The present invention relates to a modular jack assembly according to the preamble portion of patent claim 1 and an insulative housing according to claim 7 and a method of assembling a modular jack assembly according to claim 10.

In order to increase density of electronic assemblies and reduce costs, the equipment manufacturers want to incorporate as many channel lines into the network or telecommunications equipment as possible. These channels are supported by common electronics (power supplies, logic, control and supervision circuitry). Cost benefits arise with a reduction of a ratio between common electronics and a number of channels. At the same time, in order to increase the information transmission rates, the frequency of the transmitted signals needs to be higher, typically over 100 MHz. Each channel is connected to the physical network by a modular jack. Modular jack signal contacts are divided into differential pairs according to TIA/EIA 568. When the density and signal frequency increases the issues related to the electromagnetic interference become more important.

In view of the above, advanced applications require modular jacks of a smaller size or in an arrangement that supports the high density equipment configuration as well as of improved electromagnetic compatibility.

EP 0 658 953 describes a modular jack assembly comprising:

• (a) an insulative housing comprising a first longitudinal wall, a second longitudinal wall superimposed over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation and a third longitudinal wall superimposed over the second longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation and wherein there is a first pair of spaced transverse walls interposed between the first and second longitudinal wall to form a first plug receiving port and there is a second pair of spaced transverse walls interposed between the second and third longitudinal wall to form a second plug receiving port;
• (b) a first insulative insert having base and upper sides and rear and terminal ends and being positioned so that its terminal end extends into the first plug receiving port; and
• (c)a second insulative insert having base and upper sides and rear and terminal ends and being positioned so that its terminal end extends into the second plug receiving port.

It is the object of the invention to improve electromagnetic compatibility of such high density equipment. This object is accomplished with a modular jack as claimed.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1

is a front top perspective view of a modular gang jack representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2

is a front elevational view of the modular gang jack shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

is a bottom plan view of the modular gang jack shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

is an end view of the modular gang jack shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

is a side elevational view of an insert used in the modular gang jack shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6

is a front elevational view of the insert shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

is a rear elevational view of the insert shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8

is a top plan view of the insert shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9

is an enlarged view of the area within circle 9 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10

is an enlarged view of the area within circle 10 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11

is a cross sectional view through 11-11 in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12

is a cross sectional view through 12-12 in Fig. 6.

In one possible configuration, mod jacks are arranged in two or more rows. It is desirable that overall height is as low as allowed by governing standards, in particular the FCC rules part 68 subpart F.

The high speed performance is characterized by two major parameters: low crosstalk and low attenuation. Attenuation is a function of signal line impedance to a time varying signal. At higher frequencies, above 10 MHz, impedance becomes mostly inductive and directly proportional to the terminal length. The reduction in the impedance results in the lower signal attenuation. In order to reduce electrical crosstalk between pairs in each modular jack the electrical contacts are arranged in such fashion that causes minimal transfer of energy from one pair to another. Furthermore, by arranging contacts in the illustrated fashion the crosstalk generated in one portion of a pair is reduced by a crosstalk generated in another part of the same pair. In all cases it is assumed that the crosstalk current flows in the same direction as a current which causes it. In the proposed invention the modular jacks are arranged in two rows. The top row is inverted in regard to the bottom row, so that the overall length of a top row signal contact is reduced.

The crosstalk between adjacent jacks (ports) has to be suppressed. The adjacent ports in this design are located in vertical and horizontal directions. Since the crosstalk will be minimized with increase of the distance between differential pairs, the pairs shall be arranged at the greatest possible distance. If the distance between rows is increased, that would increase signal length and attenuation.

On the other hand, the top and bottom rows can be off-set. If such an offset is great, typically exceeds 0.304 cm (= 0.120"), it results in the increase of overall length of assemblies or asymmetrical design, i.e. top and bottom row may have different number of ports.

In order to address both issues simultaneously, one of the features of the proposed invention is to off-set top and bottom ports in such fashion that top contacts are located between bottom port contacts. Such configuration can be achieved by shifting the top row by 0.051 cm or 0.102 cm (0.020" or 0.040") or 0.152 cm (0.060") in regard to the bottom row.

By such an arrangement the distance between closest top and bottom contacts is increased by a minimum factor of 1.41. In addition to this, respective differential pairs are positioned in a fashion that common planes intersect at an angle close to 90°. It is believed that such configuration can further reduce the crosstalk.

The crosstalk suppression between adjacent ports is achieved by using pairs 1-2 and 7-8 in each port with significant ability to suppress mutual crosstalk.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, the modular gang jack of the present invention includes a shielded insulative housing shown generally at numeral 10. This housing has a lower longitudinal wall 12, a medial longitudinal wall 14 and an upper longitudinal wall 16. Interposed between these longitudinal walls there are transverse walls as at wall 18 and wall 20. These transverse walls form with the longitudinal walls plug receiving ports as at port 22 and 24. It will be seen that adjacent transverse walls arranged in a column between the lower and medial longitudinal wall and between the medial and upper longitudinal wall are longitudinally displaced by a distance d (Fig. 2).

Referring to Figs. 5-12, the insulative insert inserted in the ports from the rear side of the housing is shown generally at numeral 26. This insert has a base side 28, an upper side 30, a rear end 32 and a forward end 34. As is conventional the forward end is inserted into the ports, and wires extend upwardly from the base side to the upper side and then to the forward end from where they extend obliquely toward the base side.

It is found that the double deck gang jack described above exhibits suprisingly and unexpectedly suppressed mutual crosstalk.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various Figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.