Electrical connector assembly

• US 6,948,954 B1
• Filed: 12/31/2004
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Fan, Chia Hao
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien
• Application Number:
  US11/028,029
• Time in Patent Office: 270 Days
• Field of Search: 439/135, 439/137, 439/138, 439/139, 439/140, 439/142, 439/607, 439/108
• US Class Current: 439/137
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4532 Rotating shutter

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly (1) comprises a receptacle connector (2) and a plug connector (3) to be connected to the receptacle connector (2). The receptacle connector (2) comprises a first insulating case (4) including a first base portion (41) having a plug fitting section (411), a pair of neck portions (42) and a pair of wall portions (43), a plurality of first electrical contacts (23) received in the first insulating case (4) and a pair of shutter members (21) mounted on the first insulating case (4) comprising a pair of shutter member halves (21a, 21b). The plug connector (3) comprises a second insulating case (6) provided with a pair of separate guide devices (63) on opposite ends and a pair of separate receiving spaces (423) and a plurality of second electrical contacts (33) received in the second insulating case (6).

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a receptacle connector comprising;

a first insulating case defining a longitudinal direction and comprising a first base portion having a plug fitting section and a neck portion extending from at least one end of the first base portion along the longitudinal direction, a width of the neck portion perpendicular to the longitudinal direction being smaller than a corresponding width of the first base portion, a receiving space being formed between the neck portion and the first base portion;

a plurality of first electrical contacts received in the plug fitting section of the first insulating case; and

a shutter member mounted on the first insulating case and movably closing and opening the plug fitting section of the first insulating case, the shutter member comprising at least one opening communicating with the receiving space to always expose the neck portion; and

a plug connector comprising;

a second insulating case comprising a second base portion, a receptacle fitting section extending from the second base portion and a guide device extending from at least one end of the second base portion adjacent to the receptacle fitting section, the guide device being of a saddle shape and being engageable with the neck portion upon extending through the opening into the receiving space to drive the shutter member open the plug fitting section; and

a plurality of second electrical contacts received in receptacle section of the second insulating case and electrically matable with the first electrical contacts;

wherein the shutter member comprises a pair of shutter member halves; and

wherein the guide device comprises a pair of guide columns spaced from each other;

wherein the neck portion comprises a pair of slanted first guide faces; and

wherein the guide columns comprise a pair of slanted second guide faces corresponding to the first guide faces.

2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member is formed with a guide piece extending into the receiving space.

3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first insulating case comprises a wall portion extending outwards from the neck portion.

4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the shutter member comprises a pivot arm and the wall portion comprises shafts secured with the pivot arms.

5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a spring, and the pivot arm of the shutter member comprises a locking portion connecting with the spring.

6. An electrical connector comprising:

an insulating case comprising a base portion having a plug fitting section and at least one neck portion extending from at least one end of the base portion, a width of the neck portion being smaller than a corresponding width of the base portion, a receiving space being formed between the neck portion and the base portion;

a plurality of electrical contacts received in the plug fitting section extending within the base portion of the insulating case; and

a shutter member mounted to the insulating case and being movable with respect to the insulating case to open and close the plug fitting section of the insulating case;

wherein the neck portion comprises a pair of slanted first guide faces;

wherein the shutter member comprises an opening communicating with the receiving space;

wherein the shutter member comprises a pivot arm having a pivot hole; and

wherein the insulating case comprises a wall portion having a shaft extended into the receiving space and engaging with the pivot hole of the pivot arm.

7. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a first connector including;

an insulating case comprising a base portion, a receptacle fitting section extending from the base portion, and a guide device extending from the base portion and adjacent to the receptacle fitting section, the guide device being of a saddle shape; and

a plurality of electrical contacts received in the receptacle fitting section of the insulating case;

wherein the guide device comprises a pair of guide columns arranged at intervals and each of the guide columns is provided with a guide face;

wherein the base portion comprises a fixing portion defining a pair of fixing-holes, the guide device is mounted on the fixing portion and can flex in the fixing-holes of the fixing portion;

wherein each of the guide columns comprises a first column and a second column of tubular shape received in the fixing hole;

wherein the guide device comprises a spring member being between the fixing portion and the second column, one end of the spring member is received in the corresponding fixing-hole of the fixing portion and the other end of the spring member is received in the second column; and

wherein the guide device comprises a metal piece fixing on the fixing portion of the insulating case and having a pair of securing portions secured with the guide columns.

8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the securing portions moveably secure on the first column, and wherein the diameter of the fixing-holes is substantially equal to that of the second column and is larger than that of the first column so that the securing portions prevent the second column from elastically moving out of the fixing-hole.

9. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, further including a second connector wherein said second connector defines another insulating case comprising a base portion with a plug fitting section extending therefrom, a neck portion adjacent to said plug fitting section, and a pair of shutters moveably mounted to said another insulating case, wherein said guide device rides upon the neck portion when said first connector and said second connector are mated.

10. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein said pair of shutters define a pair of engagement sections spaced from each other with a distance for respective engagement with two lateral sides of the guide device during splitting said pair of shutters away from each other.