Patent Application
20200106201
The subject matter herein relates generally to board-to-board connector assemblies for add-in cards.
Electronic devices, such as computing devices, use communication systems to electrically connect and communicate data between various components of the system. For example, for high power computing devices, such as in hardware accelerators, general purpose GPUs, and the like, host circuit boards are provided with electrical connectors that allow add-in cards to be electrically connected into the system to enhance computing capabilities of the system. The add-in cards are electrically connected to the host circuit board through the electrical connectors on the host circuit board. The add-in cards have electrical components, such as processors, memories, and the like to enhance the capabilities of the system. However, the system is limited by the amount of data that can be communicated between the add-in card and the host circuit board.
Some known systems have been designed to network the add-in cards together to enhance the capabilities of the system even further. For example, secondary electrical connectors are provided on the add-in cards that are networked together through cable assemblies. Such systems are not without disadvantages. For instance, the systems provide hardware on the add-in cards for guidance and mating of plugs of the cable assemblies with the add-in cards. Such hardware occupies valuable board space on the add-in card and/or increases the envelope of the add-in card, which either increases the overall size of the system or reduces the density of the system by reducing the number of add-in cards that are able to fit within a given framework.
A need remains for a communication system that allows electrical interconnection of add-in cards in a reliable and cost effective manner.
In one embodiment, a board-to-board connector assembly is provided including a first connector, a second connector and a connector interposer between the first connector and the second connector. The first connector has a first connector housing holding first contacts and having a first card slot. The first contacts are arranged at the first card slot for interfacing with a circuit card edge of a first add-in card. The first connector housing has a board guide configured to engage the first add-in card and guide mating with the first add-in card. The first connector has a first latch configured to latchably engage the first add-in card to secure the first connector to the first add-in card. The second connector has a second connector housing holding second contacts and having a second card slot. The second contacts are arranged at the second card slot for interfacing with a circuit card edge of a second add-in card. The second connector housing has a board guide configured to engage the second add-in card and guide mating with the second add-in card. The second connector has a second latch configured to latchably engage the second add-in card to secure the second connector to the second add-in card. The connector interposer electrically interconnects the first contacts and the second contacts.
In another embodiment, an add-in card assembly is provided for a communication system having a host circuit board. The add-in card assembly includes an add-in card having a primary circuit at a primary circuit card edge configured to be plugged into a primary card edge connector of the host circuit board of the communication system. The add-in card has an electronic component electrically connected to the primary circuit. The add-in card has a secondary circuit electrically connected to the electronic component and routed to a secondary circuit card edge. The add-in card assembly includes a board-to-board connector coupled to the secondary circuit at the secondary circuit card edge. The board-to-board connector has a first connector housing holding first contacts and having a first card slot receiving the secondary circuit card edge. The first contacts are arranged at the first card slot for interfacing with the secondary circuit at the secondary circuit card edge of the add-in card. The first connector housing has a board guide engaging the add-in card to guide mating of the first connector housing with the add-in card. The first connector has a first latch latchably engaging the add-in card to secure the first connector to the add-in card.
In a further embodiment, a communication system is provided including a host circuit board having a first card edge connector coupled to the host circuit board and a second card edge connector coupled to the host circuit board. The communication system includes a first add-in card coupled to the first card edge connector having a first circuit card edge and a second add-in card coupled to the second card edge connector having a second circuit card edge. The communication system includes a board-to-board connector assembly coupled to the first add-in card at the first circuit card edge and coupled to the second add-in card at the second circuit card edge to electrically connect the first and second add-in cards. The boar-to-board connector assembly includes a first connector, a second connector and a connector interposer between the first connector and the second connector. The first connector has a first connector housing holding first contacts and having a first card slot. The first contacts are arranged at the first card slot for interfacing with a circuit card edge of a first add-in card. The first connector housing has a board guide configured to engage the first add-in card and guide mating with the first add-in card. The first connector has a first latch configured to latchably engage the first add-in card to secure the first connector to the first add-in card. The second connector has a second connector housing holding second contacts and having a second card slot. The second contacts are arranged at the second card slot for interfacing with a circuit card edge of a second add-in card. The second connector housing has a board guide configured to engage the second add-in card and guide mating with the second add-in card. The second connector has a second latch configured to latchably engage the second add-in card to secure the second connector to the second add-in card. The connector interposer electrically interconnects the first contacts and the second contacts.
In an exemplary embodiment, the add-in card assemblies 106 include board-to-board connector assemblies 108 to electrically connect various add-in card assemblies 106 to network the add-in card assemblies 106. The board-to-board connector assemblies 108 provide communication paths between the add-in card assemblies 106 separate from the host circuit board 102. The board-to-board connector assemblies 108 enhance processing capabilities of the communication system 100 by networking the add-in card assemblies 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the board-to-board connector assemblies 108 are low profile. Optionally, the board-to-board connector assemblies 108 allow add-in card assemblies 106 to be electrically connected to multiple other add-in card assemblies 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the board-to-board connector assemblies 108 are mounted directly to the add-in cards of the add-in card assemblies 106 to minimize components and interfaces between the components.
In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system 100 includes a chassis 110 holding the host circuit board 102 and the add-in card assemblies 106. The chassis 110 may include panels 112 forming an enclosure. The host circuit board 102 may be coupled to the chassis 110, such as coupled to a bottom panel of the chassis 110. Optionally, the host circuit board 102 may be oriented horizontally at the bottom of the chassis 110. The add-in card assemblies 106 may be located above the host circuit board 102 in various embodiments. For example, the add-in card assemblies 106 may be oriented vertically and stacked adjacent each other along the host circuit board 102.
With reference to
The board-to-board connector assembly 108 may be electrically connected to a secondary circuit card edge 134 of the add-in card 120. A secondary circuit 136 may electrically connect the electronic component 122 with the secondary circuit card edge 134 of the add-in card 120.
In an exemplary embodiment, the add-in card assembly 106 includes a front panel 124 mounted to a front of the add-in card 120. The front panel 124 may be coupled to the chassis 110 to present an interface for the add-in card 120 at the chassis 110. For example, the front panel 124 may include a port 126 having an interface connector 128. The interface connector 128 may be a socket connector, a header connector, a receptacle connector or another type of connector for mating with a mating connector, such as a plug connector. An interface circuit 138 may electrically connect the interface connector 128 with the electronic component 122.
In an exemplary embodiment, the primary circuit card edge 130 is provided at a bottom 140 of the add-in card 120 and the secondary circuit card edge 134 is provided at a top 142 of the add-in card 120. Optionally, the add-in card 120 may include multiple secondary circuit card edges 134 at the top 142 for interfacing with multiple board-to-board connector assemblies 108 along the top 142. In an exemplary embodiment, the primary circuit card edge 130 includes a guide slot 144 to guide mating with the card edge connector 104 (shown in phantom in
In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary circuit card edge 134 includes contact pads 150 at the circuit card edge 134. The contact pads 150 may be provided on both sides of the add-in card 120 in various embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary circuit card edge 134 includes a guide slot 152 to guide or position the board-to-board connector assembly 108 relative to the secondary circuit card edge 134. Optionally, contact pads 150 may be provided on both sides of the guide slot 152. In an exemplary embodiment, the add-in card 120 includes channels 154 at opposite ends of the secondary circuit card edge 134. The channels 154 define the secondary circuit card edge 134 and separate the secondary circuit card edge 134 from flanking members 156 on opposite ends of the secondary circuit card edge 134. The flanking members 156 may be provided between the various circuit card edges 134. The channels 154 may be formed by removing material of the add-in card 120, such as by using a router or other device to cut or remove material to form the channel 154.
The channel 154 has an inner surface 158 extending along the circuit card edge 134 and an outer surface 160 extending along the flanking member 156. Optionally, the inner surface 158 and/or the outer surface 160 may be generally perpendicular to the top 142. In various embodiments, the inner surface 158 and/or the outer surface 160 at the top 142 may be chamfered to provide a lead-in to the channel 154 to guide the board-to-board connector assembly 108 into the channel 154. In various embodiments, the inner surface 158 and/or the outer surface 160 may be stepped having one or more shoulders 162. The inner surface 158 and/or the outer surface 160 may be used as a guide surface to guide mating of the board-to-board connector assembly 108 with the add-in card 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel 154 includes a notch 164 at a bottom of the channel 154. The notch 164 is formed under the flanking member 156 in the illustrated embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the notch 164 is used for latching the board-to-board connector assembly 108 directly to the add-in card 120.
In the illustrated embodiment, the connector interposer 204 includes wires 206 between the first and second connectors 200, 202. However, in alternative embodiments, the connector interposer 204 may include another type of interconnect, such as a flexible circuit, a printed circuit board, or another type of interconnect. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector interposer 204 electrically connects the first connector 200 to the second connector 202. In other various embodiments, the connector interposer 204 may electrically connect the first connector 200 to one or more additional connectors and/or may electrically connect the second connector 202 one or more additional connectors.
The connector 200 includes a connector housing 210 holding contacts 212 (shown in
The second connector 202 similarly includes a second connector housing 210 holding second contacts 212 in a second card slot 214 and having a second board guide 216 and a second latch 218. The connector interposer 204 electrically connects the first contacts 212 of the first connector 200 with the second contacts 212 of the second connector 202. The connector interposer 204 extends between the first connector housing 210 of the first connector 200 and the second connector housing 210 of the second connector 202.
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 210 of the connector 200 is a multi-piece housing including a connector body 220 and a cover 222 holding the connector body 220. In alternative embodiments, the connector housing 210 is a single piece housing rather than a multi-piece housing. The connector body 220 holds the contacts 212 (
The cover 222 holds the connector body 220, the latch 218 and defines the board guide 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the board guide 216 includes a first support arm 240 and a second support arm 242 separated from the first support arm 240 by a gap 244. The gap 244 is aligned with the card slot 214. The gap 244 is configured to receive the add-in card 120, such as the circuit card edge 134 and/or the flanking members 156 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, latch 218 extends through the board guide 216. For example, the latch 218 may be pivotably coupled to the cover 222 of the connector housing 210. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 218 includes an actuator 250 extending from a hub 252 and a latching arm 254 extending from the hub 252. The actuator 250 extends to an exterior of the connector housing 210 to be accessed and actuated by an operator to release the latch 218 from the add-in card 120 to remove the connector 200 from the add-in card 120. For example, the latch 218 may be pivoted to an unlatched or released position. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 218 is actuated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 228. Optionally, the latch 218 includes a return spring 256 engaging the connector housing 210 to return the latch 218 to a latching position when the actuator 250 is released. In the illustrated embodiment, the return spring 256 extends from the actuator 250. The return spring 256 may extend from the latching arm 254 or the hub 252 in other embodiments. The latching arm 254 includes a latching surface 258 configured to engage the add-in card 120 to latchably couple the connector 200 to the add-in card 120. For example, the latching surface 258 may engage the outer surface 160 of the channel 154, such as the notch 164 of the channel 154 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector interposer 204 includes a circuit board 290 the circuit board 290 includes a first surface 292 and a second surface 294. In the illustrated embodiment, the wires 206 are terminated to the first surface 292. For example, the wires 206 may be soldered to contact pads on the first surface 292. The contacts 212 are terminated to the second surface 294. For example, the contacts 212 may be through-hole or press-fit mounted to via of the circuit board 290. In other various embodiments, the contacts 212 may be soldered to contact pads on the second surface 294. The circuit board 290 is held in the cover 222. Optionally, a portion of the cover 222 may be filled with material 296 to secure the wires 206 and/or the circuit board 290 in the cover 222. For example, the material 296 may provide strain relief for the wires 206. The material 296 may be a plastic material or a hot melt material. The material 296 may be injected into the cover 222. The material 296 may be formed in place, such as an overmold material.
The board-to-board connector assembly 108 makes an electrical connection to the add-in card 120 across a single electrical interface with the circuit card edge 134 of the add-in card 120. The communication system 100 does not provide a separate connector mounted to the add-in card 120 that the board-to-board connector assembly is mated to. Rather, the board-to-board connector assembly 108 mates directly to the circuit card edge 134 of the add-in card 120. The mating guidance is provided by the interaction between the add-in card 120 and the board guide 216. The latching is provided by the latch 218 directly engaging the add-in card 120.
The add-in card assembly 306 includes an add-in card 320 configured to be electrically connected to a card edge connector of a host circuit board. The add-in card 320 includes a circuit card edge 334 at a top 342 of the add-in card 320. The board-to-board connector assembly 308 is electrically connected to the circuit card edge 334 of the add-in card 320. The board-to-board connector assembly 308 is configured to be directly attached to the add-in card 320 at the circuit card edge 334.
The board-to-board connector assembly 308 includes a first connector 400, a second connector 402 and a connector interposer 404 between the first connector 400 and the second connector 402. Optionally, the second connector 402 may be similar to, or even identical to, the first connector 400, and like components may be identified with like reference numerals with or without the “first” or “second” identifiers, respectively.
In the illustrated embodiment, the connector interposer 404 includes wires 406 between the first and second connectors 400, 402. However, in alternative embodiments, the connector interposer 404 may include another type of interconnect, such as a flexible circuit, a printed circuit board, or another type of interconnect. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector interposer 404 electrically connects the first connector 400 to the second connector 402. In other various embodiments, the connector interposer 404 may electrically connect the first connector 400 to one or more additional connectors and/or may electrically connect the second connector 402 one or more additional connectors.
The connector 400 includes a connector housing 410 holding contacts 412 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector interposer 404 includes a circuit board 490 having a first surface 492 and a second surface 494. In the illustrated embodiment, the wires 406 are terminated to the first surface 492. For example, the wires 406 may be soldered to contact pads 498 on the first surface 492. The contacts 412 are terminated to the second surface 494. For example, the contacts 412 may be through-hole or press-fit mounted to via of the circuit board 490. In other various embodiments, the contacts 412 may be soldered to contact pads on the second surface 494. The circuit board 490 is held by the connector housing 410. Optionally, material may be molded over the wires 406 and/or the circuit board 490 to provide strain relief for the wires 406.
The second connector 402 similarly includes a second connector housing 410 holding second contacts 412 in a second card slot and having a second board guide 416 and a second latch 418. The connector interposer 404 electrically connects the first contacts 412 of the first connector 400 with the second contacts 412 of the second connector 402. The connector interposer 404 extends between the first connector housing 410 of the first connector 400 and the second connector housing 410 of the second connector 402.
The channel 354 has an inner surface 358 extending along the circuit card edge 334 and an outer surface 360 extending along the flanking member 356. Optionally, the inner surface 358 and/or the outer surface 360 may be generally perpendicular to the top 342. In various embodiments, the inner surface 358 and/or the outer surface 360 at the top 342 may be chamfered to provide a lead-in to the channel 354 to guide the board-to-board connector assembly 308 into the channel 354. In various embodiments, the inner surface 358 and/or the outer surface 360 may be stepped having one or more shoulders. The inner surface 358 and/or the outer surface 360 may be used as a guide surface to guide mating of the board-to-board connector assembly 308 with the add-in card 320. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel 354 includes a notch 364 at a bottom of the channel 354. The notch 364 is formed under the flanking member 356 in the illustrated embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the notch 364 is used for latching the board-to-board connector assembly 308 directly to the add-in card 320. For example, the notch 364 is configured to receive the latch 418 of the connector 400 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 410 of the connector 400 is a multi-piece housing including a connector body 420 and a cover 422 holding the connector body 420. In alternative embodiments, the connector housing 410 is a single piece housing rather than a multi-piece housing. The connector body 420 holds the contacts 412 and defines the card slot (not shown) that receives the circuit card edge 334 (shown in
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/739,554, filed Oct. 1, 2018, titled “BOARD-TO-BOARD CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR ADD-IN CARDS”, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62739554 | Oct 2018 | US |
