US 7,404,724 B1 · Connector with ESD inhibiting shell

Abstract

ESD damage caused by connecting devices that have separate grounds, is reduced by equalizing the charge on the first and second device grounds before connecting their signal lines together; but when the grounds are equalized, the transfer of charge between them is sufficiently slowed down so as to avoid harming components within the device receiving the extra charge. In one embodiment, a connector for connection with a complementary connector is provided with an inhibited shell. The inhibited shell is mounted to the connector body for connection with a shell on a complementary connector. The inhibited shell is configured (e.g., with a conductive polymer having a desired resistance) to sufficiently slow down the detrimental transfer of charge between the separate grounds on the connected devices while at the same time allowing them to equalize with one another.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A connector for making an electrical connection, comprising:

a dielectric housing;
multiple contacts positioned in the dielectric housing;
and
a conductive shell at least partially surrounding the dielectric housing, the conductive shell having thereon a resistive layer providing electrical resistance to prevent a surge of current through the shell as the shell contacts another conductor.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connector with ESD inhibiting shell

Life of this patent

Connector with ESD inhibiting shell

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26