields.
- 20. The matrix connector of claim 17 wherein each of the first type shields includes at least one slot therein with a compliant portion therein, with a second type shield inserted in the slot and making connection to the compliant portion.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60/265,826 filed Feb. 1, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60265826 |
Feb 2001 |
US |