Circuit board based cable connector
First Claim
1. An electrical connector for use with a sensor plug having a plurality of signal contacts, said connector comprising:
- a housing having a passageway configured to accept an insertion end of the sensor plug;
a circuit board disposed in the housing adjacent the passageway and having a first side facing the passageway and a second side opposite the first side, said circuit board further having a plurality of slots formed through the circuit board; and
a plurality of conductive arms extending from the first side, the arms in electrical communication with contacts formed in the circuit board, each of said arms having a contact segment extending partially through a corresponding one of said slots;
wherein said contact segment establishes electrical contact with a signal contact of the sensor plug.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit board based cable connector is disclosed for use with a sensor connector tab to establish electrical signal connection between a sensor and a monitor or processor. The connector comprises a housing which encloses a circuit board. A slot is formed through a leading edge of the housing to allow insertion of the connector tab. A release mechanism releasably secures the connector tab within the housing. The circuit board is positioned adjacent and generally parallel to the inserted connector tab. Traces are formed on the side of the circuit board opposite the connector tab and establish electrical connection between wires of a cable and connector arms of the circuit board. A ground plane is formed on the tab side of the circuit board and, together with the flexible shield, provides an EMI shielding envelope. The connector arms extend generally parallel to the circuit board and are bent at their free ends to form dips. Slots formed through the circuit board are adapted to receive the dipped contact arm ends. The contact arm dips extend through the slots and into contact with electrical contacts of the connector tab, establishing an electrical connection. The connector tab is easily removed by actuating the release mechanism.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An electrical connector for use with a sensor plug having a plurality of signal contacts, said connector comprising:
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a housing having a passageway configured to accept an insertion end of the sensor plug; a circuit board disposed in the housing adjacent the passageway and having a first side facing the passageway and a second side opposite the first side, said circuit board further having a plurality of slots formed through the circuit board; and a plurality of conductive arms extending from the first side, the arms in electrical communication with contacts formed in the circuit board, each of said arms having a contact segment extending partially through a corresponding one of said slots; wherein said contact segment establishes electrical contact with a signal contact of the sensor plug. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrical connector for use with a sensor plug, said sensor plug having a plurality of signal contacts and a lock at an insertion end, said connector comprising:
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a housing having a passageway configured to accept at least the insertion end of the sensor plug; a stop positioned within the housing passageway and prevented insertion of the sensor beyond a limit; and a locking mechanism releasably secured the sensor plug in the connector, the locking mechanism comprising a pair of buttons disposed on opposite sides of the connector and having a flexible bar extending therebetween, and a latch pin fitting into a sensor plug lock, said latch pin extending from the flexible bar; wherein the flexible bar bows when the buttons are urged toward each other, and bowing of the bar linearly moves the latch pin out of the sensor plug lock. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28)
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26. An electrical connector for use with a sensor plug having a plurality of signal contacts, said connector comprising:
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a housing having a passageway configured to accept at least an insertion end of the sensor plug; a circuit board disposed in the housing adjacent the passageway; contacts extending from the circuit board, each contact having a contact end adapted to make electrical contact with at least one of said signal contacts; an electromagnetic shield encircling the circuit board; and the shield has a main body covering a first side of the circuit board, and wings extending from the main body and wrapping around the circuit board and partially covering a second side of the circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (27, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification