Electrical connector with light transmission means

• US 5,885,100 A
• Filed: 05/12/1997
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Inventors: Talend, Donald R., Kempf, Randy Joe, Roberts, James T., Walsh, Charles T.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US08/854,610
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488, 439/489, 439/490, 439/607, 439/610, 439/676
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3829 Bent or angled connectors G02B6/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/724 containing contact members forming a right angle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• 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 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

A modular jack is adapted for connecting a cable terminated with a plug to a circuit board. The jack includes a housing having a front face with a receptacle for receiving the plug, a rear face and a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board. A light guide is provided on the housing and includes a front end at the front face of the housing and a remote end near the bottom face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the front of the housing.

Claims

1. A modular jack for connecting a cable terminated with a plug to a circuit board, comprising:

a housing having a front face with a receptacle for receiving the plug, a rear face and a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board;

a light guide means on an outside of top and rear walls of the housing and including a front end at the front face of the housing and a remote end near the bottom face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the front of the modular Jack;

wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece, L-shaped light pipe independent of the housing; and

wherein said L-shaped light pipe includes top and rear legs disposed in recessed areas on the outside of the top and rear walls of the housing.

2. The modular jack of claim 1 wherein said L-shaped light pipe includes generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.

3. The modular jack of claim 1 wherein said light pipe is a homogeneous structure fabricated of substantially clear polycarbonate material.

4. An electrical connector for mounting on a circuit board, comprising:

a housing having a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board and a second face remote from the bottom face;

a light guide means on an outside wall of the housing and including a first end near the bottom face of the housing and a second end at the second face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the second face of the housing; and

wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece light pipe independent of the housing, and wherein said light pipe is generally L-shaped defining generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said light pipe is disposed in a recessed area on the outside wall of the housing.

6. The connector of claim 4 wherein said light pipe is a homogeneous structure fabricated of substantially clear polycarbonate material.

7. A system for providing visual indication of an electrical condition of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board, comprising:

a circuit board having a light source mounted thereon;

a housing having a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board adjacent said light source and a second face remote from the bottom face;

a light guide means on an outside wall of the housing and including a first end adjacent the light source and a second end at the second face of the housing for guiding light from the light source on the circuit board to the second face of the housing; and

wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece light pipe independent of the housing, and

wherein said light pipe is generally L-shaped defining generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said light pipe is disposed in a recessed area on the outside wall of the housing.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said light pipe is a homogeneous structure fabricated of substantially clear polycarbonate material.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said light source comprises an LED device.