Electrical connector assembly with light transmission module

• US 20010039140A1
• Filed: 03/26/2001
• Published: 11/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Inventors: Fuchslocher, Heinrich, Schemp, Otto, Fasold, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/817,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039140A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Abstract

A connector assembly is disclosed for electrically connecting at least one mating plug to a circuit board. The assembly includes a connector housing adapted for mounting on the circuit board and having a front face with at least one receptacle for receiving the mating plug. An independent light module includes a module housing adapted for mounting to one side of the connector housing. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the module housing and include connecting portions for connection to the circuit board. At least one light emitting device is connected to a portion of at least one terminal remote from the connecting portion thereof for emitting light generally at the front face of the connector housing.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for electrically connecting at least one mating plug to a circuit board, comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting on the circuit board and having a front face with at least one receptacle for receiving the mating plug; and

an independent light module including

a module housing adapted for mounting to one side of the connector housing,

a plurality of terminals mounted on the module housing and including connecting portions for connection to the circuit board, and

at least one light emitting device (LED) connected to a portion of at least one terminal remote from the connecting portion thereof for emitting light generally at the front face of the connector housing.

2. The connector assembly of

claim 1

wherein said at least one terminal is a stamped and formed metal terminal.

3. The connector assembly of

claim 2

where said LED is surface mounted to said at least one stamped terminal.

4. The connector assembly of

claim 3

wherein said LED is surface soldered to said at least one stamped terminal.

6. The connector assembly of

claim 1

wherein said light module includes a light pipe over the LED.

7. The connector assembly of

claim 6

wherein said light module includes a cover over the light pipe except for a portion thereof adjacent the front face of the connector housing.

8. The connector assembly of

claim 1

wherein said module housing is of plastic material and is overmolded about portions of said terminals.

9. The connector assembly of

claim 1

, including a metal shield between the connector housing and the module housing.

10. The connector assembly of

claim 9

wherein said one side of the connector housing comprises a generally planar wall, and said shield comprises a shielding plate juxtaposed against the planar wall.

5. The connector assembly of 1 wherein said light module includes a cover over the LED except for an opening in the cover adjacent the front face of the connector housing.

11. A connector assembly, comprising:

a connector housing having a front face; and

an independent light module including

a plurality of terminals,

a module housing overmolded about portions of the terminals and adapted for mounting to the connector housing, and

at least one light emitting device (LED) connected to an exposed portion of at least one of the overmolded terminals for emitting light generally at the front face of the connector housing.

12. The connector assembly of

claim 11

wherein said at least one terminal is a stamped and formed metal terminal.

13. The connector assembly of

claim 12

where said LED is surface mounted to said at least one stamped terminal.

14. The connector assembly of

claim 13

wherein said LED is surface soldered to said at least one stamped terminal.

16. The connector assembly of

claim 11

wherein said light module includes a light pipe over the LED.

17. The connector assembly of

claim 16

wherein said light module includes a cover over the light pipe except for a portion thereof adjacent the front face of the connector housing.

18. The connector assembly of

claim 11

, including a metal shield between the connector housing and the module housing.

19. The connector assembly of

claim 18

wherein said one side of the connector housing comprises a generally planar wall, and said shield comprises a shielding plate juxtaposed against the planar wall.

15. The connector assembly of 11 wherein said light module includes a cover over the LED except for an opening in the cover adjacent the front face of the connector housing.