Lead frame assembly for an electrical connector

Lead frame assembly for an electrical connector, comprising a first lead, a second lead and a third lead, and a frame made of a dielectric material,

• the leads having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end,
• wherein the leads are substantially surrounded by the dielectric material, over the whole length of their intermediate portions,
• wherein the frame comprises at least a first channel and a second channel in the dielectric material, wherein the first channel is arranged in-between the intermediate portions of the first and second leads, separating the first and second leads by an air gap, and the second channel is arranged in-between the intermediate portions of the second and third leads, separating the second and third leads by an air gap,
• the first and second channels being defined by at least three sides and having lengths extending substantially from the first end to the second end of each of the leads in directions substantially parallel to the intermediate portions of the first and second leads and the second and third leads, respectively,
• wherein the first channel is open towards a first side of the assembly along at least a first portion of the length of the first channel and is open towards a second side of the assembly along at least a second portion of the length of the first channel, and
• wherein the second channel is open towards the second side of the assembly along at least a first portion of the length of the second channel and is open towards the first side of the assembly along at least a second portion of the length of the second channel,
• and wherein said channels substantially completely make up the volume in-between said first, second and third adjacent leads.

Lead frame assembly for an electrical connector, comprising a first lead, a second lead and a third lead, and a frame made of a dielectric material, the leads having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the leads are substantially surrounded by the dielectric material, over the whole length of their intermediate portions, wherein the frame comprises at least a first channel and a second channel in the dielectric material, wherein the first channel is arranged in-between the intermediate portion of the first and second leads, separating the first and second leads by an air gap, and the second channel is arranged in-between the intermediate portion of the second and third leads, separating the second and third leads by an air gap, the first and second channels being defined by at least three sides and having a length extending in a direction substantially parallel to the intermediate portions of the first and second leads and the second and third leads, respectively,

• wherein said channels substantially completely make up the volume in-between said first, second and third adjacent leads
• wherein the first channel is open towards a first side of the assembly along a plurality of portions of the length of the first channel and is open towards a second side of the assembly along a plurality of portions of the length of the first channel and
• wherein the second channel is open towards the second side of the assembly along a plurality of portions of the length of the second channel and is open towards the first side of the assembly, along a plurality of portions of the length of the second channel,
• wherein the portions of the length of the first channel substantially correspond with the portions of the length of the second channel, taken in the direction of the channels.