EP0362841B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled impedance plug and receptacle
Assignee: FCI USA LLC
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Filing: 1989-10-05
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Granted: 1994-05-25
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Expires: 2009-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A controlled impedance connector assembly comprised of a mutually engageable plug and receptacle for termination of coaxial cable leads in a manner which enables rapid attachment to and detachment from a user board of a very large number of signal leads while ensuring an acceptable level of controlled impedance from the coaxial cable to the user board. The receptacle includes a backup plate and a plurality of metallized grounding segments fixed to the backup plate and having a plurality of spaced parallel terminal receiving bores therein extending between opposed surfaces. An insulation plate is fixed to each grounding segment and overlies one of the surfaces. A plurality of pin contacts are fixed to the insulation plate such that a head member extends into an associated terminal receiving bore and an oppositely directed tail member is adapted for termination at available circuitry. The plug includes a frame mounting a plurality of dielectric segments each having a plurality of parallel spaced terminal receiving bores extending between a front and rear face. The dielectric segments are floatingly mounted for movement within defined limits in directions transverse to the axes of the terminal receiving bores. A terminal mounted to the extremity of each of a plurality of coaxial leads is removably received in an associated terminal receiving bore with a locking spring being utilized to prevent inadvertent removal of a terminal but subject to purposeful manipulation to enable removal of the terminal. Each bore of the grounding block receives and retains a barrel spring for frictionally holding a terminal in place engaged with the lead member of a pin contact. In another embodiment, a plurality of side by side dielectric strips replace the single insulative plate and permit soldered connections between the pin contacts and stripline cable at a location remote from the receptacle. When the heat employed in soldering the connections has dissipated, the strips are then attached to a one piece grounding block thereby avoiding harm of other components by reason of the heat. The dielectric strips are shaped to enable termination of a high density of stripline cables without causing undue interference between neighboring cables.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Lazar
- 👤 Rocco Noschese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R24/00; H01R24/38; H01R24/40; H01R24/42; H01R24/44; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/594; H01R12/598; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/514; H01R2103/00; H01R24/54; H01R24/542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
407 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) comprising a receptacle (34) including: a backup plate (22); a metallized grounding block (38) mounted on said backup plate (22) having a plurality of spaced parallel terminal (52) receiving bores (51) therein; insulation plate means (54) fixed to said grounding block (38) having a plurality of contact receiving bores (64, 76) therein, characterized in that said insulation plate means (54) have a plurality of first (64) and second (76) contact receiving bores (64, 76) therein, each first (64) of said contact receiving bores (64, 76) being in communication with an associated terminal (52) receiving bore (51) in said grounding block (38); each second (76) of said contact receiving bores (64, 76) being in communication with a grounding bore (82) in said grounding block (38), a plurality of signal pin contacts (68) fixed to said insulation plate means (54), each of said signal pin contacts (68) extending through an associated one of the first (64) of said contact receiving bores (64, 76) therein, each including a head member (66) extending into an associated terminal (52) receiving bore (51) in said grounding block (38) and an oppositely directed tail member (74) for termination at available circuitry; a plurality of ground pin contacts (78) fixed to said insulation plate means (54), each of said ground pin contacts (78) extending through an associated one of the second (76) contact receiving bores (64, 76) therein, each including a head member (80) extending in and contacting an associated bore (82) in said grounding block (38) and an oppositely directed tail member (84) for termination at available circuitry; a plug (36) matingly engageable with said receptacle (34) including: a plurality of dielectric segments (88), each having a front face (90) and a rear face (92) and a plurality of parallel spaced terminal (52) receiving bores (94) therein extending from said front face (90) to said rear face (92); a plurality of coaxial leads (28), each including a terminal (52) mounted at an extremity thereof removably fixed in an associated terminal receiving bore (94) of said dielectric segment (88); each terminal (52) comprising an outer sleeve (138) for being received and contacting an associated terminal (52) receiving bore (51) in said grounding block (38) and an inner sleeve (140) distant from said outer sleeve (138) essentially by an air space serving as a dielectric for receiving and contacting the head member (66) of an associated signal pin contact (68).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 1, characterized by: a frame (96) for mounting said dielectric segments (88) as a unit, said frame (96) having a plurality of compartments (108) therein, each for supportively receiving at least one of said dielectric segments (88) therein, the dimensions of each of said compartments (108) being slightly larger than its associated one of said dielectric segments (88); mounting means (112, 114, 116) for mounting said dielectric segments (88) to said frame (96) so as to permit freedom of movement of said dielectric segments (88) relative to said frame (96) within defined limits in directions transverse to the axes of the terminal receiving bores (51) therein; and said plug (36) matingly engaged with said receptacle (34), each of said terminals (52) extends into an associated terminal receiving bore (94) within said grounding block (38) and is fittingly engaged with said grounding block (38) and is coupled to an associated one of said pin contacts (68), the freedom of movement among said dielectric segments (88) assuring mating engagement of all of said terminals (52) in said plug (36) with the associated terminal receiving bores (51) and with said associated pin contacts (68) of said receptacle (34).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 1 characterized by: locking means (156, 158) mounted on each of said dielectric segments (88) for releasably fixing each of said coaxial terminals (52) in its associated terminal receiving bore (94).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 3, characterized in that each of said dielectric segments (88) has a plurality of locking bores (156) therein at spaced locations; wherein said locking means (156, 158) includes: an elongated locking member (162) having: a support element (164) a tail (166) integral with and extending away from said central support element (164) receivable in an associated locking bore (156) and fixed to said dielectric segment (88); and a resilient locking tab (168) integral with and extending away from said central support element (164) and, in a relaxed locking position, overlying a terminal receiving bore (94) adjacent to said tail receiving locking bore (156), said locking tab (168) being deflectable by a terminal to a release position to permit reception thereof into the terminal receiving bore (94), but returning to its locking position engageable with the terminal to prevent its withdrawal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said front (90) and rear (92) faces of said dielectric segments (88) lie in parallel, spaced apart planes; wherein each of the terminal receiving bores (94) has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to said front (90) and rear (92) faces; Wherein the plurality of terminal receiving bores (94) in each of said dielectric segments (88) form a matrix of terminal receiving apertures (94) at the intersection thereof with said front (90) and rear (92) faces, the terminal receiving apertures (94) lying in a plurality of mutually perpendicular columns and rows, each of the terminal receiving apertures (94) being equidistant from its neighboring terminal receiving apertures (94) within its associated column and row; and wherein a plurality of locking bores (156) is provided in each of said dielectric segments (88) form a matrix of locking apertures (156) at the intersection thereof with said front (90) and rear (92) faces, the locking apertures (156) lying in a plurality of mutually perpendicular columns and rows, each of the locking apertures (156) being equidistant from its neighboring locking apertures (156) in its associated column and row, each of the locking apertures (156) being equidistant from its neighboring terminal receiving apertures (156).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 5, characterized by a plurality of locking strips (158), each operatively associated with a row of the locking bores (156), said central support element (164) of each of said locking members (162) being engageable with said rear face (92) and said tail (166) of each of said locking members (162) being fixedly received in an associated locking bore (156) of said dielectric segment (88).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 5, characterized by retention means (167) for preventing removal of said locking strip (158) from said dielectric segment (88).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
269 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 2, characterized in that each of said dielectric segments (88) has a pair of spaced mounting holes (112) therein and associated counterbores (124) defining an annular shelf (125) therebetween; and wherein said frame (96) has a pair of spaced tapped holes (114) therein for mounting of each of said dielectric segments (88); wherein said mounting means (112, 114, 116) includes a pair of fasteners (116), each of said fasteners (116) including: a shank (118) extending freely through an associated one of the mounting holes (112) a head (122) integral with one end of said shank (118) and engageable with said annular shelf (125); a threaded end (120) integral with said shank (118) opposite said head (122), said threaded end (120) having a diameter less than that of said shank (118) to thereby define a shoulder (126) at the interface between said shank (118) and said threaded end (120), the length of said shank (118) between said head (122) and said shoulder (126) being substantially equal to the thickness of said dielectric segment (88) between said annular shelf (125) and said rear face (92), said threaded end (120) being threadedly engaged with an associated one of the tapped holes (114) such that when said fastener (116) is tightened so that said shoulder (126) engages said frame (96), said dielectric segment (88) is substantially immobile in directions parallel to the axes of the terminal receiving bores (94) but has a range of movement relative to said frame (96) in directions transverse to the axes of the terminal receiving bores (94).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 2, characterized in that each of said compartments (108) has interior walls (102, 106) extending between said front side (98) and said rear side (100); and including: support means (110) within each of said compartments (108) intermediate said front side (98) and said rear side (100) for engageably receiving parts of said rear faces (92) of associated ones of said dielectric segments (88) such that said front faces (90) of all of said dielectric segments (88) are substantially coplanar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 2, characterized in that each of said compartments (108) has interior walls (102) extending between said front side (98) and said rear side (100); and including: a peripheral shelf (110) within each of said compartments (108) intermediate said front side (98) and said rear side (100) for engageably receiving parts of said rear faces (92) of associated ones of said dielectric segments (88) such that said front faces (90) of all of said dielectric segments (88) are substantially coplanar when said rear faces (92) are engaged with said shelf (125).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
268 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 2, characterized in that each of said dielectric segments (88) has a pair of spaced mounting holes (112) therein and associated counterbores (124) defining an annular shelf (125) therebetween; said frame (96) has a pair of spaced tapped holes (114) therein for mounting of each of said dielectric segments (88); and that said mounting means (112, 114, 116) includes a pair of fasteners (116); each of said fasteners (116) including: a shank (118) extending freely through an associated one of the mounting holes (112); a head (122) integral with one end of said shank (118) and engageable with said annular shelf (125); a threaded end (120) integral with said shank (118) opposite said head (122), said threaded end (120) having a diameter less than that of said shank (118) to thereby define a shoulder (126) at the interface between said shank (118) and said threaded end (120), the length of said shank (118) between said head (122) and said shoulder (126) being substantially equal to the thickness of said dielectric segment (88) between said annular shelf (125) and said rear face (92), said threaded end (120) being threadedly engaged with an associated one of the tapped holes (114) such that when said fastener (116) is tightened so that said shoulder (126) engages said frame (96), said dielectric segment (88) is substantially immobile in directions parallel to the axes of the terminal receiving bores (94) but has a range of movement relative to said frame (96) in directions transverse to the axes of the terminal receiving bores (94).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A controlled impedance connector (20) assembly as set forth in Claim 11, characterized in that said grounding block (38) has a plurality of spaced parallel alignment bores (44) therein; and that each of said dielectric segments (88) includes a pair of spaced parallel alignment pins (128) extending from said front face (90) for slidable reception with a mating pair of the alignment bores (44) in said grounding block (38).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A controlled impedance connector (20) assembly as set forth in Claim 2, characterized in that said grounding block (38) includes a plurality of ground segments (40), each being substantially coextensive with an associated one of said dielectric segments (88) when said plug (36) is matingly engaged with said receptacle (34), each of said ground segments (40) having a plurality of spaced parallel alignment bores (44) therein; and that each of said dielectric segments (88) includes a pair of spaced parallel alignment pins (128) extending from said front face (90) for slidable reception with a mating pair of the alignment bores (44) in said grounding block (38).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 2, characterized by screw means (172, 178) for releasably fixing said frame (96) to said backup plate (22) to thereby maintain mating engagement of all of said terminals (52) with their associated bores (94) in said grounding block (38) and with their associated said pin contacts (68).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 14, characterized in that said screw means (172, 178) includes: a jacksocket (172) having a tapped bore mounted on said backup plate 22; and a jackscrew (178) threaded at one end and mounted on said frame (96) for rotation about a longitudinal axis, said jackscrew (178) being held against movement in a longitudinal direction, said threaded end (120) being threadedly engaged with the tapped bore (114) of said jacksocket (172); whereby rotation of said jackscrew (178) about its longitudinal axis draws said plug (36) into mating engagement with said receptacle (34).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 15, characterized in that said backup plate (22) has a pair of spaced apart guide holes (174) extending therethrough; and that said frame (96) includes a pair of parallel spaced guide posts (176) integral therewith and extending away from said front side (98), said guide posts (176) being slidably received in the guide holes (174) for properly locating said frame (96) relative to said backup plate (22) upon mating engagement of said plug (36) with said receptacle (34).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
149 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 2, characterized in that said grounding block (38) includes a plurality of ground segments (40), each being substantially coextensive with an associated one of said dielectric segments (88) when said plug (36) is matingly engaged with said receptacle (34), each of said ground segments (40) including a bridge member (42) having a pair of spaced parallel alignment bores (44) therein and a pair of spaced apart support legs (46) integral with and extending transversely from said bridge member (42); and fastener means (48) for mounting said suport legs (46) to said backup plate (22); and that each of said dielectric segments (88) includes a pair of spaced parallel alignment pins (128) extending from said front face (98) for slidable reception with the mating pair of the alignment bores (44) in said associated one of said ground segments (40).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 17, characterized in that said insulation plate means (54) includes: an insulation plate (54) fixed to each of said ground segments (40) and contiguous with said bridge member (42) thereof and including a plurality of boss members (56), each of said boss members (56) defining a contact receiving bore (64) extending therethrough, each of said boss members (56) being fittingly receivable in an associated one of the terminal receiving bores (60) in said ground segment (40) to thereby affix said insulation plate (54) to said ground segment (40).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
A controlled impedance connector assembly (20) as set forth in Claim 17, characterized in that said bridge member (42) is planar and is elongated; wherein said support legs (46) extend from opposite ends of said bridge member (42), and that said insulation plate (54) means includes: an insulation plate (54) fixed to each of said ground segments (40), contiguous with said bridge member (42) thereof; and extending between said support legs (46), said insulation plate (54) including a plurality of boss members (56), each of said boss members (56) defining a contact receiving bore (64) of therethrough, each of said boss members (56) being fittingly receivable in an associated one of the terminal receiving bores (60) in said ground segment (40) to thereby affix said insulation plate (54) to said ground segment (40).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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