Patent Application
20210313748
This application claims benefit to Chinese Application No. 202010255513.2, filed 2 Apr. 2020, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors.
Electrical connectors are used in communication systems to transmit data signals between various components. Some known communication systems utilize cable systems and cable connectors provided at ends of cables to electrically connect various components. The cables are terminated to ends of contacts, which are mated with mating electrical connectors. Some known cable connectors include a card slot for receiving a circuit card to make an electrical connection there with. However, as data speeds increase and contact density increases, electrical performance and signal integrity is difficult to control in a cost effective and reliable manner.
A need remains for a reliable and cost effective cable receptacle connector.
In one embodiment, a contact assembly is provided. The contact assembly includes a signal leadframe including a plurality of signal contacts. Each signal contact extends between a mating end and a terminating end. The mating end is configured to be mated with a mating signal contact. The terminating end is configured to be electrically connected to a cable. The contact assembly includes a ground leadframe separate and discrete from the signal leadframe. The ground leadframe includes a plurality of ground contacts. Each ground contact extends between a mating end and a terminating end. The mating end is configured to be mated with a mating ground contact. The terminating end is configured to be electrically connected to a cable. Each ground contact includes a central transition section between the mating end and the terminating end. The central transition section is remote from the mating end and is remote from the terminating end. The ground leadframe includes a ground tie bar extending between each of the central transition sections to electrically connect each of the ground contacts at each of the central transition sections. The ground tie bar extends across the signal contacts. The contact assembly includes a front contact holder holding the signal contacts of the signal leadframe and holding the ground contacts of the ground leadframe. The front contact holder surrounds the central transition sections of the ground contacts. The front contact holder electrically isolates the ground tie bar from the signal contacts.
In another embodiment, a cable receptacle connector is provided. The cable receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing extending between a front and a rear. The receptacle housing has a mating receptacle at the front configured to receive a mating connector. The receptacle housing includes a rear cavity at the rear. The receptacle housing includes a base wall between the front and the rear having contact channels. The contact channels are open to the mating receptacle. The cable receptacle connector includes a contact assembly received in the receptacle housing. The contact assembly includes an upper contact sub-assembly and a lower contact sub-assembly coupled to the upper contact sub-assembly. The contact assembly includes upper cables electrically connected to the upper contact sub-assembly and lower cables electrically connected to the lower contact sub-assembly. The upper contact sub-assembly comprises an upper signal leadframe, an upper ground leadframe and an upper contact holder. The upper signal leadframe includes a plurality of upper signal contacts each extending between a mating end configured to be mated with an upper mating signal contact of the mating connector and a terminating end electrically connected to the corresponding upper cable. The upper ground leadframe includes a plurality of upper ground contacts each extending between a mating end configured to be mated with an upper mating ground contact of the mating connector and a terminating end electrically connected to the corresponding upper cable. Each upper ground contact includes a central transition section approximately centered between the mating end and the terminating end. The upper ground leadframe includes an upper ground tie bar extending between each of the central transition sections to electrically connect each of the upper ground contacts. The upper contact holder holds the upper signal contacts and the upper ground contacts. The upper contact holder surrounds the central transition section of the upper ground contacts and electrically isolates the upper ground tie bar from the upper signal contacts. The lower contact sub-assembly comprises a lower signal leadframe, a lower ground leadframe and an upper contact holder. The lower signal leadframe includes a plurality of lower signal contacts each extending between a mating end configured to be mated with a lower mating signal contact of the mating connector and a terminating end electrically connected to the corresponding lower cable. The lower ground leadframe includes a plurality of lower ground contacts each extending between a mating end configured to be mated with a lower mating ground contact of the mating connector and a terminating end electrically connected to the corresponding lower cable. Each lower ground contact includes a central transition section approximately centered between the mating end and the terminating end. The lower ground leadframe includes a lower ground tie bar extending between each of the central transition sections to electrically connect each of the lower ground contacts. The upper contact holder holds the lower signal contacts and the lower ground contacts. The upper contact holder surrounds the central transition sections of the lower ground contacts and electrically isolates the lower ground tie bar from the lower signal contacts. The upper contact holder is coupled to the upper contact holder to position the lower signal contacts and the lower ground contacts relative to the upper signal contacts and the upper ground contacts.
In a further embodiment, a cable receptacle connector is provided. The cable receptacle connector includes a shroud having a chamber. The shroud extends between a front and a rear. The shroud has a right side and a left side between the front and the rear. The cable receptacle connector includes a receptacle assembly received in the chamber of the shroud. The receptacle assembly includes a right side sub-assembly in the chamber at the right side of the shroud and a left side sub-assembly in the chamber at the left side of the shroud. The right side sub-assembly includes a first receptacle housing and a first contact assembly received in the first receptacle housing. The first receptacle housing has a first mating receptacle at a front and a first base wall rearward of the first mating receptacle having first contact channels open to the first mating receptacle. The right side sub-assembly includes first cables electrically connected to the first contact assembly. The first contact assembly includes a first signal leadframe, a first ground leadframe and a first contact holder coupled to the first signal leadframe and the first ground leadframe. The first signal leadframe includes a plurality of first signal contacts each extending between a mating end and a terminating end electrically connected to the corresponding first cable. The first ground leadframe includes a plurality of first ground contacts each extending between a mating end and a terminating end. The first ground leadframe includes a first ground tie bar extending between each of the first ground contacts. The first contact holder holds the first signal contacts and the first ground contacts. The left side sub-assembly includes a second receptacle housing and a second contact assembly received in the second receptacle housing. The second receptacle housing has a second mating receptacle at a front and a second base wall rearward of the second mating receptacle having second contact channels open to the second mating receptacle. The left side sub-assembly includes second cables electrically connected to the second contact assembly. The second contact assembly includes a second signal leadframe, a second ground leadframe and a second contact holder coupled to the second signal leadframe and the second ground leadframe. The second signal leadframe includes a plurality of second signal contacts each extending between a mating end and a terminating end electrically connected to the corresponding second cable. The second ground leadframe includes a plurality of second ground contacts each extending between a mating end and a terminating end. The second ground leadframe includes a second ground tie bar extending between each of the second ground contacts. The second contact holder holds the second signal contacts and the second ground contacts. The first receptacle housing includes an inner end and an outer end opposite the inner end. The outer end includes a keying tab extending therefrom configured to engage the right side of the shroud to locate the first receptacle housing in the chamber. The second receptacle housing includes an inner end and an outer end opposite the inner end. The outer end includes a keying tab extending therefrom configured to engage the left side of the shroud to locate the second receptacle housing in the chamber.
The strain relief 126 provides strain relief for cables 128 extending from the cabled receptacle connector 102. The strain relief 126 may gather and locate the cables 128 relative to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the strain relief 126 is overmolded around the cables 128 and formed in situ on the shroud 124. Alternatively, the strain relief 126 may be separately manufactured, such as by a molding process, and coupled to the rear of the shroud 124.
The shroud 124 extends between a front 140 and a rear 142. The shroud 124 has a right side 144 and a left side 146. The shroud 124 forms a chamber 148 that receives the receptacle housing 120. The chamber 148 is open at the front 140 and the rear 142 in the illustrated embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle housing 120 may be rear loaded into the chamber 148 through the rear 142. The strain relief 126 extends from the rear 142. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the receptacle housing 120 extends forward of the front 140. For example, a portion of the receptacle housing 120 may be configured to extend from the shroud 124 through the panel 104 (shown in
The contact assembly 200 includes a plurality of contacts 202 arranged in the receptacle housing 120 for mating with the mating electrical connector 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle housing 120 includes a mating receptacle 130 at the front of the receptacle housing 120 that receives the mating electrical connector 106. For example, the mating receptacle 130 may include a card slot configured to receive the edge of the circuit card 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts 202 are arranged in an upper row and a lower row for mating with the contacts 110 on the upper surface 112 and the lower surface 114 of the circuit card 108. For example, the contacts 202 may be arranged in an upper contact sub assembly 204 and a lower contact sub assembly 206. Other arrangements are possible in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 200 includes a signal lead frame 220 and a ground lead frame 250. The signal lead frame 220 includes a plurality of signal contacts 222. Each signal contact 222 extends between a mating end 230 and a terminating end 232. The mating end 230 is configured to be mated with the corresponding mating signal contact 110 of the circuit card 108 (shown in
The ground lead frame 250 includes a plurality of ground contacts 252. A ground bar 254 extends between each of the ground contacts 252 to electrically connect each of the ground contacts 252 together at the rear ends of the ground contacts 252. A ground tie bar 256 extends between each of the ground contacts 252 to electrically connect each of the ground contacts 252 together at Central sections of the ground contacts 252. The ground tie bar 256 is located remote from the ground bar 254. The ground bar 254 and the ground tie bar 256 provide electrical connections between the ground contacts 252 at different sections along the lengths of the ground contacts 252. The ground bar 254 and the ground tie bar 256 are formed integral with the ground contacts 252. For example, the ground bar 254 and the ground tie bar 256 are stamped and formed from the same sheet of metal that is used to form the ground contacts 252. As such, it is not necessary to manufacture separate ground bars or separate ground tie bars. Additionally, it is not necessary to assemble separate ground bars or separate ground tie bars, such as soldering ground bars or ground tie bars to the ground contacts 252.
Each ground contact 252 extends between a mating end 260 and a terminating end 262. The mating end 260 is configured to be mated with the corresponding mating ground contact 110 of the circuit card 108. The terminating end 262 is configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding cable 128. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground bar 254 extends between the terminating ends 262 to electrically connect the terminating ends 262. Optionally, the ground bar 254 may be electrically connected to the cable 128, such as to a drain wire or cable shield of the cable 128.
In an exemplary embodiment, each ground contact 252 includes a central transition section 264 between the mating end 260 and the terminating end 262. The central transition section 264 is remote from the mating end 260 and remote from the terminating end 262. The ground tie bar 256 extends between each of the central transition sections 264 to electrically connect each of the ground contacts 252 at each of the central transition sections 264. In an exemplary embodiment, the central transition sections 264 extend out of plane with respect to other sections of the ground contact 252. For example, the central transition sections 264 may transition upward (or downward) out of the plane of the ground contact 252. The ground tie bar 256 extends across the signal contacts 222 out of the plane of the signal contacts 222. For example, the ground tie bar 256 may be located above (or below) the signal contacts 222. In an exemplary embodiment, the central transition sections 264 may be approximately centered along the lengths of the ground contacts 252. For example, the central transition sections 264 may be centered between the mating ends 260 and the terminating ends 262 of the ground contacts 252. In an exemplary embodiment, the central transition sections 264 and the ground tie bar 256 are axially aligned with the impedance control sections 234 of the signal contacts 222 along the lengths of the signal contacts 222 and the ground contacts 252.
In an exemplary embodiment, each ground contact 252 includes a rear transition section 266 at the terminating end 262. The ground bar 254 extends between each of the rear transition sections 266. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear transition sections 266 extend out of plane with respect to other sections of the ground contact 252. For example, the rear transition sections 266 may transition upward (or downward) out of the plane of the ground contact 252. The rear transition sections 266 may be transitioned in the same direction as the central transition sections 264. The ground bar 254 extends across the signal contacts 222 out of the plane of the signal contacts 222. For example, the ground bar 254 may be located above (or below) the signal contacts 222.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 212 includes a dielectric body 280 coupled to the contacts 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the dielectric body 280 is overmolded over the signal lead frame 220 and the ground lead frame 250. The dielectric body 280 is overmolded to encase portions of the signal contacts 222 and the ground contacts 252. In alternative embodiments, the contacts 202 may be stitched into the dielectric body 280. The front contact holder 212 includes securing features 282 for securing the front contact holder 212 to another component, such as to another contact holder. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing features 282 include posts 284 and openings 286. Other types of securing features 282 may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as latches, securing hardware, or other features.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 212 is approximately centered along the lengths of the contacts 202. For example, the front contact holder 212 may be approximately equidistant from the mating ends 230, 260 and the terminating ends 232, 262 of the signal contacts 222 and the ground contacts 252. The front contact holder 212 is coupled to the central transition sections 264 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, various cables 128 may be twin-axial cables including a pair of signal conductors 132. The signal conductors 132 are electrically connected to the terminating ends 232 of the signal contacts 222. In various embodiments, the signal conductors 132 are soldered to the terminating ends 232. Other types of terminating ends may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as a crimp barrels or installation displacement contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, the cables 128 include cable braids 134 for providing electrical shielding for the signal conductors 132. The cables 128 may include drain wires 136 the ground contacts 252 are electrically connected to the cable braids 134 and/or the drain wires 136. For example, the drain wires 136 and/or the cable braids 134 may be soldered to the ground bar 254.
In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 214 includes a dielectric body 290 coupled to the contacts 202 and the cables 128. In an exemplary embodiment, the dielectric body 290 is overmolded over the signal lead frame 220, the ground lead frame 250, and the cables 128. The dielectric body 290 is overmolded to encase portions of the contacts 202 and the cables 128. The rear contact holder 214 includes securing features 292 for securing the rear contact holder 214 to another component, such as to another contact holder. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing features 292 include posts 294 and openings 296. Other types of securing features 292 may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as latches, securing hardware, or other features.
In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 214 is provided at the rear end of the contact assembly 200. The rear contact holder 214 is coupled to the terminating ends 232, 262 of the signal contacts 222 and the ground contacts 252. The rear contact holder 214 may encase the ground bar 254 (
In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 214 includes a flange 298 extending therefrom. The flange 298 is used for positioning the contact assembly 200 relative to the receptacle housing 120 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 214 includes one or more pockets 299 (
In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 212 includes a latching feature 288 extending from the dielectric body 280. The latching feature 288 is used for securing the contact assembly 200 in the receptacle housing 120. Other types of securing features may be used in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 212 includes one or more pockets 289 (
The upper and lower contact assemblies 201a, 201b may be similar to each other. Various components of the upper contact assembly 201a may be referred to using the modifier “upper” and various components of the lower contact assembly 201b may be referred to using the modifier “lower”. Optionally, the upper and lower contact assemblies 201a, 201b may be identical to each other. However, in various embodiments, the upper contact assembly 201a and/or the lower contact assembly 201b may include keying features (which may be different than the other contact assembly) to orient the contact assembly 200 within the receptacle housing 120 (shown in
During assembly, the securing features 282 of the front contact holders 212 are coupled together and the securing features 292 of the rear contact holders 214 are coupled together. For example, the posts 284 are received in corresponding openings 286 and the posts 294 are received in corresponding openings 296. The front contact holders 212 may be secured together by an interference fit. The rear contact holders 214 may be secured together by an interference fit. When assembled, the upper contacts 202a of the upper contact subassembly 201a are arranged in an upper row and the lower contacts 202b of the lower contact assembly 201b are arranged in a lower row. The upper contacts 202a are separated from the lower contacts 202b by a contact gap 216. The contact gap 216 is configured to receive the circuit card 108 (shown in
The contact assembly 200 may include any number of contacts 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact assembly 200 is a 28 position contact assembly having 14 upper contacts 202a (8 high speed signal contacts arranged in pairs, 5 ground contacts and 1 low speed signal contact) and having 14 lower contacts 202b (8 high speed signal contacts arranged in pairs, 5 ground contacts and 1 low speed signal contact). Other arrangements having greater or fewer contacts 202 may be provided in alternative embodiments.
The receptacle housing 120 extends between a front 160 and a rear 162. The receptacle housing 120 is a right side 164 and a left side 166. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle housing 120 has a base wall 168 spanning across the receptacle housing 120 between the right side 164 and the left side 166. The base wall 168 includes a plurality of contact channels 170 therethrough. The contact channels 170 are configured to receive corresponding contacts 202 of the contact assemblies 200. The base wall 168 is located rearward of the mating receptacle 130 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle housing 120 includes a top 176 and a bottom 178. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle housing 120 includes locating tabs 180 extending therefrom for locating the receptacle housing 120 within the shroud 124 (shown in
The receptacle housing 120 is aligned with the chamber 148 of the shroud 124 at the rear 142 of the shroud 124. The receptacle assembly 118 is rear loaded into the chamber 148. In an exemplary embodiment, the shroud 124 includes guide slots 158 along the right side 144 and the left side 146. The guide slots 158 are open at the rear 142. The guide slots 158 receive the locating tabs 180 of the receptacle housing 120 to position the receptacle housing 120 in the chamber 148. When assembled, the contact assemblies 200 may be completely surrounded by the shroud 124. For example, the contact assemblies 200 may be located within the chamber 148. The cables 128 extend rearward from the shroud 124 and exit the chamber 148. The strain relief 126 (shown in
The subassembly 118a, 118b, 118c are modular in design to increase or decrease the number of contacts 202 depending on the particular application. For example, the receptacle assembly 118 may include additional subassemblies or subassemblies having a greater number of contacts 202 to increase the total number of contacts 202. In other various embodiments, the receptacle assembly 118 may be provided without the central subassembly 118c to reduce the number of contacts 202. In other various embodiments, the receptacle assembly 118 may be provided without the right side subassembly 118a or the left side subassembly 118b to reduce the number of contacts 202. The receptacle housings 120a, 120b, 120c may include appropriate mating features for coupling to other subassemblies and appropriate locating features at the right and left sides for loading into the shroud 124.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202010255513.2 | Apr 2020 | CN | national |
