Data connector for selective switching between at least two distinct mating connector plugs

Abstract

The data connector of the present invention securably receives at least two distinct types of mating connector plugs having different contact arrangements. The data connector includes a housing having a mating connector receiving cavity partially defined by a rear wall. The data connector further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the housing cavity wherein the PCB has a plurality of signal contacts electrically coupled thereto and extending from a top surface thereof. The signal contacts, which are used to frictionally engage mating contacts in the plugs, are desirably arranged in at least two vertically spaced rows to accommodate the distinct plug configurations. Mounted behind a back surface of the PCB, the data connector includes cable termination devices for receiving and terminating individual conductors of a multiconductor cable. The conductors are electrically connected to the signal contacts via an electrical trace on the PCB. In order to change the configuration of the signal contacts to accommodate different mating connectors, the present invention data connector includes a slidable switch device along a top surface of the PCB for selectively electrically connecting the signal contacts to the conductors of the multiconductor cable via the PCB logic. Slidable movement of the switch from its initial position to a second position on the PCB accommodates the contact arrangement of the second mating plug connector, ensuring that the signal contacts are correctly configured for the appropriate mating connector that is currently in use.