1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrical connector system for high-density interconnection of data cables and the like, and in particular, to an improved mating connection for such high-density electrical connectors.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
It is common in building wiring closets where hubs and routers are located for distribution and/or storage of data, to have a plurality of racks and panels with multiple electrical interconnections formed by multiple cables. It is commonplace to have such electrical connections made by connection systems commonly known as modular plugs and jacks, the so-called RJ-45 connection system, or other systems such as the RJ-21. Separate connection systems have traditionally been used, due to the speed of the data, the need to minimize EMI radiation, as well as the need to minimize cross talk between adjacent lines in the same connector.
One electrical connection system useful with data interconnections as described above is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,236 to Broeksteeg. Such an electrical connector system is modular in nature incorporating a plurality of side-by-side printed circuit board mountable connector housings having a plurality of contact arrays insert molded in a web of insulating material to include contact portions which extend into the housings and are positionable adjacent to a mating face, and a printed circuit board contact portion for mounting to a printed circuit board. While the Broeksteeg design is an excellent concept, he was not concerned with a mating interface to hubs, routers and servers or the like. Rather, what is desired is to have a standard I/O configuration for such electrical connections, yet having increased electrical characteristics with a high-density packaging.
One interface known in the art is the D-shaped interface, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,169. Such an interface includes a shielding shroud encircling the electrical connections thereby forming a continuous line ground between the cables of the connection. The configuration of the shielding shroud is defined by upper and lower elongate shielding walls extending forwardly from the connector, and two oppositely angled end walls which form a substantially trapezoidal shape. While the trapezoidal shape provides a polarizing feature, that is, prevents mismating about the axial line, it widens the profile in side-to-side spacing between adjacent connectors. That is, the jackscrews and corresponding openings must be wide enough to clear the end walls of the shroud.
The objects of the invention are to improve upon the shortcomings as mentioned above.
The objects of the invention have been accomplished by providing an electrical connector having a housing body and a plurality of electrical contacts. The connector further comprises a front shroud portion extending forwardly from a front face of said connector and has a general parallelogram configuration, the shroud including upper and lower substantially parallel walls extending transverse to the front face and opposite end walls completing the shroud. The connector also includes fastener members located adjacent to diametrically opposed obtuse corners of the shroud.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical connector further comprises a plurality of rows of electrical contacts, the rows being generally staggered to conform within the front shroud portion. Preferably, there are four rows of contacts, with two rows being staggered relative to the other rows.
Preferably, one of the end walls extends diagonally between the upper and lower walls, and the opposite wall is discontinuous and has a concave radiused portion. The electrical connector includes a first fastener member positioned adjacent to the mating face and at least partially beneath the diagonal wall. The electrical connector also includes a second fastener member positioned adjacent to the concave radiused portion.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shroud is a shielding member.
In another aspect of the invention, an electrical connector has a housing body and a plurality of electrical contacts, and further comprises a front shroud portion extending forwardly from a front face of the connector. The shroud has a generally parallelogram configuration, including upper and lower substantially parallel walls extending transverse to the front face and opposite end walls completing the shroud, and a plurality of rows of electrical contacts, the rows being generally staggered to conform within the front shroud portion.
In the preferred version of this connector, the electrical connector further comprises fastener members located adjacent to diametrically opposed obtuse corners of the shroud.
Preferably, the electrical connector comprises four rows of contacts, with two rows being staggered relative to the other rows.
Also preferably, one of the end walls of the shroud extends diagonally between the upper and lower walls, and the opposite wall is discontinuous and has a concave radiused portion. In this version of the electrical connector, a first fastener member is positioned adjacent to the mating face and at least partially beneath the diagonal wall. A second fastener member is positioned adjacent to the concave radiused portion.
The electrical connector shroud is preferably a shielding member.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, an electrical connector has a housing body and a plurality of electrical contacts, the connector further comprising a front shroud portion extending forwardly from a front face of the connector. The shroud includes an upper and lower elongate wall extending transverse to the front face and a diagonal wall extending between the upper and lower walls. A fastener member is positioned adjacent to the mating face and at least partially beneath the diagonal wall. A discontinuous wall opposite the diagonal wall has a concave radiused portion with a second fastener member positioned adjacent to the concave radiused portion.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical connector further comprises a plurality of rows of electrical contacts, the rows being generally staggered to conform within the front shroud portion. The electrical connector comprises four rows of contacts, with two rows being staggered relative to the other rows.
Preferably, the shroud is a shielding member.
The electrical connector can be profiled as either a plug connector or a receptacle connector. When configured as a plug connector, the connector is profiled for interconnection to twisted pair conductors of a multi-conductor cable. When configured as a receptacle connector, it is complementary with the plug connector to form a mating connection assembly. The receptacle connector has a complementary shielding shroud to the plug connector, and complementary first and second fastener members.