Patent Application
20110059652
The present invention relates to electrical connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to electrical connectors configured to couple circuit boards and adapted to transmit power, low frequency signals, or radiofrequency signals between the circuit boards.
When one printed circuit board must be electrically connected to another printed circuit board, several pathways must be provided between the two printed circuit boards. The several pathways include pathways for power signals, reference potentials, direct current signals, low frequency signals, or higher frequency radiofrequency signals. Each type of signal requires a connector with a specific construction to provide the optimal pathway for that type of signal with low signal loss. Such connectors include soldered wires, cable assemblies, or radiofrequency coaxial connectors.
However, there is a need in the art for a connector that can combine one or more of the pathways for different kinds of signals in a single housing. The connector should also be scalable to accommodate the various signals that must be transmitted between circuit boards. Furthermore, there is a need for a connector that can be mated when the circuit boards are not precisely aligned with each other.
Accordingly, one aspect of the invention may provide a connector that includes a contact and a housing that receives the contact. The contact includes at least first and second prongs and a tension portion joining the first and second prongs that biases the prongs away from one another. The housing includes a slot shaped to receive the contact such that the first and second prongs are forced together against the bias of the tension portion.
Another aspect of the present invention may provide a connector that includes a contact, a housing having a slot that receives the contact, and a flange that extends from the housing. The contact includes a mating portion shaped substantially as a blade, and a coupling portion opposite the mating portion. The housing has a printed circuit board engaging surface, and the flange extends beyond the printed circuit board engaging surface of the housing. The flange substantially surrounds the mating portion of the contact.
Yet another aspect of the present invention may provide a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector. The first connector has a contact and a housing that receives the contact. The contact of the first connector includes a mating portion shaped substantially as a blade and a coupling portion opposite the mating portion. The second connector has a mating contact configured to mate with the contact of the first connector and a housing that receives the mating contact. The mating contact includes at least first and second prongs and a tension portion joining the first and second prongs that biases the prongs away from one another. The housing that receives the mating contact includes a slot shaped to receive the mating contact such that the first and second prongs are forced together against the bias of the tension portion.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
Referring to
When the first connector 102 is mated to the second connector 104, the connector assembly 100 provides one or more pathways for signals, preferably RF signals, between the first circuit board 106 and the second circuit board 108. In particular, when the first connector 102 is mated to the second connector 104, the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 provide an electrical pathway between one or more of the first conductors 112 on the first surface 110 of the first circuit board 106 and one or more of the second conductors 116 on the second surface 114 of the second circuit board 108.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first surface 110 of the first circuit board 106 and the second surface 114 of the second circuit board 108 are shown substantially parallel to each other. However, in other embodiments, the first surface 110 and the second surface 114 need not be parallel to each other. Also, as best seen in
Referring to
Preferably, each contact 120, 122, and 124 is first formed with a geometry that provides adequate mechanical integrity for each contact 120, 122, and 124. Then, while maintaining the mechanical integrity of each contact 120, 122, and 124, the shape of the contacts 120, 122, and 124 are further optimized for the type of electrical signal for which each contact 120, 122, and 124 provides a pathway.
As best seen in
In a preferred embodiment, the first connector 102 has at least three contacts 120, 122, and 124. The outer contacts 120 and 124 preferably provide a pathway for a ground signal or a reference potential signal. The middle contact 122 provides a pathway for an electrical signal, such as an RF signal. Thus, the first connector 102 has contacts 120, 122, and 124 that are arranged to form a “ground-signal-ground” configuration. Such a “ground-signal-ground” configuration is useful for when the middle contact 122 provides a pathway for an RF signal. However, the number of contacts 120, 122, and 124 is not meant to be limiting. In other embodiments, the first connector 102 can have more than or less than the three contacts 120, 122, and 124 shown. The number of contacts 120, 122, and 124 is determined by the number of pathways that may be needed between the first circuit board 106 and the second circuit board 108. Also, in the embodiment shown, each contact 120, 122, and 124 includes a mating portion 126 that is shaped substantially as a blade and a coupling portion 128 that is adapted for soldering with one of the first conductors 112 of the first circuit board 106. The contacts 120, 122, and 124 are placed adjacent to each other such that the blade-shaped mating portions 126 are substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, each contact 120, 122, and 124 is preferably made from beryllium copper with a gold plating. In an alternate embodiment, the plating may be made from silver.
The contacts 120, 122, and 124 are received in the housing 118. The contacts 120, 122, and 124 can be coupled to the housing 118 such that the mating forces that arise as the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 are mated are not substantially transmitted to the coupling portions 128 of each of the contacts 120, 122, and 124. Thus, in an embodiment where, for example, the coupling portion 128 is soldered to the first circuit board 106, the mating forces that arise between the first and second connectors 102 and 104 as they are mated are not substantially transmitted to the soldered joints between the contacts 120, 122, and 124 and the first circuit board 106. In one embodiment, the housing 118 has one or more slots 128 that each receives one of the contacts 120, 122, or 124. The slots 128 align the contacts 120, 122, and 124 relative to each other. The housing 118 can be made from an insulative material, such as, but not limited to insulative plastic such as liquid crystal polymers, thermoset, thermoset polyethylene, thermoplastic such as acrylic or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastic polymer such as polycarbonate, thermoplastic fluoropolymer, fluorocarbon-based polymer, polyethylene, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK), silicone, glass, combinations of the aforementioned, or any other generally rigid material that is substantially insulative. In the embodiment shown, the housing 118 is preferably made from liquid crystal polymers (LCP). In an alternate embodiment, the housing 118 may be made from PEEK.
The housing 118 may also include a flange 130 that extends from the housing 118 and substantially around the mating portions 126 of the contacts 120, 122, and 124. The flange 130 can guide the second connector 104 to ensure proper alignment between the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 as they are being mated. In one embodiment, the flange 130 can be formed to receive the extending portion 172 of the second connector 104 (best seen in
The housing 118 may also include one or more tabs 132. Each tab 132 may have one or more apertures 134. Each aperture 134 receives a pin 136. The tabs 132 extend from the housing 118 such that the first connector 102 can be coupled to the first surface 110 of the first circuit board 106 by the pin 136 extending through the aperture 134 in each tab 132. Alternatively, the housing 118 of the first connector 102 may be coupled to the first circuit board 106 by soldering; press-fit couplings; interference-fit couplings; interlocking mechanical parts, such as nuts and bolt or rivets; adhesives; combinations of the aforementioned; or some other coupling the mechanically couples the housing 118 to the first circuit board 106.
In the embodiment shown, the pin 136 includes a pin head 138 and a post 140 extending from the pin head 138. The post 140 is sized to be received in and extend through the aperture 134; however, the pin head 138 is preferably sized so that it cannot fit through the aperture 134. Thus, when each aperture 134 receives the pin 136, the post 140 extends through the aperture 134 to the first surface 110 of the first circuit board 106; however the post 140 does not extend any further because the pin head 138 cannot pass through the aperture 134. The post 140 extends past the aperture so that it can be coupled to the first surface 110. In the embodiment shown, an interference-fit preferably couples the post 140 to the first surface 110. Also, in the embodiment shown, the housing 118 has two tabs 132 on opposite sides of the housing 118, and each tab 132 has one aperture 134. With such a construction, when the apertures 134 receive the pins 136, the pins 136 can also align the housing 118, and thus the first connector 102, properly with respect to the first circuit board 106. Furthermore, the depicted pin 136 is preferably made from brass with a tin plating with a thickness of approximately 2.5 micrometer.
Referring to
Preferably, each mating contact 150, 152, and 154 is first formed with a geometry that provides adequate mechanical integrity for each mating contact 150, 152, and 154. Then, while maintaining the mechanical integrity of each mating contact 150, 152, and 154, the shape of the mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 are further optimized for the type of electrical signal for which each mating contact 150, 152, and 154 provides a pathway.
As best seen in
In the embodiment shown, the second connector 104 has at least three mating contacts 150, 152, and 154. The outer mating contacts 150 and 154 preferably provide a pathway for a ground signal or a reference potential signal. The middle mating contact 152 preferably provides a pathway for an electrical signal. Thus, the second connector 104 has mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 that are arranged to form a “ground-signal-ground” configuration. Such a “ground-signal-ground” configuration is useful for when the middle mating contact 152 provides a pathway for an RF signal. However, the number of mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 is not meant to be limiting. In other embodiments, the second connector 104 can have more than or less than the three mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 shown. The number of mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 is determined by the number of pathways that may be needed between the first circuit board 106 and the second circuit board 108.
In an embodiment where, at least, one of the mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 provides a pathway for an RF signal, the spacing between and geometries of the mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 determine impedance to the RF signal in the connector assembly 100. The pathway for an RF signal should have an impedance substantially similar to the expected nominal impedance of the application in which the connector assembly 100 is to be used to minimize signal loss. If the impedance of the pathway is not substantially similar to the expected nominal impedance, then the RF signal experiences some signal reflection and thus signal loss. For example, in an application where the nominal impedance is expected to be approximately 50 Ohms, the contact assembly 100 should also have an impedance of approximately 50 Ohms between the contacts 120, 122, and 124 and the mating contacts 150, 152, and 154. Otherwise, the signal experiences signal reflection and thus signal loss. Low impedance or a capacitive impedance can be compensated for by a high impedance or an inductive impedance.
Also, in the embodiment shown, each mating contacts 150, 152, and 154 may include a mating portion 156 that may include two opposed prongs 160 with an area 161 between the prongs 160 adapted to receive a corresponding mating portion 126 of the first connector 102. The prongs 160 are joined at a tension portion 162 for each mating contact 150, 152, and 154. The tension portion 162 biases the opposed prongs 160 in a spaced apart manner. Furthermore, as best shown in
In the embodiment shown, each mating contact 150, 152, and 154 includes the coupling portion 158 that is adapted for soldering with one of the second conductors 116 of the second circuit board 108. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, each mating contact 150, 152, and 154 is preferably made from beryllium copper with a gold plating. In an alternate embodiment, the plating may be made from silver.
The mating contact 150, 152, and 154 are received in the housing 166, as best seen in
The housing 166 may also include an extending portion 172 that is shaped to fit substantially within the partial flange 130 (best shown in
The housing 166 may also include one or more tabs 174. Each tab 174 has one or more apertures 176. Each aperture 176 receives a pin 178. The tabs 174 extend from the housing 166 such that the second connector 104 can be coupled to the second surface 114 of the second circuit board 108 by the pin 178 extending through the aperture 176 in each tab 174. Alternatively, the housing 166 of the second connector 104 can be coupled to the second circuit board 108 by soldering, press-fit couplings, interference-fit couplings; interlocking mechanical parts such as nuts and bolt or rivets, adhesives, combinations of the aforementioned, or some other coupling the mechanically couples the housing 166 to the second circuit board 108.
In the embodiment shown, the pin 178 preferably includes a pin head 180 and a post 182 extending from the pin head 180. The post 182 is sized to be received in and extend through the aperture 176; however, the pin head 180 is sized so that it cannot fit through the aperture 176. Thus, when each aperture 176 receives the pin 180, the post 182 extends through the aperture 176 to the second surface 114 of the second circuit board 108, but the post 182 cannot extend any further because the pin head 180 cannot pass through the aperture 176. The post 182 extends past the aperture so that it can be coupled to the second surface 114. In the embodiment shown, an interference-fit preferably couples the post 182 to the second surface 114. Also, in the embodiment shown, the housing 166 has two tabs 174 on opposite sides of the housing 166, and each tab 174 has one aperture 176. With such a construction, when the apertures 176 receive the pins 178, the pins 178 can also align the housing 166, and thus the second connector 104, properly with respect to the second circuit board 108. Furthermore, the depicted pin 178 is preferably made from brass with a tin plating with a thickness of approximately 2.5 micrometer.
Referring to
As shown in
As apparent from the foregoing description, the connector assembly 100 can provide one or more pathways for several different kinds of signals. The connector assembly 100 has a first connector 102 and a second connector 104. The first connector 102 can be mated to the second connector 104 even when the second connector 104 is not completely aligned with the first connector 102. The first connector 102 and the second connector 104 can be scaled to provide one pathway for a single signal or several pathways for one or more different kinds of signals, such as power, low frequency signals, or radiofrequency signals.
While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
