Electrical connector assembly with improved strain relief

• US 6,663,415 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Wu, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEON, EDWIN A
• Application Number:
  US10/215,535
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 439/460, 439/469, 439/459, 439/465, 439/607, 439/610, 439/608, 439/801, 439/810, 439/76.1, 439/687, 439/906
• US Class Current: 439/460
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5808 formed by a metallic element crimped around the cable H01R4/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/906 Longitudinally divided

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly comprises a base (10), a cover (20) assembled to the base, a cable (40) and a U-shaped strain relief (50). The base and the cover each define a first and second opening (17, 27). A pair of channels (173) is defined on opposite sides of the first opening. The cable is received in the first and second opening and has a metal shield (43) enclosing thereof. The strain relief has a bight (51), a pair of intermediate portions (52) extending obliquely from opposite lateral sides of the bight, and a pair of legs (54) extending downwardly from bottom ends of the intermediate portions. The strain relief further has a spring tab (53) extending inwardly and electrically contact with the metal shield of the cable. The legs are received in the channels of the base and have two rows of barbs (55) formed on opposite edges engaging with inner surfaces of the channels.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

a base having an opening at a rear end portion thereof, a pair of channels being defined on opposite sides of the opening;

a connector subassembly assembled to the base comprising an insulating housing and a plurality of terminals received in the housing;

a cover assembled to the base, the cover and the base together defining an interior space and a cable receiving opening of the interior space;

a cable having a plurality of conductors and an insulated jacket enclosing thereof, the conductors extending into the interior space from the cable receiving opening and electrically connected with the corresponding terminals; and

a strain relief having a bight, and a pair of legs extending downwardly from the bight, the strain relief further including a spring tab extending toward the cable, each leg has two rows of barbs formed on opposite edges thereof, the barbs interferentially engage with inner walls of the channels;

the cable has a metal shield enclosing thereof, the spring tabs electrically and mechanically contact with the metal shield;

the opening of the base is defined by a flat bottom wall and a pair of inclined lateral walls of the rear end portion, the pair of inclined lateral walls connecting opposite lateral ends of the bottom wall;

a plurality of wedges extend from the bottom wall and the inclined lateral walls and into the first opening with the wedges in contact with the metal shield of the cable, front sides of the wedges are higher than rear sides thereof;

the rear end portion has a number of ribs extending into the first opening adjacent to a rear end thereof, the ribs are in contact with the metal shield of the cable;

the cover is defined a second opening together by a flat top wall and a pair of inclined lateral walls of the rear end portion, the pair of inclined lateral walls connect opposite lateral ends of the top wall, the top wall and the inclined lateral walls are in contact with the bight and the intermediate portions of the strain relief;

the cover has a number of ribs extending into the second opening adjacent to a rear end thereof and in contact with the metal shield of the cable;

the base and the cover are locked by a pair of screws.