Electrical connectors having open-ended conductors

#The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to electrical connectors that utilize differential pairs and experience offending crosstalk and/or return loss.

#The electrical connectors that are commonly used in telecommunication systems, such as modular jacks and modular plugs, may provide interfaces between successive runs of cable in such systems and between cables and electronic devices. The electrical connectors may include contacts that are arranged according to known industry standards, such as Electronics Industries Alliance/Telecommunications Industry Association (“EIA/TIA”)-568. However, the performance of the electrical connectors may be negatively affected by, for example, near-end crosstalk (NEXT) loss and/or return loss. Accordingly, in order to improve the performance of the connectors, techniques are used to provide compensation for the NEXT loss and/or to improve the return loss. Such known techniques have focused on arranging the contacts with respect to each other within the electrical connector and/or introducing components to provide the compensation, e.g., compensating NEXT. For example, the compensating signals may be created by crossing the conductors such that a coupling polarity between the two conductors is reversed or the compensating signals may be created by using discrete components.

#One known technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,358 (“the '358 patent”). The patent discloses an electrical connector that introduces predetermined amounts of compensation between two pairs of conductors that extend from input terminals to output terminals along an interconnection path. Electrical signals on one pair of conductors are coupled onto the other pair of conductors in two or more compensation stages that are time delayed with respect to each other. However, the techniques described in the '358 patent have limited capabilities for providing crosstalk compensation and/or improving return loss.

#FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact sub-assembly of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a mating end of the contact sub-assembly shown in FIG. 2.

#FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the connector 100 is a modular connector, such as, but not limited to, an RJ-45 outlet or communication jack. However, the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein is applicable to other types of electrical connectors. The connector 100 is configured to receive and engage a mating plug, such as a modular plug 145 (shown in FIG. 6) (also referred to as a mating connector). The modular plug 145 is loaded along a mating direction, shown generally by arrow A. The connector 100 includes a connector body 101 having a mating end 104 that is configured to receive and engage the modular plug 145 and a loading end 106 that is configured to electrically and mechanically engage a cable 126. The connector body 101 may include a housing 102 extending from the mating end 104 and toward the loading end 106. The housing 102 may at least partially define an interior chamber 108 that extends therebetween and is configured to receive the modular plug 145 proximate the mating end 104.

#The connector 100 includes a wire manager 109 and a contact sub-assembly 110 (shown in FIG. 2) operatively connected to the wire manager 109. The contact sub-assembly 110 is received within the housing 102 proximate to the loading end 106. In the exemplary embodiment, the contact sub-assembly 110 is secured to the housing 102 via tabs 112 that cooperate with corresponding openings 113 within the housing 102. The contact sub-assembly 110 extends from a mating end portion 114 to a terminating end portion 116. The contact sub-assembly 110 is held within the housing 102 such that the mating end portion 114 of the contact sub-assembly 110 is positioned proximate the mating end 104 of the housing 102. The terminating end portion 116 in the exemplary embodiment is located proximate to the loading end 106 of the housing 102. As shown, the contact sub-assembly 110 includes an array 117 of mating conductors or contacts 118. Each mating conductor 118 within the array 117 includes a mating interface 120 arranged within the chamber 108. Each mating interface 120 engages (i.e., interfaces with) a corresponding mating or plug contact 146 (shown in FIG. 6) of the modular plug 145 when the modular plug 145 is mated with the connector 100.

#In some embodiments, the arrangement of the mating conductors 118 may be at least partially determined by industry standards, such as, but not limited to, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60603-7 or Electronics Industries Alliance/Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA)-568. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector 100 includes eight mating conductors 118 arranged as differential pairs. However, the connector 100 may include any number of mating conductors 118, whether or not the mating conductors 118 are arranged in differential pairs.