Attachment system for electrical connector

A leadframe assembly comprising;

• a dielectric leadframe housing defining a first outer engagement surface;
• a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the dielectric leadframe housing;
• an external plate including a body that defines a second outer engagement surface configured to be attached to the dielectric leadframe housing along a mating direction such that the first and second outer engagement surfaces face each other;
• and
• an attachment system including:
• an attachment assembly including a latch carried by one of the leadframe housing and the external plate, and a catch carried by the other of the leadframe housing and the external plate, wherein the latch and the catch are configured to mate with each other along the mating direction so that at least a portion of the latch overlaps at least a portion of the catch along a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction so that the latch and the catch mechanically interfere with each other and lock the external plate to the dielectric leadframe housing with respect to separation of the external plate from the leadframe housing along a direction that is opposite the mating direction;
• and
• an alignment assembly that operatively aligns the leadframe housing and the external plate such that the latch and the catch are configured to mate with each other along the mating direction.

An electrical connector comprising:

• a plurality of leadframe assemblies that include a leadframe housing defining a first outer engagement surface, electrical signal contacts carried by the leadframe housing, and a ground plate that provides an electrical shield between the electrical signal contacts carried by adjacent ones of the leadframe housings, wherein the ground plate includes a ground plate body that defines a second outer engagement surface configured to be attached to the dielectric leadframe housing along a mating direction such that the first and second outer engagement surfaces face each other;
• and
• an attachment system carried by at least one select one of the plurality of leadframe assemblies, the attachment system including:
• a latch carried by the ground plate body, wherein the latch is configured to flex as the leadframe housing and the ground plate are brought together along the mating direction, and wherein the latch is devoid of apertures that extend through the ground plate;
• a catch carried by the first outer surface of the dielectric leadframe housing, wherein the catch causes the latch to deflect along a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the mating direction as the latch and catch mate, and wherein the latch and catch are configured to mate as the leadframe housing and the ground plate are brought together so as to lock the ground plate to the leadframe housing, thereby resisting separation of the ground plate from the leadframe housing;
• and
• an alignment assembly configured to limit relative movement between the ground plate and the leadframe housing as the latch mates with the catch.

An electrical connector comprising:

• a dielectric leadframe housing defining a first outer engagement surface;
• a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the dielectric leadframe housing;
• a ground plate including a body that defines a second outer engagement surface configured to be attached to the dielectric leadframe housing along a mating direction such that the first and second outer engagement surfaces face each other;
• an attachment system including a first engagement member carried by the first outer surface of the dielectric leadframe housing and a second engagement member carried by the body of the ground plate, the first and second engagement members configured to mate so as to lock the ground plate to the leadframe housing, thereby resisting separation of the ground plate from the leadframe housing;
• and
• an alignment system including a first datum location member carried by the first outer surface of the dielectric leadframe housing and a second datum location member carried by the body of the ground plate, the first and second datum location members configured to abut each other so as to limit relative movement between the ground plate and the leadframe housing along a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction, thereby maintaining alignment between the dielectric leadframe housing and the ground plate as the leadframe housing and the ground plate are being mated, wherein the ground plate is devoid of any apertures that extend through the second datum location member.