Cable connector
The cable connector design with a shielded chamber and flexible latches addresses assembly challenges, enhancing reliability and reducing costs by minimizing latch damage during assembly.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing cable connectors are difficult to assemble and require complex retainers that can be damaged during assembly, making them costly and unreliable.
A cable connector design featuring a shell with a latch pocket and a shield that divides the shell into chambers, using flexible latches to secure contact holders, which are loaded from the rear and engage with the shield to axially secure contacts in the shell.
Facilitates cost-effective and reliable assembly by reducing damage to latches and improving assembly efficiency, ensuring secure contact retention.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The subject matter of this specification generally relates to cable connectors.
Background Art
[0002] Cable connectors are used in many applications such as military and aerospace applications. For example, a cable connector can include differential pair contacts terminated at the ends of twisted pair wires. Known cable connectors include those known as quadrax connectors having four differential pairs of contacts arranged in different quadrants of the cable connector. A cable connector includes an outer shell that shields the contact pairs. However, known cable connectors are not without drawbacks. For example, it is difficult to assemble the cable connector. It is difficult to hold the contacts in the outer shell. For example, a retainer is used to hold the contacts within the outer shell of the cable connector. It is difficult to position and fix the retainer to the outer shell. Some known retainers use a latch. However, since the latch is pressed against the outer shell, it may be damaged during assembly.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0003] There is still a need for a cable connector that can be manufactured and assembled in a cost - effective and reliable manner.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0004] A solution is provided by a cable connector having a shell with a hole. The shell extends between the mating end and the cable end. The shell has a latch pocket. The cable connector includes a shield that is received in the shell. The shield divides the hole into a chamber. The shield and shell shield the chamber. The cable connector includes contact holders that are received in the corresponding chambers. Each contact holder includes at least one contact channel. Each contact holder includes a flexible latch. The latch has a latch head at its distal end, which is received in a corresponding latch pocket in the shell and configured to axially secure the contact holder in the shell. The latch has an interference bump on its inner end, which is configured to engage with the shield and push the latch head outward. The cable connector includes contacts that are received in corresponding contact channels of corresponding contact holders. The contacts are held in holes in the outer shell by the contact holders. Each contact extends between the mating end and the termination. The termination is configured to terminate on the wires of the cable.
[0005] The present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings as an example. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0006] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing an electrical connector configured to mate with a mating connector. [Figure 2] This is a rear perspective view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing an electrical connector configured to mate with a mating connector. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of a cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an end view of a cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5]This is a front perspective view of a portion of a cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a rear perspective view of a portion of a cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a rear perspective view of one of the contact holders according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an external perspective view of a portion of a contact holder according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] This is an internal perspective view of a portion of a contact holder according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] In one embodiment, a cable connector is provided, comprising an outer shell having a hole. The outer shell extends between a mating end and a cable end. The outer shell has a latch pocket. The cable connector comprises a shield received in the outer shell. The shield divides the hole into a chamber. The shield and outer shell shield the chamber. The cable connector comprises contact holders received in corresponding chambers. Each contact holder includes at least one contact channel. Each contact holder includes a flexible latch. The latch has a latch head at its distal end, which is received in a corresponding latch pocket in the outer shell and configured to axially secure the contact holder in the outer shell. The latch has an interference bump on its inner end, which is configured to engage with the shield and push the latch head outward. The cable connector includes contacts that are received in corresponding contact channels of corresponding contact holders. The contacts are held in holes in the outer shell by the contact holders. Each contact extends between the mating end and the termination. The termination is configured to terminate on the wires of the cable.
[0008] In another embodiment, a cable connector is provided, comprising a shell having a hole. The shell extends between a mating end at the front of the shell and a cable end at the rear of the shell. The shell has a front portion and a rear portion behind the front portion. The shell has a latch pocket. The cable connector comprises a shield received in the shell. The shield divides the hole into a chamber. The chamber has a first width in the front portion and a second width in the rear portion. The second width is greater than the first width. The shield and shell shield the chamber. The cable connector comprises a contact holder received in the corresponding chamber. Each contact holder includes at least one contact channel. Each contact holder includes a flexible latch. The latch has a latch head at its distal end, which is received in a corresponding latch pocket in the outer shell, and is configured to axially secure the contact holder in the outer shell. The latch has an interference bump at its inner end. The inner end engages with the shield and pushes the latch head of the latch outward. The latch head is pushed further outward at the front end than at the rear end. The cable connector includes contacts that are received in corresponding contact channels of corresponding contact holders. The contacts are held in holes in the outer shell by the contact holders. Each contact extends between a mating end and a termination. The termination is configured to terminate on a wire of the cable.
[0009] In a further embodiment, a cable connector is provided, comprising a shell having a hole. The shell is cylindrical in shape as a whole. The shell extends between a mating end and a cable end. The shell has a latch pocket. The cable connector comprises a shield received in the shell. The shield comprises a first shield panel and a second shield panel perpendicular to the first shield panel, dividing the hole into four chambers. The shield and shell shield the chambers. The cable connector comprises contact holders received in the corresponding chambers. Each contact holder comprises a first side wall and a second side wall that meet at their inner edges. Each contact holder comprises an outer wall between the first side wall and the second side wall. Each contact holder comprises a pair of contact channels. Each contact holder comprises a flexible latch. The latch includes a latch arm extending between a fixed end and a free end. The latch arm extends along the inner edge. The latch has a latch head at the free end of the latch, which is received in a corresponding latch pocket of the outer shell and configured to axially secure the contact holder in the outer shell. The latch has an interference bump at the inner end of the latch, which is configured to engage with the shield and push the latch head of the latch outward. The cable connector includes contacts that are received in corresponding contact channels of corresponding contact holders. The contacts are arranged in pairs. The contacts are held in holes in the outer shell by the contact holders. Each contact extends between a mating end and a termination. The termination is configured to terminate on the wires of the cable.
[0010] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 10, showing an electrical connector 100 configured to mate with a mating connector 50. Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the communication system 10, showing an electrical connector 100 configured to mate with a mating connector 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 100 is a cable connector and may be referred to as cable connector 100 below. The electrical connector 100 includes a connector 102 provided at the end of a cable 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 50 is a cable connector and may be referred to as cable connector 50 below. The mating connector 50 includes a connector portion 52 provided at the end of a cable 54. However, in an alternative embodiment, the mating connector 50 may be another type of connector, such as a header connector or a board connector mounted on a circuit board.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, connector 102 includes a plurality of contacts 106 arranged in contact pairs 108. Similarly, mating connector portion 52 includes a plurality of mating contacts 56 arranged in contact pairs 58, these mating contacts 56 configured to mate with the corresponding contacts 106 of cable connector 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating contacts 56 are socket contacts and the contacts 106 are pin contacts, but other types of contacts may be used in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, connectors 102, 50 are quadrax connectors, each containing four contact pairs 108, 58. The contact pairs 108, 58 are arranged in quadrants. In alternative embodiments, other types of connectors having more or fewer contact pairs (108, 58) may be used.
[0012] The following description refers to the first cable connector 100 and its components. However, the second cable connector 50 may comprise similar components and may be manufactured in a similar manner to that described below with respect to the first cable connector 100.
[0013] The cable connector 100 comprises an outer shell 110, a shield 112 received in the outer shell 110, and one or more contact holders 114 received in the outer shell 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable connector 100 comprises four contact holders 114 arranged in four quadrants of the outer shell 110. The shield 112 separates the contact holders 114 from each other and provides electrical shielding between the contact holders 114. The contact holders 114 hold contacts 106. For example, each contact holder 114 may hold one of a pair of contacts 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holders 114 are latchably coupled to the outer shell 110 to hold and position the contacts 106 in the outer shell 110 so as to mate with a mating contact 56.
[0014] The outer shell 110 extends between the mating end 120 and the cable end 122. The cable 104 extends from the cable end 122. The mating end 120 is configured to connect to the mating connector 50. The outer shell 110 is manufactured from a conductive material such as a metallic material. The outer shell 110 includes a hole 124 that penetrates the outer shell 110 axially between the mating end 120 and the cable end 122. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shell 110 is cylindrical as a whole. The outer shell 110 may have different inner and / or outer diameters along the longitudinal axis of its center.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shell 110 includes a flange 126, which may be located substantially centrally along the outer shell 110. The flange 126 can engage with the mating connector 50 during mating to stop the mating. The outer shell 110 includes a keying mechanism 128 for keyed engagement with the mating connector 50 or for positioning the cable connector 100 relative to another component. Optionally, the keying mechanism 128 may be located on the flange 126.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shell 110 includes a front portion 130 and a rear portion 132 behind the front portion 130. The front portion 130 may be located at the mating end 120. The rear portion 132 may be located at the cable end 122. The outer shell 110 can include other portions between the front portion 130 and the rear portion 132 or on both sides thereof. The outer shell 110 can have different diameters (e.g., inner diameter and / or outer diameter) along the front portion 130 and the rear portion 132. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 114 and the shield 112 are loaded from the rear through the cable end 122 into the holes 124.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the shield 112 is a cross-shaped (e.g., X-shaped) cross shield. The shield 112 includes a first shield panel 140 and a second shield panel 142 perpendicular to the first shield panel 140. The first shield panel 140 and the second shield panel 142 divide the hole 124 into chambers 144 such as four chambers 144 arranged in quadrants. Each chamber 144 receives one of the contact holders 114. In an exemplary embodiment, each chamber 144 receives a pair of contacts 106. The shield panel 142 is conductive and, for example, a metal plate. The shield panel 142 can be electrically connected to the outer shell 110. The shield 112 and the outer shell 110 shield the chambers 144.
[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cable connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The cable connector 100 includes a shield 112 and a contact holder 114 in a hole 124 of an outer shell 110. The shield 112 separates the contact holders from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 114 is held in the hole 124 using a latch, such as a latch integral with the contact holder 114.
[0019] Each contact holder 114 extends between a mating end 150 and a cable end 152 opposite the mating end 150. A contact 106 (not shown) is normally held at the mating end 150. Wires (not shown) of the cable 104 extend from the cable end 152. In an exemplary embodiment, each contact holder 114 includes a latch 200 used to secure the contact holder 114 to the outer shell 110. The latch 200 is flexible and configured to latchably couple to the outer shell 110 during assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shell 110 includes a latch pocket 134 that receives the latch 200. The latch pocket 134 is located along an inner surface 136 of the outer shell 110. The latch pocket 134 may be located generally centrally along the outer shell 110, for example, in a middle half of the outer shell 110 that includes the center of the outer shell 110. The latch pocket 134 may be formed by a circumferential groove of the outer shell 110 or may be individual pockets.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the front portion 130 is located in front of the latch pocket 134, and the rear portion 132 is located behind the latch pocket 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the front portion 130 has a first diameter, and the rear portion 132 has a second diameter different from the first diameter. For example, the second diameter may be larger than the first diameter. The contact holder 114 is loaded into the hole 124 from the rear. A larger diameter along the rear portion 132 makes assembly easier by reducing the resistance of the latch 200 along the inner surface 136, for example, thus reducing damage to the latch 200 during assembly.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shell 110 includes a shoulder 138 near the mating end 120. The shoulder 138 may be located along the front portion 130. The shoulder 138 is used to position the contact holder 114 in the chamber 144. The shoulder 138 prevents the contact holder 114 from moving forward in the hole 124. When the latch 200 engages with the outer shell 110 in the latch pocket 134, it prevents the contact holder 114 from moving backward in the hole 124.
[0022] Figure 4 is an end view of a cable connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The cable connector 100 includes a shield 112 that is received in a hole 124 of an outer shell 110. Figure 4 shows a first shield panel 140 and a second shield panel 142, which are arranged in a cross configuration perpendicular to each other and divide the hole 124 into four chambers 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield panels 140 and 142 are received in slots 146 at the cable end 122. The contact holder 114 is loaded into the outer shell 110 from the rear through the cable end 122.
[0023] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a portion of the cable connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the cable connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figures 5 and 6 show the cable connector 100 with the outer shell (shown in Figure 3) removed to show the contact holder 114. Figure 5 shows the cable connector 100 with a shield 112 between the cable holders 114. Figure 6 shows the cable connector 100 without the shield 112.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the cable connector 100 comprises four cable holders 114, which are arranged in four quadrants defined by the shield 112. In an alternative embodiment, the cable connector 100 may have more or fewer cable holders 114. Figure 5 shows the cable holders 114 at the mating end 150. Figure 6 shows the cable holders 114 at the cable end 152. In an exemplary embodiment, each cable holder 114 is identical but oriented differently within the bundle.
[0025] The contact holder 114 includes one or more contact channels 154 at the mating end 150 and one or more wire channels 156 at the cable end 152. The contact channels 154 receive the corresponding contacts 106 (one is shown in Figure 5 for illustrative purposes). The wire channels 156 receive the corresponding wires 107 (one is shown in Figure 5 for illustrative purposes). In the illustrated embodiment, each contact holder 114 includes one pair of contact channels 154 and one pair of wire channels 156. In alternative embodiments, the contact holder 114 may include more or fewer channels. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire channel 156 opens at the cable end 152 to feed the wire 107 into the wire channel 156. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact channel 154 opens on the side of the contact holder 114, allowing the contact 106 to be loaded into the contact channel 154 from the side. Alternatively, the contact channel 154 may be closed, and the contact 106 may be loaded from the rear or front. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact 106 is configured to be housed within the contact holder 114. Alternatively, the contact 106 may extend from the front of the contact holder 114 to mate with the mating connector 50 (shown in Figure 1).
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 114 is pie-piece shaped, with a narrower radial inner end and a wider radial outer end. The contact holder 114 includes an inner edge 160 and an outer end 162 opposite the inner edge 160. The contact holder 114 includes a first side surface 164 extending between the inner edge 160 and the outer end 162, and a second side surface 166 extending between the inner edge 160 and the outer end 162. The first side surface 164 and the second side surface 166 face the shield panels 140, 142. Optionally, the first side surface 164 and the second side surface 166 may be approximately perpendicular to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer end surface 162 has a curved outer surface having a radius of curvature similar to that of the outer shell 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner edge 160 may be curved between the first side surface 164 and the second side surface 166. In an alternative embodiment, the contact holder 114 may have a different shape.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 114 includes a shoulder portion 168 along the outer end portion 162. The shoulder portion 168 is configured to contact (interface with) the shoulder portion 138 (shown in Figure 3) to position the contact holder 114 on the outer shell 110. The contact holder 114 may be smaller in front of the shoulder portion 168 and larger behind the shoulder portion 168. For example, the contact holder 114 may have a first width between the inner edge portion 160 and the outer end portion 162 at the front portion 170 of the contact holder 114, and a second width between the inner edge portion 160 and the outer end portion 162 at the rear portion 172 of the contact holder 114. The second width may be larger than the first width.
[0028] The contact holder 114 includes a latch 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 200 is located close to the cable end 152. The latch 200 is integrally formed with the contact holder 114. For example, the latch 200 and the body of the contact holder 114 are molded as one, single, integrated structure. The latch 200 is flexible. The latch 200 includes a latch surface exposed at the outer end 162, which is configured to latchably connect to the outer shell 110, thereby securing the contact holder 114 to the outer shell 110.
[0029] Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of one of the contact holders 114 according to an exemplary embodiment. The contact holder 114 extends between the mating end 150 and the cable end 152. Figure 7 shows a latch 200 extending from the base 174 of the contact holder 114. The base 174 is located between the front portion 170 and the rear portion 172.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 200 extends inward from its inner edge 160 to contact the shield 112 (shown in Figure 3) and extends outward beyond its outer end 162 to contact the outer shell 1 (shown in Figure 3). In an exemplary embodiment, as will be described in more detail below, the latch 200 flexes outward during assembly by pushing the inside of the latch 200 and pushing the outside of the latch 200 outward into the latch pocket 134 (shown in Figure 3). For example, the latch 200 includes an interference bump 202 configured to engage with the shield 112 and push the latch 200 outward. When the contact holder 114 is loaded into the outer shell 110, the interference bump 202 protrudes from its inner edge 160 and interferes with the shield 112. The latch outer edge of the latch 200 may protrude from its outer end 162 and engage with the outer shell 110. However, in various embodiments, the outer edge of the latch may be coplanar with the outer end 162 or recessed relative to the outer end 162 until the interference bump 202 pushes the latch 200 outward.
[0031] Figure 8 is an external perspective view of a portion of the contact holder 114 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9 is an internal perspective view of a portion of the contact holder 114 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figures 8 and 9 show a latch 200 extending from the base 174. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 114 includes an opening 176 in the base 174. The latch 200 extends into the opening 176.
[0032] The latch 200 includes a latch arm 204 extending from a fixed end 206 to a distal end 208. The fixed end 206 is connected to a base 174. The latch arm 204 is cantilevered from the base 174. The latch 200 is flexible and configured to rotate or pivot at the fixed end 206. The latch 200 includes a latch head 210 at the distal end 208. The latch head 210 is configured to be received in a corresponding latch pocket 134 (shown in Figure 3) of the outer shell 110 (shown in Figure 3).
[0033] The latch 200 includes an inner surface 212 and an outer surface 214. The inner surface 212 is located on the radially inner portion of the latch 200. The outer surface 214 is located on the radially outer portion of the latch 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch head 210 is located on the inner surface 212, and the interference bump 202 is located on the outer surface 214. The interference bump 202 on the inner surface 212 is configured to engage with the shield 112 (shown in Figure 3) when assembled. The latch head 210 on the outer surface 214 is configured to engage with the outer shell 110. For example, the latch head 210 is configured to be received by a latch pocket 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch head 210 includes an outer surface 216 defining the outer surface 214. In various embodiments, the outer surface 216 may be provided on the latch edge 218 of the latch head 210. The latch edge 218 is part of the latch head 210 and is configured to engage with the outer shell 110 to hold the latch 200 in the latch pocket 134. In alternative embodiments, the outer surface 216 may be provided at another location along the latch head 210, for example, along a sliding bump (not shown) extending from the radial outer surface of the latch head 210, which slides along the outer shell 110 during assembly to prevent the latch edge 218 from engaging and sliding along the outer shell 110 during assembly. The sliding bump may have a flat or curved surface to reduce interference and resistance during assembly.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 200 is capable of flexing from a stationary position to an extended position. The latch 200 moves outward from the stationary position to the extended position. For example, when the interference bump 202 engages with the shield 112, the latch 200 is pushed outward. During movement to the extended position, the latch arm 204 pivots, rotating the latch head 210 outward, for example, into the latch pocket 134. In an exemplary embodiment, in the stationary position, the latch head 210 is roughly aligned with the outer edge 162 of the outer surface of the contact holder 114. Therefore, even if the latch head 210 engages and slides along the outer shell 110 during assembly, it is minimal, thus reducing damage to the latch edge 218 of the latch head 210. In various embodiments, the latch head 210 may be slightly recessed from the outer edge 162 of the contact holder 114. In the extended position, the latch head 210 protrudes from the outer end 162 of the contact holder 114 and is received in the latch pocket 134. In an exemplary embodiment, in the stationary position, the interference bump 202 protrudes from the inner edge 160 of the contact holder 114 to ensure that the interference bump 202 interferes with and engages with the shield 112 during assembly. During assembly, the interference bump 202 is pushed inward to the extended position by the shield 112, thereby pushing the latch head 210 outward to the extended position.
[0035] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cable connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 10 shows the latch 200 of a contact holder 114 in the latched position. The latch 200 is shown in a bent state in the extended position, with the latch head 210 of the latch 200 received in a latch pocket 134. A shield 112 is shown between the contact holders 114. The shield 112 electrically shields the contact holders 114.
[0036] When assembled, the inner end 160 of the contact holder 114 faces the shield 112. The interference bump 202 protrudes from the inner end 160 to ensure engagement between the interference bump 202 and the shield 112. The interference bump 202 on the inner surface 212 of the latch 200 engages with the shield 112, pushing the latch head 210 outward into the latch pocket 134. In the extended position, the interference bump 202 roughly coincides with the inner end 160. If necessary, the interference bump 202 can extend slightly from the inner end 160 to ensure that the interference bump 202 maintains engagement with the outer shell 110 and holds the latch 200 in the latched position.
[0037] The latch 200 is able to flex to an extended position by engagement with the interference bump 202 and the shield 112, pushing the latch head 210 into the latch pocket 134. In the extended position, the latch head 210 protrudes from the outer surface of the contact holder 114. The latch head 210 at the distal end 208 of the latch arm 204 is received by the latch pocket 134, axially fixing the contact holder 114 in the outer shell 110.
[0038] The outer shell 110 includes a front portion 130 and a rear portion 132 located behind the front portion 130. The front portion 130 is in front of the latch pocket 134, and the rear portion 132 is behind the latch pocket 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holder 114 passes from the rear portion 132 to the front portion 130 by being loaded into the hole 124 from the rear in the loading direction. The chamber 144 is defined by the shield 112 and the outer shell 110. The chamber 144 has a first width 300 of the front portion 130 and a second width 302 of the rear portion 132. The first width 300 is defined between the surface of the shield 112 and the inner surface of the outer shell 110 along the front portion 130. The second width 302 is defined between the surface of the shield 112 and the inner surface of the outer shell 110 along the rear portion 132. The second width 302 is greater than the first width 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shell 110 is cylindrical. The front portion 130 has a first diameter, and the rear portion 132 has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, and the widths differ along the front portion 130 and the rear portion 132.
[0039] The contact holder 114 is positioned in the chamber 144 at both the front 130 and rear 132. The contact holder 114 has more clearance at the rear 132 than at the front 130 due to the additional width along the rear 132. During assembly, the contact holder 114 is loaded into the chamber 144 so that the latch 200 engages with the shield 112. For example, the interference bump 202 slides along the surface of the shield 112. As the contact holder 114 slides towards the front 130, the body of the contact holder 114 is pushed radially inward toward the shield 112. Such radial movement pushes the interference bump 202 into the shield 112, pushing the latch 200 outward to its extended position. The radial movement of the body of the contact holder 114 pushes the latch head 210 outward. When the interference bump 202 is located in the front portion 130 compared to the rear portion 132, the latch head 210 is pushed further outward. Along the rear portion 132, the body of the contact holder 114 can be seated in the chamber 144 further outward from the shield 112. Along the front portion 130, the body of the contact holder 114 is positioned inward, closer to the shield 112, pushing the latch 200 outward. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer end 162 engages with the outer shell 110, positioning the inner edge 160 relative to the shield 112. The inner edge 160 is positioned closer to the shield 112 along the front portion 130 compared to the rear portion 132. For example, because the outer shell 110 has a small diameter at its front portion 130, the contact holder 114 is pushed inward, bringing its inner edge 160 closer to the shield 112, thereby pushing the interference bump 202 into the shield 112 and moving the latch head 210 outward into the latch pocket 134.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 200 has a latch width 304 between its inner surface 212 and outer surface 214. The latch width 304 is defined between the inner surface 212 and outer surface 214. For example, the latch width 304 is defined between the interference bump 202 and the latch head 210. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch width 304 is greater than a first width 300 passing through the front portion 130. When the latch 200 is pushed outward to the extended position, the latch head 210 is pushed into the latch pocket 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch width 304 is less than or equal to a second width 302 passing through the rear portion 132. Thus, the latch 200 can slide through the chamber 144 in the rear portion 132 with little or no sliding friction or damage to the latch 200, particularly the latch edge 218. For example, the latch 200 can pass through the rear portion 132 without the latch edge 218 being damaged or deformed.
[0041] In various embodiments, the shield 112 may include a bump 180 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 10) on the front portion 130, making the first width 300 smaller than the second width 302. The bump 180 is positioned to contact the interference bump 202 when the contact holder 114 is fully loaded into the chamber 144, thereby acting on the latch 200 and pushing the latch 200 into its extended position. In various embodiments, the bump 180 can be used to actuate the latch 200 instead of portions of different diameters. In other words, the outer shell 110 may have a common diameter along the front portion 130 and the rear portion 132, with the bump 180 pushing the interference bump 202 outward.
Claims
1. A cable connector (100), An outer shell (110) having a hole (124), extending between a mating end (120) and a cable end (122), and having a latch pocket (134), A shield (112) is received in the outer shell, the shield divides the hole into a chamber (144), and the shield and the outer shell shield the chamber, A contact holder (114) received in a corresponding chamber, each contact holder comprising at least one contact channel (154), each contact holder comprising a flexible latch (200), the latch having a latch head (210) at its distal end (208), the latch head (210) being received in a corresponding latch pocket of the outer shell, thereby axially fixing the contact holder in the outer shell, the latch having an interference bump (202) at its inner end, the interference bump being configured to engage with the shield and push the latch head of the latch outward, A cable connector comprising: a contact (106) received in a corresponding contact channel of a corresponding contact holder, wherein the contact is held by the contact holder in the hole of the outer shell, and each contact extends between a mating end and a termination, the termination being configured to terminate on a wire (107) of a cable (104).
2. The cable connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein the latch (200) is capable of bending from a stationary position to an extended position, in the stationary position the latch head (210) is approximately aligned with the surface of the outer end (162) of the contact holder (114), and in the extended position the latch head protrudes from the outer end.
3. The cable connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein the contact holder (114) includes an inner end (160) facing the shield (112), and the interference bump (202) protrudes from the inner end.
4. The cable connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein the contact holder (114) includes an inner end (160) facing the shield (112), the latch (200) is capable of bending from a stationary position to an extended position, and in the stationary position, the interference bump (202) protrudes from the inner end, and the interference bump is pushed toward the inner end toward the extended position by contacting the shield.
5. At the aforementioned extended position, the interference bump (202) generally coincides with the surface position of the inner end portion (160). The cable connector (100) according to claim 4.
6. The cable connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell (110) includes a front portion (130) and a rear portion (132) located behind the front portion, and the chamber (144) has a first width (300) in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer shell (110) of the front portion and a second width (302) in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer shell (110) of the rear portion, the second width being greater than the first width, and the latch head (210) is pushed further outward in the front portion compared to the rear portion.
7. The cable connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein the front portion (130) has a first diameter and the rear portion (132) has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.
8. The cable connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein the latch (200) includes an inner surface (212) and an outer surface (214), the interference bump (202) defines the inner surface, the latch head (210) defines the outer surface, and the latch has a latch width (304) between the inner surface and the outer surface, the latch width being greater than the first width (300).
9. The cable connector (100) according to claim 8, wherein the latch width (304) is less than or equal to the second width (302).
10. The cable connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein the front portion (130) is located in front of the latch pocket (134) and the rear portion (132) is located behind the latch pocket.
11. The cable connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein the shield includes a bump in the front portion to make the first width smaller than the second width.
12. The cable connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein the contact holder includes an inner edge facing the shield (112) and an outer end opposite to the inner edge, the outer end engaging with the outer shell to position the inner edge relative to the shield, thereby positioning the inner edge near the shield.