US 12,407,138 B2
Contact and shield configuration for ground current optimization
Keith Edwin Miller, Manheim, PA (US); Scott Eric Walton, Mount Joy, PA (US); Charles Raymond Gingrich, III, Mechanicsburg, PA (US); and Rodney T. Smith, Hummelstown, PA (US)
Assigned to TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH, (CH)
Filed by TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed on Oct. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/050,523.
Prior Publication US 2024/0146003 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. H01R 13/6596 (2011.01); H01R 13/6467 (2011.01)
CPC H01R 13/6596 (2013.01) [H01R 13/6467 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ground system for use in an electrical connector, the ground system comprising:
ground contacts having receiving sections, securing sections and mounting sections, the receiving sections having first engagement portions and second engagement portions, each of the receiving sections has one or more contact beams with the first engagement portions and the second engagement portions provided thereon, first ends of the one or more contact beams are fixed by the securing sections and opposed second ends of the one or more contact beams engage ground shields causing the contact beams to function as a double supported leaf spring;
the ground shields positioned proximate the ground contacts, the ground shields having a nonplanar configuration;
surfaces of the securing sections of the ground contacts positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with surfaces of the ground shields, providing first ground contact areas across which ground currents may flow;
the first engagement portions of the ground contacts provided in electrical and mechanical engagement with the surfaces of the ground shields, providing second ground contact areas across which the ground currents may flow, the second ground contact areas spaced from the first ground contact areas to allow the ground currents to properly flow through the entire ground shields.