Dual row molded PCB connector

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a bottom housing portion having a main top surface and a main bottom surface extending along a length and a width of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along a thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines two rows of parallel contact openings extending along a length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along a width of the bottom housing portion. Each of the contact openings extends from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to receive and support an electrical contact terminal. Each of the contact openings is disposed between parallel first and second sidewalls extending along a length of the main top surface and between parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along a width of the main top surface. The first to fourth sidewalls extend upwardly from the top surface away from the bottom surface. At least one of the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall extends only partially between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Description

Summary of the Invention

[0001] In some aspects of this specification, an electrical connector assembly is provided, comprising an insulating bottom housing portion having opposing main top surfaces and main bottom surfaces extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along the thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines two rows of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. Each of the contact openings extends from the main top surface of the bottom housing portion to the main bottom surface and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. Each of the contact openings is disposed between opposing substantially parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length of the main top surface and between opposing substantially parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width of the main top surface. The first to fourth sidewalls extend upward from the main top surface away from the main bottom surface. At least one of the third and fourth sidewalls extends only partially between the first and second sidewalls.

[0002] In some aspects of this specification, an electrical connector assembly is provided, comprising an insulating bottom housing portion having opposing main top and main bottom surfaces extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along the thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines a first row and a second row of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. Each of the contact openings has a first width at the main top surface and extends from the main top surface to the main bottom surface of the bottom housing portion, and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. A first and second recess, substantially parallel, are formed in the main top surface, extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and passing through the contact openings in the respective first and second rows of contact openings. At least one of the first and second recesses has a second width at the main top surface, the second width being smaller than the first width.

[0003] In some aspects of this specification, an integral electrical contact is provided for a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector. The integral electrical contact has an integral structure and includes a generally rectangular intermediate portion, an insulating displacement first connection portion, and a generally J-shaped second connection portion. The intermediate portion is bent to include: a generally planar horizontal base portion oriented generally horizontally and extending between opposing first and second ends; a generally planar inclined base portion extending upward and inclined from the first end toward the second end; and a generally planar vertical base portion extending downward and generally vertically from the second end. The insulating displacement first connection portion extends upward and generally vertically from the inclined base portion and is configured to penetrate the insulation layer of an insulating conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and make electrical and physical contact with the conductor. The generally J-shaped second connecting portion extends downward and generally vertically from the vertical base portion and includes a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion and the shorter leg having a free end and being configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figures 1A to 1C A perspective view of a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector according to one embodiment of this specification is provided;

[0005] Figures 2A to 2C A perspective view of the insulating bottom housing portion of an electrical connector assembly according to one embodiment of this specification is provided;

[0006] Figures 3A to 3B An additional perspective view of the insulating bottom housing portion of an electrical connector assembly according to one embodiment of this specification is provided;

[0007] Figures 4A to 4D A perspective view of an integral electrical contact for a connector assembly according to one embodiment of this specification is provided;

[0008] Figure 5 A perspective view of a connector assembly employing a mating configuration with mating connectors according to one embodiment of this specification is provided; and

[0009] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment of this specification, showing additional details on the integrated electrical contacts. Detailed Implementation

[0010] Reference is made in the following description to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure and in which various embodiments are illustrated by way of example. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood that other embodiments may be conceived and practiced without departing from the scope or spirit of this specification. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting.

[0011] As the dimensions of electrical components / electronic parts and traces continue to shrink to accommodate more functions, existing designs for electrical connectors used in ribbon cables within printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies have limitations. For example, some existing connector assemblies rely on a "press" cover that is attached to the connector body via a latch, which increases the overall height of the assembly. There is a need in the art for an electrical connector assembly that combines and otherwise reduces features to produce a smaller, more robust connector that minimizes PCB space and allows for tight stacking of components with and from the PCB, enabling direct mating to the PCB.

[0012] According to some aspects of this specification, an electrical connector assembly may include a molded body portion having stamped metal contacts. In some embodiments, a cable (such as a ribbon cable) may be disposed within the contacts, and then an overmolded plastic body may be used to encapsulate the contacts and the cable, as well as to provide strain relief for the cable.

[0013] In some embodiments, for example, the electrical connector assembly may include an insulating bottom housing portion having a main top surface and an opposing main bottom surface that extend along a length (e.g., along the x-axis of the bottom housing portion) and a width (e.g., along the y-axis of the bottom housing portion) and are spaced apart along a thickness (e.g., along the z-axis of the bottom housing portion).

[0014] In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion may define two rows of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may extend from the main top surface of the bottom housing portion to the main bottom surface and may be configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal.

[0015] In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may be positioned between opposing, substantially parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length of the main top surface, and between opposing, substantially parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width of the main top surface. In some embodiments, the first to fourth sidewalls may extend upward from the main top surface away from the main bottom surface. In some embodiments, at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls may extend only partially between the first and second sidewalls.

[0016] In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted into contact openings in two rows of substantially parallel contact openings. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a cable assembled to the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the cable may include a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the electrical contact terminals. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include an insulating top housing portion molded onto an insulating bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.

[0017] In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly further includes a plurality of electrical contact terminals, each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprising: a substantially rectangular intermediate portion having a substantially horizontally oriented, substantially planar horizontal base portion; a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upward and inclinedly from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending upward and inclinedly from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion. The connector comprises: a downwardly extending, substantially vertically extending, insulating displacement first connecting portion extending upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion, configured to penetrate the insulation layer of the insulating conductor of the cable assembled to the connector assembly and make electrical and physical contact with the conductor; and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion, having a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion, the shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector. In some such embodiments, when each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals is inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the insulating bottom housing portion of the connector assembly, the substantially rectangular middle portion of the electrical contact terminal seals the contact opening such that molten material (e.g., injection-molded material) introduced into the upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into the lower portion of the contact opening.

[0018] According to some aspects of this specification, an electrical connector assembly may include an insulating bottom housing portion having a main top surface and an opposing main bottom surface that extend along the length (e.g., along the x-axis) and width (e.g., along the y-axis) of the bottom housing portion and are spaced apart along the thickness (e.g., along the z-axis) of the bottom housing portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion may define a substantially parallel first row and second row of contact openings extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may have a first width at the main top surface and extend from the main top surface of the bottom housing portion to the main bottom surface, and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. In some embodiments, a substantially parallel first groove and a second groove are formed in the main top surface, the first groove and the second groove extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and passing through the contact openings in the respective first row and second row of contact openings. In some embodiments, at least one of the first groove and the second groove may have a second width at the main top surface, the second width being smaller than the first width.

[0020] In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a plurality of electrical contact terminals that are inserted into contact openings in two substantially parallel first and second rows of contact openings. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a cable assembled to the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the cable may include a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the contact terminals. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include an insulating top housing portion molded onto an insulating bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.

[0021] In some embodiments of the electrical connector assembly, each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals may include: a substantially rectangular intermediate portion having a substantially horizontally oriented, substantially planar horizontal base portion; a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upward and obliquely from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downward and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion.

[0022] In some such embodiments, each of the plurality of electrical contacts can be inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the insulating bottom housing portion of the connector assembly. In some such embodiments, the generally rectangular middle portion of the electrical contact can seal the contact opening such that molten material introduced into the upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into the lower portion of the contact opening.

[0023] In other such embodiments, each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals may include: an insulating displacement first connection portion extending upward and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion and configured to penetrate the insulation layer of the insulating conductor of the cable assembled to the connector assembly and to make electrical and physical contact with the conductor; and a substantially J-shaped second connection portion extending downward and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and including a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion and the shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector.

[0024] According to some aspects of this specification, an integral electrical contact for a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector has an integral structure and may include a substantially rectangular intermediate portion, an insulating displacement first connection portion, and a substantially J-shaped second connection portion.

[0025] In some embodiments, the generally rectangular middle portion may be bent to include: a generally planar horizontal base portion oriented generally horizontally and extending between opposing first and second ends; a generally planar inclined base portion extending upward and inclined from the first end toward the second end; and a generally planar vertical base portion extending downward and generally vertically from the second end.

[0026] In some embodiments, the insulating displacement first connection portion may extend upward and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion and may be configured to penetrate the insulation layer of the insulating conductor of the cable assembled to the connector assembly and make electrical and physical contact with the conductor.

[0027] In some embodiments, the generally J-shaped second connecting portion may extend downward and generally vertically from the vertical base portion and may include a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion and the shorter leg having a free end and being configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector.

[0028] In some embodiments, the horizontal base portion may include a stop portion between the first end and the second end, such that when the contact is inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the connector housing of the connector assembly, the stop portion engages with a corresponding stop portion in the contact opening to prevent the contact from being further inserted into the contact opening.

[0029] In some embodiments, when the contact is inserted into the corresponding contact opening of the connector housing of the connector assembly, the intermediate portion can seal the contact opening such that molten material (e.g., molten plastic such as that used in injection molding) introduced into the upper portion of the contact opening that accommodates the first connecting portion is prevented from flowing into the lower portion of the contact opening that accommodates the second connecting portion.

[0030] In some embodiments, the connector assembly may include an insulating bottom housing portion and a plurality of any integral electrical contacts described herein. In some such embodiments, the insulating bottom housing portion may include opposing main top and main bottom surfaces extending along the length (e.g., x-axis) and width (e.g., y-axis) of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along the thickness (e.g., z-axis) of the bottom housing portion. In some such embodiments, the bottom housing portion may define two rows of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may extend from the main top surface of the bottom housing portion to the main bottom surface. In some embodiments, the plurality of integral electrical contacts may be inserted into the contact openings of the two rows of substantially parallel contact openings.

[0031] In some embodiments of the connector assembly, the connector assembly may further include a cable assembled to the connector assembly. In some such embodiments, the cable may include a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at an insulated displacement first connection portion of an electrical terminal. In some such embodiments, the connector assembly may further include an insulated top housing portion molded onto an insulated bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.

[0032] Now turn to the attached image. Figures 1A to 1C A perspective view of an embodiment of a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector, according to this specification, is provided. Figure 1A An electrical connector assembly 300 is shown that is about to mate with a mating connector 400. In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 300 includes an insulating bottom housing portion 10. In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 300 may also include a cable 80 (e.g., a ribbon cable) assembled to the electrical connector assembly 300. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may also include an insulating top housing portion 90 that is molded onto the insulating bottom housing portion 10 and covers at least a portion of the cable 80.

[0033] See Figure 1B and Figure 1CTogether, they show additional details of the insulating bottom housing portion 10, which has a main top surface 11 and an opposing main bottom surface 12, each extending along the length of the bottom housing portion (e.g., Figure 1B and Figure 1C The bottom housing portion 10 extends along its x-axis and width (e.g., y-axis) and is spaced apart along its thickness (e.g., z-axis). In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion 10 may define two rows (20, 21) of substantially parallel contact openings 22 extending along the length of the bottom housing portion 10 and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each contact opening 22 may extend from the main top surface 11 of the bottom housing portion 10 to the main bottom surface 12 and may be configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal 30.

[0034] Figures 2A to 2C Provided Figures 1A to 1C An additional view of the insulating bottom housing portion 10 of the embodiment of the electrical connector assembly. This should also be examined. Figures 2A to 2C For the purpose of the following discussion. In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion 10 includes a plurality of contact openings 22. In some embodiments, each contact opening 22 may be provided along a length of the main top surface (e.g., along...). Figures 2A to 2C Between a relatively parallel first sidewall 13 and a second sidewall 14 extending in the x-direction, and between relatively parallel third sidewalls 15 and a fourth sidewall 16 extending along the width of the main top surface (e.g., in the y-direction). In some embodiments, the first to fourth sidewalls 13, 14, 15, 16 may extend upward from the main top surface 11 away from the main bottom surface 12. In some embodiments, at least one of the third sidewall 15 and the fourth sidewall 16 may extend only partially between the first and second sidewalls. See, for example, [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2B (The bottom housing portion 10 is shown from a top perspective.) It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the third sidewall 15 and the fourth sidewall 16 begin at the second sidewall 14 and extend toward the first sidewall 13, but do not extend all the way to the sidewall 13.

[0035] Figures 3A to 3B Provided Figures 1A to 1C Additional perspective views of the insulating bottom housing portion 10 of an embodiment of the electrical connector assembly 300. These figures provide an alternative description of the details of the bottom housing portion 10, which differs from those provided elsewhere herein.

[0036] like Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown in one embodiment of the insulating bottom housing portion 10, the bottom housing portion 10 includes opposing main top surfaces 11 and main bottom surfaces 12 extending along the length (e.g., x-axis) and width (e.g., y-axis) of the bottom housing portion 10 and spaced apart along the thickness (e.g., z-axis) of the bottom housing portion 10. Additionally, in some embodiments, the bottom housing portion 10 may define a first row (20) of contact openings and a second row (21) of contact openings 22 that are substantially parallel and extend along the length of the bottom housing portion 10 and are arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each contact opening in the contact openings 22 may have a first width W1 at the main top surface 11, and each contact opening 22 may extend from the main top surface 11 of the bottom housing portion 10 to the main bottom surface 12 (i.e., may be a through-hole extending through the bottom housing portion 10). In some embodiments, each contact opening in the contact openings 22 may be configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal 30. In some embodiments, a substantially parallel first groove 40 and a second groove 41 are formed in the main top surface 11 and may extend along the length of the bottom housing portion 10 and may pass through contact openings 22 in the respective first row (20) and second row (21) contact openings 22. In some embodiments, at least one of the first groove 40 and the second groove 41 may have a second width W2 at the main top surface 11. In some embodiments, the second width W2 may be smaller than the first width W1.

[0037] Figures 4A to 4D Provides connector components (such as Figure 1A A perspective view of an embodiment of the integrated electrical contacts of the connector assembly 300. Figures 4A to 4D Various views of the same electrical contact 30 (e.g., rotated at different angles) are provided, and these views should be examined simultaneously for the following discussion. In some embodiments, the integral electrical contact 30 has an integral structure (a single integrated piece). In some embodiments, the integral electrical contact 30 includes a generally rectangular central portion 50, an insulating displacement first connection portion 60, and a generally J-shaped second connection portion 70.

[0038] In some embodiments, the substantially rectangular middle portion 50 may be bent to include: a substantially planar horizontal base portion 51, which is oriented substantially horizontally and extends between opposing first ends 51a and second ends 51b; a substantially planar inclined base portion 52, which extends upward and obliquely from the first end 51a toward the second end 51b; and a substantially planar vertical base portion 53, which extends downward and substantially vertically from the second end 51b. In some embodiments, the horizontal base portion 51 may include a stop portion 54 between the first end 51a and the second end 51b.

[0039] In some embodiments, the insulating displacement first connection portion 60 may extend upward and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion 52 and may be configured to penetrate the cable 80 assembled to the connector assembly 300 (see, for example...). Figure 1A The insulating layer 81 of the insulating conductor 82 of the cable 80 and connector assembly 300. In some embodiments, the insulating displacement first connection portion 60 may make electrical and physical contact with the conductor 83 (e.g., wire) within the insulating conductor 82.

[0040] In some embodiments, a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion 70 may extend downward and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion 53 and may include a longer leg 71 and a shorter leg 72, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion 53 and the shorter leg having a free end 73. In some embodiments, the J-shaped second connecting portion 70 may be configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts 401 of a mating connector 400. For example, Figure 5 A perspective view of an embodiment of a connector assembly 300 employing a mating configuration with mating connector 400 is provided. (See diagram below.) Figure 5 As shown in the embodiment, the shorter leg 72 of the electrical contact 30 makes physical and electrical contact with the mating contact 401 of the mating connector 400. Additionally, it can be seen that the insulation displacement of the first connecting portion 60 of the connector 30 causes insulation displacement of the insulated conductor 82, and makes insulation displacement with the conductor 83 of the cable 80 (in... Figure 5 Not shown in the image, but... Figure 4D (As shown in the image) Physical and electrical contact are performed.

[0041] at last, Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly (and specifically, the bottom housing portion 10), showing additional details of an embodiment of the integral electrical contact 30. In some embodiments, the horizontal base portion 51 includes a stop portion 54 between the first end 51a and the second end 51b (see also...). Figure 4CIn some embodiments, when the contact 30 is inserted into the corresponding contact opening 17 of the connector housing 10, the stop portion 54 may engage the corresponding stop portion 18 in the contact opening 17 to prevent the contact 30 from being further inserted into the contact opening 17 (i.e., the contact 30 impacts the physical stop and cannot be pushed further in). In some embodiments, when the contact 30 is inserted into the corresponding contact opening 17 of the connector housing portion 10 of the connector assembly, the stop portion 54 seals the contact opening 17 such that molten material (e.g., injection-molded plastic) introduced into the upper portion 17a of the contact opening 17 that accommodates the first connecting portion (e.g., the insulating displacement first connecting portion 60) is prevented from flowing into the lower portion 17b of the contact opening 17 that accommodates the second connecting portion (e.g., the J-shaped second connecting portion 70).

[0042] Terms such as “about” will be understood in the context in which they are used and described by those skilled in the art. If it is unclear to those skilled in the art in the context of their use and description of “about” to express quantities of characteristic size, quantity, and physical properties, then “about” will be understood to mean within 10% of the specified value. A quantity given a specified value as “about” can be precisely the specified value. For example, if it is unclear to those skilled in the art in the context of their use and description of this specification, a quantity having a value of about 1 means that the quantity has a value between 0.9 and 1.1, and that the value can be 1.

[0043] The term "substantially" will be understood by those skilled in the art in the context of its use and description herein. If the use of "substantially equal" is unclear to those skilled in the art in the context of its use and description herein, "substantially equal" will refer to approximately as described above. If the use of "substantially parallel" is unclear to those skilled in the art in the context of its use and description herein, "substantially parallel" will refer to being within 30 degrees of parallelism. In some embodiments, directions or surfaces described as substantially parallel to each other may be within 20 degrees or 10 degrees of parallelism, or may be parallel or nominally parallel. If the use of "substantially aligned" is unclear to those skilled in the art in the context of its use and description herein, "substantially aligned" will refer to alignment within 20% of the width of the aligned objects. In some embodiments, objects described as substantially aligned may be aligned within 10% or 5% of the width of the aligned objects.

[0044] All cited references, patents, and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in a consistent manner. In the event of any inconsistency or contradiction between the incorporated references and this application, the information in the foregoing description shall prevail.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated, the description of elements in the accompanying drawings should be understood to apply equally to corresponding elements in the other drawings. While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various alternative and / or equivalent embodiments may be used instead of the illustrated and described embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, the electrical connector assembly comprising: An insulating bottom housing portion includes opposing main top and main bottom surfaces extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along the thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines two rows of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion. Each contact opening extends from the main top surface to the main bottom surface of the bottom housing portion and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. Each of the contact openings is disposed between opposing, substantially parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length of the main top surface and between opposing, substantially parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width of the main top surface, the first to fourth sidewalls extending upward from the main top surface away from the main bottom surface, wherein at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls extends only partially between the first and second sidewalls.

2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted into the contact openings of the two rows of substantially parallel contact openings.

3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cable assembled to the connector assembly, the cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the contact terminals.

4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 3, further comprising an insulating top housing portion molded onto the insulating bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.

5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprises: The middle portion of a substantially rectangular shape, the middle portion of which includes a substantially horizontally oriented, substantially planar horizontal base portion; A substantially planar inclined base portion, the substantially planar inclined base portion extending upward and inclinedly from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; A substantially planar vertical base portion, which extends downward and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; An insulating displacement first connection portion extends upward and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion and is configured to penetrate the insulation layer of the insulating conductor of the cable assembled to the connector assembly and make electrical and physical contact with the conductor within the insulating conductor. and The second connecting portion is substantially J-shaped, extending downward and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion, and includes a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion, and the shorter leg having a free end and being configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector.

6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein when each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals is inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the insulating bottom housing portion of the connector assembly, the substantially rectangular intermediate portion of the electrical contact terminal seals the contact opening such that molten material introduced into the upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into the lower portion of the contact opening.

7. An electrical connector assembly, the electrical connector assembly comprising: An insulating bottom housing portion includes opposing main top and main bottom surfaces extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along the thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines a first row and a second row of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion. Each contact opening has a first width at the main top surface and extends from the main top surface to the main bottom surface of the bottom housing portion, and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. A first and a second groove, which are substantially parallel, are formed in the main top surface. The first and the second grooves extend along the length of the bottom housing portion and pass through the contact openings in the corresponding first and second rows of contact openings. At least one of the first and the second grooves has a second width at the main top surface, which is smaller than the first width.

8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted into one of the two substantially parallel first row of contact openings and second row of contact openings.

9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising a cable assembled to the connector assembly, the cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the contact terminals.

10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9, further comprising an insulating top housing portion molded onto the insulating bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.

11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprises: The middle portion of a substantially rectangular shape, the middle portion of which includes a substantially horizontally oriented, substantially planar horizontal base portion; A substantially planar inclined base portion, the substantially planar inclined base portion extending upward and inclinedly from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; and A substantially planar vertical base portion that extends downward and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion.

12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein when each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals is inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the insulating bottom housing portion of the connector assembly, the substantially rectangular intermediate portion of the electrical contact terminal seals the contact opening such that molten material introduced into the upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into the lower portion of the contact opening.

13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprises: An insulating displacement first connection portion extends upward and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion and is configured to penetrate the insulation layer of the insulating conductor of the cable assembled to the connector assembly and make electrical and physical contact with the conductor. and The second connecting portion is substantially J-shaped, extending downward and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion, and includes a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion, and the shorter leg having a free end and being configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector.

14. An integral electrical contact for a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector, the integral electrical contact having an integral structure and comprising: The middle portion of a substantially rectangular shape is bent to include: A substantially planar horizontal base portion, which is oriented substantially horizontally and extends between opposing first and second ends; A substantially planar inclined base portion, said substantially planar inclined base portion extending upward and inclined from the first end toward the second end; and A substantially planar vertical base portion that extends downward and substantially vertically from the second end; An insulating displacement first connection portion extends upward and substantially vertically from the inclined base portion and is configured to penetrate the insulation layer of the insulating conductor of the cable assembled to the connector assembly and make electrical and physical contact with the conductor of the insulating conductor; and The second connecting portion is substantially J-shaped, extending downward and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion, and includes a longer leg and a shorter leg, the longer leg being attached to the vertical base portion, and the shorter leg having a free end and being configured to make electrical and physical contact with mating contacts of the mating connector.

15. The integral electrical contact of claim 14, wherein the horizontal base portion includes a stop portion between the first end and the second end, such that when the contact is inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the connector housing of the connector assembly, the stop portion engages a corresponding stop portion in the contact opening to prevent the contact from being further inserted into the contact opening.

16. The integral electrical contact of claim 14, wherein when the contact is inserted into a corresponding contact opening in the connector housing of the connector assembly, the intermediate portion seals the contact opening such that molten material introduced into the upper portion of the contact opening that accommodates the first connecting portion is prevented from flowing into the lower portion of the contact opening that accommodates the second connecting portion.

17. A connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising: An insulating bottom housing portion includes opposing main top surfaces and main bottom surfaces extending along the length and width of the bottom housing portion and spaced apart along the thickness of the bottom housing portion, the bottom housing portion defining two rows of substantially parallel contact openings extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and arranged along the width of the bottom housing portion, each of the contact openings extending from the main top surface of the bottom housing portion to the main bottom surface; and According to claim 16, the plurality of integrated electrical contacts are inserted into the contact openings of the two rows of substantially parallel contact openings.

18. The connector assembly of claim 17, further comprising a cable assembled to the connector assembly, the cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the insulation displacement first connection portion of the electrical terminals.

19. The connector assembly of claim 18, further comprising an insulating top housing portion molded onto the insulating bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.

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