Patent · US Expired

Terminal module having open side for enhanced electrical performance

US6461202B2 · kind B2 · utility

245Cited by
10References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 30, 2001
Grant dateOct 8, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/514
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A connector assembly is provided having a receptacle connector mateable with a header connector. The assembly includes an insulated housing and a plurality of terminal modules mounted to the insulated housing. The terminal modules have an insulated molded body enclosing multiple connector contacts having opposed mating portions. The terminal module further includes receptacle contacts and leads connected thereto for carrying signals through the terminal module. A differential shell is mounted to the terminal module and has an open sided chamber formed therein. The differential shell includes walls that define the chamber and receive the receptacle contacts. Each chamber includes an open front and open rear ends and includes at least one open side. Each chamber accepts a corresponding receptacle contact through the open side thereof. The walls of the differential shells have non-linear contours that substantially conform to a contour of the receptacle contacts to reduce the air gap therebetween and reduce the impedance of the terminal contact, thereby improving signal performance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.