Patent Application
20240250480
The subject matter herein relates generally to card edge connectors of communication systems.
Some communication systems utilize communication connectors, such as card edge connectors to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable modules, such as I/O modules or circuit cards, which are electrically connected to the card edge connectors. The pluggable modules have module circuit boards having card edges that are mated with the card edge connectors during the mating operation. Each card edge connector typically has an upper row of contacts and a lower row of contact for mating with the corresponding circuit board.
Known card edge connectors are not without disadvantages. For instance, at high data rates, signal performance of known electrical connectors may be inadequate. For example, cross-talk and return loss affect the signal integrity at high data rates. Known electrical connectors provide ground contacts between signal contacts. However, the ground contacts may be ineffective at providing adequate shielding for the signal contacts, particularly at high data rates.
A need remains for a reliable card edge connector.
In one embodiment, a card edge connector for mating with a pluggable module is provided and includes a connector housing including a top and a bottom. The housing has a front and a rear. The housing has a first side and a second side. The connector housing includes a cavity extending between the front and the rear. The connector housing includes a card slot at the front configured to receive a module circuit board of the pluggable module. The card edge connector includes a contact assembly received in the cavity. The contact assembly has a contact positioner holding contacts in a contact array. The contacts are arranged in pairs in the contact array. Each contact includes a mating end, a terminating end, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the terminating end. The intermediate portion held by the contact positioner. The mating ends extend into the card slot for mating to corresponding signal pads on the module circuit board. The card edge connector includes a shield structure coupled to the contact assembly. The shield structure includes ground shields located between the pairs of the contacts. The ground shields include ground beams that extend into the card slot for mating to corresponding ground pads on the module circuit board.
In another embodiment, a card edge connector for mating with a pluggable module is provided and includes a connector housing including a top and a bottom. The housing has a front and a rear. The housing has a first side and a second side. The connector housing includes a cavity extending between the front and the rear. The connector housing includes a card slot at the front configured to receive a module circuit board of the pluggable module. The card edge connector includes a contact assembly received in the cavity. The contact assembly has a contact positioner holding contacts in a contact array. The contacts are arranged in pairs in the contact array. Each contact includes a mating end, a terminating end, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the terminating end. The intermediate portion held by the contact positioner. The mating ends extend into the card slot for mating to corresponding signal pads on the module circuit board. The card edge connector includes a shield structure coupled to the contact assembly. The shield structure includes ground shields located between the pairs of the contacts. The ground shields include ground beams that extend into the card slot for mating to corresponding ground pads on the module circuit board. The ground shields include shield panels extend along the ground beams.
In a further embodiment, a communication system is provided and includes a pluggable module including a module circuit board having contact pads at a card edge. The communication system includes a card edge connector receiving the pluggable module. The card edge connector includes a connector housing holding a contact assembly and a shield structure. The connector housing includes a top and a bottom. The housing has a front and a rear. The housing has a first side and a second side. The connector housing includes a cavity extending between the front and the rear. The connector housing includes a card slot at the front receiving the card edge of the module circuit board. The contact assembly has a contact positioner holding contacts in a contact array. The contacts are arranged in pairs in the contact array. Each contact includes a mating end, a terminating end, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the terminating end. The intermediate portion held by the contact positioner. The mating ends extend into the card slot for mating to corresponding signal pads on the module circuit board. The shield structure includes ground shields located between the pairs of the contacts. The ground shields include ground beams that extend into the card slot for mating to corresponding ground pads on the module circuit board.
In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system 100 includes a host circuit board 102. The card edge connector 110 is mounted to the host circuit board 102. The pluggable module 106 is electrically connected to the host circuit board 102 through the card edge connector 110. However, in alternative embodiments, the card edge connector 110 may be terminated to ends of cables (not shown) rather than the host circuit board 102.
In the illustrated embodiment, the communication system 100 is arranged with the host circuit board 102 oriented perpendicular to the pluggable module 106 and the mating direction of the pluggable module 106 with the card edge connector 110. For example, the host circuit board 102 is oriented vertically and the pluggable module 106 oriented horizontally. Other orientations are possible in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the card edge connector 110 is a straight or pass-through connector with the mating end opposite the terminating end or mounting end. However, in alternative embodiments, the card edge connector 110 may be a right-angle connector with the mating end oriented perpendicular to the terminating/mounting end.
The pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 190 having a card edge 192 configured to be plugged into the card edge connector 110. The module circuit board 190 includes an upper surface 191 and a lower surface 193 with the card edge 192 between the surfaces 191, 193. The module circuit board 190 includes contact pads 194 at the card edge 192, such as on both the upper surface 191 and the lower surface 193. The contact pads 194 may be connected to traces, vias or other circuit components of the module circuit board 190.
The pluggable module 106 may include other elements in alternative embodiments, such as a plug housing or plug body that holds and surrounds at least a portion of the module circuit board 190. For example, the module circuit board 190 may be located within a cavity of the plug body and present at the mating end of the plug body for mating with the card edge connector 110. The pluggable module 106 may include a latch or other structure to secure the pluggable module 106 to the card edge connector 110.
The receptacle connector assembly 104 may include other elements in alternative embodiments, such as a receptacle cage that surrounds the card edge connector 110 and that receives the pluggable module 106. The receptacle cage may provide shielding for the card edge connector 110 and the pluggable module 106. The pluggable module 106 may be coupled to the receptacle cage, such as being latchably coupled to the receptacle cage. The receptacle cage may include an elongated channel that receives the pluggable module 106. The receptacle cage may be a shell that surrounds at least a portion of the card edge connector 110.
The connector housing 200 extends between a front 206 and a rear 208. The connector housing 200 extends between a top 210 and a bottom 212. The connector housing 200 extends between opposite sides 214, 216. The connector housing 200 may be generally box shaped in various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear 208 defines a mounting end configured to be mounted to the host circuit board 102 (shown in
The connector housing 200 includes a top wall 220 at the top 210 and a bottom wall 222 at the bottom 212. The cavity 204 is defined between the top wall 220 and the bottom wall 222. The cavity 204 is open at the front 206 to receive the module circuit board 190. In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity 204 is open at the rear 208 to receive the contact assembly 202. However, the cavity 204 may be open at the bottom to receive the contact assembly 202, such as when the card edge connector 110 is a right-angle connector.
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 200 includes mounting brackets 224 for mounting the card edge connector 110 to the host circuit board 102. The mounting brackets 224 may be located at the sides 214, 216, such as at the rear 208 of the connector housing 200. Other locations are possible in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, connector mounts 226 are coupled to the mounting bracket 224. The connector mounts 226 are used to mount the card edge connector 110 to the host circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector mounts 226 include solder tabs configured to be soldered to the host circuit board 102. Other types of connector mounts 226 may be used in alternative embodiments, such as threaded fasteners, clips, or other mounting features.
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 200 includes a card slot 230 configured to receive the module circuit board 190. The walls of the connector housing 200 surround the card slot 230. For example, the card slot 230 is defined between the top wall 220 and the bottom wall 222. The card slot 230 is open at the front 206 to receive the module circuit board 190. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 200 includes lead-in surfaces at the front 206 to guide the module circuit board 190 into the card slot 230. The height of the card slot 230 (between the top and bottom walls 220, 222) may be approximately equal to a thickness of the module circuit board 190 to vertically position the module circuit board 190 in the card slot 230. The width of the card slot 230 (between the side walls) may be approximately equal to the width of the plug portion of the module circuit board 190 to horizontally position the module circuit board 190 in the card slot 230.
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 200 includes contact channels 232 within the cavity 204. The contact channels 232 are located within the card slot 230. The contact channels 232 are configured to receive contacts of the contact assembly 202. The contact channels 232 may be provided at the top wall 220 and the bottom wall 222 to receive upper and lower rows of the contacts, respectively. The connector housing 200 includes separating walls 234 between the contact channels 232 for locating the contacts of the contact assembly 202 relative to each other within the cavity 204, such as to align the contacts with corresponding contact pads on the host circuit board 102.
The contact assembly 202 includes a contact positioner 240 holding contacts 270 arranged in a contact array 272. Optionally, the contacts 270 may be arranged in an upper array and a lower array to mate with opposite sides of the module circuit board 190. The contacts 270 extend from the contact positioner 240 into the card slot 230. The contacts 270 are received in corresponding contact channels 232. In various embodiments, the contacts 270 are arranged in pairs configured to convey differential signals. The shield structure 300 provides electrical shielding for the contact assembly 202. For example, the shield structure 300 may be located between the pairs of the contacts 270. The shield structure 300 may be located between the upper and lower contact arrays. In an exemplary embodiment, the shield structure 300 includes ground beams 320 configured to be connected to the module circuit board 190. The ground beams 320 may be received in corresponding contact channels 232.
The contact assembly 202 includes the contact positioner 240 and the contacts 270. The contact positioner 240 includes one or more contact holders 242 that hold the corresponding contacts 270. The contact holders 242 may be overmolded over the corresponding contacts 270. In an exemplary embodiment, each contact holder 242 holds a pair of the contacts 270. The contact holders 242 are separate and discrete from each other, but may be coupled together or coupled to another structure, such as the shield structure, to position the contact holders 242 within the contact assembly 202. In various embodiments, the contact holders 242 includes upper contact holders 242a holding the upper contacts and lower contact holders 242b holding the lower contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact holders 242 are separated by gaps 244. The shield structure 300 is received in the gaps 244, such as to provide electrical shielding between the corresponding contacts 270, such as between the pairs of the contacts 270. However, in alternative embodiments, the contact positioner 240 may include a single contact holder 242 holding all of the contacts 270, or a pair of contact holders, such as an upper contact holder holding all of the upper contacts and a lower contact holder holding all of the lower contacts.
In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts 270 may be stamped and formed contacts stamped from a lead frame. The contacts 270 may be arranged in one or more rows, such as an upper row of upper contacts 270a and a lower row of lower contacts 270b. The upper contacts 270a and the lower contacts 270b may be identical, however may be oriented differently within the contact assembly 202 (for example, downward facing versus upward facing).
Each contact 270 includes a contact body 280 having a mating end 282, a terminating end 284, and an intermediate portion 286 between the mating end 282 and the terminating end 284. The intermediate portion 286 is held by the contact holder 242 of the contact positioner 240. For example, the intermediate portion 286 may be overmolded by the contact holder 242. The intermediate portion 286 may extend rearward of the contact holder 242 to the terminating end 284 and/or forward of the contact holder 242 to the mating end 282. In an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate portion 286 is angled inward (for example, toward a center plane of the contact assembly 202) from the contact holder 242 to the mating end 282. For example, the intermediate portion 286 of the upper contact 270a is tapered downward whereas the intermediate portion 286 of the lower contact 270b is tapered upward.
The terminating end 284 is configured to be terminated to the host circuit board 102 (or a conductor of the corresponding cable). For example, the terminating end 284 may include a solder pad configured to be soldered to the host circuit board 102 (or the conductor of the corresponding cable). In alternative embodiments, the terminating end 284 may include a compliant pin configured to be press-fit into the host circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminating end 284 is bent approximately 90° relative to the intermediate portion 286 such that a surface of the contact 270 at the terminating end 284 is configured to be soldered to the host circuit board 102. Such surfaces may be co-planer within the contact array.
The mating end 282 is provided at the front of the contact 270. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact 270 includes a spring beam 288 at the mating end 282. The spring beam 288 is flexible and configured to be deflected when mated with the module circuit board 190. The spring beam 288 includes a mating interface for the mating end 282 configured to engage and electrically connect to the corresponding contact pad 194 at the card edge 192 of the module circuit board 190. In an exemplary embodiment, the mating end 282 is curved to include a lead-in at the distal tip for mating with the module circuit board 190. However, in alternative embodiments, the mating end may be generally flat at the distal tip to eliminate the lead-in and thus reduce electrical stub.
In an exemplary embodiment, the shield structure 300 includes a plurality of ground shields 310 and a connecting plate 350 electrically connecting each of the ground shields 310. The ground shields 310 and the connecting plate 350 provide shielding for the contacts 270, such as between the pairs of the contacts 270. For example, the connecting plate 350 may be located between the upper contacts 270a and the lower contacts 270b. Optionally, multiple connecting plates 350 may be provided, such as along the top of the contact assembly 202 and the bottom of the contact assembly 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the ground shields 310 provide horizontal shielding (in a horizontal direction) whereas the connecting plate 350 provides vertical shielding (in a vertical direction). The connecting plate 350 may be a stamped and formed part.
Each ground shield 310 may be a stamped and formed part. The ground shield 310 includes a ground plate 312 and at least one of the ground beams 320. The ground plates 312 are configured to provide electrical shielding between corresponding contacts 270 of the contact assembly 202, such as between pairs of the contacts 270. The ground plate 312 is coupled to the contact positioner 240, such as being received in the gaps 244. The ground plate 312 is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate 350.
In an exemplary embodiment, each ground plate 312 includes a plurality of pins 314 configured to be electrically connected to the host circuit board 102. For example, the pins 314 may be solder pins or press-fit pins configured to be electrically connected to the host circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the pins 314 may be eye-of-the-needle pins. The pins 314 are provided at the rear edge of the ground plate 312 in the illustrated embodiment.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plate 312 includes shield tabs 316 at the rear end of the ground plate 312. The shield tabs 316 extend from the top and the bottom of the ground plate 312. The shield tabs 316 are configured to be located between the terminating ends 284 of the contacts 270, such as between the solder tails.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plate 312 includes a ground plate slot 318 configured to receive the connecting plate 350. In various embodiments, the ground plate 312 includes interference bumps (not shown) extending into the ground plate slot 318 to create an interference fit with the connecting plate 350. The ground plate slot 318 may be open at a front edge of the ground plate 312. The ground plate slot 318 may be approximately centered between a top and a bottom of the ground plate 312. The ground plate 312 includes an upper portion above the ground plate slot 318 and a lower portion below the ground plate slot 318. The upper portion of the ground plate 312 is located between the pairs of the upper contacts 270a to provide shielding between the pairs of the upper contacts 270a. The lower portion of the ground plate 312 is located between the pairs of the lower contacts 270b to provide shielding between the pairs of the lower contacts 270b.
In the illustrated embodiment, each ground shield 310 includes a pair of the ground beams 320, such as an upper ground beam 320a and a lower ground beam 320b. The ground beams 320 provide shielding along the mating ends 282 of the contacts 270. Each ground beam 320 extends forward of the ground plate 312. The ground beam 320 includes an inner panel 322 and an outer spring beam 324 extending forward of the inner panel 322. The spring beam 324 is deflectable. The spring beam 324 includes a bump 326 defining a mating interface. The mating interface is configured to be coupled to the module circuit board 190. In the illustrated embodiment, the ground beam 320 includes a wrapped portion 328. For example, the spring beam 324 is wrapped inwardly to interface with the module circuit board 190. The wrapped portion 328 is provided at the front of the ground beam 320 in the illustrated embodiment. The spring beam 324 extends rearwardly back toward the inner panel 322 and the ground plate 312. The inner panel 322 and the spring beam 324 extend along different sections of the mating ends 282 and provide shielding for the mating ends 282 of the contacts 270.
The connecting plate 350 includes connecting plate slots 358 configured to receive the ground plates 312 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, each upper contact holder 242a includes an upper portion 246 above the connecting plate 350 and a lower portion 248 below the connecting plate 350. The upper portion 246 holds the contacts 270a. The upper portion 246 is overmolded over the contacts 270a. In an exemplary embodiment, the plastic material of the upper contact holder 242a passes through the corresponding opening 356 to form the upper portion 246 and the lower portion 248.
In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact holders 242a includes connecting features 250 for connecting the upper contact holders 242a to the corresponding lower contact holders 242b (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact holders 242a includes alignment features 252 for positioning the upper contact holders 242a relative to the corresponding lower contact holders 242b. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment features 252 are grooves or channels formed in the lower portion 248. Other types of alignment features may be used in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the lower contact holders 242b include connecting features 254 for connecting the lower contact holders 242b to the corresponding upper contact holders 242a (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact holders 242a includes alignment features 256 for positioning the lower contact holders 242b relative to the corresponding upper contact holders 242a. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment features 256 are ribs extending from the upper surface of the lower contact holders 242b. Other types of alignment features may be used in alternative embodiments.
The ground shield 410 may be a stamped and formed part. The ground shield 410 includes a ground plate 412 and at least one of the ground beams 420. The ground plate 412 is configured to provide electrical shielding between corresponding contacts 270 of the contact assembly 202 (both
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plate 412 includes a plurality of pins 414 configured to be electrically connected to the host circuit board 102. For example, the pins 414 may be solder pins or press-fit pins configured to be electrically connected to the host circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the pins 414 may be eye-of-the-needle pins. The pins 414 are provided at the rear edge of the ground plate 412 in the illustrated embodiment.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plate 412 includes shield tabs 416 at the rear end of the ground plate 412. The shield tabs 416 extend from the top and the bottom of the ground plate 412.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plate 412 includes a ground plate slot 418 configured to receive the connecting plate 350. In various embodiments, the ground plate 412 includes interference bumps (not shown) extending into the ground plate slot 418 to create an interference fit with the connecting plate 350. The ground plate slot 418 may be open at a front edge of the ground plate 412. The ground plate slot 418 may be approximately centered between a top and a bottom of the ground plate 412. The ground plate 412 includes an upper portion above the ground plate slot 418 and a lower portion below the ground plate slot 418.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ground shield 410 includes a pair of the ground beams 420, such as an upper ground beam and a lower ground beam. The ground beams 420 provide shielding along the mating ends 282 of the contacts 270. Each ground beam 420 extends forward of the ground plate 412. The ground beam 420 includes a spring beam 424 cantilevered from a front edge of the ground plate 412. The spring beam 424 is deflectable. The spring beam 424 includes a bump 426 defining a mating interface. The mating interface is configured to be coupled to the module circuit board 190.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground shield 410 includes shield panels 430 associated with the ground beams 420. The shield panels 430 provide shielding along the ground beams 420. The shield panels 430 are wider than the ground beams 420 and define a shield wall along and covering the ground beams 420. The shield panels 430 may be located above and/or below the corresponding ground beams 420. In an exemplary embodiment, the shield panels 430 cover the bumps 426 (for example, when the spring beams 424 are deflected outward, the bumps are covered by the shield panels 430. The shield panels 430 may interface with the module circuit board 190. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield panel 430 includes an inner support arm 432 and an outer shield arm 434 extending from and supported by the inner support arm 432. The shield panel 430 includes a wrapped portion 436 between the inner support arm 432 and the outer shield arm 434. For example, the shield panel 430 is folded over at the wrapped portion 436. For example, the inner support arm 432 extends forwardly and the outer shield arm 434 extends rearwardly. The inner support arm 432 is coplanar with the spring beam 424 whereas the outer shield arm 434 is offset from the ground beam 420 and the support arm 432. The distal tip of the outer shield arm 434 may be aligned with the ground plate 412 to provide coverage along the entire length of the ground beam 420.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ground shields 410 are configured to be loaded into the cavity 204 through the rear 208. The ground shields 410 are configured to be loaded into corresponding gaps 244 between the contact holders 242. The ground shields 410 are configured to be coupled to the connecting plate 350. For example, the connecting plate 350 may be received in the ground plate slots 418 of the ground plates 412 and/or the ground plates 412 may be received in the connecting plate slots 358 (
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
