Dielectric insert assembly for a communication connector to optimize crosstalk

• US 20070167061A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Khan, Naved, Dupuis, Joseph, O'Connor, Doug, AbuGhazaleh, Shadi
• Granted Patent: US 7,513,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/344
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6463 using twisted pairs of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6473 Impedance matching
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6477 by variation of dielectric properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

A connector for a communications system concentrates crosstalk in the front of a plug housing. The plug housing has front and rear ends. An internal chamber opens on the rear end and is defined by housing walls. A plurality of slots extend through one of the housing walls adjacent the front end and into the internal chamber. A plurality of contacts are mounted in the slots for movement between retracted positions spaced from the internal chamber and inserted positions extending into the internal chamber. An insert assembly has at least one insert member disposed adjacent at least one of the plurality of contacts. The insert assembly is made of a higher dielectric material than the plug housing.

Claims

1. A connector for a communications system, comprising:

a plug housing having front and rear ends, an internal chamber opening on said rear end and defined by housing walls, and a plurality of slots extending through one of said housing walls adjacent said front end and into said internal chamber;

a plurality of contacts mounted in said slots for movement between retracted positions spaced from said internal chamber and inserted positions extending into said internal chamber; and

an insert assembly having at least one insert member disposed adjacent at least one of said plurality of contacts, said insert assembly having a higher dielectric value than said plug housing.

2. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

each contact has opposite first and second sides, and at least one side has one of said insert members disposed adjacent thereto.

3. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

said insert assembly is unitarily formed.

4. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

each of said plurality of insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

5. A connector for a communications system according to claim 2, wherein

one of said insert members abuts each of said sides of each of said contacts.

6. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

eight of said contacts and nine of said insert members are disposed in said connector.

7. A connector for a communications system according to claim 6, wherein

said nine insert members are unitarily formed.

8. A connector for a communications system according to claim 7, wherein

each of said nine insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

9. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of at least 4.

10. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of between approximately 6 to 10.

11. A connector for a communications system according to claim 1, wherein

said insert assembly is made of neoprene rubber.

12. A connector for a communications system, comprising:

a plug housing having front and rear ends, an internal chamber opening on said rear end and defined by housing walls, and a plurality of slots extending through one of said housing walls adjacent said front end and into said internal chamber;

a plurality of contacts mounted in said slots for movement between retracted positions spaced from said internal chamber and inserted positions extending into said internal chamber, each contact having opposite first and second sides; and

an insert assembly having at least one insert member disposed adjacent at least one said plurality of contacts such that a portion of said at least one insert member abuts said adjacent contact, said insert assembly having a higher dielectric value than said plug housing.

13. A connector for a communications system according to claim 12, wherein

each contact has opposite first and second sides, and at least one side has one of said insert members disposed adjacent thereto.

14. A connector for a communications system according to claim 12, wherein

said insert assembly is unitarily formed.

15. A connector for a communications system according to claim 14, wherein

each of said plurality of insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

16. A connector for a communications system according to claim 12, wherein

eight of said contacts and nine of said insert members are disposed in said connector.

17. A connector for a communications system according to claim 16, wherein

said nine insert members are unitarily formed.

18. A connector for a communications system according to claim 17, wherein

each of said nine insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

19. A connector for a communications system according to claim 12, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of at least 4.

20. A connector for a communications system according to claim 12, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of between approximately 6 to 10.

21. A connector for a communications system according to claim 12, wherein

said insert assembly is made of neoprene rubber.

22. A connector for a communications system, comprising:

a plug housing having front and rear ends, an internal chamber opening on said rear end and defined by housing walls, and a plurality of slots extending through one of said housing walls adjacent said front end and into said internal chamber,

a plurality of contacts mounted in said slots for movement between retracted positions spaced from said internal chamber and inserted positions extending into said internal chamber;

a first insert disposed in said internal chamber having a front end proximal said front end of said plug housing, a first passageway extending from said front end of said first insert to said first insert rear end, a plurality of openings in a first insert wall adjacent said front end and aligned with said plurality of slots in said plug housing and extending into said first passageway;

a second insert disposed in said internal chamber having a front end proximal said first insert rear end, said second insert having first, second, third and fourth channels extending from a rear end to said front end of said second insert;

four pairs of wires extending from a cable sheath, each pair of wires passing through one of said first, second, third and fourth channels of said second insert and through said first passageway to said contacts in said internal chamber; and

an insert assembly having at least one insert member disposed adjacent at least one of said plurality of contacts, said insert assembly having a higher dielectric value than said plug housing.

23. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

each contact has opposite first and second sides, and each side has one of said insert members disposed adjacent thereto.

24. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

said insert assembly is unitarily formed.

25. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

each of said plurality of insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

26. A connector for a communications system according to claim 23, wherein

one of said insert members abuts each of said sides of each of said contacts.

27. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

eight of said contacts and nine of said insert members are disposed in said connector.

28. A connector for a communications system according to claim 27, wherein

said nine insert members are unitarily formed.

29. A connector for a communications system according to claim 28, wherein

each of said nine insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

30. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of at least 4.

31. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of between approximately 6 to 10.

32. A connector for a communications system according to claim 22, wherein

said insert assembly is made of neoprene rubber.

33. A connector for a communications system, comprising:

a plug housing having front and rear ends, an internal chamber opening on said rear end and defined by housing walls, and a plurality of slots extending through one of said housing walls adjacent said front end and into said internal chamber;

a plurality of contacts mounted in said slots for movement between retracted positions spaced from said internal chamber and inserted positions extending into said internal chamber; and

at least a portion surrounding the plurality of contacts having a dielectric value of at least 4.

34. A connector for a communications system according to claim 33, wherein

an insert assembly having at least one insert member is disposed adjacent at least one of said plurality of contacts.

35. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

each contact has opposite first and second sides, and each side has one of said insert members disposed adjacent thereto.

36. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

said insert assembly is unitarily formed.

37. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

each of said plurality of insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

38. A connector for a communications system according to claim 35, wherein

one of said insert members abuts each of said sides of each of said contacts.

39. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

eight of said contacts and nine of said insert members are disposed in said connector.

40. A connector for a communications system according to claim 39, wherein

said nine insert members are unitarily formed.

41. A connector for a communications system according to claim 40, wherein

each of said nine insert members extends substantially perpendicularly from a connecting member.

42. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of at least 4.

43. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

said insert assembly has a dielectric value of between approximately 6 to 10.

44. A connector for a communications system according to claim 34, wherein

said insert assembly is made of neoprene rubber.

45. A connector for a communications system, comprising:

a plug housing having front and rear ends, an internal chamber opening on said rear end and defined by housing walls, and a plurality of slots extending through one of said housing walls adjacent said front end and into said internal chamber;

a plurality of contacts mounted in said slots for movement between retracted positions spaced from said internal chamber and inserted positions extending into said internal chamber; and

means for minimizing crosstalk in the main body of the plug housing and maximizing crosstalk between the plurality of contacts closest to a point of contact with a mating connector to minimize the delay between the plug crosstalk and the mating point.