Multi-interface power contact and electrical connector including same
View Patent ↗An electrical connector is provided, including an insulative housing and one or more power contacts disposed in the insulative housing. Each of the power contacts has a first electrical interface portion for engaging a contact associated with a mating electrical connector, a second electrical interface portion for engaging a printed circuit board, and a third electrical interface portion for engaging a cable plug connector.
1. A two-piece power contact for an electrical connector, the power contact comprising:
a first contact wall including a plug projection extending from the first contact wall for engaging a cable plug, and a terminal extending from the first contact wall for engaging a circuit board;
a second contact wall uncoupled from the first contact wall;
wherein a portion of the first contact wall and a portion of the second contact wall collectively define an electrical interface for engaging a power contact associated with a mating electrical connector.
2. The power contact of claim 1 , wherein the second contact wall includes at least one terminal extending therefrom for engaging a circuit board.
3. The power contact of claim 2 , wherein the second contact wall includes a plug projection extending therefrom.
4. An electrical connector comprising:
an insulative housing;
a power contact disposed in the insulative housing, the power contact including a first contact wall and a second contact wall coupled thereto; and
a two-piece power contact disposed in the insulative housing, the two-piece power contact including a third contact wall, and a fourth contact wall spaced apart from the third contact wall and uncoupled from the third contact wall.
5. The electrical connector of claim 4 , wherein each of the power contact and the two-piece power contact includes a terminal for engaging a circuit board.
6. The electrical connector of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the third contact wall and the fourth contact wall of the two-piece power contact includes a plug projection extending therefrom for engaging a cable plug connector.
7. The electrical connector of claim 4 , further comprising a signal contact disposed in the insulative housing.
8. An electrical connector comprising:
an insulative housing;
a first power contact disposed in the insulative housing, the first power contact providing both a cable-to-board electrical interface and a board-to-board electrical interface; and
a second power contact disposed in the insulative housing, the second power contact providing a board-to-board electrical interface.
9. The electrical connector of claim 8 , further comprising a signal contact disposed in the insulative housing.
10. A receptacle power contact comprising:
first and second planar contact walls;
a medial space defined between front portions of the first and second planar contact walls for receiving a plug power contact;
a plurality of terminals extending from each of the first and second planar contact walls for engaging a printed circuit structure; and
a plug projection extending from a portion other than the front portion of at least one of the first and second planar contact walls for engaging a cable plug or ground wire.
11. The receptacle power contact of claim 10 , wherein only one of the first and second planar contact walls includes a plug projection.
12. The receptacle power contact of claim 10 , wherein both of the first and second planar contact walls includes a plug projection.
13. The receptacle power contact of claim 10 , wherein the first and second planar contact walls are uncoupled.
14. The receptacle power contact of claim 10 , wherein the first and second planar contact walls are coupled by a bridging element, and wherein each of the first and second planar contact walls includes a plug projection.