Leadframe module for an electrical connector
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorMichael Fredrick Laub
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A leadframe module for an electrical connector includes a leadframe having contacts initially held together as part of the leadframe. The contacts have mating ends configured to be mated to corresponding mating contacts. The contacts having mounting ends configured to be terminated to corresponding conductors. Dielectric shells coat corresponding contacts. Outer shields are applied to corresponding dielectric shells. Each of the contacts, dielectric shells and outer shields define corresponding shielded transmission lines of the leadframe module. Optionally, a ground plate may be coupled to each of the transmission lines and electrically connected to the outer shields of the transmission lines to electrically common each of the outer shields.
Claims20
A leadframe module for an electrical connector comprising:
- a leadframe having contacts initially held together as part of the leadframe, the contacts having mating ends configured to be mated to corresponding mating contacts, the contacts having mounting ends configured to be terminated to corresponding conductors;
- dielectric shells coating corresponding contacts;
- and
- outer shields applied to corresponding dielectric shells;
- each of the contacts, dielectric shells and outer shields defining corresponding shielded transmission lines of the leadframe module.
An electrical connector comprising:
- a housing having a mating end and a loading end, the housing having slots open at the loading end;
- and
- leadframe modules received in corresponding slots of the housing, the leadframe modules being supported by the housing, each leadframe module comprising:
- a leadframe having contacts initially held together as part of the leadframe, the contacts having mating ends configured to be mated to corresponding mating contacts, the contacts having mounting ends configured to be terminated to corresponding conductors;
- dielectric shells coating corresponding contacts;
- outer shields applied to corresponding dielectric shells, wherein each of the contacts, dielectric shells and outer shields defining corresponding shielded transmission lines of the leadframe module;
- and
- a ground plate coupled to each of the transmission lines, the ground plate being electrically connected to the outer shields of the transmission lines to electrically common each of the outer shields, the ground plate being received in a corresponding slot of the housing.
A method of manufacturing a leadframe module, the method comprising:
- stamping a leadframe to form a plurality of contacts having mating ends configured to be mated to corresponding mating contacts and mounting ends configured to be terminated to corresponding conductors;
- coating portions of the contacts between the mating and mounting ends with a dielectric material to form dielectric shells around the contacts;
- applying a conductive layer to the dielectric shells to form outer shields around the contacts and dielectric shells, the outer shields providing electrical shielding for the contacts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.