CN221150367U

CN221150367U - Electrical connector and electronic system

Info

Publication number: CN221150367U
Application number: CN202390000050.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宋璐; 岑燎炬; 邱楠
Original assignee: Amphenol Commercial Products Chengdu Co Ltd; FCI Connectors Dongguan Co Ltd
Current assignee: Amphenol Commercial Products Chengdu Co Ltd; FCI Connectors Dongguan Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-06
Filing date: 2023-01-19
Publication date: 2024-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-19

Abstract

The application provides an electric connector and an electronic system. A compact card edge connector for transmitting power and high speed signals. The connector has a housing with a first portion holding a first conductor and a second portion holding a second conductor. The mounting end of the first conductor extends from the first portion and is configured for mounting to a printed circuit board for power transmission. The mounting end of the second conductor extends from the second portion and is configured for mounting a cable for signal transmission. The mounting ends of the second conductors are recessed from the corresponding intermediate portions. The housing has a base member with a protrusion adjacent the mounting end of the second type of conductor and a lossy member electrically coupled to the second type of conductor. This configuration meets the signal integrity requirements of connectors designed for speeds of 32Gbps and 64Gbps and higher, while conforming to standards that limit mating and mounting interfaces.

Description

Electrical connector and electronic system

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to electrical interconnect systems, such as those that include electrical connectors for interconnecting electronic components.

Background

Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is often easier and more cost-effective to manufacture the system as separate electronic subassemblies such as Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that can be connected together by electrical connectors. Having separable connectors enables components of electronic systems manufactured by different manufacturers to be easily assembled. The separable connector also enables components to be easily replaced after assembly of the system in order to replace defective components or upgrade the system with higher performance components.

A known arrangement for connecting several printed circuit boards is to have one printed circuit board act as a back plate. The known back-plate is a PCB on which a number of connectors can be mounted. Conductive traces in the backplane may be electrically connected to signal conductors in the connectors so that signals may be routed between the connectors. Other printed circuit boards, referred to as "daughter boards" or "daughter cards," may be connected by a backplane. For example, a connector may also be mounted on the daughter card. The connector mounted on the daughter card may be inserted into the connector mounted on the backplane. In this way, signals may be routed between daughter cards through the connector and backplane. The daughter card may be inserted into the backplane at a right angle. Connectors for these applications may therefore include right angle bends, and are commonly referred to as "right angle connectors.

The connectors can also be used in other configurations to interconnect printed circuit boards. Sometimes, one or more printed circuit boards may be connected to another printed circuit board called a "motherboard" that both extends over the electronic components and interconnects the daughter boards. In this configuration, the printed circuit board connected to the motherboard may be referred to as a "daughter board". The daughter boards are typically smaller than the motherboard and may sometimes be arranged parallel to the motherboard. Connectors used in such configurations are commonly referred to as "stacked connectors" or "mezzanine connectors. In other systems, the daughter board may be perpendicular to the motherboard.

For example, such configurations are often used in computers, where a motherboard may have a processor and a bus configured to transfer data between the processor and peripheral devices such as a graphics processor or memory. The connector may be mounted to the motherboard and connected to the bus. The peripheral may be implemented on a daughter card by a connector that mates with a connector on the bus so that separately manufactured peripherals can be easily integrated into a computer manufactured with a motherboard.

To improve the usability of the peripheral, the bus and the connector for physically connecting the peripheral through the bus may be standardized. In this way, a large number of peripherals can be obtained from a large number of manufacturers. All of these products can be used in a computer having a standard-compliant bus as long as they are standard-compliant. Examples of such standards include serial ATA (SATA), serial Attached SCSI (SAS), peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe), or SFF-8639, all of which are commonly used in computers. Over time, these standards have undergone many modifications to accommodate the higher performance requirements of computers.

Disclosure of utility model

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to hybrid electrical connectors capable of transmitting power and high-speed signals simultaneously.

Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include: a housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot; a plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and configured for mounting to a printed circuit board; and a plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot, a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end. The mounting end may be narrower than the intermediate portion and may be configured for a cable to be attached to the mounting end.

Optionally, for each of the plurality of second conductors: the intermediate portion may include a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides; the mounting end may include third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides; the third surface of the mounting end may extend from the first surface of the intermediate portion; and the fourth surface of the mounting end may be offset relative to the second surface of the intermediate portion.

Alternatively, the mating contact portions of the plurality of first conductors may have a first width in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction; the mating contact portions of the plurality of second conductors may have a second width in the longitudinal direction; and the first width may be greater than the second width.

Optionally, the intermediate portions of the plurality of first conductors of the third width have a third width in the longitudinal direction; and the third width is equal to the first width.

Alternatively, the intermediate portions of the plurality of second conductors may have a fourth width in the longitudinal direction; and the fourth width may be greater than the second width.

Optionally, the first portion of the housing may include a plurality of first channels each configured to hold one of the plurality of first conductors and a plurality of first partitions at least partially separating the plurality of first channels; each of the plurality of first partitions may include one or more slots; each of the plurality of first conductors may include a wider portion adjacent the mounting end; and the wider portion may extend into the slots of the first plurality of partitions.

Alternatively, the electrical connector may include a subassembly housing that holds the plurality of second conductors in a row along the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction. The second portion of the housing may include a plurality of second channels each configured to hold one of the plurality of second conductors and a plurality of second dividers at least partially separating the plurality of second channels; and the subassembly housing may be disposed between the plurality of second partitions and a wall of the housing.

Optionally, the plurality of first conductors may include a plurality of first type first conductors and a plurality of second type first conductors; the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type first conductors may include a portion that curves toward the first slot; and the plurality of first-type first conductors and the plurality of second-type first conductors may alternate in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

Alternatively, the mating ends of the plurality of first conductors may be aligned along a first line parallel to the longitudinal direction; the mounting ends of the plurality of first type first conductors may be aligned along a second line parallel to the first line; and the mounting ends of the plurality of second-type first conductors may be aligned along a third line parallel to the first line and offset relative to the second line in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction.

Alternatively, the mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors may include a tip portion that is disposed on a shelf of the first portion of the housing.

Alternatively, the mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors may include a tip portion disposed on a shelf of the second portion of the housing; and the shelf of the second portion of the housing may be lower than the shelf of the first portion of the housing in the mating direction.

Alternatively, the tip portion of each of the plurality of first conductors may be narrower than the corresponding mating contact.

Optionally, the plurality of second conductors may include a plurality of first-type second conductors and a plurality of second-type second conductors; the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of first type second conductors may include a surface inclined toward an adjacent first type second conductor; and the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type second conductors may include a portion that is bent toward an adjacent first-type second conductor.

Alternatively, the middle portion of each of the plurality of second type second conductors may include a protrusion protruding toward the second slot.

Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include: a housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot, and a bottom member attached to the second portion; a plurality of first conductors held by the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and extending beyond the bottom member in a mating direction; and a plurality of second conductors held by the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot and a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing and extending within the base member in the mating direction. The plurality of first conductors may be configured for mounting to a printed circuit board; and the plurality of second conductors may be configured for mounting a cable.

Alternatively, the base member may include a body, a plurality of struts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the struts toward the mounting ends of the plurality of second conductors.

Optionally, a portion of the plurality of protrusions may include a plurality of recesses; each of the plurality of second conductors may include a transition region between the intermediate portion and the mounting end; the plurality of second conductors may include a plurality of first-type second conductors and a plurality of second-type second conductors; and the transition regions of the plurality of first-type second conductors may be disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses.

Optionally, the housing may further comprise a lossy member configured to electrically couple with the plurality of second-type second conductors.

Alternatively, the lossy member may comprise a body, a plurality of first struts extending from the body towards the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of second struts extending from the body away from the second portion of the housing and disposed between adjacent struts of the base member.

Optionally, the plurality of second struts of the lossy member may comprise a plurality of recesses; and the transition regions of the plurality of second type second conductors are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses of the plurality of second legs of the lossy member.

Alternatively, the plurality of first struts of the lossy member may comprise a plurality of protrusions protruding towards the plurality of second type second conductors.

Alternatively, for each of the plurality of second type second conductors, the respective recess of the second leg may be offset relative to the protrusion of the first leg in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

Alternatively, the lossy member may comprise a plurality of first openings; the bottom member may include a plurality of second openings stacked below corresponding ones of the plurality of first openings of the lossy member in the mating direction; and the second portion of the housing may include a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions extending through a first opening of the lossy member and a second opening of the base member.

Optionally, the electrical connector may further comprise a subassembly housing holding the plurality of second conductors in a row along the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, the subassembly housing comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed in mating openings of the second portion of the housing.

Optionally, the middle portion of each of the plurality of second type second conductors may include a protrusion protruding toward the second slot; and the subassembly housing may include a plurality of openings disposed corresponding to the protrusions of the plurality of second type second conductors.

Some embodiments relate to electronic systems. The electronic system may include: a printed circuit board; an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising: a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion; a plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and mounted to the printed circuit board; and a plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing; and a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables including a pair of signal conductors and at least one ground conductor disposed adjacent to the pair of signal conductors, each of the pair of signal conductors and the at least one ground conductor being soldered to a mounting end of a respective one of the plurality of second conductors.

Alternatively, the printed circuit board may include a recess or an opening such that the plurality of cables pass through the recess or the opening.

Alternatively, the housing of the electrical connector may be secured to the printed circuit board at locations on opposite sides of the recess or the opening.

Alternatively, the printed circuit board may be a first printed circuit board; the electronic system may include a second printed circuit board; and the second printed circuit board may be electrically coupled with the first printed circuit board through the plurality of first conductors of the electrical connector and may be electrically coupled with the plurality of cables through the plurality of second conductors of the electrical connector.

Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include: a housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot; a plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end including a planar surface configured for mating with a third conductor; and a plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot and a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing and configured for mounting a cable.

Alternatively, the mounting ends of the plurality of first conductors may be located within the first portion of the housing.

Alternatively, the mounting ends of the plurality of first conductors may be aligned on a line along the longitudinal direction.

Alternatively, the electrical connector may comprise a power adapter comprising: an adapter housing; and a plurality of the third conductors held by the adapter housing.

Optionally, each of the plurality of third conductors includes a mating end including a mating contact configured for mating with a planar surface of a corresponding first conductor, a mounting end configured for mounting to a printed circuit board, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the mounting end and secured in the adapter housing.

Alternatively, the plurality of first conductors may be arranged in two rows; and the power adapter may be disposed between the two rows of first conductors.

Alternatively, each of the plurality of third conductors may include a mating contact portion that is curved toward the flat surface of the corresponding first conductor.

Alternatively, each of the plurality of third conductors may include a mounting contact configured for surface mounting to the printed circuit board.

These techniques may be used alone or in any suitable combination. The foregoing summary is provided by way of illustration and is not intended to be limiting.

Drawings

The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

Fig. 1A is a top front perspective view of a portion of an electronic system showing a hybrid card edge connector with power conductors mounted on a printed circuit board, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 1B is a bottom front perspective view of the electronic system of fig. 1A.

Fig. 2A is a top rear perspective view of a hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 1A, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2B is a bottom front perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C is a partially exploded perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2B, with the power conductors, signal conductors, and board locks hidden, showing an example in which an optional lossy member is mounted in the bottom member.

Fig. 2CA is an enlarged view of a first portion of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2B, with some of the power conductors hidden.

Fig. 2D is a perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A, wherein the housing is hidden.

Fig. 2E is a side view of a power conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2F is a perspective view of a set of signal conductors of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2G is a perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A, wherein the housing, the board lock, the power conductors, and some of the signal conductors are hidden.

Fig. 2H is a partially exploded perspective view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2G showing the lossy member and the base member.

Fig. 3A is a front perspective view of a conductor sub-assembly of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 3B is a rear perspective view of the conductor sub-assembly of fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A along the line labeled "4A-4A" in fig. 2A, showing the power conductors.

Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A along the line labeled "4B-4B" in fig. 2A, showing signal conductors.

Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A taken along a line parallel to the line labeled "4B-4B" in fig. 2A, showing upper portions of the first type of signal conductors and the second type of signal conductors.

Fig. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A taken along another line parallel to the line labeled "4B-4B" in fig. 2A, showing a lower portion of the second type signal conductor of fig. 4C.

Fig. 4E is a cross-sectional view of the divider of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 2A along the channel of the housing, the divider being shown as a line labeled "4E-4E" in fig. 2C.

Fig. 5 is a bottom side perspective view of a portion of an electronic system showing a hybrid card edge connector with cable mounted signal conductors, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 6 is a bottom side view of a housing of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the interior of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the lossy member of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of signal conductors of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a power conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a top front perspective view of a portion of an electronic system showing a hybrid card edge connector with power conductors mounted on a printed circuit board, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 12 is a bottom front perspective view of a portion of the electronic system of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a top front perspective view of the housing of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a bottom rear perspective view of the housing of fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a top front perspective view of a portion of the electronic system of fig. 11 with the housing of fig. 13 hidden.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a power conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of the body of the signal conductor subassembly of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a second type of signal conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a first type of signal conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the bottom member and lossy member of the hybrid card edge connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 21 is a top rear perspective view of a portion of an electronic system showing a hybrid card edge connector having power supply conductors electrically coupled to a printed circuit board, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the electronic system of fig. 21 with the housing of the hybrid card edge connector hidden.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the electronic system of fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a first type of signal conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 21.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a second type of signal conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 21.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the electronic system of fig. 22 showing the mating of the power conductors of the hybrid card edge connector with the power adapter.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a power conductor of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 21.

Fig. 28 is an enlarged perspective view of the power adapter of fig. 26.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a conductor of the power adapter of fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is an enlarged view of a portion of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 21 showing the base member and the lossy member.

Fig. 31 is a bottom perspective view of a housing of the hybrid card edge connector of the electronic system of fig. 21.

Detailed Description

The inventors have recognized and appreciated connector designs that support the use of high speed plug-in cards in compact electronic systems. Such connectors can overcome challenges associated with incompatible requirements for power and signal transmission in system design and maintain and/or improve signal integrity through hybrid connectors at higher speeds while ensuring that the add-in card can receive sufficient power without significantly increasing the size of the electronic system. Such connectors are capable of simultaneously transferring power and high speed signals.

Such a connector may have a first portion with conductors configured to carry power and a second portion with conductors configured for high speed signals. The conductors in the first portion may have mounting ends configured for connection to a printed circuit board on which the connector is mounted. The second portion of the connector may be configured for alignment with an opening through the printed circuit board and the high speed conductor of the second portion may have a mounting end configured for terminating a cable passing through the opening in the printed circuit board. The first portion and the second portion may be integrated to collectively provide a PCIe or other standard compliant mating interface. Connectors meeting the mechanical requirements of PCIe specifications at the performance required for 32Gbps and 64Gbps and higher are used as examples of connectors to which these technologies are applied. The connector may also be compatible with speeds below 32Gbps, such as PCIe Gen1 through Gen4.

Such electrical connectors may have one or more rows of conductors. Some conductors in a bank may be used as power conductors and some conductors may be used as high speed signal conductors. Alternatively, some conductors may be used as low speed signal conductors. Some of the low speed signal conductors and/or power conductors may also be designated as ground, providing a reference to signals carried on the signal conductors, or providing a return path for such signals. It should be appreciated that the ground conductor need not be connected to ground, but may carry a reference potential, which may include ground (earth ground), a dc voltage, or other suitable reference potential.

The connector may have a housing with a first portion configured to hold the power conductors and a second portion configured to hold a subassembly of signal conductors, some of which may carry high speed signals. The first and second portions may be separated from each other by, for example, ribs. The mounting surface of the first portion may be arranged beyond the mounting surface of the second portion in the mating direction. The housing may include a base member disposed at the mounting face of the second portion. The housing may further include a lossy member having a body disposed between the mounting of the second portion and the body of the base member. This configuration may enable the power conductors in the first portion to be mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and the conductors in the second portion to transmit high speed signals with high integrity through the cable terminated with these conductors.

The first and second portions may include channels configured to retain power and signal conductors, respectively. The first portion may include a strip portion disposed adjacent to the mating face of the connector and configured to serve as a shelf for holding the end portion of the power conductor. The second portion may include a strip portion disposed adjacent to the mating face of the connector, and a protrusion extending from the strip portion and being elongated in the mating direction. The protrusion may be configured to act as a shelf for holding the end portion of the signal conductor. This configuration may enable the power conductors to mate/contact with the electronic card of the engagement/disengagement connector prior to the signal conductors. This configuration may also enable signal conductors to have shorter tip portions and thus improve signal integrity.

Each power conductor may include a mating end having a mating contact portion, a mounting end opposite the mating end, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end. The mating end may have the same width in the longitudinal direction as the intermediate portion, which may provide a greater contact area for power transmission to the inserted card. The mating ends of the power conductors in a row may be aligned along a line. In some embodiments, the mounting end may be configured for mounting to a PCB. The middle portion of every other power conductor may include a portion that is bent toward an adjacent row such that the mounting ends of the power conductors in one row may be aligned parallel to each other on two different lines. This configuration allows for more power conductors in the connector while requiring no more mounting area on the PCB than is standard. In some embodiments, the mounting end may be configured to mate with a power adapter, which may be configured for mounting to a PCB. This configuration may enable the power conductors to be electrically coupled with the PCB through the power adapter, which may eliminate the need to solder the power conductors on the PCB and thus facilitate subsequent maintenance and reduce maintenance costs.

Each signal conductor may include a mating end having a mating contact portion, a mounting end configured for mounting a cable, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end. The mating ends may be narrower in the longitudinal direction than the middle portion, which may enable greater spacing between the mating ends, thereby reducing crosstalk at the mating interface. The intermediate portion may include a transition portion such that the mounting end is recessed from the intermediate portion, which can provide room for the protrusion of the base member or the lossy member to protrude into, thereby providing mechanical support to the mounting end. The resulting narrower mounting end may reduce the impedance effects of increased mass at the cable attachments, thereby reducing impedance imbalance at the mounting interface. The mounting ends of the first type of signal conductors may abut the protrusions of the base member and may thus be electrically isolated from each other. The mounting ends of the second type of signal conductors may abut the protrusions of the lossy member and may thus be electrically coupled by the lossy member.

The first type of signal conductors and the second type of signal conductors may be arranged in groups. Each set may be configured for wires with one cable mounted. The set may include a pair of first type signal conductors each configured to transmit a differential signal and a pair of second type signal conductors configured to provide a reference or return path for the pair of first type signal conductors carrying the differential signal. The pair of second-type signal conductors may be disposed on opposite sides of the pair of first-type signal conductors. The intermediate portions of the pair of first-type signal conductors may include surfaces that are inclined toward each other to enhance coupling between the pair of first-type signal conductors. The intermediate portions of the pair of second-type signal conductors may each include a portion that is bent toward the pair of first-type signal conductors such that the mounting ends of the pair of second-type signal conductors may be disposed closer to the mounting ends of the pair of first-type signal conductors. Such a configuration may enable the mating ends of the signal conductors to have a first spacing configured for mating with an electronic card and the mounting ends of the signal conductors to have a second spacing configured for mounting with a cable. This configuration can compensate for the impedance effects of the added mass at the cable attachment, thereby reducing impedance imbalance.

The techniques described herein may be used alone or in any suitable combination. The following embodiments illustrate examples of combinations of these techniques.

First embodiment

Fig. 1A-4D are examples of techniques described herein integrated into a hybrid card edge connector 200, which hybrid card edge connector 200 may be provided in an electronic system 100. As shown in fig. 1A-1B, the electronic system 100 may include a PCB 102 and a PCB 104, the connector 200 may be mounted to the PCB 102, and the PCB 104 may have an edge that is inserted into one or more slots of the connector 200 along the mating direction 116. In this example, the PCB 102 is shown partially cut away so that only the portion of the PCB 102 adjacent to the connector 200 is visible. The cut-away portion of the PCB 102 may include other components of the system, such as semiconductor components, power supply regulators. Further, conductive structures within PCB 102 are not specifically shown for simplicity of illustration. Such PCBs may include power and/or ground planes that may be coupled to power conductors within connector 200.

The PCB 102 may include contact locations 106 and recesses 108 or openings (not shown), the contact locations 106 configured for having power conductors of the connector 200 mounted thereon, the recesses 108 or openings for passing cables mounted to signal conductors of the connector 200 therethrough so that the cables may be routed to design locations on the PCB 102 and/or another component in the system 100. Since the area of the contact locations 106 may be smaller than the area of the recesses 108, the PCB 102 may include features for securing the housing 202 of the connector 200 to the PCB 102 when the connector 200 is mounted to the PCB 102. In the illustrated example, PCB 102 includes a board lock receiver 110 on one side of recess 108 and configured to receive a board lock 226 of connector 200, a guide post receiver 112 on an opposite side of recess 108 and configured to receive a guide post 224 of connector 200, and a pair of openings 114 on opposite sides of recess 108 and configured to pass, for example, screws therethrough.

As shown in fig. 2A-2D, the connector 200 may include a housing 202 that may have a mating face 124 through which the pcb 104 may be inserted. The housing 202 may include a first portion 204 and a second portion 206 separated from the first portion 204 by a rib 216. The first portion 204 may include a first slot 212 that is elongated in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction 116, and a first channel 208 that is at least partially separated by a divider 233. Each first channel 208 may be configured to retain a power conductor 236 such that mating contact 244 of the power conductor 236 is able to flex into the first slot 212 to establish contact with the PCB 104 when the PCB 104 is inserted into the first slot 212. Each divider 233 may include one or more slots 235 configured for extending a wider portion 237 of a power conductor 236 therein, which can ensure that the power conductor 236 is secured in the corresponding channel 208. The first portion 204 may include a strip 276 adjacent the mating face 124 and configured to serve as a shelf for holding the tip portion 248 of the power conductor 236 (see fig. 4A).

The second portion 206 may include a second slot 214 that is elongated in the longitudinal direction, and a second channel 210 that is at least partially separated by a divider 231. Each second channel 210 may be configured to retain a signal conductor 238 or 240 such that the mating contact 254 of the signal conductor 238 or 240 is able to flex into the second slot 214 to establish contact with the PCB 104 when the PCB 104 is inserted into the second slot 214. The second portion 206 may include a bar 276 and a protrusion 218, the bar 276 being adjacent to the mating face 124, the protrusion 218 extending from the bar 278 along the mating direction 116 such that the protrusion 218 can function as a shelf for holding the head portions 258 of the signal conductors 238, 240 (see fig. 4B). This configuration enables the mating contact 254 of the signal conductors 238, 240 to be disposed lower in the mating direction 116 than the mating contact 244 of the power conductor 236, which can ensure that the power is turned on and off before the signal is connected. The protrusion 218 may have a surface 402 that is sloped toward the second slot 214 so that the signal conductors 238, 240 can have a shorter head portion 258, which can improve signal integrity.

The first portion 204 may have a mounting face 120 opposite the mating face 124. The first channel 208 may extend through the mating face 124 and the mounting face 120. The second portion 206 may have a mounting face 122 opposite the mating face 124 and disposed higher in the mating direction 116 than the mounting face 120 at the first portion 204. The second channel 210 may extend through the mating face 124 and the mounting face 122.

As shown in fig. 2D and 2E, the power conductors 236 held in the first portion 204 of the housing 202 may each include a mating end 242, a mounting end 246, and an intermediate portion 248, the mating end 242 including a mating contact 244 and a tip portion 248, the mounting end 246 extending beyond the mounting face 120 of the first portion 204. The mating end 242 may have the same width in the longitudinal direction as the intermediate portion 248, which can provide a larger contact area to deliver sufficient power to an add-in card (e.g., PCB 104). Each of the power conductors 236 may include a wider portion 237 adjacent the mounting end 246.

The power supply conductors 236 may include first type power supply conductors 236A and second type power supply conductors 236B that are alternately arranged. The intermediate portion 248 of each of the first type of power conductors 236A may have a portion 250 that is bent inward. This configuration may allow more power conductors to be retained by the first portion 204 without requiring a larger footprint.

Although the power conductors 236 are shown as separate conductors, it should be understood that the power conductors in a row may be stamped from the same metal plate and connected at an intermediate portion thereof. Thus, there may be one power conductor on each side of the first slot 212 instead of several separate conductors.

Referring back to fig. 2C, the housing 202 may include a bottom member 222 and a lossy member 228, both of which bottom member 222 and lossy member 228 may be attached to the second portion 206. The second portion 206 may have a protrusion 230 extending from the mounting surface 122. The bottom member 222 may have an opening 234 and the lossy member 228 may have an opening 232, the opening 232 being stacked with a corresponding opening 234 of the bottom member 222 such that each protrusion 230 of the second portion 206 is capable of extending through the opening 232 of the lossy member 228 and the opening 234 of the bottom member 222.

As shown in fig. 2H-2G, the bottom member 222 may include a body 282, a post 284 extending from the body 282 toward the second portion 206, and a protrusion 286 extending outwardly from the post 284. Some of the protrusions 286 may have recesses 290 that may be configured to receive the transition regions 268 of the first type of signal conductors 238.

The lossy member 228 may include a body 291, an upper post 292 extending from the body 291 toward the second portion 206, a lower post 294 extending from the body 291 away from the second portion 206 and configured to be disposed between the posts 284 of the base member 222. The upper leg 292 may include an outwardly protruding projection 298. The lower post 294 may include a recess 296, which may be configured to receive the transition region 268 of the second type of signal conductor 240. As shown, each upper leg 292 may have a corresponding lower leg 294 that may be offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the upper leg 292 depending on the configuration of the corresponding second type of signal conductor 240.

As shown in fig. 2F, the signal conductors 238, 240 retained in the second portion 206 of the housing 202 may each include a mating end 252, a mounting end 256, and an intermediate portion 260, the mating end 252 including a mating contact 254 and a header portion 258, the mounting end 256 extending beyond the mounting face 122 of the second portion 206. The width of the mating ends 252 in the longitudinal direction may be less than the width of the intermediate portion 260 in the longitudinal direction, which can increase the spacing between adjacent mating ends 252, thereby reducing cross-talk at the mating interface. Further, as shown in fig. 2D, the width of the mating end 252 of the signal conductor 238 or 240 in the longitudinal direction may be less than the width of the mating end 242 of the power conductor 236 in the longitudinal direction. This configuration may enable connector 200 to carry sufficient power through power conductor 236 and transmit high speed signals with high integrity through signal conductors 238, 240.

The intermediate portion 260 of each of the signal conductors 238, 240 may include a transition region 268 such that the mounting end 256 may be recessed relative to the intermediate portion 260. For each of the signal conductors 238, 240, the intermediate portion 260 may include a first surface 265 and a second surface 267 on opposite sides. The mounting end 256 may include a third surface 269 and a fourth surface 271 on opposite sides. The third surface 269 of the mounting end 256 may extend from the first surface 265 of the intermediate portion 260. The fourth surface 271 of the mounting end 256 may be offset relative to the second surface 267 of the intermediate portion 260. This arrangement may provide room for the protrusions 286 of the base member 222 or the lower struts 294 of the lossy member 228 to protrude into, thereby providing mechanical support to the mounting end 256. The resulting thinner mounting end 256 can reduce the impedance effects of the additional mass of the cable wires attached to the mounting end 256 and thus reduce impedance imbalance at the mounting interface.

The signal conductors 238, 240 may include a first type of signal conductor 238 and a second type of signal conductor 240. The first type of signal conductors 238 may be configured to transmit high speed signals or low speed signals. The second type of signal conductor 240 may be configured to provide a reference or return path for the signal. As shown in fig. 4B-4D, the mounting end 256 of the first type of signal conductor 238 may abut the protrusion 286 of the bottom member 222. The protrusions 286 of the bottom member 222 may be configured to provide support to the cable accessory and improve impedance imbalance at the cable accessory. The mounting end 256 of the second type signal conductor 240 may abut the lower leg 294 of the lossy member 228. A portion of the intermediate portion 260 of the second type of signal conductor 240 can abut the projection 298 of the upper leg 292 of the lossy member 228. This configuration may provide support for the cable accessory and sufficiently couple the second type of signal conductors 240, which may improve signal integrity at higher speeds.

Returning to fig. 2F, the first type of signal conductors 238 and the second type of signal conductors 240 may be arranged in groups 280. The set 280 may include one or more pairs of first type signal conductors 238, wherein each pair may be configured to transmit a pair of differential signals. The intermediate portions 260 of each pair of first type signal conductors 238 may have surfaces 266 that are inclined toward each other in order to enhance coupling between each other.

The set 280 may include the second type of signal conductors 240 disposed on opposite sides of each pair of first type of signal conductors 238. The intermediate portion 260 of each of the second type signal conductors 240 may include a portion 262 that is bent toward an adjacent first type signal conductor 238 such that the corresponding mounting end 256 may be disposed closer to the adjacent first type signal conductor 238 and thus provide shielding. Some of the second type signal conductors 240 may be shared by two pairs of the first type signal conductors. The middle portion 260 of each of these second type signal conductors 240 may include two portions 262 that are each bent toward an adjacent first type signal conductor 238. The intermediate portion 260 of each of the second type signal conductors 240 may include a protrusion 264 configured to establish contact with a protrusion 298 of the upper leg 292 of the lossy member 228.

As shown, the mating ends 252 of the signal conductors 238, 240 in the set 280 may have a first center-to-center spacing p1 configured for mating with an electronic card (e.g., PCB 104) that may have contact pads uniformly spaced along an edge. The mounting ends of the signal conductors 238, 240 in the set 280 may have a second center-to-center spacing p2 configured for mounting a cable that may include a pair of signal conductors and ground conductors disposed on opposite sides of the pair of signal conductors (see, e.g., fig. 9). In some embodiments, the mounting ends 256 of the second type of signal conductors 240 may be wider than the mounting ends 256 of the first type of signal conductors 238, which may enhance shielding and thus signal integrity. Thus, the second center-to-center spacing p2 between the two first type signal conductors 238 may be different than the second center-to-center spacing p2 between the first type signal conductors 238 and the second type signal conductors 240.

As shown in fig. 2D and 3A-3B, the signal conductors 238, 240 in a row may be held by the subassembly housing 302, which may allow for more precise spacing between the signal conductors 238, 240 and thus reduce impedance imbalance along the length of the signal conductors 238, 240, thereby improving signal integrity at higher speeds. The subassembly housing 302 may include a protrusion 304 configured for placement in a mating opening of the housing 202 (see fig. 4B). The subassembly housing 302 may include openings 306 and 308 disposed and sized to correspond to the protrusions 264 of the second type signal conductors 240 such that the protrusions 264 can establish contact with the protrusions 298 of the upper leg 292 of the lossy member 228.

Referring to fig. 2C, 4E, the second portion 206 of the housing 202 may include a space 404 between the partition 231 and the wall 406. The space 404 may be sized and shaped to hold the corresponding subassembly housing 302. This configuration may ensure accurate positioning of the subassembly 300 in the second portion 206 of the housing 202. This configuration may also ensure accurate relative positioning of the subassembly 300 with respect to the base member 222 and the lossy member 228, such as when combined with the mating protrusion 230 of the housing 202 and the opening 232 of the lossy member 228 and the opening 234 of the base member 222.

In some embodiments, the bottom member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 may be inserted into place after the subassembly 300 is inserted. The base member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 described herein may provide support to the signal conductors 238, 240 to maintain coplanarity between the signal conductors 238, 240 in each subassembly 300. The base member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 described herein may reduce the risk of deformation of the cable when welded to the signal conductors 238, 240. The base member 222 and/or the lossy member 228 described herein may also prevent dust, moisture and other substances, gaseous fluxes or other contaminants from entering the interior of the housing 202.

Second embodiment

As shown in fig. 5, the present embodiment provides a connector comprising a connector housing 501, and a first type of signal conductor 502 (which may be configured for transmitting signals), a second type of signal conductor 503 (which may be configured for providing a reference or return path for signals), and a power conductor 504 disposed in the connector housing 501. The first type signal conductors 502 and the second type signal conductors 503 are alternately arranged. Every two signal conductors 502 of the first type are arranged close to each other to enhance coupling, and one or two signal conductors 503 of the second type are arranged on both sides of every two signal conductors 502 of the first type. The power supply conductors 504 are arranged in the connector housing 501 on one side of the first type signal conductors 502 and the second type signal conductors 503.

As shown in fig. 6, the connector housing 501 is of an elongated stepped structure and has a slot 511 along the length.

As shown in fig. 7, 8, a lossy member 505 may be disposed in the connector housing 501. The lossy member 505 includes a first portion 551 and a second portion 552. The second portion 552 is inserted into the first portion 551. The first and second portions 551 and 552 are provided with protruding support blocks 553. The first type signal conductors 502 and the second type signal conductors 503 are supported by a support block 553. The first portion 551 is provided with a recess 554. The first type of signal conductors 502 extend into the recess 554 of the first portion 551.

As shown in fig. 9, each first type signal conductor 502 includes a body 521. One side of the main body 521 is integrally formed with the connection arm 522. The contact end 523 is integrally formed on one side of the connection arm 522. A welding end 524 is integrally formed on the other side of the main body 521. In the illustrated example, the width of the contact end 523 is less than the width of the connecting arm 522, which increases the impedance of the contact location. The body 521 and the welding end 524 have an inclined step therebetween.

The body 521 is also provided with grooves 506 on both sides. The groove 506 has corresponding barb projections 507 on both sides. In the illustrated example, the barb projections 507 on one side of the body 521 are larger than the barb projections 507 on the other side of the body 521.

The body 521 is also provided with a protrusion 508 for contact with the connector housing 501.

The two second type signal conductors 503 comprise a body 531. One side of the body 531 is integrally formed with the connection arm 532. The contact end 533 is integrally formed on one side of the connection arm 532. The welding end 534 is integrally formed on the other side of the body 531. In the illustrated example, the width of the contact ends 533 is less than the width of the connection arms 532, which increases the impedance of the contact location. An inclined step is provided between the main body 531 and the welding end 534.

Grooves 506 are also provided on both sides of the body 531. The groove 506 has corresponding barb projections 507 on both sides.

The body 531 is also provided with a protrusion 508 for contact with the lossy member 505.

As shown in fig. 10, each power conductor 504 includes a body 541. One side of the body 541 is integrally formed with the connection arm 542. The connecting arm 542 is integrally formed with the contact end 543. The other side of the body 541 is integrally formed with the welding end 544. In the illustrated example, the connecting arm 542 has a curved portion 545. Barb projections 507 are also provided on both sides of the body 541.

Third embodiment

As shown in fig. 11, 12, and 15, the present embodiment provides a PCIe cable connector including a housing 1101, and a power conductor 1102 (or power terminal) and a signal conductor subassembly 1103 disposed in the housing 1101. The lower end of the power conductor 1102 is mounted to the PCB 1104.

Each signal conductor subassembly 1103 includes a body 1131 and signal conductors 1132 insert molded into the body 1131. The signal conductors 1132 may include a first type of signal conductor configured for transmitting high speed signals or low speed signals, and a second type of signal conductor configured for providing a reference or return path for the signals. The signal conductor 1132 has a cable welded thereto by a laser. The signal conductor sub-assembly 1103 (or signal terminal assembly) to which the cable is soldered is inserted into the housing 1101.

Housing 1101 has disposed therein lossy member 1105 and base member 1106. The lossy member 1105 is removably disposed in the base member 1106. The lossy member 1105 contacts a second type of signal conductor of the signal conductor subassembly 1103.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14, a plurality of connection posts 1111 are provided at the lower end of the housing 1101. The connection post 1111 is inserted into the PCB 1104. The housing 1101 has connection sockets 1112 at both ends. The connection mount 1112 is bolted to the PCB 1104.

The upper end of the housing 1101 is provided with a bar-shaped slot 1113. A partition portion 1114 is provided in the slot 1113 so as to divide the slot 1113 into two parts corresponding to the power supply conductor 1102 and the signal conductor 1132, respectively.

The lower end of housing 1101 is also provided with a plurality of connecting rods 1115 configured for connection with base member 1106.

As shown in fig. 16, each power conductor 1102 includes a body 1121. One end of the power conductor 1102 is provided with a fisheye-type weld 1122. The other end of the power conductor 1102 is provided with a connecting arm 1123. The end with connecting arm 1123 has a contact end 1124, which is Z-shaped.

The body 1121 of the power conductor 1102 has ridges 1125 on both sides configured for snap-fitting onto the housing 1101.

As shown in fig. 17, the body 1131 of the signal conductor sub-assembly 1103 has grooves 1133 disposed in correspondence with the second type of signal conductors. The lossy member 1105 is inserted in the recess 1133 to establish contact with a second type of signal conductor in the signal conductors 1132.

The body 1131 of the signal conductor sub-assembly 1103 has a plurality of limit ridges 1134 configured to prevent movement of the body 1131.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19, each signal conductor 1132 includes a body 1135. One end of the body 1135 is provided with a contact end 1136. The other end of the body 1135 has a connecting arm 1137. A portion of the connection arm 1137 protruding from the main body 1131 serves as a welding part for enabling the cable to be welded thereto.

The connection arms 1137 of the second type of signal conductor have protrusions 1138 configured for contacting the lossy member 1105.

As shown in fig. 20, lossy member 1105 is disposed in housing 1101 between two signal conductor subassemblies 1103. The lossy member 1105 includes a main body 1151, and connecting arms 1152 symmetrically disposed on both sides of the main body 1151.

Base member 1106 includes a body 1161. The body 1161 includes a plurality of support posts 1162 symmetrically disposed on the body 1161. The body 1131 of the signal conductor sub-assembly 1103 is disposed on the exterior of the support post 1162.

Fourth embodiment

As shown in fig. 21 to 23, the present embodiment provides a connector for transmitting power from a circuit board and transmitting signals from a cable. The connector includes a housing 2101 that holds two rows of first conductors 2103 and second conductors 2102. The housing 2101 is removably disposed on the PCB 2104. In the illustrated example, like PCB 102 of electronic system 100, PCB 2104 may include a recess 2171 or opening (not shown) for passing a cable mounted to second conductor 2102 of the connector therethrough so that the cable may be routed to a design location on PCB 2104 and/or another component.

PCB 2104 may have power adapter 2105 disposed thereon. The first conductor 2103 may make contact with the power adapter 2105. This configuration enables first conductor 2103 to be electrically connected to PCB 2104 through power adapter 2105, which eliminates the need to solder first conductor 2103 on PCB 2104, thereby facilitating subsequent maintenance and reducing maintenance costs.

As shown in fig. 22 and 26, the power adapter 2105 is soldered to the PCB 2104. As shown in fig. 31, the housing 2101 has a chamber 2111 configured for receiving a power adapter 2105.

In the illustrated example, PCB 2104 also has a recess that facilitates second conductor 2102 to be connected to external cable 2108.

Referring to fig. 22, 23, in the illustrated example, the second conductor 2102 is uniformly inserted into the subassembly housing 2121. The distance between two adjacent second conductors is 0.75 mm. The lower end of a portion of the second conductor 2102 makes contact with the lossy member 2106. The lossy member 2106 is disposed in the base member 2107.

Cable 2108 is laser welded to second conductor 2102. To avoid the high heat during the welding process from affecting the subassembly housing 2121, cable 2108 may be welded to second conductor 2102 first, then second conductor 2102 with cable 2108 welded thereto is inserted into subassembly housing 2121, and finally the subassembly is inserted into housing 2101 from the bottom.

The subassembly housing 2121 includes a recess corresponding to the lossy member 2106. The contact portions 2161 of the lossy members 2106 extend into the recess and establish contact with selected ones of the second conductors 2102.

The subassembly housing 2121 is also provided with a plurality of stop stops for mating with the housing 2101.

The second conductor 2102 includes a first type second conductor 2122 and a second type second conductor 2123. The second type second conductor 2123 is configured as a ground conductor for contacting the lossy member 2106.

As shown in fig. 24, each of the first type second conductors 2122 includes a body 2124, contact ends 2125 and soldering ends 2126 on opposite ends of the body 2124.

As shown in fig. 25, each second type second conductor 2123 includes a body 2127, contact ends 2128 and soldering ends 2129 on opposite ends of body 2127. Welded end 2129 is Z-shaped and has protrusions 2130 configured for establishing contact with lossy member 2106. The protrusions 2130 are disposed in grooves of the sub-assembly housing 2121.

As shown in fig. 26, 27, each first conductor 2103 includes a main body 2131, and contact ends 2132 and 2133 located on opposite ends of the main body 2131. The contact end 2132 has a flat configuration and establishes contact with the power adapter 2105. The main body 2131 has a plurality of V-shaped bent portions 2134.

As shown in fig. 26, 28, the power adapter 2105 includes an adapter housing 2151, and a plurality of third conductors 2152 that are held by the adapter housing 2151.

As shown in fig. 29, each third conductor 2152 has a triangular-like ring structure. Each third conductor 2152 includes a body 2153, and solder terminals 2154 and contact terminals 2155 on opposite ends of body 2153. Solder terminal 2154 is soldered to PCB 2104. Contact end 2155 establishes contact with first conductor 2103. The third conductor 2152 has a retention portion 2156 that is configured to mate with the adapter housing 2151.

As shown in fig. 28, adapter housing 2151 has posts 2158 on both ends configured for connection with PCB 2104.

As shown in fig. 30, the lossy member 2106 is disposed in the base member 2107 and has a plurality of contact portions 2161.

Further consider

In some embodiments, the housing component, such as housing 202, and bottom member 222 may be dielectric members molded from a dielectric material, such as plastic or nylon. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). Other suitable materials may also be employed, as aspects of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the conductive elements such as the power conductors 236 and the signal conductors 238, 240 may be made of metal or any other material that is electrically conductive and provides suitable mechanical properties to the conductive elements in the electrical connector. Phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and other copper alloys are non-limiting examples of materials that may be used. The conductive elements may be formed from these materials in any suitable manner, including by stamping and/or forming.

In some embodiments, a lossy member, such as lossy member 228, may be made of a material that will interact with the material to dissipate a sufficient portion of electromagnetic energy that significantly affects connector performance. The important effects are caused by attenuation in the frequency range of interest to the connector. In some configurations, the lossy material may suppress resonance within the ground structure of the connector, and the frequency range of interest may include the natural frequency of the resonant structure without the lossy material in place. In other configurations, the frequency range of interest may be all or part of the operating frequency range of the connector.

To test whether a material is lossy, the material may be tested in a frequency range that can be less than or different from the frequency range that is of interest to the connector in which the material is used. For example, the test frequency may range from 10GHz to 25GHz or from 1GHz to 5GHz. Alternatively, the lossy material may be identified from measurements made at a single frequency, such as 10GHz or 15 GHz.

The losses may be caused by interactions of the electric field component of the electromagnetic energy with the material, in which case the material may be referred to as electrically lossy. Alternatively or additionally, the loss may be caused by an interaction of a magnetic field component of electromagnetic energy with a material, in which case the material may be referred to as magnetically lossy.

The electrically lossy material can be formed from lossy dielectric material and/or poorly conductive material. The electrically lossy material can be formed from materials conventionally considered dielectric materials, such as those having an electrical loss tangent (electric loss tangent) greater than about 0.01, greater than 0.05, or between 0.01 and 0.2 over the frequency range of interest. The "electrical loss tangent" is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant of a material.

Electrically lossy materials can also be formed from materials that are generally considered conductors, but are relatively poor conductors in the frequency range of interest. These materials may be conductive in the frequency range of interest, but with some loss, such that the material is less conductive than the conductors of the electrical connector, but better than the insulator used in the connector. Such materials may comprise conductive particles or regions that are sufficiently dispersed such that they do not provide high conductivity, or that are otherwise prepared to have such properties: this property results in a relatively weak bulk conductivity compared to good conductors such as pure copper in the frequency range of interest. For example, die cast metal or poorly conductive metal alloys may provide adequate loss in certain configurations.

Electrically lossy materials of this type typically have a bulk conductivity of about 1 Siemens/meter (siemens/meter) to about 100,000 Siemens/meter, or about 1 Siemens/meter to about 30,000 Siemens/meter, or 1 Siemens/meter to about 10,000 Siemens/meter. In some embodiments, materials having bulk conductivities between about 1 siemens/meter and about 500 siemens/meter may be used. As a specific example, a material having a conductivity between about 50 siemens/meter and 300 siemens/meter may be used. However, it should be appreciated that the conductivity of the material may be selected empirically or through electrical simulation using known simulation tools to determine the conductivity that provides the appropriate Signal Integrity (SI) characteristics in the connector. For example, the SI characteristic measured or simulated may be low crosstalk combined with low signal path attenuation or insertion loss, or low insertion loss bias as a function of frequency.

It should also be appreciated that the lossy member need not have uniform properties throughout its volume. For example, the lossy member may have, for example, an insulating skin or a conductive core. A component may be identified as lossy if its properties are, on average, sufficient to attenuate electromagnetic energy in the region of interaction with the electromagnetic energy.

In some embodiments, the lossy material is formed by adding a filler comprising particles to the binder. In such embodiments, the lossy member may be formed by molding or otherwise shaping the binder with filler into a desired form. The lossy material may be molded over and/or through openings in the conductors, which may be ground conductors or shields of the connector. Molding the lossy material over or through the openings in the conductor may ensure intimate contact between the lossy material and the conductor, which may reduce the likelihood that the conductor will support resonance at frequencies of interest. Such intimate contact may, but need not, result in ohmic contact between the lossy material and the conductor.

Alternatively or additionally, the lossy material may be molded over or injected into the insulating material, for example in a two shot molding operation, or vice versa. The lossy material may be positioned against or sufficiently close to the ground conductor to provide significant coupling with the ground conductor. Close contact does not require electrical coupling between the lossy material and the conductor, as sufficient electrical coupling, such as capacitive coupling, between the lossy member and the conductor can produce the desired result. For example, in some cases, a coupling of 100pF between the lossy member and the ground conductor may have a significant effect on suppressing resonance in the ground conductor. In other examples employing frequencies in the range of about 10GHz or greater, the reduction in electromagnetic energy in the conductor may be provided by a sufficient capacitive coupling between the lossy material and the conductor having a mutual capacitance of at least about 0.005pF, such as a mutual capacitance in the range of about 0.01pF to about 100pF, about 0.01pF to about 10pF, or about 0.01pF to about 1 pF. To determine whether the lossy material is coupled to the conductor, the coupling may be measured at a test frequency such as 15GHz or in a test range such as 10GHz to 25 GHz.

To form the electrically lossy material, the filler can be conductive particles. Examples of conductive particles that may be used as fillers to form electrically lossy materials include carbon or graphite formed as fibers, flakes, nanoparticles, or other types of particles. Various forms of fibers may be used, either in woven or nonwoven form, coated or uncoated. Nonwoven carbon fibers are one suitable material. Metals in the form of powders, flakes, fibers or other particles may also be used to provide suitable electrical loss characteristics. Alternatively, combinations of fillers may be used. For example, metal plated carbon particles may be used. Silver and nickel are suitable metal coatings for the fibers. The coated particles may be used alone or in combination with other fillers such as carbon flakes.

Preferably, the filler will be present in a volume percentage sufficient to allow formation of a conductive path from particle to particle. For example, when metal fibers are used, the fibers may be present at about 3% to 30% by volume. The amount of filler can affect the conductive properties of the material and the volume percent of filler can be low in this range to provide adequate loss.

The binder or matrix may be any material that will solidify to position the filler, cure to position the filler, or can be otherwise used to position the filler. In some embodiments, the bonding agent may be a thermoplastic material conventionally used in the manufacture of electrical connectors to facilitate molding the electrically lossy material into a desired shape and into a desired location as part of the manufacture of the electrical connector. Examples of such materials include Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP) and nylon. However, many alternative forms of binder materials may be used. Curable materials such as epoxy resins may be used as the binder. Alternatively, a material such as a thermosetting resin or an adhesive may be used.

While the binder materials described above may be used to form electrically lossy materials by forming a binder around the conductive particulate filler, other binders or other ways of forming lossy materials may be used. In some examples, the conductive particles may be impregnated into the formed matrix material or may be coated onto the formed matrix material, such as by applying a conductive coating to a plastic or metal part. As used herein, the term "binder" includes materials that encapsulate, impregnate, or otherwise act as a substrate to hold a filler.

For example, the magnetically lossy material may be formed from materials conventionally considered ferromagnetic materials, such as those having a magnetic loss tangent (magnetic loss tangent) greater than about 0.05 over the frequency range of interest. The "magnetic loss tangent" is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant of a material. Materials with higher loss tangent values may also be used.

In some embodiments, the magnetically lossy material may be formed from a binder or matrix material filled with particles that provide magnetically lossy properties to the layer. The magnetically lossy particles can be in any convenient form, such as flakes or fibers. Ferrite is a common magnetically lossy material. Materials such as magnesium ferrite, nickel ferrite, lithium ferrite, yttrium garnet, or aluminum garnet may be used. In the frequency range of interest, ferrites generally have a magnetic loss tangent of greater than 0.1. Presently preferred ferrite materials have a loss tangent between about 0.1 and 1.0 in the frequency range of 1GHz to 3GHz, and more preferably have a magnetic loss tangent above 0.5 in this frequency range.

The actual magnetically lossy material or mixtures containing magnetically lossy material may also exhibit dielectric or conductive loss effects of useful magnitude over portions of the frequency range of interest. Similar to the manner in which the electrically lossy material can be formed as described above, suitable materials can be formed by adding a filler to the binder that produces magnetic losses.

The material may be both a lossy dielectric or a lossy conductor and a magnetically lossy material. Such materials may be formed, for example, by using partially conductive magnetically lossy fillers or by using a combination of magnetically lossy fillers and electrically lossy fillers.

The lossy portion can also be formed in a variety of ways. In some examples, the binder material and filler may be molded into a desired shape and then secured to the shape. In other examples, the binder material may be formed into a sheet or other shape from which lossy members having a desired shape may be cut. In some embodiments, the lossy portion may be formed by interleaving layers of lossy and conductive materials, such as metal foil. The layers may be firmly attached to each other, such as by using epoxy or other adhesive, or may be held together in any other suitable manner. The layers may have a desired shape before they can be secured to each other, or may be stamped or otherwise formed after they are held together. As a further alternative, the lossy portion may be formed by plating a plastic or other insulating material with a lossy coating, such as a diffusion metal coating.

While specific details of a particular configuration of the conductive elements and housing are described above, it should be understood that such details are provided for illustrative purposes only, as the concepts disclosed herein can be otherwise implemented. In this regard, the various connector designs described herein may be used in any suitable combination, as aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the particular combinations shown in the drawings.

Having thus described a number of embodiments, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

For example, the techniques described herein may be implemented in a card edge connector or a connector configured only for high-speed signals.

As another example, the high speed signal conductors and the low speed signal conductors may be configured identically, with the signal conductors of the same row having the same shape. The high speed signal conductors and the low speed signal conductors may differ depending on the ground structure and the insulating portion surrounding them. Alternatively, some or all of the high speed signal conductors may be configured differently than the low speed signal conductors, even in the same row. For example, the edge-to-edge spacing of the high speed signal conductors may be closer.

The connector is shown with mating and mounting positions compatible with the PCIe standard. The techniques as described herein may be used to increase the speed of operation of connectors designed according to other standards.

As another example, an exemplary connector is shown in which an entire row of signal conductors is formed as a subassembly. Other examples may have multiple subassemblies in each row.

Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the utility model. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Furthermore, while the techniques for improving the speed of operation of a connector are shown and described with reference to having a card edge connector, even when limited by the dimensions specified in industry standards, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard as any of the inventive concepts, alone or in combination with one or more other inventive concepts, may be used with other types of electrical connectors, such as receptacle connectors, backplane connectors, right angle connectors, stacked connectors, mezzanine connectors, I/O connectors, chip sockets, and the like.

In some embodiments, the mounting end is shown as a press fit "eye of the needle" that is designed to be inserted into a printed circuit board. Other configurations such as surface mount contacts, spring contacts, solderable pins, etc. may be used.

All definitions defined and used should be understood to supersede dictionary definitions of defined terms, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or general meanings.

Values and ranges may be described in the specification and claims as approximate or exact values or ranges. For example, in some instances, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" may be used to refer to a value. Such references are intended to include both the recited values and the addition and subtraction of reasonable variations from the values.

In the claims and the above description, all transitional phrases such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", "containing", "accommodating", "holding", "consisting of … …" are to be understood as open-ended, i.e. meant to include but not be limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of … …" and "consisting essentially of … …" should be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

The use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," and the like in the claims to modify a component element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one component element or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed prior to another component element, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one component element having a certain name from another component element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the component elements.

The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising:

A housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot;

a plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and configured for mounting to a printed circuit board; and

A plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot, a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating end and the mounting end, the mounting end being narrower than the intermediate portion and configured for a cable to be attached to the mounting end.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein, for each of the plurality of second conductors:

The intermediate portion includes a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides;

the mounting end includes third and fourth surfaces on opposite sides;

The third surface of the mounting end extends from the first surface of the intermediate portion; and

The fourth surface of the mounting end is offset relative to the second surface of the intermediate portion.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein:

The mating contact portions of the plurality of first conductors have a first width in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to a mating direction;

The mating contact portions of the plurality of second conductors have a second width in the longitudinal direction; and

The first width is greater than the second width.

4. An electrical connector as in claim 3 wherein:

the intermediate portions of the plurality of first conductors have a third width in the longitudinal direction; and

The third width is equal to the first width.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein:

The intermediate portions of the plurality of second conductors have a fourth width in the longitudinal direction; and

The fourth width is greater than the second width.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein:

The first portion of the housing includes a plurality of first channels each configured to hold one of the plurality of first conductors and a plurality of first partitions at least partially separating the plurality of first channels;

each of the plurality of first partitions includes one or more slots;

each of the plurality of first conductors includes a wider portion adjacent the mounting end; and

The wider portion extends into the slots of the first plurality of partitions.

7. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the electrical connector comprises:

A subassembly housing holding the plurality of second conductors in a row along the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, wherein:

The second portion of the housing includes a plurality of second channels each configured to hold one of the plurality of second conductors and a plurality of second dividers at least partially separating the plurality of second channels; and

The subassembly housing is disposed between the plurality of second partitions and a wall of the housing.

8. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein:

The plurality of first conductors includes a plurality of first type first conductors and a plurality of second type first conductors;

the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type first conductors includes a portion that curves toward the first slot; and

The plurality of first-type first conductors and the plurality of second-type first conductors alternate in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein:

the mating ends of the plurality of first conductors are aligned along a first line parallel to the longitudinal direction;

the mounting ends of the plurality of first type first conductors are aligned along a second line parallel to the first line; and

The mounting ends of the plurality of second type first conductors are aligned along a third line parallel to the first line and offset relative to the second line in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction.

10. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein:

The mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors includes a header portion disposed on a shelf of the first portion of the housing.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein:

The mating end of each of the plurality of first conductors includes a header portion disposed on a shelf of the second portion of the housing; and

The shelf of the second portion of the housing is lower than the shelf of the first portion of the housing in a mating direction.

12. The electrical connector of claim 11, wherein:

The tip portion of each of the plurality of first conductors is narrower than the corresponding mating contact.

13. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein:

The plurality of second conductors includes a plurality of first type second conductors and a plurality of second type second conductors;

The intermediate portion of each of the plurality of first type second conductors includes a surface that is inclined toward an adjacent first type second conductor; and

The intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type second conductors includes a portion that is bent toward an adjacent first-type second conductor.

14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein:

the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type second conductors includes a protrusion protruding toward the second slot.

15. An electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising:

A housing including a first portion having a first slot, a second portion separated from the first portion by a rib and having a second slot, and a bottom member attached to the second portion;

A plurality of first conductors held by the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and extending beyond the bottom member in a mating direction; and

A plurality of second conductors held by the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot and a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing and extending within the base member in the mating direction, wherein:

The plurality of first conductors are configured for mounting to a printed circuit board; and

The plurality of second conductors is configured for mounting a cable.

16. The electrical connector of claim 15, wherein:

The base member includes a body, a plurality of posts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the posts toward the mounting ends of the plurality of second conductors.

17. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein:

A portion of the plurality of protrusions includes a plurality of recesses;

Each of the plurality of second conductors includes a transition region between the intermediate portion and the mounting end;

The plurality of second conductors includes a plurality of first type second conductors and a plurality of second type second conductors; and

Transition regions of the plurality of first-type second conductors are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses.

18. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein:

The housing also includes a lossy member configured to electrically couple with the plurality of second-type second conductors.

19. The electrical connector of claim 18, wherein:

The lossy member includes a body, a plurality of first struts extending from the body toward the second portion of the housing, and a plurality of second struts extending from the body away from the second portion of the housing and disposed between adjacent struts of the base member.

20. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein:

The plurality of second struts of the lossy member include a plurality of recesses; and

Transition regions of the plurality of second type second conductors are disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses of the plurality of second legs of the lossy member.

21. The electrical connector of claim 20, wherein:

The plurality of first struts of the lossy member include a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the plurality of second type second conductors.

22. The electrical connector of claim 21, wherein, for each of the plurality of second type second conductors:

The respective recesses of the second leg are offset relative to the protrusions of the first leg in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

23. The electrical connector of claim 18, wherein:

The lossy member includes a plurality of first openings;

the bottom member includes a plurality of second openings stacked below corresponding ones of the plurality of first openings of the lossy member in the mating direction; and

The second portion of the housing includes a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions extending through a first opening of the lossy member and a second opening of the base member.

24. The electrical connector of any one of claims 17-21, 23, wherein the electrical connector further comprises:

A subassembly housing holding the plurality of second conductors in a row along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, the subassembly housing including a plurality of protrusions disposed in mating openings of the second portion of the housing.

25. The electrical connector of claim 24, wherein:

The intermediate portion of each of the plurality of second-type second conductors includes a protrusion protruding toward the second slot; and

The subassembly housing includes a plurality of openings disposed corresponding to the protrusions of the plurality of second type second conductors.

26. An electronic system, the electronic system comprising:

A printed circuit board;

An electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising:

a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion;

A plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mounting end extending from the first portion of the housing and mounted to the printed circuit board; and

A plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing; and

A plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables including a pair of signal conductors and at least one ground conductor disposed adjacent the pair of signal conductors, each of the pair of signal conductors and the at least one ground conductor being soldered to a mounting end of a respective one of the plurality of second conductors.

27. The electronic system of claim 26, wherein:

the printed circuit board includes a recess or opening such that the plurality of cables pass through the recess or opening.

28. The electronic system of claim 27, wherein:

The housing of the electrical connector is secured to the printed circuit board at locations on opposite sides of the recess or the opening.

29. The electronic system of claim 26, wherein:

the printed circuit board is a first printed circuit board;

the electronic system includes a second printed circuit board; and

The second printed circuit board is electrically coupled to the first printed circuit board through the plurality of first conductors of the electrical connector and is electrically coupled to the plurality of cables through the plurality of second conductors of the electrical connector.

30. An electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising:

A plurality of first conductors in the first portion of the housing, each of the plurality of first conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the first slot and a mounting end including a planar surface configured for mating with a third conductor; and

A plurality of second conductors in the second portion of the housing, each of the plurality of second conductors including a mating end including a mating contact bent into the second slot and a mounting end extending from the second portion of the housing and configured for mounting a cable.

31. The electrical connector of claim 30, wherein:

The mounting ends of the plurality of first conductors are located within the first portion of the housing.

32. The electrical connector of claim 30, wherein:

The mounting ends of the plurality of first conductors are aligned on a line along a longitudinal direction.

33. The electrical connector of claim 30, wherein the electrical connector comprises

A power adapter, the power adapter comprising:

An adapter housing; and

A plurality of the third conductors held by the adapter housing.

34. The electrical connector of claim 33, wherein:

Each of the plurality of third conductors includes a mating end including a mating contact configured for mating with a planar surface of a corresponding first conductor, a mounting end configured for mounting to a printed circuit board, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the mounting end and secured in the adapter housing.

35. The electrical connector of claim 33, wherein:

The plurality of first conductors are arranged in two rows; and

The power adapter is disposed between the two rows of first conductors.

36. The electrical connector of claim 35, wherein:

each of the plurality of third conductors includes a mating contact portion that is curved toward the planar surface of the corresponding first conductor.

37. The electrical connector of claim 34, wherein:

Each of the plurality of third conductors includes a mounting contact configured for surface mounting to the printed circuit board.