Genderless electrical connectors
AssigneeITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
InventorMichael Finona
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various components and methods related to electrical connectors are disclosed. The electrical connectors can be configured to receive a plurality of cables. The electrical connectors can be configured to accommodate a plurality of cables so as to provide a high density packaging within each of the pair of electrical connectors. In order to provide appropriate shielding against electric flux and to reduce noise, each of the plurality of cables can be retained within a genderless insert that can be inserted through each of the pair of electrical connectors. Each of the genderless inserts can include an engagement end that allows the interconnection of the cables retained within the pair of electrical connectors. In some examples, the engagement end of each of the genderless inserts includes both a male and female component.
Claims23
An electrical connector comprising:
- a first plurality of inserts each comprising a genderless connector comprising a male and female component and being configured to retain a portion of a first cable;
- and
- a second plurality of inserts each comprising a genderless connector comprising a male and female component and being configured to retain a portion of a second cable;
- a first portion comprising:
- a first cable support, the first cable support comprising a plurality of openings configured to retain a first end of the first plurality of inserts;
- and
- a first web shell, the first web shell comprising a plurality of openings configured to retain a second end of the first plurality of inserts;
- a second portion configured to engage with the first connector, the second portion comprising:
- a second cable support, wherein the second cable support comprises a plurality of openings configured to retain a first end of the second plurality of inserts;
- and
- a second web shell, the second web shell comprising a plurality of openings configured to retain a second end of the second plurality of inserts.
A genderless connector including a male and female component, the connector extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising:
- an external shell having an engagement end and a cable end, wherein the external shell includes a male shell portion and a female shell portion, and wherein the male shell portion is longer in longitudinal length than the female shell portion;
- a shielding portion having an engagement end and a cable end, wherein the shielding portion includes a male shielding portion and a female shielding portion, wherein the male shielding portion is shorter in longitudinal length than the female shielding portion, and wherein the external shell is disposed about the shielding portion such that the male shell portion is disposed about the male shielding portion and the female shell portion is disposed about the female shielding portion;
- a male component having an engagement end and a cable end, wherein at least the cable end of the male component is retained within the male shielding portion, the engagement end comprising a longitudinally extending pin;
- and
- a female component having an engagement end and a cable end, wherein at least the cable end of the female component is retained within the female shielding portion, the engagement end comprising a receiving channel configured to receive the pin of another of the genderless connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.