Shroud retention wafer
View Patent ↗An insulative shroud retention wafer for an electrical connector allowing for an optimization of pin placements of the electrical connector is provided. In an illustrative embodiment the shroud retention wafer comprises a first ( 66 ), second ( 68 ), third ( 70 ), and fourth ( 72 ) cylindrical members, each having an axial pin receiving aperture ( 86 ) and an axial center line ( 78, 80 ) extending through the pin receiving aperture ( 86 ). Furthermore, the cylindrical members maintain at least one protuberance ( 100 ). In operation, the cylindrical members of the shroud retention wafer couple with pins of the electrical connector to realize an electrical connection. Specifically, the protuberance ( 100 ) causes collapse of the cylinders ( 66,68,70,72 ) allowing for better gripping of pins of the electrical connector. The arrangement of the cylinders ( 66,68,70,72 ) of the shroud retention ( 28 ) wafer maximizes the number of cylindrical members on the wafer allowing for optimization of pin placement.
1. An insulative shroud retention wafer, comprising:
a planar base having a first side and a second side; and
at least one cylindrical member extending from the first side of the planar base, the cylindrical member comprising an aperture for accepting a pin, the aperture comprising a slot with opposed recesses, the cylindrical member having opposed proturberances radially proximate to the recesses, wherein the proturberances operate to deform the recesses upon receiving a pin from a cooperating connector.
2. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the proturberance comprises a wall having arcuate upper sections.
3. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the wall has an upper edge that slopes laterally and downward toward the planar base.
4. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate upper sections curve inwardly toward the cylindrical member to form a cam.
5. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the recesses are substantially triangular to closely receive the pin.
6. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein recesses are substantially semicircular.
7. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the opposed proturberances comprise material added to the cylindrical member.
8. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical member comprises 8 mils of plastic at a location 90 degrees from the protuberances.
9. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical members are arranged in an array of rows and columns extending from the first side of the planar base.
10. The insulative shroud retention wafer of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical member comprises a central body surrounding the aperture.
11. An electrical connector having an insulative shroud retention wafer comprising:
a planar base having a first and a second side;
at least one cylindrical member extending from the first side of the planar base, the cylindrical member comprising an aperture for accepting a pin, the aperture comprising a slot with opposed recesses, the cylindrical member having opposed proturberances radially proximate to the recesses; and
a conductive pin extending through said aperture, wherein the proturberances deform the recesses upon receiving the conductive pin.