Electronics devices, such as digital communications devices, continue to evolve at a fast pace. As this evolution continues, it is desirable for such devices to transfer increasing amounts of data at higher speeds, which may cause the power requirements of those devices to change. As data rates and power requirements change, new electrical connectors may be required to interconnect the evolving devices. However, designing and fabricating updated electrical connectors can be expensive and time consuming For instance, the production of a new electrical connector typically requires tooling changes, production facility reconfiguration, and the significant time and capital expenses associated therewith.
In accordance with an embodiment, an electrical connector comprises a first connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical power contacts. The first connector housing has a first housing body that defines a front end, a rear end spaced from the front end along an mating direction, and opposed first and second sides extending between the front and rear ends and spaced apart from each other along a second direction that extends substantially perpendicular to the mating direction. The first housing body further defines a receptacle at the front end that is elongate along the second direction so as to define a power mating interface, wherein the receptacle extends through the first and second sides. The electrical connector can further include a second connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical signal contacts. The second connector housing has a second housing body that defines a front end, a rear end spaced from the front end along the mating direction, and opposed first and second sides extending between the front and rear ends of the second connector housing and spaced apart from each other along the second direction. The first side of the second connector is disposed adjacent the second side of the first connector housing. The second housing body further defines a receptacle at the front end that extends along the second direction so as to define a signal mating interface, wherein the receptacle of the second connector housing extends through the first and second sides of the second connector housing. The electrical connector can further include a first end member that is separate from the first connector housing and is configured to be coupled to the first side of the first connector housing so as to close one end of the receptacle of the first connector housing. The electrical connector can further include a second end member that is separate from the second connector housing and is configured to be coupled to the second side of the second connector housing so as to close one end of the receptacle of the second connector housing.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method includes the steps of coupling a first end member to a first side of a first connector housing. The first connector housing supports a plurality of electrical power contacts and defines a receptacle that is elongate along a mating end of the first connector housing from the first side to an opposed second side that is spaced from the first side, wherein the receptacle defines a mating interface and extends through the first and second sides. The method further includes the step of coupling a second end member to a second side of a second connector housing. The second connector housing supports a plurality of electrical signal contacts and defining a receptacle that is elongate along a mating end of the second connector housing from the first side of the second connector housing to an opposed second side of the second connector housing that is spaced from the first side of the second connector housing, wherein the receptacle defines a mating interface and extends through the first and second sides. The method further includes the step of closing the receptacle at the first side of the first connector housing by coupling the first end member to the first side of the first connector housing.
In accordance with another embodiment, a kit can include at least one first connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical power contacts. The first connector housing has a first housing body that defines a front end, a rear end spaced from the front end along an mating direction, and opposed first and second sides that extend between the front and rear ends and are spaced apart from each other along a second direction that extends substantially perpendicular to the mating direction. The first housing body further defines a receptacle at the front end that is elongate along the second direction so as to define a power mating interface, wherein the receptacle extends through the first and second sides. The kit further includes at least one second connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical signal contacts. The second connector housing has a second housing body that defines a front end, a rear end spaced from the front end along the mating direction, and opposed first and second sides that extend between the front and rear ends of the second connector housing and are spaced apart from each other along the second direction. The second housing body further defines a receptacle at the front end that extends along the second direction so as to define a signal mating interface, wherein the receptacle extends through the first and second sides of the second connector housing. The kit further includes a plurality of closure members configured to be coupled to at least one of the first and second to respective sides of at least one of the first and second connector housings so as to close at least one end of the corresponding receptacle.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of assembling an electrical assembly includes the step of providing or teaching the use of a first connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical power contacts and defining a first receptacle that extends along a front end of the first connector housing and through opposed first and second sides of the first connector housing, a second connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical signal contacts and defining a second receptacle that extends along a front end of the second connector housing and through opposed first and second sides of the second connector housing, and first and second end members configured to close respective ones of the first and second receptacles. The method can further include teaching the step of mounting the first end member to the first side of the first connector housing. The method can further include teaching the step of mounting the second end member to the second side of the second connector housing.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of an example embodiment of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown in the drawings example embodiments for the purposes of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
For convenience, the same or equivalent elements in the various embodiments illustrated in the drawings have been identified with the same reference numerals. Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, “upper,” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “forward”, “forwardly”, “rearward”, “inner,” “inward,” “inwardly,” “outer,” “outward,” “outwardly,” “upward,” “upwardly,” “downward,” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the object referred to and designated parts thereof The terminology intended to be non-limiting includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring initially to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The first connector housing 200 can define a receptacle 206 that extends into the front end 200a of the housing body 202 along the longitudinal direction L, and can be elongate along the lateral direction A. For instance, the receptacle 206 can extend through one or both of the first and second sides 200c and 200d. The front end 200a of the housing body 202 can define a power mating interface 208, such that the receptacle 206 can be disposed at the power mating interface 208. The first connector housing 200, and thus the first electrical connector 100, is configured to mate with a complementary electrical device at the power mating interface 208. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the power mating interface 208 can be configured to receive at least a portion of a substrate 700, such as a printed circuit board 702, that is inserted into the receptacle 206. Therefore, the receptacle 206 can be said to extend into the first connector housing 200 along a mating direction M that can be, for instance, the longitudinal direction L. As described above, the receptacle 206 can be open at the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200. Therefore, it can also be said that the receptacle 206 extends into the front end 200a along a second direction that can be, for instance, the lateral direction A, such that the power mating interface 208 is open at the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200.
The first electrical connector 100 can further include at least one such as a plurality of closure members 399. The closure members 399, which can be made from metal, plastic, nylon, etc., can include at least one such as a plurality of end members 400 and at least one such as a plurality of interconnect members 500. The end members 400 are configured to be coupled, releasably attached, or integrally molded to the first connector housing 100, for instance at one or both of the first and second sides 200c and 200d so as to close the corresponding first open lateral end of the receptacle 206. As will be appreciated from the description below, the end members 400 are configured to be coupled to the second connector housing 300 so as to close one or both open ends of a respective receptacle 306 defined by the second connector housing 300. The interconnect member 500, which can be a PCB keying guide or keying wall, can be configured to be coupled to one or both of the first connector housing 200 and the second connector housing 300. For instance the interconnect member 500 can be configured to close the corresponding second open lateral end of the receptacle 206 that is opposite the first open lateral end of the receptacle 206. Furthermore, the interconnect member 500 can be configured to close an open lateral end of the receptacle 306 of the second connector housing 300 that is opposite to the open lateral end of the receptacle 306 that is closed by the respective end member 400.
The first electrical connector 100 can further include at least one spacer member 600 that can be disposed between one of the closure members, for instance end members 400, and a respective one of the first and second connector housings 200 and 300. In this regard, the end members 400 can be coupled directly to the connector housings 200 and 300, for instance affixed to the connector housings 200 and 300, or can be coupled indirectly to the connector housings 200 and 300, for instance affixed to a spacer member 600 which can in turn affixed to the respective first and second connector housings 200 or 300.
Referring also to
The first electrical connector 100 can further include at least one such as a plurality of power contact inserts 212. For instance, the power contact inserts 212 are configured to be received in the first connector housing 200, for instance in the cavity 210. Alternatively, First connector housing 200 may comprise two or more power contact inserts 212 coupled together along the lateral direction A. The power contact inserts 212 are configured to support respective ones of the electrical power contacts 204. The first housing body 202 can include at least one such as a plurality of inner divider walls that extend along the transverse direction T between the upper and lower ends 200e and 200f in the in the cavity 210, and are spaced from each other along the lateral direction A. The inner divider walls thus divide the cavity 210 a plurality of, such as two or more, compartments, each compartment sized to receive a respective one of the plurality of power contact inserts 212. It should be appreciated that the power contact inserts 212 can be configured to support any number of electrical power contacts 204 as desired.
For example, a first power contact insert 212a can be configured to support a respective one of the electrical power contacts 204 that includes a pair resilient contact beams that are spaced along the transverse direction T. Each of the pair of beams can be forked so as to define a respective split beam. The electrical power contact 204 can be coupled to a respective one of the power cables 250a. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the first power contact inserts 212 can define a cavity 214a configured to receive the respective power contacts 204. The electrical power contacts 204 can further include a retention tab 216a that is configured to secure the electrical power contacts 204 in place within the cavity 214a of the respective first power contact inserts 212a. For instance, the first power contact insert 212a defines respective openings 218a that extend along the transverse direction T and are sized and configured to receive the retention tabs 216a. The first power contact insert 212a can be inserted into a respective compartment in the cavity 210. One or both of the first connector housing 200 and the first power contact insert 212a can include retention members such that the first power contact insert 212a is retained in an inserted position in the respective cavity 210 such that the mating ends of the two pairs of electrical power contacts 204 will be disposed substantially at the power mating interface 208.
The first electrical connector 100 can include a second power contact insert 212b that can be configured to support a single pair of electrical power contact 204 including a pair of transversely spaced resilient contact beams that are not forked, and thus define a solid beam. The second power contact insert 212b can be constructed as described above with respect to the first power contact insert 212a, but can define a lesser width that the first power contact insert 212a along the lateral direction A. For instance, the power contacts 204 supported by the second power contact insert 212b can defined a lesser width (for instance half) along the lateral direction A with respect to the power contacts 204 supported by the first power contact inserts 212a. Thus, the width of the second power contact inserts 212b can be substantially half the width of the first power contact inserts 212a. It should further be appreciated that the first connector housing 200 is not limited to the first and second power contact inserts 212a and 212b, and that the plurality of electrical power contacts 204 can be otherwise disposed into the first connector housing 200, for instance by stitching the electrical power contacts 204 into the housing body 202. Furthermore, the first connector housing 200 can include only first power contact inserts 212a and no second power contact inserts 212b, and conversely can include only second power contact inserts 212b and no first power contact inserts 212a.
Referring now to
The second connector housing 300 can define a receptacle 306 that extends into the front end 300a of the second housing body 302 along the longitudinal direction L. For instance, the receptacle 306 can extend through one or both of the first and second sides 300c and 300d. The front end 300a of the second housing body 302 can define a signal mating interface 308, such that the receptacle 306 can be disposed at the signal mating interface 308. The second connector housing 300, and thus the first electrical connector 100, is configured to mate with a complementary electrical device at the signal mating interface 308. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the signal mating interface 308 can be configured to receive at least a portion of a substrate 700, such as a printed circuit board 702, that is inserted into the receptacle 306. Therefore, the receptacle 306 can be said to extend into the second connector housing 300 along a mating direction M that can be, for instance, the longitudinal direction L. As described above, the receptacle 306 can be open at the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300. Therefore, it can also be said that the receptacle 306 extends into the front end 300a along a second direction that can be, for instance, the lateral direction A, such that the signal mating interface 308 is open at the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300.
The electrical signal contacts 304 can define respective mating ends 305 configured to be mated to the electrical device that is mated to the second connector housing 300, and respective mounting ends that are configured to be placed in electrical connection with respective ones of the signal cables 350. The electrical signal contacts 304 can be supported by the housing body 302 such that the respective mating ends 305 are disposed in the receptacle 306 at the signal mating interface 308. The second connector housing 300 can further define at least one cavity 310 that extends into the rear end 300b of the housing body 302. The cavity 310 can be defined by an upper wall disposed at the upper end 300e, a lower wall disposed at the lower end 300f, and opposed side walls disposed at the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second housing body 302.
The first electrical connector 100 can further include at least one such as a plurality of signal contact inserts 312. For instance, the signal contact inserts 312 are configured to be received in the second connector housing 300, for instance in the cavity 310. Second connector housing 300 may also comprise two or more signal contact inserts 312 coupled together along the lateral direction A. The signal contact inserts 312 are configured to support respective ones of the electrical signal contacts 304. The second housing body 302 can include at least one such as a plurality of inner divider walls that extend along the transverse direction T between the upper and lower ends 300e and 300f in the in the cavity 310, and are spaced from each other along the lateral direction A. The inner divider walls thus divide the cavity 310 a plurality of, such as two or more, compartments, each compartment sized to receive a respective one of the plurality of signal contact inserts 312. It should be appreciated that the signal contact inserts 312 can be configured to support any number of electrical signal contacts 304 as desired.
For example, the signal contact insert 312 can be configured to support a respective one of the electrical signal contacts 304 that includes a pair of resilient contact beams that are spaced apart along the transverse direction T. Each contact beam of the electrical signal contact 304 can be coupled to a respective one of the signal cables 350. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the signal contact insert 312 can define a pair of cavities 314 configured to receive the respective contact beams of the electrical signal contact 304. Each contact beam of the electrical signal contact 304 can further include a retention tab 316 that is configured to secure the electrical respective contact beam of the electrical signal contact 304 in place within a respective one of cavities 314 of the respective signal contact insert 312. For instance, the signal contact insert 312 defines a pair of openings 318 that extend into the signal contact insert 312 along the transverse direction T, each of the openings 318 open to a respective one of the cavities 314 and sized and configured to receive a respective one of the retention tabs 316 so as to secure the respective contact beam in place within the signal contact insert 312. The signal contact insert 312 can be inserted into a respective compartment in the cavity 310. One or both of the second connector housing 300 and the signal contact insert 312 can include retention members such that the signal insert 312 is retained in an inserted position in the respective cavity 310 such that the mating ends 305 of the electrical signal contact 304 will be disposed substantially at the signal mating interface 308.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the second connector housing 300 is configured to support twelve signal connector inserts 312, disposed into the cavity 310 adjacent to one another along the lateral direction A. It should be appreciated that the second connector housing 300 is not limited to the illustrated twelve signal connector inserts 312, and that the second connector housing 300 can be alternatively constructed with any number of signal connector inserts 312 disposed within the cavity 310 along the lateral direction A in any arrangement as desired. It should further be appreciated that the second connector housing 300 is not limited to the signal connector inserts 312, and that the plurality of electrical signal contacts 304 can be otherwise disposed into the second connector housing 300, for instance by stitching the electrical signal contacts 304 into the second housing body 302.
Referring generally now to
In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the printed circuit board 702 can include a plurality of electrical power contact pads 708 and a plurality of electrical signal contact pads 710 disposed along the leading edge 706 on the upper and lower surfaces 702c and 702d. In accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in
In accordance with a second embodiment illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring generally now to
Referring now to
The end member 400 can be differently constructed in accordance with particular embodiments of the end member 400. For instance, accordance with one embodiment, the end member 400 can be constructed as an end member 401. Each end member 400 includes an end member body 406 that defines a front end 400a, an opposed rear end 400b that is spaced from the front end 400a along the longitudinal direction L, an outer side 400c, an opposed inner side 400d that is spaced from the outer side 400c along the lateral direction A, an upper end 400e, and an opposed lower end 400f that is spaced from the upper end 400e along the transverse direction T. The outer side 400c can define an outer side surface 400g and the inner side 400d can define an inner side surface 400h.
The end member body 406 can define any suitable shape as desired. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the end member body 406 can be sized to match the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200. Stated differently, the end member body 406 can have a cross sectional profile in a plane defined along the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T that is substantially the same as that of the first or second ends 200c or 200d of the first connector housing 200. The end member body 406 can be configured to receive at least a portion of the printed circuit board 702 when the electrical assembly is mated to the printed circuit board 702. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the end member body 406 defines a recess 408 extends that extends into the front end 400a along the longitudinal direction L and into the inner side surface 400h. The recess 408 can define at least one, such as a plurality of bevelled surfaces 410 proximate the front end 400a, the bevelled surfaces 410 configured to guide the printed circuit board 702 into alignment within the respective recesses 206 and 306 of the first and second connector housing 200 and 300 during mating of the first electrical connector 100 to the printed circuit board 702.
Referring now to
The interconnect member body 502 can define any suitable shape as desired. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the interconnect member body 502 can have a cross sectional profile in a plane defined along the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T that is substantially the same as that of the first connector housing 200. The interconnect member 500 can be configured so that a portion of the interconnect member body 502 is received by a complementary portion of the printed circuit board 702 when the first electrical connector 100 is mated to the printed circuit board 702. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the interconnect member body 502 defines a recess 504 that extends into the front end 500a along the longitudinal direction L. The recess 504 can define a shorter depth along the longitudinal direction L than a depth along the longitudinal direction L of one or both of the recesses 206 and 306, such that an intermediate portion 506 of the interconnect member body 502 is received in the notch 712 of the printed circuit board 702. The intermediate portion 506 can act to ensure proper alignment of the first electrical connector 100 relative to the printed circuit board 702 as the first electrical connector 100 is mated to the printed circuit board 702. The recess 504 can further define at least one, such as a pair of bevelled surfaces 508 proximate the front end 500a, the bevelled surfaces 508 configured to guide the printed circuit board 702 into alignment within the respective recesses 206 and 306 of the first and second connector housing 200 and 300 during mating of the first electrical connector 100 to the printed circuit board 702.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the interconnect member 500 can be coupled to the first and second connector housings 200 and 300 utilizing an ultrasonic welding process. However the interconnect member 500 can be configured to couple the first and second connector housings 200 and 300 to one another using any other suitable method as desired. For example, the interconnect member 500 can include at least one, such as a plurality of coupling members configured to engage with complementary coupling members supported by respective the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200 and the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300.
Referring now to
The spacer member body 602 can define any suitable shape as desired. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the spacer member body 602 can have a cross sectional profile in a plane defined along the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T that is substantially the same as that of the first connector housing 200. The spacer member 600 can be configured so that a portion of the spacer member body 602 receives at least a portion of the printed circuit board 702 when the first electrical connector 100 is mated to the printed circuit board 702. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the spacer member body 602 defines a recess 604 that extends into the front end 600a along the longitudinal direction L. The recess 604 can define a depth along the longitudinal direction L that is substantially equal to the depth along the longitudinal direction L of one or both of the recesses 206 and 306. The recess 604 can further define at least one, such as a pair of bevelled surfaces 606 proximate the front end 600a, the bevelled surfaces 606 configured to guide the printed circuit board 702 into alignment within the respective recesses 206 and 306 of the first and second connector housing 200 and 300 during mating of the first electrical connector 100 to the printed circuit board 702.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the spacer member 600 can be coupled to the second end 300d of the second connector housing 300 and to the inner side 400d of a respective one of the end members 400 utilizing an ultrasonic welding process. However the spacer member 600 can be configured to be coupled to the first and second connector housings 200 or 300 using any other suitable method as desired. For example, the spacer member 600 can include at least one, such as a plurality of coupling members configured to engage with complementary coupling members supported by respective the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200 and the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the spacer member 600 can be configured to define a closure member that closes the corresponding receptacle 306 when the spacer member 600 is affixed to the second connector housing 300.
Referring now to
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the above described steps of affixing components of the first electrical connector 100 to one another can comprise affixing the components to one another using at least one, such as a series of ultrasonic welding processes. For example, all of the components of the first electrical connector 100 can be aligned relative to one another, for example by placing the components into a jig, and can the first electrical connector 100 can be subjected to a single ultrasonic welding process. Alternatively, the components of the first electrical connector 100 can be ultrasonically welded to one another in any order using any number of ultrasonic welding processes as desired. Alternatively still, at least two, such as all of the components of the first electrical connector 100 can include the above described coupling members and constructing the first electrical connector 100 can include one or both of mechanical connecting complementary coupling members of components of the first electrical connector 100 and one or more ultrasonic welding processes.
Referring now to
The latch arm 414 can have a length along the longitudinal direction L, as defined by the front and rear ends 414a and 414b, such that the front end 414a is disposed forward of the front ends 200a and 300a of the first and second connector housings 200 and 300, and can be received in a respective latch opening 714 of the printed circuit board 702 (see
Referring now to
Referring now to
The second electrical connector 800 can include at least one or both of pluralities of electrical power contacts and pluralities electrical signal contacts that are configured to mate with the respective pluralities of electrical power contacts 204 and electrical signal contacts 304. For example, the second electrical connector 800 can include respective pluralities of electrical power contacts and electrical signal contacts that include blade type contact beams configured to be received between the resilient beams of corresponding pairs of electrical power contacts 204 and electrical signal contacts 304.
It should be appreciated the second electrical connector 800 can be constructed similarly to the first electrical connector 100. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the second electrical connector 800 can include end members 400′ that are configured to engage with the latch arms 414 of the end members 403. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the end members 400′ can define latch openings 402′ that are configured to receive and engage with respective hooks 415 of the latch arms 414 of the end members 403. The second electrical connector 800 can further include first and second connector housings 200′ and 300′ that support respective pluralities of electrical power contacts and electrical signal contacts and are configured as right angle connector housings. The second electrical connector 800 can further include an interconnect member 500′ and a spacer member 600′. The second electrical connector 800 can be constructed as described elsewhere herein, for instance with reference to the first electrical connector 100 illustrated in
Referring now to
As the first electrical connector 100 is mated to the second electrical connector 800, the hooks 415 of the respective latch arms 414 of the first and second end member 403a and 403b will come into contact with respective ones of first and second end members 400a′ and 400b′, causing the latch arms 414 to be biased inward along the lateral direction A. As the first electrical connector 100 advances further forward along the mating direction M, the hooks 415 will be disposed into respective ones of the latch openings 402′ of the first and second end members 400a′ and 400b′. The latch arms 414 will then resiliently snap back into their original non-biased orientations, thereby releasably locking the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 800.
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the end member 404 and the end member 400′ are not limited to the illustrated guidance members, and that the end member 404, and that end member 400′ can be alternatively configured using any other suitable guidance members as desired. For example, referring now to
Referring now to
As the first electrical connector 100 is mated to the second electrical connector 800, the posts 406′ of the first and second end members 400a′ and 400b′ will be received in respective the bores 418 of the first and second end members 404a and 404b, thereby causing the complementary pluralities of electrical power contacts and electrical signal contacts of the first and second electrical connectors 800 to align with one another. As the first electrical connector 100 is inserted further into the second electrical connector 800, the hooks 415 of the respective latch arms 414 of the first and second end member 404a and 404b will come into contact with respective ones of first and second end members 400a′ and 400b′, causing the latch arms 414 to be biased inward along the lateral direction A. As the first electrical connector 100 advances further forward along the mating direction M, the hooks 415 will be disposed into respective ones of the latch openings 402′ of the first and second end members 400a′ and 400b′. The latch arms 414 will then resiliently snap back into their original non-biased orientations, thereby releasably locking the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 800.
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the first electrical connector 100 is not limited to the embodiments illustrated herein, and that the first electrical connector 100 can be constructed utilizing a different arrangement of the components of the illustrated embodiment, or different components, in any combination as desired. For example, the first electrical connector 100 can be alternatively constructed in accordance with any of the following embodiments. The first electrical connector 100 can be constructed utilizing one or both of two or more first connector housings 200 and two or more second connector housings 300. For instance, the electrical assembly can be constructed such that the position of the first connector housing 200 and the second connector housing 300 along the lateral direction A are reversed. In accordance with another alternative embodiment, the first electrical connector 100 can be constructed having a second connector housing 300 and a pair of first connector housings 200, each first connector housing 200 disposed adjacent to a respective one of the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300. Alternatively, the electrical assembly can be constructed using only a first connector housing 200, or only a second connector housing 300. It should further still be appreciated that the second electrical connector 800 can be alternatively constructed to mate with any of the above-described embodiments of the first electrical connector 100.
The components of at least one or both of the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 800 can be provided as a kit. The kit can include any combination of the components of one or both of the first electrical connector 100 or the second electrical connector 800 as desired. For instance, the kit can include any combination of first connector housings 200, first connector housing 300, first connector housings 200′, and first connector housings 300′. The kit can further include any number of the first and second power contact inserts 212a and 212b and signal contact inserts 312, in any combination. The first and second connector housings 200, 300, 200′, 300′ can be configured the same or differently. The kit can further include any number of end member 400, such as the end members 401, 402, 403, or 404, and the end members 400′ in any combination, as desired. The kit can further include any number of one or all of the interconnect members 500 and 500′ and the spacer members 600 and 600′, in any combination.
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of assembling one or both of the first and second electrical connectors 800 can comprise the steps of providing or teaching the use of at least one of a first connector housing 200 and a second connector housing 300, first and second end members 400 or 400′, such as first and second end members 401a and 401b, first and second end member 402a and 402b, first and second end member 403a and 403b, first and second end member 404a and 404b, or first and second end member 400a′ and 400b′. The method can further include teaching the step of mounting the first end member 400 to a respective side of one of the first and second connector housings 200 and 300, such as the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200 or the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300. The method can further include teaching the step of mounting the second end member 400 to a respective side of one of the first and second connector housings 200 and 300, such as the first and second sides 200c and 200d of the first connector housing 200 or the first and second sides 300c and 300d of the second connector housing 300.
Although the electrical assembly has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and/or preferred methods, it should be understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation, and that the scope of the instant disclosure is not intended to be limited to those particulars, but rather is meant to extend to all structures, methods, and/or uses of the herein described electrical assembly. Those skilled in the relevant art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications to the electrical assembly as described herein, and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the instant disclosure, for instance as recited in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/595,834 filed Feb. 7, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61595834 | Feb 2012 | US |