US6655966B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular connector with grounding interconnect
Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
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Filing: 2002-03-19
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Granted: 2003-12-02
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Expires: 2022-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector is provided having a connector housing with signal modules and grounding members therein. Each of the signal modules has a ground plane on at least one side of each of the signal modules. The ground planes have contact pads formed at opposite ends thereof proximate mating ends of the signal modules. The grounding members interconnect the ground planes on the sides of adjacent signal modules to one another at a point along one of the ground planes and the contact pads. Optionally, the signal modules may include vias having conductive liners therethrough that electrically connect ground planes from opposite sides of a signal module to one another. Alternatively, the signal modules can be printed circuit boards. The signal modules may be arranged parallel to one another within the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Brent Ryan Rothermel
- 👤 Michael J. Phillips
- 👤 Alex Michael Sharf
- 👤 David Wayne Helster
- 👤 Randall Robert Henry
- 👤 James Lee Fedder
- 👤 Lynn Robert Sipe
- 👤 David Keay Fowler
- 👤 Attalee S. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/646; H01R13/6461; H01R13/6471; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6585; H01R13/6586; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/724
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An electrical connector assembly, comprising: signal modules having mating ends and opposite side surfaces, at least one of said side surfaces having a signal line and a ground plane formed thereon; a housing holding said signal modules adjacent to and spaced apart from one another; and a grounding member interconnecting said ground planes on adjacent signal modules at a grounding point along said ground planes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electrical connector assembly, comprising: signal modules having mating ends and opposite side surfaces, at least one of said side surfaces having a signal line and a ground plane formed thereon; a housing holding said signal modules adjacent to and spaced apart from one another; and a grounding member interconnecting said ground planes on adjacent signal modules at a grounding point along said ground planes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said signal modules have vias therethrough, said vias having pins therethrough, said pins electrically interconnecting said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules at grounding points between said contact pads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of said signal modules has a via, said via electrically interconnecting ground planes on opposite sides of said one of said signal modules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member constitutes a conductive rod extending through a plurality of said ground planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of said signal modules has more than one ground plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said signal modules include signal lines arranged in differential pairs, each of said signal lines including first and second signal lines located on a side surface of said first and second signal modules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes spring members interposed between said adjacent signal modules, each of said spring members including spring beams on opposite sides thereof, said spring beams engaging said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes a grounding jacket having a series of slots cut therein, each of said slots receiving a corresponding signal module, each of said slots including projections that contact said ground planes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes a U-shaped bracket having planar sides with dimples formed on said planar sides, said bracket being held by said housing between said signal modules in order that said dimples contact said ground planes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes a plate having beams formed therein, said plate being located between adjacent signal modules, said beams contacting said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes a plate having beams formed therein, said plate being located between adjacent signal modules, said beams being inserted into vias in ground planes on adjacent signal modules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes bridging clips mounted to said housing between adjacent signal modules, each of said bridging clips including arms contacting said adjacent signal modules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grounding member includes plates fastened to said housing between said adjacent signal modules, each of said plates including beams contacting said adjacent signal modules.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein said ground planes include contact pads formed at opposite ends of said ground planes, said contact pads being located proximate said mating ends of said signal modules.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrical connector assembly, comprising: signal modules having opposite side surfaces and mating ends, at least one of said side surfaces having a signal line and a ground plane formed thereon; a housing holding said signal modules adjacent to and spaced apart from one another; and means for interconnecting said ground planes on adjacent signal modules at a grounding point along said ground planes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrical connector assembly, comprising: signal modules having opposite side surfaces and mating ends, at least one of said side surfaces having a signal line and a ground plane formed thereon; a housing holding said signal modules adjacent to and spaced apart from one another; and means for interconnecting said ground planes on adjacent signal modules at a grounding point along said ground planes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein said interconnecting means includes a conductive rod extending through a plurality of said ground planes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein said interconnecting means includes spring members interposed between said adjacent signal modules, each of said spring members including spring beams on opposite sides thereof, said spring beams engaging said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein said interconnecting means includes a grounding jacket having a series of slots cut therein, each of said slots receiving a corresponding signal module, each of said slots including projections that contact said ground planes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein said interconnecting means includes a U-shaped bracket having planar sides with dimples formed on said planar sides, said bracket being held by said housing between said signal modules in order that said dimples contact said ground planes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein said interconnecting means includes a plate having beams formed therein, said plate being located between adjacent signal modules, said beams contacting said ground planes on said adjacent signal modules.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-01 | 2007-06-02 | 2007-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-01 | 2011-06-02 | 2011-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-01 | 2015-06-02 | 2015-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |