EMI protected connector assembly

• US 4,217,019 A
• Filed: 01/25/1978
• Issued: 08/12/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corporation
• Inventors: Cameron, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US05/872,187
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 339/36, 339/40, 339/41, 339/42, 339/43, 339/44 R, 339/44 M, 160/133, 220/336
• 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 end portion externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess;

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

closure means disposed on at least one of said housings for enclosing the contact means disposed therewithin, said closure means comprising a shutter assembly which includes a plurality of slat-like shutters mounted edge-to-edge for reciprocation between a closed position across the recess of said one housing and an open position substantially clear of said recess; and

actuator means disposed on said one of said housings and operatively associated with said shutter assembly disposed thereon, said actuator means including an actuating element on said one housing in the path of movement of the other of said housings and engageable thereby to effect operation of said actuating means for automatically opening said shutter assembly in response to a predetermined positioning of said plug mating portion within said plug-receiving recess of said receptacle member.

2. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprise an electric actuator and a position sensing switch on said one housing operatively coupled to said electric actuator.

3. 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 end portion externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess;

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

closure means disposed on at least one of said housings for enclosing the contact means disposed therewithin, said closure means comprising an iris-type shutter assembly; and

actuator means disposed on said one of said housings and operatively associated with said shutter assembly disposed thereon, said actuator means including an actuating element on said one housing in the path of movement of the other of said housings and engageable thereby to effect operation of said actuating means for automatically opening said shutter assembly in response to a predetermined positioning of said plug mating portion within said plug-receiving recess of said receptacle member.

4. 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 end portion externally dimensioned for telescoping insertion into said plug-receiving recess;

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

closure means disposed on at least one of said housings for enclosing the contact means disposed therewithin;

actuator means disposed on said one of said housings and operatively associated with said closure means disposed thereon for automatically opening said closure means in response to a predetermined positioning of said plug mating portion within said plug-receiving recess of said receptacle member;

second closure means disposed on the other of said housings for enclosing the contact means disposed therewithin; and

actuator means disposed on said other housing and operatively associated with said second closure means disposed thereon for automatically opening said closure means in response to a predetermined positioning of said plug mating portion within said plug-receiving recess of said receptacle member.

5. A connector assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said closure means and the respective actuator means therefore are independently operable.