We Claim:
1. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) comprising:
at least two signal transmission wires (400,400’), each being
provided with a contact terminal;
5 a cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900) adapted to retain the two signal
transmission wires (400,400’), the cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900)
comprising:
attachment means to mount the contact terminals
(200,200’,300,300’) onto the cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900),
10 such that the contact terminals (200,200’,300,300’) are in a
defined relative orientation to each other; wherein
the assembly further comprises a connector housing (700,800,1100)
adapted to receive the cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900) therein.
15 2. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
claim 1, wherein the cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900) comprises stopping
means adapted to inhibit axial and/or rotational movement of the
mounted contact terminals (200,200’,300,300’).
20 3. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment means comprise latching means
(102), to enable a snap-fit connection with the terminals.
4. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
25 any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact terminals
(200,200’,300,300’) comprise at least one protrusion
(204,204’,304,304’) extending perpendicular from the mating axis (10).
5. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
30 any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact terminals
(200,200’,300,300’) comprise at least one slot extending in a plane
perpendicular to the mating axis (10).
14
6. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
claim 4 in combination with claim 5, wherein at least one slot and at least
one protrusion (204,204’,304,304’) are directly adjacent to each other.
5
7. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the attachment means of the cartridge
(100, 500, 600, 900) are adapted to engage with the protrusion(s)
(204,204’,304,304’) and/or the slot(s) of the contact terminals
10 (200,200’,300,300’), and to inhibit rotational and axial displacement of
the contact terminals (200,200’,300,300’) relative to the cartridge (100,
500, 600, 900) in assembled condition.
8. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
15 any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (100, 500, 600,
900) comprises attachment means adapted for an assembly process that
allows mounting of the contact terminals (200,200’,300,300’) with the
cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900) only in a mounting direction
perpendicular to the mating axis (10).
20
9. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 5, wherein the
attachment means comprise ribs (104) extending in a plane
perpendicular to the mating axis (10), the ribs (104) being adapted to
25 engage with the slots (202,202’) of the contact terminals
(200,200’,300,300’), to fix the slots (202,202’) in axial direction.
10. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
any of the claims 2 to 9, wherein the stopping means comprise blind
30 holes and/or through holes (504), adapted to engage with the
protrusion(s) (204,204’,304,304’) of the contact terminals
(200,200’,300,300’).
15
11. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (100, 500, 600,
900) and/or the connector housing (700,800,1100) comprises guide
means adapted to facilitate inserting of the cartridge (100, 500, 600,
5 900) into the housing and to inhibit rotational movement of the
cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900) when the cartridge (100, 500, 600, 900)
is received in the housing.
12. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
10 the preceding claim, wherein the guide means comprise guide ridges
(804) and/or guide grooves (702,1102) extending in mating direction.
13. A high-speed data transfer connector assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to
any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (100, 500, 600,
15 900) does not fully enclose the terminals.