Patent Grant
8113851
The subject matter herein relates generally to connector assemblies, and more particularly, to connector assemblies that are configured to communicatively couple different communication components through at least one of electrical and optical connections.
Some communication systems, such as servers, routers, and data storage systems, utilize connector assemblies for transmitting signals and/or power through the system. Such systems typically include a backplane or a midplane circuit board, a motherboard, and a plurality of daughter cards. The connector assemblies include one or more connectors that attach to the circuit boards or motherboard for interconnecting the daughter cards to the circuit boards or motherboard when the daughter card is inserted into the system. Each daughter card includes a header or receptacle assembly having a mating face that is configured to connect to a mating face of the connector. The header/receptacle assembly is typically positioned on or near a leading edge of the daughter card. Prior to being mated, the mating faces of the header/receptacle assembly and the connector are aligned with each other and face each other along a mating axis. The daughter card is then moved in an insertion direction along the mating axis until the mating faces engage and mate with each other.
The conventional backplane and midplane connector assemblies provide for interconnecting the daughter cards to the backplane or midplane circuit board by moving the daughter card in an insertion direction, which is the same as the mating direction. In some cases, it may be desirable to mate the daughter card in a mating direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction. By way of one specific example, the header/receptacle assembly may be on a surface of the daughter card and face a direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction (e.g., perpendicular to the surface of the daughter card), and the connector may be on the backplane circuit board and also face a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. In such a case, it may be difficult to properly align and mate the header/receptacle assembly and the connector. Other examples exist in communication systems where it may be difficult to properly align and mate two communication components that have complementary arrays of terminals.
Accordingly, there is a need for a connector that facilitates interconnection of communication components (e.g., circuit boards, other connectors) when the communication components are oriented in an orthogonal relationship. Furthermore, there is a general need for various connectors capable of establishing an electrical and/or optical connection between different components.
In one embodiment, a connector assembly is provided that includes a base frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends. The connector assembly also includes a moveable side that is supported by the base frame and extends in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The moveable side includes a mating array of terminals. The connector assembly also includes a flex connection that is communicatively coupled to the mating array. The flex connection and the mating array are configured to transmit data signals. The connector assembly also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame and is operatively coupled to the moveable side. The coupling mechanism is configured to be actuated to move the moveable side between retracted and engaged positions along a mating direction. The mating array is spaced apart from a complementary array of terminals in the retracted position and communicatively coupled to the complementary array in the engaged position.
At least one of the flex connection and the mating array may be configured to transmit optical signals. The mating array of terminals may include at least one of optical terminals for transmitting optical signals and contact terminals for transmitting electrical current. Optionally, the flex connection may include a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting optical signals. Also optionally, the connector assembly may include a signal converter that is configured to convert electrical signals into or from optical signals.
In another embodiment, a connector assembly is provided that includes a base frame and a moveable side supported by the base frame. The moveable side is moveable relative to the base frame and includes a mating array of terminals. The connector assembly also includes a flex connection that is communicatively coupled to the mating array. The flex connection and the mating array are configured to transmit data signals. The connector assembly also includes a coupling mechanism having an operator-controlled actuator. The actuator is operatively coupled to the moveable side. The actuator is configured to drive the moveable side between retracted and engaged positions along a mating direction. The mating array is spaced apart from a complementary array of terminals in the retracted position and communicatively coupled to the complementary array in the engaged position.
Embodiments described herein include connector assemblies that are configured to establish at least one of an electrical and optical connection to transmit data signals between different communication components. Connector assemblies described herein may also establish an electrical connection to transmit power between the communication components. Communication components that may be interconnected by such connector assemblies include printed circuits (e.g., circuit boards or flex circuits), other connector assemblies (e.g., optical and/or electrical connector assemblies), and any other components that are capable of establishing an electrical or optical connection. The connector assemblies can include one or more moveable sides that include mating arrays of terminals. Each mating array of terminals may be configured to engage a complementary array of terminals of a communication component to establish an electrical and/or optical connection. In some embodiments, the terminals may be contact terminals for establishing an electrical connection or optical terminals for establishing an optical connection.
In some embodiments, the connector assemblies include one or more signal converters that convert data signals in one transmitting form to data signals in another transmitting form. The signal converters may convert electrical signals into or from optical signals. For example, a signal converter may include a modulator that encodes electrical signals and drives a light source (e.g., light-emitting diode) for creating optical signals. A signal converter may also include a detector that detects optical signals and converts the optical signals into electrical signals.
As used herein, the term “mating array” includes a plurality of terminals arranged in a predetermined configuration. The terminals may be held in a fixed relationship with respect to each other. The terminals of a mating array may be held together by a common structure or base material. By way of example, the mating array may be a contact array having a plurality of contact terminals configured to establish an electrical connection. The mating array may also be an optical terminal array having optical terminals configured to establish an optical connection. In some embodiments, the mating array may include both contact terminals and optical terminals.
The contact terminals (or mating contacts) of a contact array may be held together by a common base material or structure, such as a board substrate that includes a dielectric material. For example, a contact array may include or be a component of a printed circuit. A variety of contact terminals may be used in the contact arrays, including contact terminals that are stamped and formed, etched and formed, solder ball contacts, contact pads, and the like. In some embodiments, the contact terminals form a planar array (i.e., the contact terminals are arranged substantially co-planar with respect to each other and face a common direction). In other embodiments, the contact array may have multiple sub-arrays of contact terminals that are not co-planar. Optical terminal arrays may have similar configurations and features as described with respect to the contact arrays.
As used herein, the term “printed circuit,” includes any electric circuit in which the conducting connections have been printed or otherwise deposited in predetermined patterns on an insulating base or substrate. For example, a printed circuit may be a circuit board, an interposer made with printed circuit board (PCB) material, a flexible circuit having embedded conductors, a substrate having one or more layers of flexible circuit therealong, and the like. The printed circuit may have contact terminals arranged thereon.
A “flex connection,” as used herein, includes flexible pathways that are capable of transmitting electric current and/or optical signals. The flex connection includes a flexible material (e.g., bendable or twistable) and may permit movement of one of the components, such as the mating array. A flex connection may include at least one of an electrical conductor and a fiber optic communication line and may be used to interconnect different mating arrays and/or power contacts. For example, a flex connection may be a flexible circuit configured to convey a current through conductors (e.g., conductive traces) embedded within a flexible substrate. Such a flexible circuit may transmit data and/or power between first and second components, which may include printed circuits and/or mating arrays. Furthermore, a flex connection may include one or more fiber optic communication lines (e.g., fiber optic cables) having optical waveguides that transmit light, for example, by total internal reflection. The optical waveguides may include a flexible cladding. The fiber optic cables may be configured to have a limited bend radius so that optical waveguides may transmit light through total internal reflection. In addition, a flex connection may include electrical conductors (e.g., wires) that are configured to transmit power therethrough. The electrical conductors may have predetermined dimensions (e.g., a predetermined gauge) that are suitable for transmitting a desired amount of electrical power.
A “flexible circuit” (also called flex circuit), as used herein, is a type of flex connection that comprises a printed circuit having an arrangement of conductors embedded within or between flexible insulating material(s). For example, flexible circuit(s) may be configured to convey an electric current between first and second communication components, such as printed circuits. A “fiber optic ribbon” includes a plurality of optical fibers held together by a common layer or ribbon of material. A fiber optic ribbon may include more than one layer or ribbon.
An “interposer,” as used herein, includes a planar body having opposite sides with corresponding contact terminals and a plurality of conductive pathways extending therebetween to connect the contact terminals. An interposer may be a circuit board where contact terminals are etched and formed along two opposing sides of the circuit board. The circuit board may have conductive pathways coupling each contact terminal to a corresponding contact terminal on the other side. However, in other embodiments, the interposer might not be a circuit board or another printed circuit. For example, an interposer may include a carrier having a planar body with a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Stamped and formed contact terminals may be arranged by the carrier such that each contact terminal is positioned within a corresponding hole. The contact terminals may interface with one circuit board on one side of the carrier and have ball contacts that are soldered to another circuit board on the other side of the carrier. An interposer may also take other forms.
As used herein, an “alignment feature” includes alignment projections, apertures, and edges, or frames that may cooperate with each other in aligning the terminals. When a mating array is moved toward a communication component and approach the communication component in a misaligned manner, alignment features of the communication component and the connector assembly may cooperate with each other to redirect and align the mating array.
As used herein, a “coupling mechanism” generally includes an operator-controlled actuator and one or more intermediate components that facilitate holding and selectively moving a mating array. For example, the actuator may include an axle that rotates about an axis or a sliding member that slides in an axial direction. The intermediate components include mechanical parts that facilitate operatively coupling the actuator to the moveable side and/or the mating array. For example, the intermediate components may include cams, cam fingers, roll bars, panels, springs, and the like. The intermediate components may facilitate converting a force provided by the actuator into a force that drives the moveable side and/or the mating array between different positions (e.g., retracted and engaged positions).
As used herein, “removably coupled” means that two coupled parts or components may be readily separated from and coupled (electrically, optically, or mechanically) to each other without destroying or damaging either of the two. By way of example, a removable card assembly may be removably coupled to a communication system such that the removable card assembly may be repeatedly inserted and removed from the communication system. The two coupled parts or components may be communicatively coupled. Furthermore, the mating arrays and complementary arrays described herein may be removably coupled such that the mating and complementary arrays are readily separated from and coupled to each other.
As used herein, when two components are “communicatively coupled” or “communicatively connected,” the two components can transmit electric current (e.g., for data signals or power) and/or light (e.g., optical data signals) therebetween.
The interconnect assembly 16 may form a transmission pathway between the first and second communication components 12 and 14. As shown, the interconnect assembly 16 includes one or more mating arrays 18 that are configured to engage the second communication component 14, one or more mating arrays 20 that are configured to engage the first communication component 12, and one or more flex connections 22 that interconnect the mating arrays 18 and 20. The mating arrays 18 and 20 may include optical terminals and/or contact terminals. The mating arrays 18 and 20 may be configured to engage complementary arrays of terminals (not shown) along the first and second communication components 12 and 14, respectively. In some embodiments, at least one of the mating arrays 18 and 20 may be moved to and from the first and second communication components 12 and 14, respectively, as described in greater detail below. The flex connections 22 may be configured to transmit data signals. For example, the flex connections 22 may be flexible circuits for transmitting electrical current and/or fiber optic cables for transmitting optical signals. A single flex connection 22 may include one or more optical fibers and one or more conductive pathways.
In some embodiments, the first communication component 12 may be a motherboard and the second communication component 14 may be a removable daughter card, e.g., a line or switch card, that may be removably coupled to or engaged with the interconnect assembly 16. The interconnect assembly 16 is configured to allow the mating array 18 to be moved from a retracted position to an engaged position where the first and second communication components 12 and 14 are communicatively coupled through the interconnect assembly 16. The mating array 18 may be selectively held and moved by, for example, coupling mechanisms 204 (shown in
The mating arrays 20 may be mounted to the first communication component 12 by, for example, using press-fit contacts. Alternatively, the mating arrays 20 may be soldered or attached to the first communication component 12 using a fastener and a compressible interface. Also, in other embodiments, the mating array 20 may be part of a removable card assembly and may be moved from a retracted position to an engaged position along the first communication component 12. Such embodiments are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/428,851, which is incorporated by reference in the entirety.
The first and second communication components 12 and 14 may be in fixed or locked positions and substantially orthogonal to one another before the mating array 18 is moved toward and engages the second communication component 14. More specifically, the first communication component 12 extends along a horizontal plane defined by a longitudinal axis 80 and a horizontal axis 82, and the second communication component 14 extends along a vertical or longitudinal plane defined by the longitudinal axis 80 and a vertical axis 84. However, in other embodiments, the first and second communication components 12 and 14 may be substantially orthogonal (or perpendicular) to one another (e.g., 90°+/−20°), parallel to one another, or may form some other angle or some other positional relationship with respect to each other. For example, the first and second communication components 12 and 14 may be oblique to one another.
Also, in some embodiments, the second communication component 14 may include a handle 40 affixed to an edge of the second communication component 14. The handle 40 may facilitate a technician or machine in removing the second communication component 14 from the system 10.
By way of example, the mating array 50 of terminals may include contact terminals 51A, optical terminals (or fiber terminals) 51B, and optical terminals (or fiber terminals) 51C. The complementary array 60 of terminals may include contact terminals 61A, optical terminals (or fiber terminals) 61B, and optical terminals (or fiber terminals) 61C. Each terminal of the mating array 50 is configured to engage an associated terminal of the complementary array 60. Associated terminals are a pair of terminals that are configured to communicatively couple to each other when the mating and complementary arrays 50 and 60 are engaged.
As shown, the communication component 52 may have a mating or array surface 54 having the mating array 50 thereon, and the communication component 62 has a mating or array surface 64 having the complementary array 60 of terminals thereon. In particular embodiments, the mating surfaces 54 and 64 may extend adjacent to and substantially parallel to each other in the retracted and engaged positions 46 and 48. For example, the mating surfaces 54 and 64 may extend in a direction along a longitudinal axis 45. The longitudinal axis 45 may be substantially orthogonal to the mating axis 44. The mating surfaces 54 and 64 may face each other in the retracted and engaged positions 46 and 48. As will be discussed further below, the mating array 50 may be selectively held and moved by a coupling mechanism (e.g., by coupling mechanisms 204, 304, and 404 shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the mating surface 54 and the mating surface 64 extend substantially parallel to one other while in the engaged and retracted positions 48 and 46, respectively, and in any position therebetween. The associated terminals are spaced apart from each other by substantially the same distance D1 in the retracted position. When the mating array 50 is moved toward the second communication component 62 in a linear manner along the mating axis 44, the distance D1 that separates the associated terminals decreases until the associated terminals are engaged.
The contact terminals 51A may include resilient beams that flex to and from the mating surface 54. The resilient beams resist deflection and exert a resistance force FR in a direction away from the mating surface 54. The contact terminals 61A are configured to engage the contact terminals 51A. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact terminals 61A are contact pads that are substantially flush with the mating surface 64. However, the contact pads are not required to be substantially flush with the mating surface 64. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the contact terminals 51A and 61A may take on other forms including other stamped and formed contacts, etched and formed contacts, solder ball contacts, contact pads, and the like.
The optical terminals 51B include fiber ends 70 that project a distance D2 beyond the mating surface 54. The fiber ends 70 may be sized and shaped relative to fiber cavities 72 of the optical terminals 61B so that the fiber ends 70 are received by the fiber cavities 72 when the mating array 50 is moved into the engaged position 48. In the engaged position 48, the fiber ends 70 are aligned with fiber ends 74 of the optical terminals 61B within the fiber cavities 72. Associated fiber ends 70 and 74 may abut each other to transfer a sufficient amount of light for transmitting optical signals. For example, associated fiber ends 70 and 74 may be configured to minimize any gaps between each other.
Also shown in
In alternative embodiments, the mating array 50 may be moved toward and engage the complementary array 60 in other manners. In some embodiments, the mating surface 64 and the mating surface 54 may be parallel in the retracted position 46, but the mating and complementary arrays 50 and 60 may be misaligned. In such embodiments, as the mating array 50 approaches the complementary array 60, the mating array 50 may shift or move so that the associated terminals become aligned when the mating array 50 reaches the engaged position 48. In another alternative embodiment, the mating surface 54 and the mating surface 64 may not be parallel when in the retracted position. For example, the mating array 50 may rotate about an axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 45 when the mating array 50 is moved to the engaged position 48.
In the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly 110 has a substantially rectangular shape that includes a width W1 that extends along the orientation axis 182, a length L1 that extends along the longitudinal axis 180, and a height H1 that extends along the mating axis 184. The connector assembly 110 may include a base frame 208 and a coupling mechanism 204 (
Also, the connector assembly 110 includes an interconnect assembly 114 that includes flex connections 116 (indicated by phantom lines in
With reference to
The mounting side 296 may be configured to be mounted to a communication component, such as a circuit board or another connector assembly. The mating arrays 118 and 213 and the flex connection 116 of the interconnect assembly 114 may be molded together into one unit. The mating array 213 may be an interposer that engages the flex connection 116 on one side of the interposer and engages the communication component on the other side of the interposer. The terminals of the mating array 213 may include compressive contacts (e.g., resilient beams), press-fit contacts, or solder-ball contacts that are affixed to a communication component 102 (shown in
The moveable side 112 includes the mating array 118, a substrate 260, and a panel 262 that are all fastened together (e.g., with screws or adhesives) and extend substantially parallel to the central axis 290 of the actuator 230. The mating array 118 in
Also shown in
Also shown in
Returning to
In some embodiments, the mating array 118 may float with respect to the base frame 208 (
Returning to
Other moveable sides, coupling mechanisms, and connector assemblies including floatable mating arrays that are similar to the moveable sides, coupling mechanisms, and connector assemblies described herein are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/757,835, filed Apr. 9, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in the entirety.
Furthermore, in embodiments where the terminals 132 include contact terminals having resilient beams, the springs 264 may work in conjunction with the resilient beams to electrically couple the mating array 118 to the communication component 104. The combined resilient forces of the terminals 132 and the floatable capability of the mating array 118 may cooperate in properly aligning the mating array 118 with the communication component 104.
However, alternative alignment mechanisms may be used. For example, the alignment feature 288 (
In other embodiments, the communication component 104 may have the alignment feature 288 and the mating array 118 may have the corresponding aperture 280 (
Accordingly, if the terminals 132 are misaligned as the mating array 118 approaches the communication component 104, the floatable mating array 118 may be redirected in order to align and engage the associated terminals. The springs 264 allow the mating array 118 to move in various directions. Moreover, the springs 264 may be configured to provide an outward mating force in the mating direction M2 to maintain the connection between the terminals 132 of the mating array 118 and the terminals of the communication component 104.
The actuator assembly 312 includes a lever structure 313 and cam slots 316 that are operatively coupled to the header 310. The actuator assembly 312 may also include an upright 319 that projects from the base frame 308 and forms a positive stop 318 and holder notch 320. As shown in
In the retracted position shown in
As shown in
The moveable sides 410 and 412 oppose each other across a gap G where the communication component is held. Each of the moveable sides 410 and 412 or headers 416 and 418 may include an alignment projection 488 that projects from the corresponding surface and a bore 490 that is configured to receive the alignment projection 488 from the opposing mating array or header. With reference to the moveable side 412 in
As shown in
The connector assembly 402 includes interconnect assemblies 440 and 442. The interconnect assembly 442 includes the mating array 450 of the moveable side 412 and a flex connection 446 that is coupled to the mating array 450. When the connector assembly 402 is fully assembled, the flex connection 446 may wrap around a top 454 of the header 418 and the mating array 450 may be floatably coupled to a face 456 of the header 418. The flex connection 446 has a length that is configured to allow the corresponding mating array 412 to be moved between the engaged and retracted positions. Similarly, the interconnect assembly 440 includes the mating array 450 of the moveable side 410 and a flex connection 444, which may be assembled as described above with respect to the interconnect assembly 442.
When a withdrawing force FW (
However, alternative embodiments are not required to have symmetrical series of cam slots 460 and 462 and the angles θ and β are not required to be equal. Furthermore, the headers 416 and 418 are not required to move an equal distance. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the angle θ may be greater than the angle β. When the sliding member 420 is withdrawn, the header 416 moves at a greater speed and/or to a greater distance than the header 418. Various other configurations of cam slots 460 and 462 can be used to control movement of the headers 416 and 418 as desired.
Each of the connector assemblies 501-503 may form signal pathways that interconnect the daughter cards 591-593, respectively, to the motherboard 590. For example, the connector assembly 501 may have a signal pathway that extends from the mating array 521, through the flex connection 541, and to a mating array 551 that is mounted to the motherboard 590. The connector assembly 502 may have a signal pathway that extends from the mating array 522, through the flex connection 542, and to an optical connector 552 that is mounted to the motherboard 590. Furthermore, the connector assembly 503 may have a signal pathway that extends from the mating array 523, through the flex connection 543, and to an optical connector 553 that is mounted to the motherboard 590.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the signal pathway of each connector assembly 501-503 may permit optical transmissions. More specifically, at least one of the mating array(s) and the flex connection(s) may be configured to transmit optical signals. For example, the flex connections 541-543 may comprise fiber optic cables (or ribbons) that include a plurality of optical fibers. The mating arrays 521-523 may include optical terminals including fiber ends that permit optical transmission.
The signal converters 561 and 562 are configured to receive data signals of a first signal form and convert the data signal into a different second signal form. For example, the signal converter 561 may receive electrical signals from the mating array 521 and convert the electrical signals into optical signals that are transmitted along the flex connection 541. As such, the signal converter 561 may include a modulator that receives the electrical signals from the mating array 521. (The electrical signals may be provided to the mating array 521 from the daughter card 591.) The modulator may encode the data signals for optical transmission. The signal converter 561 may also include a light source (e.g., LED) that is driven by the modulator to produce the optical signals.
In such embodiments, the signal converter 562 receives the optical signals from the signal converter 561 through the flex connection 541. The signal converter 562 may include a detector that detects the optical signals and converts the optical signals into electrical form (i.e., converts the optical signals into electrical signals). The electrical signals may be amplified and decoded to replicate the electrical signals that were originally provided by the mating array 521 to the signal converter 561.
In other embodiments, the signal converter 562 may receive electrical signals from the mating array 551 and convert the electrical signals into optical signals that are transmitted along the flex connection 541. The signal converter 562 may also include a modulator that receives the electrical signals from a complementary array (not shown) of the motherboard 590 and a light source that is driven by the modulator to produce the optical signals. In such embodiments, the signal converter 561 may receive and decode the optical signals. In other embodiments, each of the signal converters 561 and 562 may convert electrical signals into optical signals and also convert optical signals into electrical signals.
Also shown in
Although not shown, the signal pathways may include other optical devices or elements that facilitate optical transmission in addition to the signal converters and flex connections already described. For example, the signal pathways may include amplifiers, receivers, transmitters, splitters, couplers, filters, switches, and the like to facilitate optical communication. Such components may be part of the connector assembly if suitable (e.g., attached to a base frame, a moveable side, or a mating array), or such components may be remotely located with respect to the connector assembly. Furthermore, the signal converter 561 is not required to be within or attached to the moveable side 511. For example, the signal converter 561 can be mounted to the motherboard 590 or located within the flex connection 541.
Returning to
As shown in
At least a portion of the signal pathway of each connector assembly 504-507 may permit optical transmissions. With respect to the connector assemblies 504 and 505 shown in
In other embodiments, the flex connections 544 and 545 may be inserted through the holes or slots and attached thereto (e.g., using an adhesive or clip). In such cases, the pass-through points P1 and P2 may represent base ends of the flex connections 544 and 545 (described above) that facilitate limiting a bend radius of the flex connections 544 and 545. Also, in alternative embodiments, the flex connections 544 and 545 do not extend through a pass-through point located proximate to the respective connector assembly 504 and 505. Instead, the flex connections 544 and 545 may extend from a remote location and directly attach to the respective connector assembly 504 and 505 or, more specifically, to the respective mating array 524 and 525.
The connector assembly 504 may include a signal converter (not shown) located proximate to the mating array 524 that converts the data signals from a first form to a different second form (e.g., from optical to electrical or from electrical to optical). However, the mating array 525 of the connector assembly 505 may be configured to communicatively engage an optical connector 555 that is mounted to the daughter card 595. In such embodiments, the optical connector 555 and the mating array 525 may be configured to align optical terminals (not shown) to establish an optical connection. The optical connector 555 may, in turn, include a signal converter (not shown) that is communicatively coupled to the daughter card 595.
The connector assembly 506 may be configured to selectively move the mating arrays 526A and 526B in opposite directions simultaneously or according to a predetermined sequence. Likewise, the connector assembly 507 may be configured to selectively move the mating arrays 527A and 527B in opposite directions simultaneously or according to a predetermined sequence. Such embodiments are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/686,484 and 12/686,518, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, as described with respect to other connector assemblies, the conversion of the data signals from one form to another may occur within the corresponding connector assembly or within an optical connector that is configured to communicatively engage the mating array of the connector assembly.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. As such, other connectors and coupling mechanisms may be made as described herein that removably couple a moveable mating array to a complementary array. For example, the connector assemblies and coupling mechanisms may be similar to the connector assemblies and coupling mechanisms described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/428,851; 12/428,806; 12/686,484; 12/686,518; 12/757,835; 12/646,314; and 12/685,398; all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. By way of one example, the coupling mechanism may include an operator-controlled actuator that is slidable along a longitudinal axis. The actuator may have ramps that engage roll bars or bearings within the connector assembly. When the ramps push the bearings outward, a moveable side is also pushed in a mating direction toward a communication component. Such a coupling mechanism is described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/685,398, which is incorporated by reference in the entirety. Furthermore, connector assemblies described herein may also be configured to move a plurality of mating arrays in different directions and/or at different times according to a predetermined sequence. Such connector assemblies are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/686,484 and 12/686,518, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Connector assemblies described herein may also be used with removable card connector assemblies, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/428,851 and 12/686,518, which are both incorporated by reference in their entirety.
In addition, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, 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, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/428,851 (filed Apr. 23, 2009) now U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,669; Ser. No. 12/428,806 (filed Apr. 23, 2009), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,668; Ser. No. 12/686,484 (filed Jan. 13, 2010); and Ser. No. 12/686,518 (filed Jan. 13, 2010). Each of the above applications is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20100303415 A1 | Dec 2010 | US |
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| Parent | 12428851 | Apr 2009 | US |
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| Parent | 12686484 | Jan 2010 | US |
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