Patent Application
20100178808
The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to electrical connectors for electronic modules.
Computers and servers may use numerous types of electronic modules, such as processor and memory modules (e.g. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), or Extended Data Out Random Access Memory (EDO RAM), and the like). The memory modules are produced in a number of formats such as, for example, Single In-line Memory Modules (SIMM's), or the newer Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMM's), Small Outline DIMM's (SODIMM's), and Fully Buffered DIMM's. Typically, the electronic modules are installed in one or more multi-pin sockets mounted on a system board or motherboard. Each electronic module has a card edge that provides an interface generally between two opposite rows of contacts in the socket.
There is an ongoing trend toward smaller electronic packages. This trend is accelerated by the adoption of certain standards such as the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) standard. In systems that adhere to the ATCA standard, the space provided for electronic modules and socket connectors is limited. Space limitations require that the size of the electronic modules as well as the socket connectors be reduced. At least some known socket connectors include electrical contacts having a vertical contact design. However, such vertical electrical contacts may not provide a socket connector with as low of a vertical profile as desired.
There is a need for a lower profile socket connector that may be used in space-limited applications.
In one embodiment, an electrical contact includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a mating contact portion for electrical connection with an electronic module, an intermediate portion extending from the mating contact portion, and a mounting contact portion extending from the intermediate portion for electrical connection with a circuit board. The mounting contact portion extends from the intermediate portion at a bend. The mounting contact portion extends from the bend to an end portion. The body also includes a push surface formed when a carrier strip that initially connects the electrical contact to other electrical contacts is separated from the electrical contact. The push surface is offset from the bend along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the mating contact portion.
Optionally, the push surface is located at least as close along the longitudinal axis to the end portion of the mounting contact portion as the bend. Optionally, the body further includes an arm extending from the intermediate portion, wherein the arm has an end portion that includes the push surface. The bend may include a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, with the push surface is optionally offset from the radially outer surface of the bend along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the mating contact portion. Optionally, the body further includes a pair of arms extending from the intermediate portion, wherein the push surface includes a pair of push surfaces, and each arm has an end portion that includes a corresponding one of the push surfaces. The bend optionally extends between the pair of arms.
The bend may be a first bend with the mounting contact portion further including a second bend. Optionally, the push surface is offset from the second bend along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the mating contact portion. Optionally, the intermediate portion includes an extension configured to engage a housing for retaining the electrical contact within the housing, wherein the push surface is defined by a portion of the extension. The extension optionally includes an arm, wherein the arm optionally has an end portion that includes the push surface.
In another embodiment, a socket connector assembly is provided for connecting an electronic module to a circuit board. The socket connector assembly includes a housing having a slot configured to receive a mating edge of the electronic module. A plurality of electrical contacts are held by the housing. Each electrical contact includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a mating contact portion for electrical connection with the electronic module, an intermediate portion extending from the mating contact portion, and a mounting contact portion extending from the intermediate portion for electrical connection with the circuit board. The mounting contact portion extends from the intermediate portion at a bend. The mounting contact portion extends from the bend to an end portion. The body also includes a push surface formed when a carrier strip that initially connects the electrical contact to other electrical contacts is separated from the electrical contact. The push surface is offset from the bend along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the mating contact portion.
Optionally, a key 44 is provided at an off-center position in the slot 26 for reception within a notch (not shown) in the electronic module 30 to assure that the electronic module 30 is properly aligned with respect to the connector assembly 10. One or more board locks 46 are optionally provided to mechanically attach the socket connector assembly 10 to the circuit board 42.
The housing end portions 18 and 20 are substantially identical and therefore only the housing end portion 18 is described in detail. The housing end portion 18 includes a cavity 52 between opposed towers 54 and 56 that extend outwardly at the mating face 22 of the housing body 14. An extractor 58 is received in the cavity 52. The extractor 58 is pivotably connected to the housing end portion 18 for retaining the electronic module 30 on the housing body 14 and for extracting the electronic module 30 from the housing body 14. Specifically, the extractor 58 extends outwardly between the towers 54 and 56 and is pivotable between an open position (
The extractor 58 includes a pair of opposite side portions 60 and 62 that each engages the electronic module 30. Specifically, each of the side portions 60 and 62 includes a side wall 64 and 66, respectively. The side walls 64 and 66 are spaced apart from one another such that an extractor slot 68 is defined therebetween. The extractor slot 68 is in communication with the slot 26 in the housing body 14. The extractor slot 68 receives an edge portion 76 of the substrate 48 of the electronic module 30. Opposite interior surfaces 70 and 72 of the side walls 64 and 66, respectively, include ribs 74 that engage the edge portion 76 of the substrate 48 of the electronic module 30 to stabilize the electronic module 30. Optionally, a beveled forward edge (not shown) on the ribs 74 provides guidance for facilitating entry of the edge portion 76 of the electronic module 30 into the extractor slot 68. The extractor 58 may include a latch element (not shown) that engages a notch (not shown) in the edge portion 76 of the substrate 48 of the electronic module 30 to facilitate retaining the electronic module 30 on the housing body 14. Opposite outer surfaces 80 and 82 of the side walls 64 and 66, respectively, may include a projection (not shown) that communicates with a retention receptacle (not shown) on inner surfaces 84 and 86 of the towers 54 and 56, respectively, to facilitate holding the extractor 58 in the closed position. A foot (not shown) of the extractor 58 engages a lower edge 87 (
The intermediate portion 92 of the inner electrical contact 34 includes a stem 94 extending a length L1. In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of extensions 100 extend outwardly at opposite side portions 102 and 104 of the stem 94. Similarly, the intermediate portion 192 of the outer electrical contact 36 includes a stem 194 extending a length L2. A pair of extensions 200 extend outwardly at opposite side portions 202 and 204 of the stem 194. As will be described below, the extensions 100 and 200 are configured to engage the housing body 14 (
The mating contact portion 38 of the inner electrical contact 34 includes a stem 106 that extends from the stem 94 of the intermediate portion 92 to the end portion 91 of the inner electrical contact 34. The stem 106 includes a bend 110 having a radially outer surface 112 and a radially inner surface 114. The contact pads 27 (
The mounting contact portion 40 of the inner electrical contact 34 extends from the intermediate portion 92 at a bend 116. The mounting contact portion 40 extends from the bend 116 to the end portion 93 of the inner electrical contact 34. The mounting contact portion 40 includes an optional bend 118. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the bends 116 and 118 are each approximately 90° such that sub-portions 120 and 122 of the mounting contact portion 40 extend approximately perpendicular and approximately parallel, respectively, to the longitudinal axis 37. Alternatively, the bend 116 and/or 118 may have any other angle than approximately 90° such that the sub-portions 120 and 122 each extend at any other angle relative to the longitudinal axis 37. The end portion 93 may be referred to herein as the end portion of a mounting contact portion. The bends 116 and 118 may be referred to herein as a “first bend” and a “second bend” respectively.
Similar to the inner electrical contact 34, the mounting contact portion 140 of the outer electrical contact 36 extends from the intermediate portion 192 at a bend 216. The mounting contact portion 140 extends from the bend 216 to the end portion 193 of the outer electrical contact 36. The mounting contact portion 140 includes an optional bend 218. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the bends 216 and 218 are each approximately 90° such that sub-portions 220 and 222 of the mounting contact portion 140 extend approximately perpendicular and approximately parallel, respectively, to the longitudinal axis 41. Alternatively, the bend 216 and/or 218 may have any other angle than approximately 90° such that the sub-portions 220 and 222 each extend at any other angle relative to the longitudinal axis 41. The end portion 193 may be referred to herein as the end portion of a mounting contact portion. The bends 216 and 218 may be referred to herein as a “first bend” and a “second bend” respectively.
Each of the inner and outer electrical contacts 34 and 36, respectively, includes one or more respective push surfaces 124 and 224. The push surfaces 124 are formed when a carrier strip 126 (
Although not shown, a plurality of the outer electrical contacts 36 (
Although each electrical contact 34 and 36 is shown as having a respective pair of two arms 132 and 232 and a respective pair of two push surfaces 124 and 224, each electrical contact 34 and 36 may include any number of arms 132 and 232, respectively, and each electrical contact 34 and 36 may include any number of push surfaces 124 and 224, respectively.
Referring again to
Although one pair of two of each of the extensions 100 and the extensions 200 are shown, the respective intermediate portions 92 and 192 may each include any number of pairs of the respective extensions 100 and 200, and any number of the respective extensions 100 and 200 overall, that enable the extension(s) 100 and 200 to function as described and/or illustrated herein. In some embodiments, some or all of the extensions 100 and/or 200 are not paired with another respective extension 100 and 200 on the opposite side portion 102 or 104 and 202 or 204, respectively. Moreover, each extension 100 and 200 may extend from either of the side portion 102 or 104 and 202 or 204, respectively, and may be located at any portion of the respective length L1 and L2 of the respective stem 94 and 194 (whether or not the extension 100 and/or 200 is paired with, and/or has the same location along the respective length L1 and L2 as, another extension 100 and 200, respectively, on the respective opposite side portion 102 or 104 and 202 or 204).
The size, shape, and location on the electrical contacts 34 and 36 of each of the respective portions 38, 40, 92, 138, 140, and 192, as well as the overall size and geometry of the electrical contacts 34 and 36 overall, is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but rather may be any size, shape, location, geometry, and/or the like that enables the electrical contacts 34 and 36 to function as described and/or illustrated herein. In the some embodiments, the exemplary geometry of the electrical contacts 34 and 36 described and/or illustrated herein may result in approximately equal electrical path lengths between some or all of the mounting contact portions 40 and/or 140.
Although the exemplary embodiment includes two, each side wall 300 and 302 of each opening 32 may include any number of portions 308 for cooperating with any number of extensions 100 or 200 on the corresponding intermediate portion 92 or 192. Each portion 308 may include any suitable shape, and may have any suitable location on the corresponding side wall 300 or 302, that enables the portion 308 to cooperate with the corresponding extension 100 or 200 to facilitate retaining the corresponding electrical contact 34 or 36 as described and illustrated herein.
In the exemplary embodiment of
For example,
Each of the electrical contacts 434 and 436 includes one or more push surfaces 424. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the push surfaces 424 is located closer along the corresponding longitudinal axis 437 and 441 to the corresponding end portion 493 than the corresponding bend 416. Specifically, with respect to the inner electrical contact 434, each of the push surfaces 424 is located a distance D5 from the end portion 493 that is less than a distance D6 of the closest portion of a radially outer surface 535 of the bend 416 to the end portion 493. Similarly, with respect to the outer electrical contact 436, each of the push surfaces 424 is located a distance D7 from the end portion 493 that is less than a distance D8 of the closest portion of a radially outer surface 535 of the bend 416 to the end portion 493. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment, each of the push surfaces 424 is offset from the corresponding bend 416 along the corresponding longitudinal axis 437 and 441 in a direction away from the corresponding mating contact portion 438. Alternatively one or more of the push surfaces 424 is located a distance from the corresponding end portion 493 that is approximately equal to a distance of any portion of the corresponding bend 416 from the corresponding end portion 493. The distances D5 and D7 of each of the corresponding push surfaces 424 from the corresponding end portion 493 is optionally less than, or approximately equal to, a distance of any portion (e.g., a radially inner surface 537) of an optional corresponding bend 418 from the corresponding end portion 493.
Moreover, and for example,
The electrical contact 636 includes one or more push surfaces 624. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the push surfaces 624 is offset from the bend 616 along the longitudinal axis 641 in a direction away from the mating contact portion 638. Specifically, each of the push surfaces 624 is offset along the longitudinal axis 641 a distance D9 from a portion of a radially outer surface 735 of the bend 616 that is furthest (along the longitudinal axis 641) from the mating contact portion 638. Alternatively one or more of the push surfaces 624 is approximately aligned with any portion of the bend 616.
The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may provide a lower profile socket connector that may be suitable for use in limited space applications. For example, the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein provide a socket connector having electrical contacts that may have a mating contact portion having an increased length. In some embodiments, the connector meets ATCA height restrictions. The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may provide an electrical connector wherein some or all of a plurality of electrical contacts of the electrical connector have a skewless electrical path.
The connector embodiments described and/or illustrated are not limited to use with any exemplary type of electronic module described and/or illustrated herein, but rather may be used with any suitable type of electronic module, such as, but not limited to, processor modules and/or memory modules, such as, but not limited to, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Extended Data Out Random Access Memory (EDO RAM), Single In-line Memory Modules (SIMM's), Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMM's), Small Outline DIMM's (SODIMM's), Fully Buffered DIMM's, and/or the like. Although described and illustrated herein as a socket connector, the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein are not limited to socket connectors, but rather may be any suitable type of connector, such as, but not limited to, a plug connector and/or a surface connector.
Exemplary embodiments are described and/or illustrated herein in detail. The embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components and/or steps of each embodiment may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. Each component, and/or each step of one embodiment, can also be used in combination with other components and/or steps of other embodiments. When introducing elements/components/etc. described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, and “at least one” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element(s)/component(s)/etc. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s)/component(s)/etc. other than the listed element(s)/component(s)/etc. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. in the claims are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described and/or illustrated 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 description and illustrations. The scope of the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 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.
While the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
