CN100511867C

CN100511867C - Retainer for connector system

Info

Publication number: CN100511867C
Application number: CNB2004800219371A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格雷戈里·A·赫尔; 斯图尔特·C·斯托纳; 史蒂文·E·米尼克; 艾伦·雷斯特里克
Original assignee: FCI SA
Current assignee: FCI SA
Priority date: 2003-08-06
Filing date: 2004-07-30
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-30
Also published as: CN1830121A; CN101436737A; CN101436737B

Abstract

A retention member may maintain alignment and stability of one or more Insert Molded Lead Assemblies (IMLAs) in an electrical connector. The holder can serve for alignment and stabilization in all x-, y-and z-directions. Such a retainer may be used in conjunction with a right angle header connector. The retainer acts to stabilize by maintaining the terminal ends of the contacts in the correct position. The holder is expandable in length and may be sized and shaped for a single head assembly or a multiple position configuration.

Description

The keeper of connector system

The application requires in the priority of the U.S. Patent application No.60/492901 of the U.S. Patent application No.10/842397 of submission on May 10th, 2004 and submission on August 6th, 2003.

Correlative technology field

Theme disclosed and claimed among the U.S. Patent application No.10/634547 that the disclosed theme of present patent application and on August 5th, 2003 submit to is relevant; described U.S. Patent application No.10/634547 is the partial continuous application of the U.S. Patent application No.10/294966 of submission on November 14th, 2002, the partial continuous application that described U.S. Patent application No.10/294966 is again U.S. Patent No. 6652318 and 6692272.The above-mentioned United States Patent (USP) of quoting and each content whole in the patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to electric connector.Say especially, the present invention relates to a kind ofly be used for making the lead assemblies of electric connector to keep aligning and stable keeper.

Background technology

Electric connector uses signal contact to provide signal to connect between electronic installation.Usually, the interval of signal contact is very little so that can produce bad crosstalking (cross-talk) between contiguous signal contact.When thereby a signal contact brings out electrical interference infringement signal integrity in contiguous signal contact, will crosstalk.Along with the miniaturization of electronic installation is communicated by letter with high-velocity electrons and become more and more popular, reducing crosstalks becomes significant consideration in the connector design.

Therefore, along with the increase of speed of electronics, people expect that connector can carry out high-speed communication.Most connectors mainly adopt shielding to crosstalk with reduction, thereby, but the communication of higher speed ground.Yet, a main aspect that adopts shielding only can tackle communication speed.

Therefore, press for a kind of high-speed electrical connectors design of the high-speed communication tackled except that adopting screen method.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of lead assemblies (insert molded lead assemblies is called for short IMLA) of the one or more inserted mode systems in the electric connector that makes keeps aligning and stable keeper.Described keeper can all play on x-, y-and z-direction and align and stabilization.Show the embodiment of this keeper in conjunction with a kind of right angle head connector.Described keeper keeps correct location to play stabilization by the described terminal that makes described contact.The length of described keeper can be expanded, and can make it size and dimension and be applicable to single head assembly or multiposition structure.

Below, by describing illustrative embodiment in detail, other technologies feature and advantage of the present invention are become apparent referring to accompanying drawing.

Description of drawings

When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the general introduction done of front and the following detailed description that preferred embodiment is done all can become and better understand.For the present invention is described, exemplary configurations of the present invention has been shown in the accompanying drawing; Yet the present invention is not limited to disclosed concrete grammar and implements structure.Accompanying drawing comprises:

Figure 1A and 1B show the right angle head connector assembly that comprises according to exemplary keeper of the present invention and exemplary shell;

Fig. 1 C and 1D show according to exemplary protuberance of the present invention;

Fig. 2 A and 2B are the end views according to the lead assemblies of inserted mode system of the present invention;

Fig. 3 A-3D be respectively the described keeper shown in Figure 1A and the 1B etc. axle survey view, end view, front view and vertical view;

Fig. 3 E is the vertical view of an alternate embodiment of the keeper shown in Figure 1A and the 1B;

Fig. 4 A and 4B show the right angle head connector assembly that comprises according to another exemplary shell of the present invention; And

Fig. 5 shows the right angle head connector assembly that comprises according to another exemplary keeper of the present invention.

Embodiment

Figure 1A and 1B show a right angle head connector assembly 100, and it comprises one according to exemplary keeper 120 of the present invention.As shown in the figure, right angle head connector assembly 100 can comprise lead assemblies (IMLA) 102A, the 102B of a plurality of inserted mode systems, will be described in detail them referring to Fig. 2 A and 2B respectively below.According to an aspect of the present invention, each IMLA102A and 102B all can not add and be used for the combination that single-ended signal inserts, differential signal inserts or single-ended signal inserts and differential signal inserts with revising.

Each

IMLA

102A and 102B include and are a plurality of conductive contacts 104 that the corresponding linear contact array is arranged respectively.Although shown right angle head connector assembly 100 comprises ten IMLA, should be appreciated that right angle head connector assembly also can comprise the IMLA of arbitrary number.

Right angle head connector assembly 100 comprises an electric insulation lead frame 108, and contact 104 extends through described electric insulation lead frame 108.Preferably, lead frame 108 comprises for example plastics of dielectric material.According to an aspect of the present invention, lead frame 108 is formed by the least possible material structure, and air in the filling as much as possible of described connector.In other words, contact 104 can use as second dielectric air insulated from each other.The use of air can reduce crosstalks and the connector that obtains low weight (for example comparing with the connector of the heavier dielectric material of whole uses).

Contact 104 comprises terminal 110, and they are used for and the circuit board interlock.Preferably, terminal 110 can for example be crimping or any mounted on surface or through-hole mounting terminal for complying with the type terminal although be interpreted as described terminal.Described contact also comprises stinging joins end 112, and they are used for the receptacle connector interlock with pairing.As shown in the figure, connector assembly 100 also can comprise one first embodiment housing 114.Housing 114 comprises a plurality of partition wall 114A arranged apart, and each described partition wall all limits single notch 114B.Partition wall 114A is arranged apart along housing 114, and be spaced enough greatly to form an opening or slit ST, described opening or slit ST be big must to be enough to make stinging of each IMLA 102A, 102B to join end 112 (for example to pass, approximate 0.9mm or following), simultaneously again little as to be enough to prevent that IMLA102A and 102B from (for example moving along first direction, negative x-direction shown in Figure 1A is promptly towards the direction of housing 114).In a preferred embodiment, also can have the mechanical stop MS that limits by each IMLA, move along negative x-direction to prevent each IMLA.

Housing 114 limits one or more notch 114B.Each notch 114B expects to receive a half-cone or half a slope protuberance 114C who is positioned on corresponding IMLA 102A and the 102B respectively; thereby; IMLA 102A and 102B can obtain locking (for example, IMLA can suffer restraints usually) afterwards on x-direction shown in Figure 1A and negative x-direction on rightabout in inserting housing 114.In order to increase repairability and intensity to be increased, on any direction that protuberance 114C can be in both direction or the both direction slope is set, thereby can has the cross section of triangle 114C (1) shown in Fig. 1 C and 1D respectively or trapezoidal 114C (2).This design can make

single IMLA

102A and 102B (promptly leave on the direction of described housing) on positive x-direction after installing and disassemble.

Right angle head connector assembly 100 also comprises a keeper 120, and it is used to make IMLA 102A, 102B to keep aligning and stablizing on x-, y-and z-direction.Keeper 120 keeps correct location to play stabilization by the terminal 110 that makes contact 104.Keeper 120 can have any length, and can make it size and dimension and be applicable to single head connector assembly or multiposition structure.For example, as shown in the figure, the length L of keeper 120 can be identical with the width W of single head connector assembly, or can be identical with the pattern length of the bull connector assembly of arrangement adjacent one another are.

For example, IMLA can have about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters thickness T.IMLA spacing IS between the adjacent IMLA can be about 0.75 to 1.0 millimeter.For 1.0 inches slit centers, exemplary configurations comprises 150 positions, and for 0.8 inch slit center, exemplary configurations comprises 120 positions, and all not staggered screen in all these positions.IMLA isolates, and this just means that IMLA can be stacked in customer density (customer density) or the desired any centreline spacing of wiring factor.Example is including but not limited to 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm or 4.0mm.

Fig. 2 A is the end view according to IMLA 102A of the present invention.IMLA 102A comprises one group of conductive contact 104 and lead frame 108 that is extended through by contact 104 to small part of being arranged to linear contact array.Contact 104 can optionally be appointed as ground connection or signal contact.

For example, contact a, b, d, e, g, h, j, k, m and n may be defined as signal contact, and contact c, f, i, l and o may be defined as grounding contact.In this regulation, it is right that signal contact forms differential signal to a-b, d-e, g-h, j-k and m-n.As a kind of alternative method, contact a, c, e, g, i, k, m and o for example may be defined as signal contact, and contact b, d, f, h, j, l and n may be defined as grounding contact.In this regulation, signal contact a, c, e, g, i, k, m and o form single-ended signal conductors.In another regulation, contact a, c, e, g, h, j, k, m and n for example may be defined as signal contact, and contact b, d, f, i, l and o may be defined as grounding contact.In this regulation, signal contact a, c and e form single-ended signal conductors, and signal contact is right to g-h, j-k and m-n formation differential signal.Therefore, should be appreciated that generally speaking that each described contact can be signal contact or grounding contact according to the requirements definition of application scenario.

In above every kind of regulation describing in conjunction with IMLA 102A, contact f and l are grounding contact.Although should be appreciated that optionally, can expect that described grounding contact extends beyond described signal contact, so that described grounding contact can be realized contact before described signal contact contact.Therefore, described system can sting at described signal contact and be able to ground connection before joining.Because contact f and l all are grounding contacts in any regulation, so extensible terminal that surpasses other contacts of the terminal of grounding contact f and l, thereby grounding contact f and l can sting to sting before joining and join at any signal contact, and IMLA also can not add and revises ground and support any one regulation.

Fig. 2 B is the end view of IMLA 102B, and described IMLA 102B comprises conductive contact 104 and lead frame 108 that is extended through by contact 104 to small part that is arranged to linear contact array.In addition, contact 104 can optionally be appointed as ground or signal contact.

For example, contact b, c, e, f, h, i, k, l, n and o may be defined as signal contact, and contact a, d, g, j and m may be defined as grounding contact.In this regulation, it is right that signal contact forms differential signal to b-c, e-f, h-i, k-l and n-o.As a kind of alternative method, contact b, d, f, h, j, l and n for example may be defined as signal contact, and contact a, c, e, g, i, k, m and o may be defined as grounding contact.In this regulation, signal contact b, d, f, h, j, l and n form single-ended signal conductors.In the another kind regulation, contact b, c, e, f, h, j, l and n for example may be defined as signal contact, and contact a, d, g, i, k, m and o may be defined as grounding contact.In this regulation, signal contact is right to b-c and e-f formation differential signal, and signal contact h, j, l and n form single-ended signal conductors.Therefore, should be appreciated that generally speaking that each described contact can be signal contact or grounding contact according to the requirements definition of application scenario.

In above every kind of regulation describing in conjunction with IMLA 102B, contact g and m all are grounding contacts, the extensible terminal that surpasses other contacts of the terminal of described grounding contact, thus grounding contact g and m can sting to sting before joining and join at any described signal contact.

In addition, comprise 15 contacts, should be appreciated that IMLA can comprise the contact of any desired number although the IMLA shown in Fig. 2 A and the 2B all is illustrated.For example, it is also contemplated that employing has the IMLA of 12 or nine contacts.The contact that therefore, can comprise any number according to connector assembly of the present invention.

Each IMLA 102A, 102B include an arm 150 with turret terminal 152.As following detailed, arm 150 can be configured to like this, and promptly keeper 120 can fit between the arm 150 of IMLA 102 and first 156.Arm 150 also can be configured to like this, and promptly second of IMLA 102 154 can be resisted against on the top of keeper 120.Therefore, IMLA 102 can be designed to like this, and promptly arm 150 straddles on keeper 120.An example has been shown among Fig. 4 A, and wherein, the arm 150 of IMLA 102 extends above keeper 120.Yet shown in Figure 1A, for example, turret terminal 152 is used for promoting or pushing keeper 120 along negative x-direction (towards housing 114).

Fig. 3 A-3D shows respectively according to the axle that waits of keeper of the present invention and surveys view, end view, front view and vertical view.As shown in the figure, the form that keeper 120 can single piece of material is for example by molded formation.Described material can be electrical insulating material, for example plastics.As an example, described keeper can have the height H of about 14mm, the approximately length L of 20mm and the approximately depth D of 2-5mm.Shown keeper is suitable for keeping ten IMLA in the single connector.Therefore, keeper shown in has the length L identical with the representative width of the connector that comprises ten IMLA.

Keeper 120 comprises a wall portion 122, and this wall portion has the first side 122A and the second side 122B.In the time of on being fixed on described connector, the first side 122A of wall portion 122 nestles up IMLA.Therefore, wall portion 122 can prevent that IMLA from moving along x-direction (for example, shown in Figure 1A).As mentioned above, the arm 150 of each IMLA straddles on the 122T of the top of wall portion 122.The end 152 of arm 150 nestles up the second side 122B of the wall portion 122 of keeper 120.

Keeper 120 comprises a plurality of protuberances or projection 124, and they extend along the first side 122A arrangement of wall portion 122 and from the described first side 112A.The size of projection 124, shape or position are such, and promptly they form a plurality of grooves 126.Each groove 126 has groove span CS respectively, and described span CS is the distance between the neighboring projection 124 in the projection 124 of nominated bank.Groove span CS selects like this, and promptly IMLA can be received and fit in each groove 126 between the neighboring projection 124.Projection 124 is used to make IMLA to obtain really to align on the z-direction, and can prevent that IMLA on the y-direction (for example, shown in Figure 1A) from taking place significantly mobile.Also can on the second side 122B of each IMLA, set up a rib RB, to help preventing that IMLA from moving along negative z-direction.The turret terminal 152 of the arm 150 of each IMLA preferably is assemblied on the corresponding rib RB in the mode of buckle.

Each projection 124 all has width w, length l and depth d.The width w of each projection 124 all is supposed to be chosen to provide the groove span CS of expectation.In embodiment as an example, the width w of each projection all is approximately 1mm, and groove span CS is equal to or slightly greater than the width of each IMLA, thereby, between IMLA and described stop, can form matched in clearance.Yet, also can imagine and adopt other suitable methods of attachment, for example between IMLA and described stop, adopt the dovetail groove fit system.The depth d of each projection 124 all is supposed to be chosen to enough big resistance can be provided on the y-direction, moves along the y direction to prevent IMLA.In an embodiment as an example, the projection depth d is approximate 1mm.The length l of each projection 124 all is supposed to be chosen to make form keeper 120 needed quantity of material minimums and also can make IMLA keep expecting to stablize and align simultaneously.In an embodiment as an example, projection length l is approximate 1mm.Yet, should be appreciated that projection 124 can have the desired any width w of particular application, length l and depth d.

Make the quantity of material of keeper 120 minimize the minimize weight that can help making connector.For example, as shown in the figure, each projection 124 can have the round end 124e shown in Fig. 3 E, like this, just can reduce the weight of keeper 120 and be convenient to make keeper 120 and IMLA interlock.Although there is shown two row projections 124, should be appreciated that single file projection 124 is also enough, maybe can adopt projection 124 more than two row.

Keeper 120 also comprises a plurality of pedestals 128, and they extend along the first side 122A arrangement of wall portion 122 with from the described first side 122A.IMLA preferably passes through between pedestal 128.Therefore, keeper 120 can prevent that IMLA from moving along z-direction (for example, shown in Figure 1A).For example, shown in Fig. 3 C, pedestal 128 is configured to have between them pedestal interval S S.As shown in the figure, pedestal interval S S can be less than groove span CS, so that can be used for having the IMLA of lead frame in uneven thickness in the zone of pedestal 128 108.

For example, shown in Fig. 3 B, the second side 122B of exemplary keeper 120 preferably includes a shoulder 130,132,134 and foots 136 of a pair of groove.

Fig. 4 A and 4B show as the exemplary keeper 120 that comprises according to the part of the right angle head connector assembly of exemplary shell 300 of the present invention.Housing 300 is similar to above-mentioned housing 114, and comprises a plurality of partition wall 300A arranged apart, and each partition wall 300A can comprise one or more notch 300B (1), 300B (2).Partition wall 300A expectation separates enough greatly, between them, to form such opening, this opening (for example passes through to enough making stinging of each IMLA 102A, 102B join end 112 greatly, be similar to 0.9mm or following), and be small enough to prevent that IMLA 102A, 102B from moving along x-direction (promptly towards housing 300).

Each notch 300B (1), 300B (2) are receiving the half-cone or the half slope protuberance 300C that are positioned on corresponding IMLA102A, the 102B respectively, thus make IMLA102A and 102B can be in inserting housing 300 after on negative x-direction (promptly away from housing 300) obtain locking.In order to increase repairability and intensity to be increased, on any direction that protuberance 300C can be in both direction or the both direction slope is set, so that can have triangle or trapezoidal cross-section as described above.This design can make single IMLA102A and 102B disassemble from negative x direction (promptly away from housing 300) after installing.

Exemplary shell 300 can make IMLA be connected on the housing 300 with staggered pattern satisfactorily.For example, but the first notch 300B (1) in protuberance 300C interlock, but the second notch 300B (2) in the protuberance 300C interlock that is positioned on the adjacent IMLA.This layout has increased the stability of whole connector.

Fig. 5 shows an alternate embodiment according to keeper 400 of the present invention.Keeper 400 is the form of band 410 generally, and it is assemblied in the recess 420 that the body frame by each IMLA limits in the buckle mode.Separator 430 arranged apart is for example approximate 1-2mm that extends between each IMLA.The number of the length of band 410 and separator 430 preferably depends on the number of IMLA.In example shown in Figure 5, the length overall SL of band 410 can be approximate 19mm, and the length overall L of each separator can be approximate 9mm.

Although described the present invention in conjunction with the preferred embodiment shown in each figure, be appreciated that and also can use other similar embodiment, or can make amendment to described embodiment in the case of without departing from the present invention and set up and realize identical function of the present invention.Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, and should think to have category or scope according to claims.

Claims

1. electric connector comprises:

Connector shell;

Lead assemblies, it comprises along stinging prescription joins end to extending through stinging of described housing;

The lead assemblies stop, it comprises and a plurality ofly prevents described lead assemblies along the maintenance surface that at least one direction moves,

Wherein, described lead assemblies also comprises a thrust piece, its along described sting prescription to the pushing described stop.

2. electric connector as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described stop prevent described lead assemblies along the described prescription of stinging to moving.

3. electric connector as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described stop prevents that described lead assemblies is along moving in the opposite direction with the described prescription of stinging.

4. electric connector as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described connector shell prevent described lead assemblies along the described prescription of stinging to moving.

5. electric connector as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that described connector shell comprises first and second partition walls, and they are arranged apart, with prevent described lead assemblies along the described prescription of stinging to moving.

6. electric connector as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, at least one partition wall in described first and second partition walls comprises a notch, and described lead assemblies comprises a protuberance, described protuberance is received in the described notch, and prevents that described lead assemblies is along moving in the opposite direction with the described prescription of stinging.

7. electric connector as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that described protuberance has ramp structure.

8. electric connector as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that described protuberance has triangular cross section.

9. electric connector as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that described protuberance has trapezoidal cross-section.

10. electric connector as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that described notch is staggered with respect to the notch on the adjacent lead assemblies.