Electrical cable with grounding sleeve

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrical cable, and particularly to an electrical cable having an improved grounding means.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Referring to FIG. 5, a conventional electrical cable 40 adapted for transmitting signals comprises a pair of cable subassemblies 41. Each cable subassembly 41 includes two signal wires 42 with two non-insulated grounding drain wires 43 outside, and a conductive layer 44 surrounding the signal wires 42 and the non-insulated grounding drain wires 43. The conductive layer 44 electrically contacts with the non-insulated grounding drain wires 43 so as to shield the signal wires 42 from noises. The two cable subassemblies 41 are arranged in a same plane. However, such a kind of electrical cable needs considerable non-insulated grounding drain wires, which not only increases the manufacturing cost but also complicates the manufacturing process.

[0006] Hence, an improved grounded electrical cable is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical cable having an improved grounding means which reduces the cost of the electrical cable and simplifies the manufacturing process thereof.

[0008] An electrical cable in accordance with the present invention, which is adapted for connecting with an electrical connector, comprises a pair of cable assemblies. Each cable subassembly has two signal wires for transmitting data and a metal braid wrapping round the two signal wires. Each signal wire comprises a signal conductor and an insulating layer outside. An outer jacket surrounds the tow cable subassemblies. A grounding sleeve, which is made of a metal sheet, comprises two recess portions and a pair of ears extending from opposite ends thereof. Three grounding pins project from the grounding sleeve at intervals for being soldered to corresponding grounding terminals of the electrical connector.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an electrical cable in accordance with the present invention, adapted for connecting to an electrical connector;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grounding sleeve of the electrical cable shown in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical cable with the grounding sleeve assembled thereto;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional shielded cable; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional shielded cable.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical cable 1 used with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) connector 2 for signal transmission is shown. The electrical cable 1 comprises two cable subassemblies 10 each including a pair of signal wires 101 with a metal braid 102 surrounding thereabout, and an outer jacket 12 covering the two cable subassemblies 10. A grounding sleeve 11 is attached to the electrical cable 1 for electrically contacting with the metal braid 102 of each cable subassembly 10 to provide a grounding circuit.

[0016] Each signal wire 101 comprises a signal conductor 103 for transmitting data and an insulating layer 104 wrapping up the signal conductor 103. The two cable subassemblies 10 are arranged side by side and spaced from each other a predeterminate distance. Front portion of each cable subassembly 10 is exposed to the outside for an electrical connection between the grounding sleeve 11 and the metal braid 102. Distal ends of the signal conductors 103 extend externally from the front portions of the cable subassemblies 10 to be soldered with corresponding terminals of the Serial ATA connector 2.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the grounding sleeve 11, which is made of a metal sheet, is shaped as wavilness. A pair of recess portions 110 are defined parallely in the grounding sleeve 11 and a middle portion 111 is formed therebetween. Each recess portion 110 defines a chamber 114 therein for substantially receiving corresponding cable subassembly 10. Two ears 112 extend horizontally from opposite ends of the grounding sleeve 11. Three grounding pins 113 respectively project forward from edges of the two ears 112 and the middle portion 111 for electrically soldering to corresponding grounding terminals 21, 22, 23 of the Serial ATA connector 2 to achieve a grounding function.

[0018] In assembly, as shown in FIG. 4, the cable subassemblies 10 are press fitted into the corresponding chambers 114 of the recess portions 110 of the grounding sleeve 11, respectively, and the metal braids 102 thereof electrically contact with the grounding sleeve 11. The grounding pins 113 of the grounding sleeve 11 and the signal conductors 101 of the cable subassemblies 10 are positioned in a common plane. The distal ends of the signal conductors 103 extend the same distance as the grounding pins 113 of the grounding sleeve 11 extend, and the pitches between the neighbor signal conductors 101 and the grounding pins 113 are average to match the pitch of the terminals of the Serial ATA connector 2. Then, the signal conductors 103 and the three grounding pins 113 are soldered to corresponding signal terminals 24 and the grounding terminals 21, 22, 23 of the Serial ATA connector 2. Thus, a grounding trace is established between the electrical cable 1 and the Serial ATA connector 2. Finally, the outer jacket 12 are insert molded onto the cable subassemblies 10.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides the grounding sleeve 11 to the electrical cable 1 instead of grounding drain wires, so that the cost of electrical cable is reduced on one hand, and on the other hand, the manufacturing process and the soldering procedure are simplified.

[0020] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.