EMI protected connector assembly

• US 4,176,897 A
• Filed: 02/21/1978
• Issued: 12/04/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Cameron, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US05/879,339
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 339/40, 339/41, 339/42, 339/43, 339/111, 339/143 R, 339/143 C, 339/94 R, 339/94 M, 339/DIG. 3
• US Class Current: 439/138
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/453 Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/648 Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices , e.g. anti-static shielding coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38

Abstract

A connector assembly providing uninterrupted protection against electromagnetic interference includes a receptacle having a recess in which a first contact assembly is positioned, and a plug having a mating portion which fits into the recess. The mating portion contains a second recess in which a second contact assembly is positioned to mate with the first contact assembly as it projects into the second recess from the first recess. Pivotally mounted doors within the first and second recesses protect the contact assemblies from radiation when unmated, and a spring contact between the mating portion of the plug and the walls of the first recess protect the contact assemblies from radiation during transition between unmated and mated conditions.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including a housing having a forward end and a plug-receiving recess extending rearwardly from said forward end;

first contact means disposed within said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including a housing having a forward mating portion externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess;

second contact means disposed within said forward mating portion for electrical engagement with said first contact means when said forward mating portion is fully inserted into said plug-receiving recess;

first closure means disposed at the forward end of said receptacle housing for enclosing said first contact means within said receptacle housing and including at least one electrically-conductive resilient gasket disposed between said first closure means and said receptacle housing, said first closure means opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said plug-receiving recess; and

second closure means disposed within said forward mating portion for enclosing said second contact means within said mating portion and including at least one electrically-conductive resilient gasket disposed between said second closure means and said plug member housing, said second closure means opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said plug-receiving recess and opening of said first closure means to enable said first and second contact means to be brought into engagement, said receptacle housing and said plug housing providing electrical shielding for said first and second contact means, respectively.

2. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein electrically-conductive resilient contact means are provided for interengaging said plug member housing and said receptacle member housing to establish electrical continuity therebetween as said housings are mated and prior to opening of said first and second closure means.

3. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1 including actuator means responsive to the position of said plug mating portion within said plug-receiving recess for opening said closure means.

4. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second closure means each comprise at least one door pivotally mounted to its respective housing and spring-biased to a closed position.

5. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second closure means each comprise a pair of doors pivotally mounted to respective opposite side walls of their respective housing and spring biased to a closed position.

6. An EMI and environmentally shielded connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including an electrically shielding housing having a forward end and a plug-receiving recess extending rearwardly from said forward end;

a first contact positioned within said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including an electrically shielding housing having a forward mating portion thereon externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess, and having a second contact disposed within said housing toward the end of said mating portion adapted to mate with said first contact;

at least one first electrically-conductive door disposed within said plug-receiving recess and pivotally mounted to said receptacle member housing for enclosing said first contact within said recess and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket provided around said door for sealing said door, when in a closed position, against said receptacle member housing, said first dooor being spring biased to a closed position and opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess;

at least one second electrically-conductive door disposed within said forward mating portion and pivotally mounted to said plug member housing for enclosing said second contact within said forward mating portion and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket provided around said second door for sealing said second door, when in a closed position, against said mating portion, said second door being spring biased to a closed position and opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess and opening of said first door to enable said second contact to engage said first contact; and

electrically-conductive contact means for biasly engaging said receptacle and plug member housings to establish electrical continuity therebetween as said housings are mated and prior to opening of said first and second electrically-conductive doors.

7. A connector assembly as defined in claim 6 including actuator means responsive to the position of said plug mating portion within said plug-receiving recess for opening first and second closure means.

8. An electrically shielded connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including a forwarded-ended housing having a forward end and a plug-receiving recess extending rearwardly from said forward end;

a first contact positioned within said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including a housing having a forward mating portion thereof externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess, and having a second contact at the end of said mating portion adapted to mate with said first contact; and

said receptacle housing and said plug housing providing electrical shielding for said first and second contacts, respectively;

first closure means including at least one first electrically-shielding door pivotally mounted to a side wall of said recess and spring biased to a closed position for enclosing said first contact within said recess and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket disposed about the outer edges of each said door for sealing said door against said recess in its closed position, said door being urged open by said forward mating portion upon insertion thereof in said recess;

second closure means including at least one second electrically shielding door pivotally mounted to a side wall of said forward mating portion and spring biased to a closed position for enclosing said second contact within said mating portion and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket disposed about the outer edges of each said second door for sealing said second door against said mating portion in its closed position, said second door being urged open by said first contact upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess and opening of said first door; and

electrically-conductive spring contact means carried on at least one of said housings for biasly engaging the other of said housings and establishing electrical continuity therebetween upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess and prior to opening of said doors.

9. A connector assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second closure means each comprise a pair of doors pivotally mounted to respective opposite side walls of a respective one of said housings and spring biased to a closed position.

10. A connector assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said forward mating portion of said plug housing includes a contact-receiving recess extending rearwardly from the forward end thereof, and said second contact is positioned within said contact-receiving recess.

11. A connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including a forward-ended housing having a rearwardly-extending plug-receiving recess at the forward end thereof;

a first contact disposed at the rear end of said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including a housing having a forward mating portion thereon externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess, and having a contact-receiving recess extending rearwardly from the forward end of said mating portion for receiving at least a portion of said first contact;

a second contact complimentary to said first contact positioned within said contact receiving recess and arranged for engagement with said first contact when said mating portion is inserted into said plug receiving recess;

first closure means comprising at least a first electrically conductive door pivotally mounted to a side wall of said plug-receiving recess at a location inwardly spaced from the open end thereof for enclosing said first contact within said recess, said first door pivoting open upon contact with said mating portion as said mating portion is inserted into said recess;

second closure means comprising at least a second electrically conductive door pivotally mounted to a side wall of said contact receiving recess at a location inwardly spaced from the open end thereof for enclosing said second contact within said recess;

said second door pivoting open upon contact with said first contact assembly as said mating portion is inserted into said recess; and

means including a spring contact disposed on the side wall of said plug-receiving recess between said first closure means and the open end thereof for establishing electrical continuity between said plug housing and said receptacle housing prior to opening of said first and second doors.

12. A connector assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said first and second closure means each comprise a pair of doors each pivotally mounted to a respective opposing side wall of a respective one of said recesses.

13. A connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a first housing having a first forward mating portion thereon;

a first contact positioned within said first mating portion;

a second housing having a second forward mating portion thereon adapted for mating engagement with said first mating portion;

a second contact positioned within said second forward mating portion for electrically connecting with said first contact when said first and second housings are brought into mating engagement;

first closure means disposed on said first forward mating portion for enclosing said first contact within said first housing and including at least one electrically-conductive resilient gasket disposed between said first closure means and said first housing for sealing said first closure means, when in a closed position, against said first housing, said first closure means opening upon insertion of said second mating portion into said first housing;

second closure means disposed on said second forward mating portion for enclosing said second contact within said second housing and including at least one electrically-conductive resilient gasket disposed between said second closure means and said second housing for sealing said second closure means, when in a closed position, against said second housing, said second closure means opening upon insertion of said second mating portion into said first housing and opening of said first closure means to enable said first and second contacts to be brought into engagement, said first and second housings providing electrical shielding for said first and second contact means, respectively; and

actuator means for opening said first and second closure means as said first and second housings are brought into mating engagement.

14. A connector assembly as defined in claim 13 including electrically-conductive contact means for interengaging said first and second housings and establishing electrical continuity therebetween as said housings are matingly engaged and prior to opening of said first and second closure means.

15. A connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including a housing having a forward end and a plug-receiving recess extending rearwardly from said forward end;

a first contact positioned within said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including a housing having a forward mating portion thereon externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess and having a second contact disposed within said housing toward the end of said mating portion adapted to mate with said first contact;

closure means comprising at least one door disposed within said plug-receiving recess and pivotally mounted to said receptacle housing for enclosing said first contact within said recess, each said door being spring biased to a closed position and opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess to enable said second contact to engage said first contact; and

at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket provided around each said door, said receptacle housing and said plug housing providing electrical shielding for said first and second contacts, respectively.

16. A connector assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said closure means comprise a pair of doors pivotally mounted to respective opposite side walls of said plug-receiving recess and spring biased to a closed position.

17. An EMI and environmentally shielded connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including an electrically shielding housing having a forward end and a plug-receiving recess extending rearwardly from said forward end;

a first contact positioned within said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including an electrically shielding housing having a forward mating portion thereon externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess and having a second contact disposed within said housing toward the end of said mating portion adapted to mate with said first contact;

first electrically-conductive closure means disposed within said plug-receiving recess for enclosing said first contact within said recess and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket disposed between said closure means and said receptacle member housing for sealing said closure means, when in a closed position, against said housing, said first closure means opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess;

second electrically-conductive closure means disposed within said forward mating portion for enclosing said second contact within said forward mating portion and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket disposed between said second closure means and said plug member housing for sealing said second closure means, when in a closed position, against said mating portion, said second closure means opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess and opening of said first closure means to enable said second contact to engage said first contact; and

electrically-conductive contact means for biasly engaging said receptacle and plug member housings to establish electrical continuity therebetween as said housings are mated and prior to opening of said first and second closure means.

18. An EMI and environmentally shielded connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including an electrically shielding housing having a forward end and a plug-receiving recess extending rearwardly from said forward end;

a first contact positioned within said plug-receiving recess;

a plug member including an electrically shielding housing having a forward mating portion thereon externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess and having a second contact disposed within said housing toward the end of said mating portion adapted to mate with said first contact;

a first electrically conductive pair of doors pivotally mounted to respective opposite side walls of said plug-receiving recess for enclosing said first contact within said recess and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket provided around the outer edges of each said door for sealing said pair of doors, when in a closed position, against said housing, said first pair of doors being spring biased to a closed position and opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess;

a second electrically-conductive pair of doors pivotally mounted to respective opposite side walls of said forward mating portion for enclosing said second contact within said forward mating portion and including at least one electrically-conductive elastomeric gasket provided around the outer edges of each door of said second pair of doors for sealing said second pair of doors, when in a closed position, against said mating portion, said second pair of doors being spring biased to a closed position and opening upon insertion of said mating portion into said recess and opening of said first pair of doors to enable said second contact to engage said first contact; and

electrically-conductive contact means for biasly engaging said receptacle and plug member housings to establish electrical continuity therebetween as said housings are mounted and prior to opening of said first and second pairs of doors.

19. A connector assembly comprising:

first housing means having a first forward mating portion;

first contact means disposed within said first housing means;

second housing means having a second forward mating portion for mating engagement with said first mating portion;

second contact means disposed within said second housing means for electrical engagement with said first contact means upon mating engagement of said first and second forward mating portions;

first closure means disposed at the end of said first forward mating portion for enclosing and electro-magnetically shielding said first contact means within said first housing means and including electrically-conductive sealing means disposed between said first closure means and said first housing means for providing environmental and electromagnetic shielding of said first contact means when said first closure means is in a closed position; and

second closure means disposed within said second forward mating portion for enclosing and electromagnetically shielding said second contact means within said second housing means and including electrically-conductive sealing means disposed between said second closure means and said second housing means for providing environmental and electro-magnetic shielding of said second contact means when said second closure means is in a closed position.

20. The connector assembly as described in claim 19, wherein said first and second housing means are adapted for electromagnetically shielding said first and second contact means, respectively, and wherein said housing means includes contact means for effecting electrical contact and electro-magnetic shielding between said first and second housing means when said mating portions are mated.

21. A connector assembly as described in claim 20, wherein said assembly further comprises electrically-conductive resilient contact means on one of said mating portions for effecting said electrical contact and electromagnetic shielding between said first and second housing means to establish electrical continuity therebetween as said housing means are mated and prior to opening of said first and second closure means.

22. The connector assembly as described in claim 19, wherein said second closure means is adapted to open subsequent to said first closure means to permit engagement of said contact means.

23. A connector assembly as described in claim 19, wherein said assembly further includes actuator means responsive to the position of said first forward mating portion within said second housing means for sequentially opening said first and second closure means.

24. A connector assembly as described in claim 19, wherein said first and second closure means each comprise at least one door pivotally mounted to its respective housing means and spring biased to a closed position, said electrically-conductive sealing means being disposed between each edge of said door and the adjacent surface of its respective housing means.

25. A connector assembly as described in claim 19, wherein said first and second closure means each comprise a pair of doors pivotally mounted to respective opposite side walls of their respective housing means and spring biased to a closed position, said electrically-conductive sealing means of each said closure means being disposed between each edge of each said door and the adjacent surface of its respective housing means and between the doors of each said pair of doors.

26. A connector assembly as described in claim 19, wherein said sealing means comprise electrically-conductive resilient members.

27. A connector assembly as described in claim 26, wherein each said resilient member is constructed from elastomeric material.

28. A connector assembly comprising, in combination:

a receptacle member including housing means having an open-ended first forward mating portion;

first contact means disposed within said housing means;

a plug member including housing means having a second forward mating portion for telescoping insertion within the open end of said first mating portion to effect electrical contact and electromagnetic shielding therebetween;

second contact means disposed within said second forward mating portion for electrical engagement with said first contact means upon insertion of said plug member into said receptacle member;

closure means disposed at the forward end of said first forward mating portion for enclosing and electrically shielding said first contact means therewithin, said closure means opening upon insertion of said second forward mating portion into and electrical contact with said first forward mating portion to enable said second contact means to engage said first contact means; and

electrically-conductive sealing means disposed between said closure means and said open-ended first forward mating portion for providing environmental and electromagnetic shielding of said first contact means when said closure means is in a closed position, said housing means, said closure means and said electrically-conductive sealing means cooperating to provide complete electromagnetic shielding of said first contact means before, during and after engagement of said plug and receptacle members.

29. The connector assembly as described in claim 28, wherein said assembly further includes a second closure means disposed within said second forward mating portion for enclosing and electrically shielding said second contact means therewithin and including electrically-conductive sealing means disposed between said second closure means and said plug member housing means for providing environmental and electromagnetic shielding of said second contact means when said second closure means is in a closed position, said second closure means opening subsequently to the opening of said first closure means to permit engagement of said first and second contact means.

30. The connector assembly as described in claim 28, wherein said sealing means comprise electrically-conductive resilient members.

31. The connector assembly as described in claim 30, wherein each said resilient member is constructed from elastomeric material.