Shielded backplane connector

A method for producing a plug connector (10) using a plurality of housing modules (131-135) connectable with each other in a plurality of laminated stages, a horizontal shield plate (141-144) provided between the adjacent housing modules (131-135), and a contact assembly (31-35) connected to a rear end side of each of said housing modules (131-135), comprising:

• a first step of press inserting a first contact assembly (130) from a rear end side of the lowermost first housing module (131) under the condition that the horizontal shield plate (141) is laminated on the first housing module (131);
• a second step of bending a rear portion (141a) of said horizontal shield plate (141) downwardly;
• a third step of overlapping a second housing module (132) on the horizontal shield plate (141) of said first housing module (131) for connection to said first housing module (131);
• a fourth step of press inserting and connecting said second contact assembly (32) from a rear end side of said second housing module (132) under the condition that the horizontal shield plate (142) is laminated on the second housing module (132);
• and,
• a fifth step of bending a rear portion (142a) of said horizontal shield plate (142) downwardly.

A plug connector (10) for mating to a receptacle connector (20) of the type having an insulative housing (22) including a pair of sidewalls (24, 25) that defines an open channel (21) of the receptacle connector (20) therebetween for receiving said plug connector (10) therein when said-plug and receptacle connectors (10, 20) are mated together, said receptacle connector (20) further including a plurality of conductive male terminals (23) arranged in a grid pattern within said receptacle connector channel (21), the grid pattern including rows and columns of said male terminals (23), said receptacle connector (20) further including a plurality of conductive shielding plates (27) disposed in said receptacle connector channel (21) between adjacent columns of said male terminals (23), said receptacle connector shielding plates (27) extending vertically within said receptacle connector channel (21), the plug connector (10) comprising:

• a plurality of distinct, horizontal housing modules (131-135) engaged together to cooperatively define a housing (13) of said plug connector (10), the plug connector housing (13) being received with said receptacle connector channel (21) when said plug and receptacle connectors (10, 20) are mated together, said housing modules (131-135) each including a plurality of terminal-receiving passages (19) that support therein a plurality of female conductive terminals (12), each of the female terminals (12) including contact portions (11) that make electrical contact with corresponding associated male terminals (23) of said receptacle connector (20) when said plug and receptacle connectors (10, 20) are mated together, characterised in that:
• said plug connector (10) further includes a plurality of conductive horizontal shielding plates (140-145) that are-disposed between adjacent housing modules (131-135), the horizontal shielding plates (140-145) and said housing modules (131-135) include a plurality of slits (15, 19a) aligned with each other, the slits (15, 19a) cooperatively defining a plurality of recesses of said plug connector (10) that extend vertically between adjacent columns of said female terminals (12), said recesses being sized to receive therein said receptacle connector vertical shielding plates (27) in a cruciform manner when said plug and receptacle connectors (10, 20) are mated together.