Shielded blind-mate connector
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsScott Shuey, Mike Walmsley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for use in a blind-mate connector assembly includes a conductive shield that has a guidance element for a mating blind-mate connector having a floating receptacle. A housing is substantially enclosed within the shield. The housing includes a mating end and a mounting end and has a back wall at the mounting end. A protrusion extends from the back wall. The back wall has a lower surface that includes a connector mounting surface. The protrusion is configured to be received in the mating blind-mate connector. The guidance element of the shield positions the floating receptacle of the mating blind-mate connector about the protrusion.
Claims26
A blind-mate connector, said connector comprising:
- a conductive shield, said shield comprising a guidance element for a mating blind-mate connector having a floating receptacle;
- and
- a housing substantially enclosed within said shield, said housing including a mating end and a mounting end, the mating end having a tapered alignment tower longitudinally extending therefrom, said housing having a back wall at said mounting end and a protrusion extending from said back wall, said back wall having a lower surface comprising a connector mounting surface and said protrusion configured to be received in the mating blind-mate connector, the guidance element of said shield positioning the floating receptacle of the mating blind-mate connector about said protrusion.
A blind matable connector assembly comprising:
- a first connector comprising:
- a first conductive shield, said first conductive shield comprising a guidance element;
- and
- a first housing substantially enclosed within said first conductive shield, said first housing including a mating end and a mounting end, said first housing having a back wall at said mounting end and a protrusion extending from said back wall toward said mating end, said back wall having a lower surface comprising a connector mounting surface;
- and
- a second connector matable with said first connector, said second connector comprising:
- a second housing including a mating end and a mounting end, said mounting end including a portion extending vertically upward substantially perpendicular to said mating end, said mounting end defining a mounting hole for movable attachment of said mounting end to a panel;
- and
- a second conductive shield surrounding said mating end of said second housing, said guidance element of said first conductive shield receiving said second conductive shield and said mating end of said second housing whereby said second connector self aligns for blind-mating with said first connector.
A blind matable electronic assembly comprising:
- a primary device comprising:
- a first connector located in an interior region of said primary device, said first connector including a first conductive shield, said first conductive shield comprising a guidance element for a mating blind-mate connector and a first housing substantially enclosed within said first conductive shield, said first housing including a mating end and a mounting end, said first housing having a back wall at said mounting end and a protrusion extending from said back wall toward said mating end, said back wall having a lower surface comprising a connector mounting surface;
- and
- a peripheral device located outside said primary device and blind-matable with said primary device, said peripheral device comprising:
- a panel;
- a second connector matable with said first connector, said second connector including a second housing having a mating end and a mounting end, said mounting end including a portion extending vertically upward substantially perpendicular to said mating end, said mounting end movably mounted to said panel to permit relative movement of said mating end with respect to said panel, and a second conductive shield surrounding said mating end of said second housing, said guidance element receiving said second conductive shield and said mating end of said second housing whereby said second connector self aligns for blind-mating with said first connector to blind-mate said peripheral device with said primary device.
A panel mount connector for use in a blind-mate connector assembly, said panel mount connector comprising:
- a housing including a mating end and a mounting end, said mounting end including a portion extending vertically upward substantially perpendicular to said mating end, said mounting end defining a mounting hole for movable attachment of said mounting end to a panel;
- and
- a conductive shield encasing said mating end, said shield including a grounding tab configured to engage a grounding element proximate said mounting end, wherein said mating end includes a pair of alignment towers longitudinally extending from said mating end, each said alignment tower having tapered side surfaces to guide said mating end into a mating connector.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.