CN214280250U - Cable connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to cable connectors. In one example, a cable connector has a mounting end attached to at least one cable, and a mating end that mates with a complementary connector. The connector has a housing, and a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the housing. A plurality of electrical contacts are arranged in at least a first row and a second row. Each row has a plurality of signal contact pairs spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction, and at least one ground contact disposed between each signal contact pair. The signal contacts in each pair are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 0.68 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters, the signal contact pairs are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 2.90 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters, and the first and second rows are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 3.15 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

Description

Cable connector

Technical Field

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/966,240 filed on day 27 of 2020 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/905,130 filed on day 24 of 2019, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Background

Electrical connector systems typically include circuitry and components on one or more interconnected circuit boards. Examples of circuit boards in an electrical connector system may include daughter boards, mother boards, backplane boards (backplane boards), midplane boards (midplane boards), and the like. The electrical assembly may also include an electrical connector that provides an interface between the electrical components and provides an electrically conductive path for electrical communication of data signals and/or power to place the electrical components in electrical communication with each other.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In an example, a cable connector includes: a mounting end and a docking end, the mounting end configured to attach to at least one cable; the mating end is offset from the mounting end and configured to mate with a complementary mating electrical connector in a mating direction. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the connector housing. The plurality of electrical contacts are arranged in at least first and second rows, each of the first and second rows including a plurality of signal contact pairs and a plurality of ground contacts, the plurality of signal contact pairs being spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction perpendicular to the mating direction, the plurality of ground contacts being spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction such that at least one ground contact is disposed between adjacent signal contact pairs. The individual signal contacts in each signal contact pair are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 0.68 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters in the lateral direction, adjacent signal contact pairs are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 2.90 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters, and the first and second rows are spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 3.15 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the lateral direction.

Drawings

The following description of illustrative examples may be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the potential examples of the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to the depicted examples.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a cable connector system according to one example, having a first cable connector and a second cable connector;

fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the first cable connector of fig. 1 with four rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 3A shows an exploded view of the first cable connector of fig. 2;

fig. 3B shows a perspective view of the first cable connector of fig. 1 in which an alternative example coupling mechanism is employed that secures at least one cable to the connector housing;

FIG. 3C shows a close-up perspective view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 3B with the shrink wrap removed;

FIG. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 3B with the shrink wrap removed;

fig. 4A shows a perspective view of a docking interface of the first cable connector of fig. 2;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of a row of electrical contacts of the docking interface of FIG. 4A;

fig. 5A shows a perspective view of multiple rows of electrical contacts of the first cable connector of fig. 2 connected to a cable with the inner housing body of the connector removed;

fig. 5B shows a perspective view of multiple rows of electrical contacts of the first cable connector of fig. 2 according to another example, with an inner housing body of the connector removed;

fig. 5C shows a perspective view of the first cable connector of fig. 2 with the cover removed to show a strain relief mechanism that provides strain relief for the cables therein, only a portion of which are shown;

fig. 5D illustrates a top view of the first cable connector of fig. 2 with the cover removed to illustrate a stress relief mechanism that provides stress relief for the cable therein;

fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a row of electrical contacts of the first cable connector of fig. 2 connected to a cable with the cover removed;

fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a row of signal contacts of the first cable connector of fig. 2;

fig. 8A shows a perspective view of a ground conductor of a row of electrical contacts of the first cable connector of fig. 2;

fig. 8B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground conductors of the first cable connector of fig. 2 with an interposer formed thereon;

fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a retention body of the first cable connector of fig. 2 configured to retain a cover over a row of electrical contacts of the first cable connector of fig. 2;

fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the first cable connector of fig. 1 with two rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the first cable connector of fig. 1 with eight rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the second cable connector of fig. 1 with four rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 13A shows an exploded view of the second cable connector of fig. 12;

fig. 13B shows a plan view of the mating end of the second cable connector of fig. 12;

fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a docking interface of the second cable connector of fig. 12;

fig. 15 shows a perspective view of multiple rows of electrical contacts of the second cable connector of fig. 12 connected to a cable with the inner housing body of the connector removed;

fig. 16 shows a perspective view of a row of electrical contacts of the second cable connector of fig. 12 connected to a cable with the cover removed;

fig. 17 shows a perspective view of a row of signal contacts of the second cable connector of fig. 12;

fig. 18A shows a perspective view of a ground conductor of a row of electrical contacts of the second cable connector of fig. 12;

fig. 18B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground conductors of the second cable connector of fig. 12 with an interposer formed thereon;

fig. 19 shows a perspective view of a retention body of the second cable connector of fig. 22 configured to retain a cover over a row of electrical contacts of the second cable connector of fig. 12;

fig. 20 shows a perspective view of the second cable connector of fig. 1 with two rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 21 shows a perspective view of the second cable connector of fig. 1 with eight rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 22 shows an exploded view of another example of the first cable connector of fig. 2, wherein the cable connector has eight rows of electrical contacts;

fig. 23 shows a side view of a portion of the first cable connector of fig. 22 with the outer housing removed;

FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a coupling mechanism of the connector of FIG. 22 securing at least one cable to the connector housing;

FIG. 25 shows a side view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of a portion of a computing device to which the multiple cable connector system of FIG. 1 is attached, according to one example; and

fig. 27 shows a perspective view of a portion of a computing device to which the multiple cable connector system of fig. 1 is attached, according to another example.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a cable connector system 10 includes a cable connector 100 and a complementary cable connector 200. For ease of discussion, cable connectors 100 and 200 are referred to as first and second cable connectors, respectively. However, it should be understood that the cable connectors 100 and 200 may alternatively be referred to simply as cable connectors, or as male and female cable connectors, respectively, or as plug and receptacle connectors, respectively. Or as the second cable connector and the first cable connector, respectively. The first cable connector 100 and the second cable connector 200 are configured to dock with each other such that the first cable connector 100 and the second cable connector 200 are in electrical communication with each other. In one example, first cable connector 100 may have a clip (clip)101, clip 101 being configured to fixedly attach first cable connector 100 to second cable connector 200 when first cable connector 100 and second cable connector 200 are mated with each other. The catch 101 may comprise at least one tooth 101a, such as a pair of teeth 101a, each configured to engage a corresponding recess 213c of the mating interface of the second cable connector 200. It should be understood that other types of fasteners than the clasps 101 may be used to fixedly attach the first cable connector 100 to the second cable connector 200.

The first cable connector 100 may be configured to be attached to a first end of the at least one first cable 300 such that the first cable connector 100 is in electrical communication with the at least one first cable 300. The second end of the first electrical cable 106 can be configured to be attached to a complementary electrical component (not shown), such as another suitable cable connector. For example, the complementary electrical component can be any suitable cable connector, such as the CPI cable connector described in PCT application number PCT/US2019/55139 filed on 8/10/2019, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, or a suitable connector manufactured by Samtec inc. (santai corporation), such as a novara cable connector, ACCELERATE cable connector, or a direct connect connector described in U.S. patent publication No. 2019/0267732 published on 29/8/2019, the teachings of U.S. patent publication No. 2019/0267732 being incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Thus, the at least one first electrical cable 300 can be configured to place the first cable connector 100 and the complementary electrical component in electrical communication with each other.

The second cable connector 200 may be configured to be attached to a first end of the at least one second cable 400 such that the second cable connector 200 is in electrical communication with the at least one second cable 400. A second end of the second electrical cable 400 can be configured to be attached to a second complementary electrical component (e.g., shown in figure 27), such as another suitable cable connector. For example, the second complementary electrical component can be any suitable cable connector, such as a CPI cable connector, for example, a cable connector described in PCT application number PCT/US2019/55139 filed on 8.10.2019, and the second complementary electrical component can also be a suitable connector manufactured by Samtec inc, such as a NOVARAY cable connector, ACCELERATE cable connector, or a direct connector described in U.S. patent publication number 2019/0267732 published on 29.8.2019. The second complementary electrical component can be disposed adjacent to the ASIC or the die package substrate. Thus, the at least one second electrical cable 400 may be configured to place the second cable connector 200 and the second complementary electrical component in electrical communication with each other. Thus, when the first cable connector 100 and the second cable connector 200 are mated, an electrically conductive path may be provided between the first complementary electrical component and the second complementary electrical component through the first cable connector 100 and the second cable connector 200, such as an electrically conductive path from at least one of the first complementary electrical component and the second complementary electrical component to the other of the first complementary electronic component and the second complementary electronic component.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, the first electrical connector 100 includes a mating end 102 and a mounting end 104, the mounting end 104 being spaced apart from the mating end 102. The mating end 102 is configured to mate with the second electrical connector 200 along a mating direction M_A1And (6) butting. Thus, the second electrical connector 200 is configured to mate with the mating end 102 in the mating direction M_A2Butt joint in a butt joint direction M_A2And the butt joint direction M_A1The opposite is true. For ease of discussion, the docking direction M will be described_A1And M_A2Referred to as first docking direction and second docking direction, respectively. However, it should be understood that the docking direction M_A1And a docking direction M_A2May alternatively be referred to simply asAnd (4) butting direction. The mounting end 104 is configured to mount to at least one cable 300 (shown in fig. 1). The mating end 102 may be spaced from the mounting end 104 along an axis along a first mating direction M_A1Extending such that the first electrical connector 100 forms a vertical connector. In an alternative example, the mating end 102 and the mounting end 104 may be angularly offset from each other such that the first electrical connector 100 forms an angled connector, such as a right angle connector.

The electrical connector 100 comprises a first lateral side 106 and a second lateral side 108, the first lateral side 106 and the second lateral side 108 being perpendicular to the first mating direction M_A1Are offset from each other. The electrical connector 100 includes a first transverse end 110 and a second transverse end 112, the first transverse end 110 and the second transverse end 112 are perpendicular to the first mating direction M_A1And a transverse direction T of the lateral direction a are offset from each other. In one example, the electrical connector 100 is along a first mating direction M_A1May be elongated from the first mounting end 104 to the first mating end 102. For example, the electrical connector 100 may have a first mating direction M_A1Is greater than the dimension of the electrical connector 100 in the lateral direction a and the dimension of the electrical connector 100 in the transverse direction T. However, it should be understood that in alternative examples, the electrical connector 100 need not be elongated in the longitudinal direction L.

The electrical connector 100 includes a connector housing 114 and a plurality of electrical contacts 116 supported by the connector housing 114. The connector housing 114 may be formed of a dielectric material or an electrically insulating material. The connector housing 114 may have a housing body 115. The housing body 115 may define a cavity 117 therein. The cavity 117 may be configured to receive a first end of the at least one cable 300 when the at least one cable 300 is attached to the electrical contact 116. The housing body 115 of the housing 114 may have any suitable shape. For example, the housing body 115 may have a first lateral sidewall 115a and a second lateral sidewall 115b, the first lateral sidewall 115a and the second lateral sidewall 115b being offset from each other along the lateral direction a to define a cavity 117 between the first lateral sidewall 115a and the second lateral sidewall 115 b. The housing body 115 may have a first transverse end wall 115c and a second transverse end wall 115d, the first and second transverse end walls 115c, 115d being offset from one another along the transverse direction T to define a cavity 117 between the first and second transverse end walls 115c, 115 d.

The housing body 115 may have a first body portion 115e and a second body portion 115f, the first body portion 115e and the second body portion 115f being capable of coupling with each other to define a cavity 117 between the first body portion 115e and the second body portion 115 f. The first and second body portions 115e and 115f may include first and second transverse end walls 115c and 115d, respectively. For example, one of the first body portion 115e and the second body portion 115f may be formed as a cap for the other of the first body portion 115e and the second body portion 115 f. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second body portions 115e, 115f may be formed as first and second halves of a clamshell (clamshell) housing. In other examples, the housing body 115 may be defined as a unitary body portion, or the housing body 115 may include other portions in addition to the first and second coupleable body portions 115e and 115 f.

The first and second lateral side walls 115a, 115b may be along the first butt direction M compared to the first and second lateral end walls 115c, 115d_A1Further extending. Accordingly, the first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b may be along the first butting direction M_A1And projects beyond the first transverse end wall 115c and the second transverse end wall 115 d. In one example, the first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b may be along the first docking direction M_A1At least extending up to the electrical contact 116 or beyond the electrical contact 116. Thus, the first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b may provide protection for the electrical contacts 116. The first lateral sidewall 115a and the second lateral sidewall 115b at the docking end 102 may be substantially flat along a plane along the first docking direction M_A1And a transverse direction T. The first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b may have a dimension in the lateral direction a that is less than a dimension in the transverse direction T of the first and second sidewalls 115a and 115 b. It should be understood that the first lateral sidewall 115a and the second lateral sidewall 115aThe lateral side wall 115b may have another suitable shape.

The connector housing 114 may include an inner housing body 118, the inner housing body 118 configured to support at least a portion of the electrical contacts 116, such as supporting the mounting ends of the electrical contacts 116. The inner housing body 118 may be received within the cavity 117 of the outer body portion 115. Alternatively, the inner housing body 115 and the outer housing body 118 may be integrated with each other such that the connector housing 114 has a single housing body. The first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b may be along the first docking direction M_A1At least extending up to the inner housing body 118 or beyond the inner housing body 118.

Referring to fig. 4A, fig. 4A illustrates a mating interface of the first electrical connector 100 of fig. 1. The housing 114 is configured to support the electrical contacts 116 such that the electrical contacts 116 are arranged in at least one row, the at least one row extending in the lateral direction a. For example, the at least one row may include a plurality of rows spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. For example, the plurality of rows may include, for example, four rows as shown in fig. 4A. In alternative examples, the plurality of rows may include two rows such as shown in fig. 10, six rows, eight rows such as shown in fig. 11, or more than eight rows. The electrical contacts 116 in each row may be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The rows may be parallel to each other. Each row may be a linear array of electrical contacts 116. Each linear array may extend in the lateral direction a or may extend in another suitable direction.

Each row of electrical contacts 116 includes a plurality of signal contacts 120 and a plurality of ground contacts 122. The signal contacts 120 in each row may be arranged in pairs. Each pair of signal contacts 120 may define a differential signal pair. The signal contacts 120 in each pair may be arranged edge-to-edge. The signal contacts 120 in each pair may be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction a by a distance d₁. Distance d₁Can be measured from the center of one signal contact 120 of a pair of signal contacts to the center of the other signal contact 120 of the pair of signal contacts in the lateral direction a. In one example, the distance d₁And may be 0.68 mm + -0.05 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the signal contacts 120 in each pair may be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a by a distance d₁₁(shown in FIG. 4B), where the distance d₁₁Measured from the innermost edge of one signal contact 120 of the pair to the innermost edge of the other signal contact 120 of the pair. In one example, the distance d₁₁And may be 0.38 mm + -0.05 mm.

The pairs of signal contacts 120 may be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction a by a distance d₂Distance d₂Greater than the distance d₁. Distance d₂Can be measured from a midpoint between two of the pair of signal contacts 120 to a midpoint between two of the adjacent pair of signal contacts 120 in the lateral direction a. E.g. distance d₂And may be 2.90 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The plurality of ground contacts 122 in each row includes at least one ground contact 122 between adjacent pairs of signal contacts 120. The plurality of ground contacts may further include an outermost ground contact 123 disposed at an outermost end of each row of contacts, or a pair of outermost ground contacts 123 disposed at an outermost end of each row of contacts. Each pair of signal contacts 120 may be disposed between adjacent ground contacts 122 and 123. As will be described in further detail below, the plurality of ground contacts 122 and 123 in each row may be interconnected by a ground plate 134 (such as shown in fig. 6 and 8A). Each ground contact 122 of the at least one ground contact 122 may comprise a single wider ground contact as shown or two or more ground contacts spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. Each ground contact 122 of the at least one ground contact 122 may be spaced apart from an adjacent at least one ground contact 122 by a distance d₃. Distance d₃May be measured from the center of at least one ground contact 122 to the center of an adjacent at least one ground contact 122 along the lateral direction a. In one example, the distance d₃And may be 2.90 mm ± 0.05 mm.

A pair of signal contacts 120 may be spaced apart from an adjacent ground contact 122 by a distance d in the lateral direction a₁₂(as shown in fig. 4B). Distance d₁₂Can be selected from one signal contact 1 of the pair of signal contacts 120The innermost edge of 20 is measured in the lateral direction a to the innermost edge of the adjacent ground contact. In one example, the distance d₁₂And may be 0.50 mm ± 0.05 mm. Additionally or alternatively, a pair of signal contacts 120 may be spaced apart from an adjacent ground contact 123 by a distance d in the lateral direction a₁₃(shown in FIG. 4B), wherein the distance d₁₃Measured from the center of the nearest signal contact 120 (i.e., closest to the ground contact 123) of the pair of signal contacts 120 to the center of the adjacent ground contact 123. In one example, the distance d₁₂And may be 0.78 mm + -0.05 mm.

The electrical contacts 116 arranged in a row may include a mutual spacing distance d₄First row R of₁And a second row R₂. Distance d₄Can be selected from the first row R₁As shown in fig. 6 and 8A, to a second row R in a transverse direction T₂To the ground plane 134. In one example, the distance d₄May be 3.15 mm ± 0.05 mm. In other words, the first and second rows may be spaced apart at a row spacing of 3.15 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters. First row R₁And a second row R₂May be equally spaced on opposite sides of the centerline CL of the first electrical connector 100. Thus, in one example, row R₁And row R₂May each be spaced from the centerline CL by a distance d of 1.575 + -0.05 millimeters₁₀。

The electrical contacts 116 arranged in rows may include a first set of rows on a first side of the centerline CL along the transverse direction T. The first set of rows may include a first row R₁And one or more other rows R₃One or more other rows R₃Along a transverse direction T and a first row R on a first side of a centerline CL₁Spaced outwardly. First row R₁And one or more other rows R₃May be spaced apart from each other by a distance d₅. Distance d₅May be measured in the transverse direction T from the ground plane 134 of each row in the first set to the ground plane 134 of an adjacent row in the first set. In one example, the distance d₅May be 2.00 mm ± 0.05 mm. In other words, the rows in the first set may be mutually exclusiveSpaced apart by a line spacing of 2.00 mm + -0.05 mm.

Similarly, the electrical contacts 116 arranged in rows may include a second set of rows on a second side of the centerline CL along the transverse direction T. The second set of rows may include a second row R₂And one or more other rows R₄One or more other rows R₄On a second side of the centre line CL in the transverse direction T and a second row R₂Spaced outwardly. Second row R₂And one or more other rows R₄May be spaced apart from each other by a distance d₅. Distance d₅May be measured in the transverse direction T from the ground plane 134 of each row in the second set (as shown in fig. 6 and 8A) to the ground plane 134 of an adjacent row in the second set. In one example, the distance d₅May be 2.00 mm ± 0.05 mm. In other words, the rows in the second set may be spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 2.00 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

The first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b may have first and second inner surfaces 115g and 115h, the first and second inner surfaces 115g and 115h facing inward and being spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction a by a distance d₆. The inner surfaces 115g and 115h may be configured to receive outer surfaces of the first and second lateral sidewalls 218a and 218b (shown in fig. 14) of the second electrical connector 200. In one example, the distance d₆May be 14.70 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The inner shell body 118 can have first and second laterally- outward surfaces 118a, 118b, the first and second laterally- outward surfaces 118a, 118b facing outward and being spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction a by a distance d₇Wherein the distance d₇Less than distance d₆. The first and second lateral outward surfaces 118a, 118b are configured to be received by inner surfaces of first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b (shown in fig. 14) of the second electrical connector 200. In one example, the distance d₇May be 12.70 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The inner shell body 118 may have a first lateral outer surface 118c and a second lateral outer surface 118d, the first lateral outer surface 118c andthe second laterally outer surfaces 118d face outwardly and are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction T by a distance d₈. The first and second lateral outer surfaces 118c, 118d are configured to be received by inner surfaces of first and second lateral end walls 218c, 218d (shown in fig. 14) of the second electrical connector 200. In one example, when the electrical connector 100 has two rows of electrical contacts 116 as shown in fig. 10, the distance d₈And may be 5.85 mm ± 0.05 mm. In another example, when the electrical connector 100 has four rows of electrical contacts 116 as shown in fig. 4A, the distance d₈And may be 9.85 mm ± 0.05 mm. In yet another example, when the electrical connector 100 has eight rows of electrical contacts 116 as shown in fig. 11, the distance d₈May be 17.85 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The inner housing body 118 can be spaced between the first and second sidewalls 115a, 115b such that the first inner surface 115g is spaced apart from the first outer surface 118a and the second inner surface 115h is spaced apart from the second outer surface 118b, thereby defining a first gap 119 between the first inner surface 115g and the first outer surface 118a and a second gap 119 between the second inner surface 115h and the second outer surface 118 b. The first and second gaps 119, 119 may be configured to receive the first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b (shown in fig. 14) of the second electrical connector 200, respectively, when the first and second electrical connectors 100, 200 are mated to each other. The first gap 119 and the second gap 119 may each have a dimension d along the lateral direction a₉. In one example, dimension d₉May be 1.00 mm ± 0.05 mm.

Referring briefly to fig. 4B, the inner housing body 118 can include at least one spacer wall 121, the spacer wall 121 corresponding to a row of electrical contacts 116. For example, the inner housing body 118 may include a spacing wall 121 for each row of electrical contacts 116. The partition wall 121 may have a first lateral end 121a and a second lateral end 121b spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction T. The spacer wall 121 may define at least a portion of each of the first and second lateral side surfaces 118a, 118b of the inner shell body 118. The partition walls 121 may have a width from the first lateral surface 118a to the second lateral surface 118b in the lateral direction a and a height from the first lateral end 121a to the second lateral end 121b in the lateral direction T. The width may be greater than the height.

The partition walls 121 may define a plurality of recesses extending into the first lateral end 121a toward the second lateral end 121 b. The plurality of recesses may include a plurality of signal contact recesses 125, each signal contact recess 125 configured to support a pair of signal contacts 120 therein. The plurality of recesses may include a plurality of ground contact recesses 127, each ground contact recess 127 configured to support at least one ground contact 122 therein. The partition walls 121 may define a plurality of partition walls 129, each partition wall 129 separating the signal contact recess 125 from the ground contact recess 127. Each signal contact recess 125 can have a dimension d along the lateral direction a₁₄. In one example, dimension d₁₄May be 1.30 mm ± 0.05 mm.

Each ground contact recess 127 may have a dimension d in the lateral direction a₁₇. In one example, dimension d₁₇May be 1.20 mm ± 0.05 mm. Each ground contact recess 127 may be spaced apart from an adjacent ground recess 127 by a dimension d in the lateral direction a₁₆. Dimension d₁₆May be measured from the center of a ground contact recess 127 to the center of an adjacent ground contact recess 127. In one example, dimension d₁₆And may be 2.90 mm ± 0.05 mm. Each partition wall 129 may have a dimension d in the lateral direction a₁₈. In one example, dimension d₁₈May be 0.20 mm ± 0.05 mm. Each ground contact recess 127 may be bounded by a pair of adjacent partition walls 129. Each pair of adjacent partition walls 129 may have a dimension d₁₅Dimension d₁₅Measured from the outer surface of one of the pair of partition walls 129 to the outer surface of the other of the pair of partition walls 129 in the lateral direction a. In one example, dimension d₁₅May be 1.6 mm ± 0.05 mm. Each partition wall 129 may have a dimension d from the bottom of the corresponding ground contact recess 127 to the first lateral end 121a along the lateral direction T₁₉. In one example, the distance d₁₉May be 0.83 mm ± 0.05 mm.

Referring to fig. 4A, 5A, and 5B, the electrical connector 100 may optionally include a body 126, the body 126 tuned to absorb a magnetic field of a certain frequency or a certain range of frequencies. For example, the body 126 may have material properties tuned to absorb a magnetic field substantially at the operating frequency of the first electrical connector 100. The word "substantially" with respect to frequency includes frequencies described herein as well as frequencies within 5GHz above and below the frequency (+/-5 GHz). Of course, it should be understood that the body 126 may be configured to attenuate other frequencies as desired. For example, the body 126 may be a broadband absorber. The body 126 may be tuned to attenuate frequency bands at frequencies wider than 1GHz, wider than 10GHz, wider than 20GHz, wider than 30GHz, wider than 40GHz, wider than 50GHz, wider than 60GHz, wider than 70GHz, wider than 80GHz, wider than 90GHz, or wider than 100 GHz.

The body 126 may include a substrate or plate formed of a conductive or non-conductive material. The substrate or plate may act as a shield. The body 126 may include a lossy material or a metamaterial. The substrate or plate may be embedded or otherwise covered by a lossy material or metamaterial. The body 126 may be isolated from ground such that the body 126 is not electrically coupled to ground, wherein the body 126 includes a substrate or plate and/or a lossy material or metamaterial. The lossy material or metamaterial may be magnetically absorptive. In one example, the lossy material or metamaterial may be electrically conductive. For example, the conductivity of the lossy material or metamaterial may be greater than 1 siemens/meter up to about 6.1 x 10⁷Siemens per meter. Alternatively, the lossy material or metamaterial may be non-conductive. For example, the conductivity of the lossy material or metamaterial can range from 1 siemens/m up to 1X 10^-17Siemens per meter. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the lossy material or metamaterial can improve signal integrity relative to a comparable design in which the substrate or board or an ungrounded substrate or board is not embedded or covered by the lossy material or metamaterial. The connector of the present disclosure can meet the 32 gigabit/second PCIE Express Gen 5 standard without the body 126 or can be compatible with 56 gigabit/second NRZ or 112 gigabit/second PAM4 when implemented with the body 126. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that,it is believed that the body 126 may produce lower crosstalk at higher frequencies.

In one example, as shown, the inner housing body 118 can define an opening 118e, the opening 118e extending into the inner housing body 118 in an opposite direction, wherein the opposite direction is opposite the first mating direction M_A1Conversely, the opening 118e is configured to receive the body 126. The openings 118e may extend through the inner housing body 118 in opposite directions. Alternatively or additionally, the connector housing 114 may include a body 126, such as the inner housing body 118, of the connector housing 114. Specifically, the connector housing 114 may include a body 126 carried by the inner housing body 118. Specifically, the body 126 may be embedded in the inner housing body 118. Alternatively or additionally, the body 126 may be disposed on an outer surface of the connector housing 114.

The bodies 126 may be arranged in a first row R₁Electrical contacts 116 and a second row R₂Between the electrical contacts 116. The body 126 may be elongated in the lateral direction a. Accordingly, a dimension of the body 126 in the lateral direction a may be greater than a dimension of the body 126 in the transverse direction T. The body 126 may extend along the centerline CL in the lateral direction a. As shown in fig. 5A, the body 126 may have a transverse direction a and a mating direction M_A1A substantially flat body. The body 126 is along the butt joint direction M_A1May be greater than the dimension of the body 126 in the transverse direction T. The body 126 may have a generally rectangular front or insertion end 126 a. However, it should be understood that the front or insertion end may have another suitable shape. For example, fig. 5B shows that the leading or insertion end 126a may be chamfered (chamferred). Chamfering the front or insertion end 126a may make it easier to insert the body 126 into the inner housing body 118.

Referring now to fig. 3A and 5A, one example of a method of securing at least one cable 300 to the mounting end 104 of the electrical connector 100 will be described. The at least one cable 300 may include at least one jacket 302 and a plurality of smaller cables 304 supported within the jacket 302, the jacket 302 being, for example, a metal braided jacket. It should be noted that portions of the plurality of smaller cables 304 between the inner housing body 118 and the sheath 300 are hidden for ease of illustration. In one example, the smaller cable 304 may comprise a two-wire cable, such as a twinaxial cable (also referred to as a twisted pair cable). In one example, each twinaxial cable may be a 28-30 American Wire Gauge (AWG) twisted pair cable. The smaller cables 304 may extend out of one end of the sheath 302 and be divided into a plurality of rows, each row corresponding to a row of electrical contacts 116. As shown in fig. 6, each two-wire cable 304 can include a pair of wires electrically coupled to a pair of signal contacts 120 such that each wire in the two-wire cable 304 is electrically coupled to a different one of the pair of signal contacts 120. Additionally or alternatively, the smaller cable 304 may comprise a single wire containing cable, such as a coaxial cable. In one example, the coaxial cable may be a 34AWG coaxial cable. In such examples, each single-wire cable 304 may be electrically coupled to a different signal contact 120.

The first electrical connector 100 may include at least one strain relief 128, the at least one strain relief 128 attached to the corresponding row of smaller cables 304. For example, the first electrical connector 100 may include strain relief 128 for each row of smaller cables 304 to support a row of cables 304 in the strain relief 128. Each strain relief 128 may be overmolded to a row of cables 304 or attached to a row of cables in another suitable manner. The strain relief 128 may be spaced from the inner shell body 118 in an opposite direction from the first mating direction M_A1And reversing. Each strain relief 128 may be configured to be received in the cavity 117 of the housing 114 such that the strain relief 128 is aligned with the mating direction M_A1And the opposite direction of translation, is fixedly coupled to the housing 114. Accordingly, each strain relief 128 may help relieve strain so that tension applied to cable 300 is transferred to housing 114. This may reduce or limit the force applied to the connection between the smaller cable 304 and the corresponding signal contact 120 of the smaller cable 304. Each strain relief 128 may also arrange a collection of smaller cables 304 in a row.

Referring briefly to fig. 5C and 5D, one example of a method of securing the strain relief 128 in the cavity 117 of the housing 114 is shown. The connector 100 may include at least one protrusion 131, such as a plurality of protrusions 131, at least one protrusion 131 extending from one of the first and second lateral sidewalls 115a, 115b into the cavity 117 of the housing 114. In some examples, each protrusion 131 may have a pointed shape, such as a triangle. Each protrusion 131 is configured to engage one side of at least one strain relief 128 when the strain relief 135 is disposed in the cavity 117. Connector 100 may include a wedge 135, wedge 135 being configured to be received between: (i) the other of the first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b (i.e., on the side opposite the at least one protrusion 131) and (ii) a side of the at least one strain relief 128. In one example, wedge 135 may have a plate-like shape. Optionally, the wedge 135 may include a plurality of protrusions 137, the plurality of protrusions 137 extending inwardly to engage one side of the at least one strain relief 128. When wedge 135 is inserted within cavity 117 between (i) the other of first and second lateral sidewalls 115a and 115b and (ii) the at least one strain relief 128, wedge 135 applies a biasing force to the at least one strain relief 128 that presses the at least one strain relief 128 against the at least one protrusion 131 to fix the position of the at least one strain relief 128 within cavity 117.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, each row of electrical contacts 116 may include a lead frame 138 (otherwise referred to as an interposer assembly). Each leadframe 138 may include a dielectric or electrically insulative interposer 140 and a row of signal contacts 120 supported by the interposer 140. The row of signal contacts 120 may be overmolded by the body 140. Alternatively, the row of signal contacts 120 may be plugged (pinned) into the interposer 140. Each signal contact 120 may be formed of a conductive metal.

Each signal contact 120 has a signal mounting end 120a and a signal mating end 120b, the signal mating end 120b being opposite the signal mounting end 120 a. The wires 304a of each smaller cable 304 may be soldered or otherwise electrically coupled to each signal mounting end 120 a. Each signal contact 120 has a first signal edge 120c and a second signal edge 120d opposite each other along the lateral direction a. Each signalThe contact 120 has a first signal broadside 120e and a second signal broadside 120f that are opposite each other along the transverse direction T. The contacts 120 can have a width in the lateral direction a across the broadsides 120e and 120f, a thickness in the lateral direction T across the edges 120c and 120d, and a mating direction M_A1Length of (d). The width may be greater than the thickness. Further, the length may be greater than the width and thickness. Thus, each signal contact 120 can be elongated as it extends from its signal mounting end 120a to its signal mating end 120 b.

The signal mating end 120b of each signal contact 120 may include a contact beam 120 g. The contact beam 120g may be configured as a flexible beam having a curvature, such as an arc. Curved structures as described herein refer to curved shapes that may be manufactured by, for example, bending ends or by stamping a curved shape or by any other suitable manufacturing process. The contact beam 120g can include a beam body 120h and a tip 120j extending from the beam body 210 h. The beam body 120h can extend in a direction away from the signal mounting end 120a, and the tip 120j can extend from the beam body 120h in a direction angularly offset from the beam body 120h, such as in the mating direction M_A1And a direction angularly offset from the transverse direction T. The beam body 120h and the tip 120j may abut one another at the bend 120 k.

Referring to fig. 6, 8A, and 8B, each row of signal contacts 116 may include a ground conductor 133, the ground conductor 133 including a ground plate 134 and a plurality of ground contacts 122 and 123. The ground plate 134 and each of the ground contacts 122, 123 may be formed of a conductive metal. Each ground plate 134 has a ground mounting end 134a and a ground mating end 134b, the ground mating end 134b being along the first mating direction M_A1Opposite the ground mounting end 134 a. Each ground plate 134 has a first ground edge 134c and a second ground edge 134d opposite each other in the lateral direction a. Each ground plate 134 has a first ground broadside 134e and a second ground broadside 134f that oppose each other along the transverse direction T. Each ground plate 134 may have a width in the lateral direction a across the broadsides 134e and 134f, a thickness in the lateral direction T across the edges 134c and 134d, and a mating direction M_A1Length of (d). Length ofMay be greater than the thickness. Further, the width may be greater than the length and thickness. Accordingly, each ground plate 134 may be elongated as it extends from its first ground edge 134c to its second ground edge 134 d. Each ground plate 134 may be in the lateral direction a and the first mating direction M_A1The extended plane has a substantially flat shape.

Each of the ground contacts 122 and 123 may be butted in a direction M from a ground butting end 134b of the ground plate 134_A1And (4) extending. However, it should be understood that in alternative examples, each of the ground contacts 122 and 123 need not extend from the ground plate 134, but may be defined on a surface of the ground plate 134. In one example, each of the ground contacts 122 and 123 can be integral with the ground plate 134. Each ground contact 122 and 123 may define a tab (tab) or a ground contact beam. Each ground contact beam may be configured to have a curved, flexible beam, the curve such as being arcuate. Curved structures as described herein refer to curved shapes that may be manufactured by, for example, bending ends or by stamping a curved shape or by any other suitable manufacturing process. Each ground contact beam may include a beam body 122h, a beam body 123h, and a tip 122j, 123j extending from the beam bodies 122h, 123 h. The beam bodies 122h, 123h may extend in a direction away from the ground plate 134, and the tips 122j, 123j may extend from the beam bodies 122h, 123h in a direction angularly offset from the beam bodies 122h, 123h, such as in a direction M that is aligned with the mating direction_A1And a direction angularly offset from the transverse direction T. Beam body 122h and tip 122j may abut one another at bend 122k, and beam body 123h and tip 123j may abut one another at bend 123 k.

The ground plate 134 can include a plurality of engagement features 139 that are configured to engage the cable 304. In some examples, the engagement feature 139 can include a pair of tabs for each cable 304, where the pair of tabs are received on opposite sides of the cable 304. As shown in fig. 8A, a pair of engagement features 139 can define a cradle (cradle) having a recess configured to support one cable 304 therein. In some casesIn an example, the ground plate 134 may include a stiffening rib 141, the stiffening rib 141 configured to strengthen the ground plate 134 so as to limit bending of the ground plate 134, although examples of the present disclosure are not limited to having the rib 141. The ribs 141 may be elongated in the lateral direction a. Thus, the ribs 141 may have a length in the lateral direction a that is greater than the length of the ribs 141 in the mating direction M_A1Is measured. The ribs 141 may limit bending along an axis that is along the mating direction M_A1Extending, the bending will cause the first and second grounding edges 134c, 134d to move toward each other. The ribs 141 may be stamped or otherwise formed in the ground plate 134. As shown in fig. 8B, the ribs 141 may have a first side and a second side that are spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The first side may define a recess that may receive a portion of the insulative insert 140 of the leadframe 138 therein. The second side of the rib 141 may define a protrusion extending into the insulating insert 140. The interposer and/or the recess may help retain the ground plate 134 within the interposer 140.

Referring briefly to fig. 4A, the electrical contacts 116 of each row may be aligned with corresponding electrical contacts of an adjacent row along the transverse direction T. For example, each pair of signal contacts 120 in a row may be aligned in the transverse direction T with a pair of signal contacts 120 in each adjacent row. Thus, it can be said that the signal contact pairs are arranged in a column of signal contacts. Similarly, each ground contact 122 in a row may be aligned with a ground contact 122, 123 in each adjacent row along the transverse direction T. Therefore, it can be said that the ground contacts are arranged in a column of the ground contacts. Thus, the signal contacts 120 and ground contacts 122 in each row are not staggered with respect to the signal contacts 120 and ground contacts 122 in each adjacent row, but are aligned with those contacts. It should be understood that in alternative examples, the signal contacts 120 and ground contacts 122 in one row may be staggered with respect to the signal contacts 120 and ground contacts 122 in an adjacent row.

The electrical contacts 116 in each row may be arranged edge-to-edge along the lateral direction a. The electrical contact disposed on the first side of the centerline CL may have a tip 120j, a tip 122j, a tip 123j, the tip 120j, the tip 122j, the tip 123j extending or bending away from the centerline CL in a first direction. The electrical contact disposed on the second side of the centerline CL may have a tip 120j, a tip 122j, and a tip 123j, the tip 120j, the tip 122j, and the tip 123j extending or bending away from the centerline CL in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. In some examples, the electrical contacts disposed on the second side of the centerline CL may mirror the electrical contacts disposed on the first side of the centerline CL.

Referring to fig. 5A, 6 and 9, the first electrical connector 100 may include a hood 132 for each row, the hood 132 being configured to cover the signal mounting ends 120a of the signal contacts 120, and in particular, the hood 132 being configured to cover the connection between the signal mounting ends 120a and the wires 304a of the smaller cables 304. The cover 132 may be formed of a non-conductive material such as plastic. The first electrical connector 100 may include a retention body 136 for each row, the retention body 136 configured to couple the cap 132 to the signal contacts 120 and the ground conductors 133. The retention body 136 may include a base 136a and a plurality of arms 136b, which may extend from the base in the transverse direction T. The plurality of arms 136b may include first and second arms 136b, the first and second arms 136b being spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The base 136a is configured to be disposed on a first side (e.g., 134f) of the ground conductor 133, and the arms 136b are configured to extend through respective apertures 143 of the ground conductor 133 and engage the cap 132 on a second side (e.g., 134e) of the ground conductor 133. The arms 136b may define a catch configured to hold the cap 132 over the signal mounting end 120 and the ground conductor 133.

The first electrical connector 100 may optionally include strain relief 130 for each row, the strain relief 130 attached to the smaller cable 304. Each strain relief 130 may be overmolded to a row of cables 304 or attached to a row of cables in another suitable manner. The strain relief 130 may be configured to be secured to the cover 132. The strain relief 130 may be formed of an electromagnetic interference absorbing material. The strain relief 130 may be configured to provide strain relief for the smaller cable 304 to prevent the cable 304 from disconnecting from the signal contact 120.

Referring to fig. 3A, the connector housing 114 may include a coupler 142, the coupler 142 configured to engage a coupler 306 of at least one cable 300 to secure the at least one cable 300 to the connector housing 114. For example, the coupler 142 of the connector housing 114 may define an inner surface 142a, the inner surface 142a defining an opening 142b, the opening 142b configured to receive the coupler 306 of the at least one cable 300. In one example, when the inner surface 142a is along a first mating direction M_A1The inner surface 142a tapers inwardly as it extends in the opposite and distal direction from the docking end 102. The coupler 306 may be a widened portion of the metal braid of the jacket 302 of the cable 300. The coupler 306 of the at least one cable 300 may include an outer surface 306a, the outer surface 306a being disposed along a first mating direction M_A1And tapers as it extends in the opposite and distal direction from the mating end 102. The tapered surface 306a and the tapered surface 142a may engage each other to prevent the at least one cable 300 from being relative to the connector housing 114 in the first mating direction M_A1And in the opposite and distal direction from the docking end 102. The electrical connector 100 may optionally include a sleeve 308, such as an insulating sheath received over the jacket of the at least one cable 300. The electrical connector 100 may include a shrink wrap (shrink wrap)310, the shrink wrap 310 being shrinkable over an interface between the at least one cable 300 and the coupler 142 to secure the at least one cable 300 and the coupler 142. The coupler 142 can include engagement features 142c, such as ridges, and the shrink wrap 310 can be configured to shrink into the gaps between the ridges.

In fig. 3B-3D, another example of a coupling mechanism for securing at least one cable 300 to the connector housing 114 is shown. In this example, the mounting end of the housing 115 may include a flange (lip)115 j. The flange 115 may extend around at least a portion of the mounting end or even all of the mounting end of the housing 115. Flange 115j may have a rear end and a mating direction M therewith_A1Spaced apart front ends. The metal braided sheath 302 of the cable 300 may be in the mating direction M_A1Extending over flange 115j such that metal braided sheath 302 conforms to the shape of flange 115 j.Thus, the mounting end of the housing 115 including the flange 115j may be received in the metal braided sheath 302. The electrical connector 100 may include a leaf spring 311, the leaf spring 311 being received over the metal braided sheath 302 and the mounting end of the housing 115. A portion of the braided metal sheath 302 may be caught between the plate spring 311 and the front end of the flange 115j to prevent the braided metal sheath 302 from abutting against the housing 115 in the mating direction M_A1The opposite direction. Thus, the flange 115j may act as a stop to interfere with the movement of the braided metal sheath 302 and the leaf spring 311 in opposite directions. Optionally, the electrical connector 100 may include a shrink wrap 310, the shrink wrap 310 being shrinkable over the interface between the metal braided sheath 302, the leaf spring 311, and the mounting end of the housing 115.

Referring now to fig. 12, 13A and 13B, the second electrical connector 200 includes a mating end 202 and a mounting end 204, the mounting end 204 being spaced from the mating end 202. The mating end 202 is configured to mate with the first electrical connector 100 along a second mating direction M_A2Butt-joint, second butt-joint direction M_A2In a first docking direction M_A1The opposite is true. The mounting end 204 is configured to be mounted to at least one cable 400. The mating end 202 may be spaced from the mounting end 204 along an axis along the second mating direction M_A2Extending such that the second electrical connector 200 forms a vertical connector. In an alternative example, the mating end 202 and the mounting end 204 may be angularly offset from each other such that the second electrical connector 200 forms an angled connector, such as a right angle connector.

The electrical connector 200 comprises a first lateral side 206 and a second lateral side 208, the first lateral side 206 and the second lateral side 208 being perpendicular to the second mating direction M_A2Are offset from each other. The electrical connector 200 comprises a first transverse end 210 and a second transverse end 212, the first and second transverse ends 210, 212 being perpendicular to the second mating direction M_A2And a transverse direction T of the lateral direction a are offset from each other. In one example, the electrical connector 200 is along the second mating direction M_A2May be elongated from the first mounting end 204 to the first mating end 202. For example, the electrical connector 200 is along the second mating direction M_A2May be longer than the electrical connectorA width of the electrical connector 200 in the lateral direction a and a height of the electrical connector 200 in the transverse direction T. However, it should be understood that in alternative examples, the electrical connector 200 need not be elongated in the longitudinal direction L.

The electrical connector 200 includes a connector housing 214 and a plurality of electrical contacts 216 supported by the connector housing 214. The connector housing 214 may have a housing body 215. The housing body 215 may be formed of a dielectric material or an electrically insulating material or an electrically conductive material. The housing body 215 may define a chamber 217 therein. The cavity 217 may be configured to receive a first end of the at least one cable 400 when the at least one cable 400 is attached to the electrical contact 216. The shell body 215 of the housing 214 may have any suitable shape. For example, the housing body 215 is perpendicular to the second docking direction M_A2May have a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the plane of (a). The housing body 215 may have at least one wall that defines a chamber 217. At least one wall may be in the second docking direction M_A2Extends beyond the plurality of electrical contacts 216, defining a receptacle configured to receive the first electrical connector 100 therein. For example, the housing body 215 may have a first lateral sidewall 215a and a second lateral sidewall 215b, the first and second lateral sidewalls 215a and 215b being offset from each other along the lateral direction a to define a chamber 217 between the first and second lateral sidewalls 215a and 215 b. The housing body 215 may have first and second transverse end walls 215c, 215d, the first and second transverse end walls 215c, 215d being offset from one another along the transverse direction T so as to define a chamber 217 between the first and second transverse end walls 215c, 215 d. The housing body 215 may be formed as a unitary piece, or may have two or more body portions that may be coupled to one another so as to define a chamber 217 between the portions.

The first and second lateral sidewalls 215a and 215b may be along the second docking direction M_A2Protruding at least up to the electrical contact 216 or beyond the electrical contact 216. Thus, the first and second lateral sidewalls 215a and 215b provide protection for the electrical contacts 216. Similarly, the first and second transverse end walls 215c and 215d may be along the second mating direction M_A2Protruding at least up to the electrical contact 216 or beyond the electrical contact 216. Thus, the first and second transverse end walls 215c, 215d provide protection for the electrical contacts 216, and the cavity 217 is configured to receive the mating end 102 of the first electrical connector 100 therein.

The connector housing 214 may have a housing sheath 213, the housing sheath 213 being disposed within the housing body 215. The housing sheath 213 may be formed of a conductive material such as metal. The housing sheath 213 may define a chamber 213a therein. The housing sheath 213 may have any suitable shape. For example, the housing sheath 213 is perpendicular to the second docking direction M_A2May have a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the plane of (a). The housing sheath 213 can include engagement features 213b, the engagement features 213b configured to mate with a support structure, such as the wall 500 of the computing system shown in fig. 1, when the mating end 202 of the second electrical connector 200 is received in the wall 500 via the corresponding opening. In some examples, the engagement feature 213b may be a spring-loaded catch or tab configured to engage an inner side of the wall 500 to limit the second electrical connector 200 from being pulled out of the wall 500 of the computing system.

The connector housing 214 may include an inner housing body 218, the inner housing body 218 configured to support at least a portion of the electrical contacts 216, such as to support a mounting end of the electrical contacts 216. The housing body 215 may be formed of a dielectric material or an electrically insulating material. The inner housing body 218 may be received within a cavity 213 of the housing sheath 213, with the housing sheath 213 being received within a cavity 217 of the outer body portion 215. Alternatively, one or more, or even all, of the inner shell body 218, the shell jacket 213, and the outer shell body 215 may be integrated with one another. Lateral sidewalls of the housing body 215 and the housing sheath 213 may be along the second mating direction M_A2Protruding at least up to the inner housing body 218 or beyond the inner housing body 218.

In some examples, the housing body 215 and the shell jacket 213 may have complementary mating features configured to engage with one another such that the shell jacket 213 may be received in the housing body 215 in only one orientation. For example, the housing body 215 is perpendicular to the mating partyTo M_A2May have a cross-sectional shape in the plane, and the housing sheath 213 may have a cross-sectional shape in the plane that is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the housing body 215 only when the housing body 215 and the housing sheath 213 are in a selected orientation relative to one another. One of the housing body 215 and the housing sheath 213 may include a protrusion, and the other of the housing body 215 and the housing sheath 213 may include a recess configured to receive the protrusion. For example, fig. 13A and 13B show a specific example in which the housing jacket 213 has a protrusion 209, the protrusion 209 extends outwardly from the housing jacket 213, and the housing body 215 defines a recess 211, the recess 211 extending outwardly from the cavity 217 of the housing body 215, wherein the recess 211 is configured to receive the protrusion 209.

Referring to fig. 14, a mating interface of the second electrical connector 200 of fig. 1 is shown. The housing 214 is configured to support the electrical contacts 216 such that the electrical contacts 216 are arranged in at least one row extending in the lateral direction a. For example, the at least one row may comprise a plurality of rows spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The plurality of rows may include, for example, four rows as shown in fig. 14. In alternative examples, the plurality of rows may include two rows as shown in fig. 20, six rows, eight rows as shown in fig. 21, or more than eight rows. The electrical contacts 216 in each row may be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The rows may be parallel to each other. Each row may be a linear array of electrical contacts 216. Each linear array may extend in the lateral direction a or may extend in another suitable direction.

Each row of electrical contacts 216 includes a plurality of signal contacts 220. The signal contacts 220 in each row may be arranged in pairs. Each pair of signal contacts 220 may define a differential signal pair. The signal contacts 220 in each pair may be arranged edge-to-edge. The signal contacts 220 in each pair may be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction a by a distance d₂₀. Distance d₂₀Can be measured from the center of one signal contact of a pair of signal contacts 220 to the center of the other signal contact of the pair of signal contacts 220 in the lateral direction a. In one example, the distance d₂₀And may be 0.68 mm + -0.05 mm. The pairs of signal contacts 220 may be aligned with each other in the lateral direction ASpaced apart by a distance d₂₁Distance d₂₁Greater than the distance d₂₀. Distance d₂₁Can be measured from a midpoint between two contacts of a pair of signal contacts 220 to a midpoint between two contacts of an adjacent pair of signal contacts 220 in the lateral direction a. In one example, the distance d₂₁And may be 2.90 mm ± 0.05 mm.

Each row may optionally include a plurality of ground contacts. The plurality of ground contacts 222 in each row may include at least one ground contact 222 between an adjacent pair of signal contacts 220. The plurality of ground contacts may also include an outermost ground contact 223 disposed on an outermost end of each row of contacts. Each pair of signal contacts 220 may be disposed between adjacent ground contacts 222 and 223. As will be described in further detail below, the plurality of ground contacts 222 and 223 in each row may be interconnected by a ground plate 234 (shown in fig. 16 and 18A). Each ground contact of the at least one ground contact 222 may comprise a single wider ground contact as shown or two or more ground contacts spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. Each ground contact of the at least one ground contact 222 may be spaced apart from an adjacent at least one ground contact 222 by a distance d₂₂. Distance d₂₂May be measured from the center of at least one ground contact 222 to the center of an adjacent at least one ground contact 222 along the lateral direction a. In one example, the distance d₂₂And may be 2.90 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The electrical contacts 216 arranged in a row may include a mutual spacing distance d₂₃First row R of₁And a second row R₂. Distance d₂₃Can be selected from the first row R₁To a second row R in a transverse direction T (shown in fig. 16 and 18A)₂To the ground plate 234. In one example, the distance d₂₃May be 3.15 mm ± 0.05 mm. In other words, the first and second rows may be spaced apart by a row spacing of 3.15 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters. First row R₁And a second row R₂May be equally spaced on opposite sides of the centerline CL of the second electrical connector 200. Thus, at oneIn the example, row R₁And row R₂May each be spaced from the centerline CL by a distance of 1.575 ± 0.05 millimeters.

The electrical contacts 216 arranged in rows may include a first set of rows on a first side of the centerline CL along the transverse direction T. The first set of rows may include a first row R₁And one or more other rows R₃One or more other rows R₃Along a transverse direction T and a first row R on a first side of a centerline CL₁Spaced outwardly. First row R₁And one or more other rows R₃Can be spaced apart from each other by a distance d₂₄. Distance d₂₄May be measured from the ground plane 234 of each row in the first set to the ground plane 234 of an adjacent row in the first set in the lateral direction T. In one example, the distance d₂₄May be 2.00 mm ± 0.05 mm. In other words, the rows in the first set may be spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 2.00 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

Similarly, the electrical contacts 216 arranged in rows may include a second set of rows on a second side of the centerline CL along the transverse direction T. The second set of rows may include a second row R₂And one or more other rows R₄One or more other rows R₄On a second side of the centre line CL in the transverse direction T and a second row R₂Spaced outwardly. Second row R₂And one or more other rows R₄Can be spaced apart from each other by a distance d₂₄. Distance d₂₄May be measured in the lateral direction T from the ground plane 234 of each row in the second set (as shown in fig. 16 and 18A) to the ground plane 234 of an adjacent row in the second set. In one example, the distance d₂₄May be 2.00 mm ± 0.05 mm. In other words, the rows in the second set may be spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 2.00 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

The inner housing body 218 may have a first lateral sidewall 218a and a second lateral sidewall 218b, the first and second lateral sidewalls 218a and 218b being spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b may have outer surfaces at the abutting ends, the outer surfaces of the first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b facing outward and in a lateral directionA are spaced apart from each other by a distance d₂₅. In one example, the distance d₂₅May be 14.70 mm ± 0.05 mm. The outer surface of the first lateral sidewall 218a and the outer surface of the second lateral sidewall 218b are configured to be received by the inner surface 115g of the first lateral sidewall 115a and the inner surface 115h of the second lateral sidewall 115b of the first electrical connector 100 (shown in fig. 4A).

The first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b can have inner surfaces at the abutting ends, the inner surfaces of the first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b facing inward and being spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction a by a distance d₂₆Wherein the distance d₂₆Less than distance d₂₅. The inner surfaces of the first and second lateral sidewalls 218a, 218b are configured to receive the lateral outer surfaces 118a, 118b of the first electrical connector 100 (shown in fig. 4A). In one example, the distance d₂₆And may be 12.75 mm + -0.05 mm.

The inner housing body 218 can have a first lateral inner surface 218c and a second lateral inner surface 218d, the first and second lateral inner surfaces 218c, 218d facing inward and being spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction T by a distance d₂₇. The first and second lateral inner surfaces 218c and 218d are configured to receive the lateral outer surfaces 118c and 118d (shown in fig. 4A) of the first electrical connector 100. In one example, the distance d is when the electrical connector 200 has two rows of electrical contacts 216 as shown in fig. 20₂₇And may be 5.95 mm ± 0.05 mm. In another example, when the electrical connector 200 has four rows of electrical contacts 216 as shown in fig. 14, the distance d₂₇May be 9.95 mm ± 0.05 mm. In yet another example, when the electrical connector 200 has eight rows of electrical contacts 216 as shown in fig. 21, the distance d₂₇May be 17.95 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The first and second lateral sidewalls 218a and 218b may be configured to be received in the first and second gaps 119 and 119 (shown in fig. 4A) of the first electrical connector 100, respectively, when the first and second electrical connectors 100 and 200 are mated to each other. The first and second lateral sidewalls 218a and 218b may eachHaving a dimension d in the lateral direction A₂₈. In one example, dimension d₂₈May be 1.00 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The electrical connector 200 may optionally include a body 226, the body 226 tuned to absorb a magnetic field of a certain frequency or a range of frequencies. For example, the body 226 may have material properties tuned to absorb a magnetic field substantially at the operating frequency of the second electrical connector 200. The word "substantially" with respect to frequency includes frequencies described herein as well as frequencies within 5GHz above and below the described frequency (+/-5 GHz). Of course, it should be understood that the body 226 may be configured to attenuate other frequencies as desired. For example, the body 226 may be a broadband absorber. The body 226 may be tuned to attenuate frequency bands of frequencies wider than 1GHz, wider than 10GHz, wider than 20GHz, wider than 30GHz, wider than 40GHz, wider than 50GHz, wider than 60GHz, wider than 70GHz, wider than 80GHz, wider than 90GHz, or wider than 100 GHz.

The body 226 may include a substrate or plate formed of a conductive or non-conductive material. The substrate or plate may act as a shield. The body may comprise lossy material or metamaterial (material). The substrate or plate may be embedded or otherwise covered by a lossy material or metamaterial. The body 226 may be isolated from ground such that the body 226 is not electrically coupled to ground, wherein the body 226 comprises a substrate or plate and/or a lossy material or metamaterial. The lossy material or metamaterial may be magnetically absorptive. In one example, the lossy material or metamaterial may be electrically conductive. For example, the conductivity of the lossy material or metamaterial may be greater than 1 siemens/meter up to about 6.1 x 10⁷Siemens per meter. Alternatively, the lossy material or metamaterial may be non-conductive. For example, the conductivity of the lossy material or metamaterial can range from 1 siemens/m up to 1X 10^-17Siemens per meter. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the lossy material or metamaterial can improve signal integrity relative to a comparable design in which the substrate or board or an ungrounded substrate or board is not embedded or covered by the lossy material or metamaterial. The connector of the present disclosure can meet the 32 gigabit/second PCIE Express Gen 5 standard without the body 126, or when combined with the body 126 oneMay be implemented to be compatible with a 56 gbit/s NRZ or a 112 gbit/s PAM 4. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the body 126 may produce lower crosstalk at higher frequencies.

In one example, as shown, the inner housing body 218 can define an opening 218e, the opening 218e extending into the inner housing body 218 in an opposite direction, wherein the opposite direction is in a second mating direction M_A2Conversely, the opening 218e is configured to receive the body 226. The openings 218e may extend through the inner housing body 218 in opposite directions. Alternatively or additionally, the connector housing 214, such as the inner housing body 218, may include a body 226. Specifically, the connector housing 214 may include a body 226 carried by the inner housing body 218. Specifically, the body 226 may be embedded in the inner housing body 218. Alternatively or additionally, the body 226 may be disposed on an outer surface of the connector housing 214.

The body 226 may be disposed in a first row R₁Electrical contacts 216 and a second row R₂Between the electrical contacts 216. The body 226 may be elongated in the lateral direction a. Accordingly, a dimension of the body 226 in the lateral direction a may be greater than a dimension of the body 226 in the transverse direction T. The body 226 may extend along the centerline CL in the lateral direction a. Referring briefly to fig. 15, the body 226 may have a lateral direction a and a mating direction M_A2A substantially flat body. The body 226 is along the mating direction M_A2Is greater than the dimension of the body 226 in the transverse direction T. The body 226 may have a generally rectangular front or insertion end. However, it should be understood that the front or insertion end may have another suitable shape. For example, the front or insertion end of the body 226 may be chamfered in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to the front end 126a of the body 126. Chamfering the front or insertion end may make it easier to insert the body 226 into the inner housing body 218.

Turning now to fig. 13A and 15, the at least one cable 400 can include a plurality of cables 400. In one example, the cable 400 can include a cable comprising two electrical wires, such as a twinaxial cable. In one example, each twinaxial cable may be a 30 to 34 American Wire Gauge (AWG) coaxial cable. The cable 400 may be arranged in a plurality of rows, each row corresponding to a row of electrical contacts 216. Each two-wire cable 400 can include a pair of wires electrically coupled to a pair of signal contacts 220 such that each wire in the cable 400 is electrically coupled to a different one of the pair of signal contacts 220. Additionally or alternatively, the cable 400 may include a single wire cable, such as a coaxial cable. In one example, each coaxial cable may be a 34AWG coaxial cable. In such examples, each single-wire cable 400 may be electrically coupled to a different signal contact 220.

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, each row of electrical contacts 216 may include a lead frame 238 (alternatively referred to as an interposer assembly). Each leadframe 238 may include a dielectric or electrically insulative interposer 240 and a row of signal contacts 220 supported by the interposer 240. The row of signal contacts 220 may be overmolded by the body 240. Alternatively, the row of signal contacts 220 may be plugged into the interposer 240. Each signal contact 220 may be formed of a conductive metal.

Each signal contact 220 has a signal mounting end 220a and a signal mating end 220b, the signal mating end 220b being opposite the signal mounting end 220 a. The wires 400a of each smaller cable 400 may be soldered or otherwise electrically coupled to each signal mounting end 220 a. Each signal contact 220 has a first signal edge 220c and a second signal edge 220d, the first signal edge 220c and the second signal edge 220d opposing each other along the lateral direction a. Each signal contact 220 has a first signal broadside 220e and a second signal broadside 220f, the first and second signal broadsides 220e, 220f being opposite to each other along the transverse direction T. Each signal contact 220 may have a width in the lateral direction a across broadsides 220e and 220f, a thickness in the lateral direction T across edges 220c and 220d, and a mating direction M_A2Length of (d). The width may be greater than the thickness. Further, the length may be greater than the width and thickness. Thus, each signal contact 220 may be elongated as it extends from its signal mounting end 220a to its signal mating end 220 b.

The signal mating end 220b of each signal contact 220 may include a contact beam 220 g. The contact beam 220b may be configured as a flexible beam having a curvature, such as an arc. Bending as described hereinStructure refers to a curved shape that may be manufactured by, for example, bending the ends or by stamping the curved shape or by any other suitable manufacturing process. The contact beam 220g may include a beam body 220h and a tip 220j extending from the beam body 210 h. The beam body 220h can extend in a direction away from the signal mounting end 220a, and the tip 220j can extend from the beam body 220h in a direction angularly offset from the beam body 220h, such as in a mating direction M_A2And a direction angularly offset from the transverse direction T. The beam body 220h and the tip 220j may abut one another at the bend 220 k.

Referring to fig. 16 and 18A, each row of signal contacts 216 may include a ground conductor 233, the ground conductor 233 including a ground plate 234 and a plurality of ground contacts 222 and 223. The ground plate 234 and each of the ground contacts 222, 223 may be formed of a conductive metal. Each ground plate 234 has a ground mounting end 234a and a ground mating end 234b, the ground mating end 234b being along the second mating direction M_A2Opposite the ground mounting end 234 a. Each ground plate 234 has a first ground edge 234c and a second ground edge 234d, the first and second ground edges 234c and 234d opposing each other in the lateral direction a. Each ground plate 234 has a first ground broadside 234e and a second ground broadside 234f opposite each other in the transverse direction T. Each ground plate 234 may have a width in the lateral direction a across the broadsides 234e and 234f, a thickness in the lateral direction T across the edges 234c and 234d, and a mating direction M_A2Length of (d). The length may be greater than the thickness. Further, the width may be greater than the length and thickness. Accordingly, each ground plate 234 may be elongated as it extends from its first ground edge 234c to its second ground edge 234 d. Each ground plate 234 may be aligned in the lateral direction a and the second mating direction M_A2The extended plane has a substantially flat shape.

Each of the ground contacts 222 and 223 may be butted in a direction M from a ground butting end 234b of the ground plate 234_A2And (4) extending. In one example, each of the ground contacts 222 and 223 may be integral with the ground plate 234. Each ground contact 222 and 223 may define a ground contact beam. Each groundThe contact beam may be configured as a flexible beam having a curvature, such as an arc. Curved structures as described herein refer to curved shapes that may be manufactured by, for example, bending ends or by stamping a curved shape or by any other suitable manufacturing process. Each ground contact beam may include a beam body 222h, a beam body 223h, and a tip 222j, 223j extending from the beam body 222h, 222 j. Beam bodies 222h, 223h may extend in a direction away from ground plate 234, and tips 222j, 223j may extend from beam bodies 222h, 223h in a direction angularly offset from beam bodies 222h, 223h, such as in a direction from mating direction M_A2And a direction angularly offset from the transverse direction T. Beam body 222h and tip 222j may abut one another at bend 222k, and beam body 223h and tip 223j may abut one another at bend 223 k.

The ground plate 234 can include a plurality of engagement features 239, the plurality of engagement features 239 being configured to engage the cable 400. In some examples, engagement feature 239 can include a pair of tabs for each cable 400, where the pair of tabs are received on opposite sides of cable 400. As shown in fig. 18A, a pair of engagement features 239 can define a bracket having a recess configured to support one cable 400 therein. In some examples, the ground plate 234 may include a stiffening rib 241, the stiffening rib 241 configured to strengthen the ground plate 234 so as to limit bending of the ground plate 234, although examples of the present disclosure are not limited to having the rib 241. The ribs 241 may be elongated in the lateral direction a. Thus, the ribs 241 may have a length in the lateral direction a that may be greater than the length of the ribs 241 in the mating direction M_A2Is measured. The ribs 241 may limit bending along an axis that is along the mating direction M_A2Extending, the bending will cause first grounding edge 234c and second grounding edge 234d to move toward each other. The ribs 241 may be stamped or otherwise formed in the ground plate 234. As shown in fig. 18B, the rib 241 may have a first side and a second side that are spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The first side may define a recess that may receive a portion of the insulative insert 240 of the leadframe 238 therein. The second side of the rib 241 may define a protrusion, whichThe outlet extends into the insulating insert 240. The insert and/or the recess may help retain the ground plate 234 within the insert body 240.

Referring briefly to fig. 14, the electrical contacts 216 of each row may be aligned with corresponding electrical contacts of an adjacent row along the transverse direction T. For example, each pair of signal contacts 220 in a row may line up a pair of signal contact pairs 220 in each adjacent row along the transverse direction T. Thus, it can be said that the signal contact pairs are arranged in a column of signal contacts. Similarly, each ground contact 222 in a row may be aligned with the ground contacts 222, 223 in each adjacent row along the transverse direction T. Therefore, it can be said that the ground contacts are arranged in a column of ground contacts. Thus, the signal contacts 220 and ground contacts 222 in each row are not staggered with respect to the signal contacts 220 and ground contacts 222 in each adjacent row, but are aligned with those contacts. It should be appreciated that in alternative examples, the signal contacts 220 and ground contacts 222 in one row may be staggered with respect to the signal contacts 220 and ground contacts 222 in an adjacent row.

The electrical contacts 216 in each row may be arranged edge-to-edge along the lateral direction a. The electrical contact disposed on the first side of the centerline CL may have a tip 220j, a tip 222j, a tip 223j, the tip 220j, the tip 222j, the tip 223j extending or bending away from the centerline CL in a first direction. The electrical contact disposed on the second side of the centerline CL may have a tip 220j, a tip 222j, and a tip 223j, the tip 220j, the tip 222j, and the tip 223j extending or curving away from the centerline CL in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. In some examples, the electrical contacts disposed on the second side of the centerline CL may mirror the electrical contacts disposed on the first side of the centerline CL.

Referring to fig. 15, 16 and 19, the second electrical connector 200 may include a hood 232 for each row, the hood 232 being configured to cover the signal mounting ends 220a of the signal contacts 220, and in particular, the hood 232 being configured to cover the connection between the signal mounting ends 220a and the wires 404a of the cable 400. The cover 232 may be formed of a non-conductive material such as plastic. The second electrical connector 200 may include a retention body 236 for each row, the retention body 236 configured to couple the shield 232 to the signal contacts 220 and the ground conductors 233. The retention body 236 may include a base 236a and a plurality of arms 236b, the plurality of arms 236b extending from the base in the transverse direction T. The plurality of arms 236b may include a first arm 236b and a second arm 236b, the first arm 236b and the second arm 236b being spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The base 236a is configured to be disposed on a first side (e.g., 234f) of the ground conductor 233, and the arm 236b is configured to extend through a corresponding aperture 243 of the ground conductor 233 and engage the cover 232 on a second side (e.g., 234e) of the ground conductor 233. The arms 236b may define a catch configured to hold the cover 232 over the signal mounting end 220 and the ground conductor 233.

The second electrical connector 200 may optionally include a strain relief 230 for each row, the strain relief 230 being secured to the cable 400. The strain relief 230 may be configured to be secured to a cover 232. Each strain relief 230 may be overmolded to a row of cables 400 or attached to a row of cables in another suitable manner. The stress relief 230 may be formed of an electromagnetic interference absorbing material. The strain relief 230 may be configured to provide strain relief for the cable 400 to prevent the cable 400 from disconnecting from the signal contact 220.

Referring to fig. 22-25, another example of a coupling mechanism for securing at least one cable 300 to the connector housing 114 is shown. In this example, eight rows of electrical contacts 116 are shown, and thus eight rows of smaller cables 304 are shown. However, it should be understood that the connection method may be used for any suitable number of rows, such as two rows, four rows, six rows, and so forth. In this example, the mounting end of the outer housing 115 may include a recess 115k, the recess 115k extending into an inner surface of the first lateral sidewall 115a and an inner surface of the second lateral sidewall 115 b. The recess 115k is configured to receive opposing sides of at least one strain relief 312. Each strain relief 312 may be attached to at least one row of cables 304, such as multiple rows of cables 304. In fig. 23, two strain relief members 312 are shown, and each strain relief member 312 is secured to four rows of cables 304. It should be appreciated that in alternative examples, the connector may have a single strain relief 312 or more than two strain reliefs 312. In addition, each strain relief 312 may be secured to any suitable number of rows of cables 304. Each strain relief 312 may be overmolded (e.g., low pressure overmolded) to at least one row of cables 304 or attached to a row of cables in another suitable manner. A portion of the metal braided sheath 302 may be disposed between the cable 304 and the strain relief 312. The terminal end of the metal braided sheath 302 may extend out of the strain relief 312 and may be folded back over the strain relief 312. Thus, strain relief 312 may be sandwiched between portions of metal braided sheath 302. An adhesive tape 314, such as a copper tape, may be wrapped around the strain relief 312 and the back-folded portion of the metal braided sheath 302. The tape 314, the strain relief 312, and the folded back portion of the metal braided sheath 302 may define a strain relief feature that is received in the recess 115k of the housing 115.

Fig. 26 and 27 respectively illustrate a plurality of cable connector systems coupled to a computing device, each cable connector system including a first electrical connector 100 and a second electrical connector 200, the computing device such as a server panel. As shown, the computing system may have a wall 500, the wall 500 defining a plurality of apertures therethrough. The second electrical connector 200 can be mounted inside a computing device such that the mating end of the electrical connector 200 is attached to a wall 500 of the computing system and is open at an aperture in the wall 500. The second electrical connector 200 may be supported by a computing system in an array. The array may include at least one row R of electrical connectors 200 and at least one column C of electrical connectors 200. In some examples, the second electrical connector 200 may be supported by a computing system in a plurality of rows R and columns C.

It should be noted that the illustration and description of the examples shown in the figures are for exemplary purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates various examples. Further, it should be appreciated that the concepts described above in connection with the above examples may be employed alone, or in combination with any of the other examples described above. It should be further understood that various alternative examples described above with respect to one illustrated example may be applied to all examples described herein, unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, conditional language, such as "can," "may," "might," "can," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood in context, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, but not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required by one or more examples or that one or more examples necessarily include such features, elements, and/or steps. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and the like.

While certain examples have been described, these examples have been given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the above description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is essential or necessary. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions of the present disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain of the inventions disclosed herein.

It should be understood that references to "a" or "an" herein to a feature, such as a component or step, does not exclude additional features or a plurality of such features. For example, reference to an apparatus having or defining "a" feature does not exclude the apparatus having or defining more than one feature, provided that the apparatus has or defines at least one feature. Similarly, reference herein to "a" or "an" of a plurality of features does not preclude the inclusion of two or more, up to all, of the features of the present invention. For example, reference to a device having or defining "one of X and Y" does not preclude the device having both X and Y.

Claims (69)

1. A cable connector, comprising:

a mounting end configured to be attached to at least one cable and a mating end offset from the mounting end and configured to mate with a complementary mating electrical connector along a mating direction;

a connector housing; and

a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the connector housing, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged in at least first and second rows, each of the first and second rows including a plurality of signal contact pairs that are spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the mating direction and a plurality of ground contacts that are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction such that at least one ground contact is disposed between adjacent signal contact pairs, wherein:

the individual signal contacts in each signal contact pair are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction by a distance of 0.68 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters;

adjacent pairs of signal contacts are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 2.90 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters; and

the first and second rows are spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 3.15 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters in a transverse direction perpendicular to the docking direction and the lateral direction.

2. The cable connector according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical contacts comprises a first set of rows on a first side of a centerline of said cable connector, said first set comprising said first row and one or more other rows spaced outwardly from said first row along said transverse direction, wherein said first row and one or more other rows are spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 2.00 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

3. The cable connector according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical contacts comprises a second set of rows on a second side of a centerline of said cable connector, said second set comprising said second row and one or more other rows spaced outwardly from said second row along said transverse direction, wherein one or more other rows of said second row and said second set are spaced apart from each other by a row spacing of 2.00 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

4. The cable connector according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said at least one ground contact is spaced from an adjacent at least one ground contact by a distance of 2.90 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

5. The cable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cable connector is a male connector and the mating end is configured to be received within a mating end of the complementary mating electrical connector.

6. The electrical cable connector as recited in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector housing comprises:

a first lateral sidewall and a second lateral sidewall offset from each other along the lateral direction to define a chamber therebetween; and

first and second transverse end walls offset from each other along the transverse direction to define the chamber therebetween,

wherein the first and second lateral side walls extend beyond the first and second transverse end walls in the butt-joint direction.

7. The cable connector according to claim 6, wherein said first and second lateral sidewalls extend beyond said plurality of electrical contacts in said mating direction.

8. The cable connector according to claim 7, wherein said first and second lateral sidewalls have first and second inner surfaces, respectively, facing inwardly and spaced apart from each other by a distance of 14.70 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

9. The cable connector of claim 6, wherein the connector housing has an inner housing body configured to support at least a portion of the electrical contact, the inner housing body having a first laterally outward surface and a second laterally outward surface, the first and second laterally outward surfaces being spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction, the first and second laterally outward surfaces facing outward and configured to be received by respective inner surfaces of the complementary mating electrical connector.

10. The cable connector according to claim 9, wherein said first and second laterally outward surfaces are spaced from each other by a distance of 12.70 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

11. The cable connector according to claim 10, wherein said inner housing body has a first lateral outer surface and a second lateral outer surface, said first and second lateral outer surfaces being spaced from each other along said lateral direction, said first and second lateral outer surfaces facing outwardly and being configured to be received by respective inner surfaces of a complementary mating connector.

12. The cable connector according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of rows includes only said first row and said second row, and said first and second lateral outer surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 5.85 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

13. The cable connector according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of rows has only four rows, said four rows including said first row and said second row, and said first lateral outer surface and said second lateral outer surface are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 9.85 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

14. The cable connector according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of rows has only eight rows, said eight rows including said first row and said second row, and said first lateral outer surface and said second lateral outer surface are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 17.85 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

15. The cable connector of claim 9, wherein the inner housing body is spaced between the first and second lateral sidewalls such that an inner surface of the first lateral sidewall is spaced outwardly from the first lateral outward surface of the inner housing body to define a first gap between the inner surface of the first lateral sidewall and the first lateral outward surface of the inner housing body, and an inner surface of the second lateral sidewall is spaced outwardly from the second lateral outward surface of the inner housing body to define a second gap between the inner surface of the second lateral sidewall and the second lateral outward surface of the inner housing body, wherein the first and second gaps are configured to receive first and second lateral sidewalls of a complementary mating electrical connector.

16. The cable connector according to claim 15, wherein said first gap and said second gap each have a dimension in said lateral direction of 1.00 mm ± 0.05 mm.

17. The cable connector of claim 10, wherein the first and second lateral outer surfaces and the first and second lateral outer surfaces define a mating footprint configured to be received within a cavity of a complementary mating electrical connector.

18. The cable connector according to claim 17, comprising a body disposed between said first and second rows, said body configured to absorb a magnetic field.

19. The cable connector according to claim 18, wherein said body comprises a lossy material or a metamaterial tuned to absorb said magnetic field.

20. The cable connector according to claim 19, wherein said connector housing defines an opening configured to receive said body.

21. The cable connector according to claim 20, wherein said body is elongated in said lateral direction.

22. The cable connector according to claim 18, wherein said body is tuned to attenuate a frequency band.

23. The cable connector according to claim 21, wherein said body comprises a plate or substrate, said plate or substrate being electrically conductive or non-conductive.

24. The cable connector according to claim 23, wherein said plate or substrate is embedded or covered by said lossy or meta-material.

25. The cable connector according to claim 23, wherein said body is supported by said connector housing such that said board or substrate is not electrically coupled to ground.

26. The cable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cable connector is a female connector and the mating end is configured to receive therein a mating end of the complementary mating electrical connector.

27. The cable connector according to claim 26, wherein said connector housing comprises at least one wall defining a cavity therein, wherein said at least one wall extends beyond said plurality of electrical contacts along said mating direction thereby defining a receptacle configured to receive said complementary mating electrical connector therein.

28. The cable connector according to claim 26, wherein said connector housing has an inner housing body configured to support at least a portion of said electrical contacts, said inner housing body having first and second lateral sidewalls spaced apart from each other along said lateral direction, said first and second lateral sidewalls having outwardly facing outer surfaces configured to be received by respective inner surfaces of said complementary mating electrical connector.

29. The cable connector according to claim 28, wherein an outer surface of said first lateral side wall and an outer surface of said second lateral side wall are spaced from each other by a distance of 12.75 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

30. The cable connector according to claim 28, wherein said first and second lateral sidewalls of said inner housing body have inwardly facing inner surfaces.

31. The cable connector according to claim 30, wherein an inner surface of said first and second lateral sidewalls of said inner housing body are spaced from each other by a distance of 12.75 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

32. The cable connector according to claim 31, wherein said inner housing body has first and second inwardly facing lateral inner surfaces that are spaced from each other along said lateral direction and configured to be received by lateral outer surfaces of said complementary mating electrical connector.

33. The cable connector according to claim 32, wherein said plurality of rows includes only said first row and said second row, and said first and second laterally inner surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 5.95 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

34. The cable connector according to claim 32, wherein said plurality of rows has only four rows, said four rows including said first row and said second row, and said first and second laterally inner surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 9.95 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

35. The cable connector according to claim 32, wherein said plurality of rows has only eight rows, said eight rows including said first row and said second row, and said first and second laterally inner surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 17.95 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

36. The cable connector according to claim 32, wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second lateral side walls and the first and second lateral inner surfaces define a mating footprint of the cable connector configured to receive a mating end of the complementary mating electrical connector therein.

37. The cable connector according to claim 36, comprising a body disposed between said first and second rows, said body configured to absorb a magnetic field.

38. The cable connector according to claim 37, wherein said body comprises a lossy material or a metamaterial tuned to absorb a magnetic field.

39. The cable connector according to claim 38, wherein said connector housing defines an opening configured to receive said body.

40. The cable connector according to claim 39, wherein said body is elongated in said lateral direction.

41. The cable connector according to claim 37, wherein said body is tuned to attenuate a frequency band.

42. The cable connector according to claim 40, wherein said body comprises a plate or substrate, said plate or substrate being electrically conductive or non-conductive.

43. The cable connector according to claim 42, wherein said plate or substrate is embedded or covered by said lossy material or metamaterial.

44. The cable connector according to claim 43, wherein said body is supported by said connector housing such that said plate or substrate is not electrically coupled to ground.

45. The cable connector according to claim 28, wherein said inner housing body includes at least one spacer wall, said at least one spacer wall corresponding to a row of electrical contacts.

46. The cable connector according to claim 45, wherein said at least one spacer wall has a first transverse end and a second transverse end spaced from each other along said transverse direction.

47. The cable connector according to claim 46, wherein said at least one spacer wall has a first lateral side surface and a second lateral side surface spaced from each other along said lateral direction, said spacer wall having a width along said lateral direction from said first lateral side surface to said second lateral side surface, and a height along said lateral direction from said first lateral end to said second lateral end, wherein said width is greater than said height.

48. The cable connector of claim 46, wherein the at least one spacer wall defines a plurality of recesses extending into the first lateral end toward the second lateral end.

49. The cable connector according to claim 48, wherein said plurality of recesses includes a plurality of signal contact recesses, each signal contact recess configured to support a pair of signal contacts therein.

50. The cable connector according to claim 49, wherein each signal contact recess has a dimension in the lateral direction A of 1.30 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

51. The cable connector according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of recesses comprises a plurality of ground contact recesses, each ground contact recess configured to support at least one ground contact therein.

52. The cable connector according to claim 51, wherein each ground contact recess has a dimension in the lateral direction of 1.20 mm ± 0.05 mm.

53. The cable connector according to claim 52, wherein each ground contact recess is spaced from an adjacent ground contact recess by a dimension of 2.90 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

54. The cable connector of claim 50, wherein the spacer walls define a plurality of spacer walls, each spacer wall separating a signal contact recess from a ground contact recess.

55. The cable connector according to claim 54, wherein a dimension of each partition wall in the lateral direction is 0.20 mm ± 0.05 mm.

56. The cable connector according to claim 54, wherein each partition wall has a dimension in the transverse direction from a bottom of the corresponding ground contact recess to the first transverse end of 0.83 mm ± 0.05 mm.

57. The cable connector according to claim 54, wherein each ground contact recess is bounded by a pair of adjacent partition walls, each pair of adjacent partition walls having a dimension in the lateral direction of 1.6 mm ± 0.05 mm.

58. The cable connector according to claim 1, wherein said mounting end is attached to a plurality of cables, said plurality of cables including one or more cables, each cable including a pair of electrical wires.

59. The cable connector according to claim 58, wherein the wires of each wire pair are electrically coupled to a signal contact pair such that each wire of a wire pair is electrically coupled to a different signal contact of the signal contact pair.

60. The electrical cable connector as recited in any one of claims 58 and 59, wherein each of the one or more cables is a 28-30 American Wire Gauge (AWG) twisted pair cable.

61. The electrical cable connector as recited in any one of claims 58 and 59, wherein each of the one or more cables is a 30-34 American Wire Gauge (AWG) twisted pair cable.

62. The electrical cable connector as recited in any one of claims 1 and 58 to 59, wherein the mounting end is attached to a plurality of cables, the plurality of cables including one or more cables, each cable having a single electrical wire.

63. The cable connector according to claim 62, wherein for each cable having a single wire, the single wire is coupled to a different one of the signal contacts.

64. The cable connector of claim 63, wherein each cable having a single wire is a 34AWG coaxial cable.

65. The cable connector according to claim 1, comprising an opening extending into said connector housing between said first and second rows.

66. The cable connector according to claim 65, wherein said opening is elongated along a centerline of said cable connector, said centerline of said cable connector extending in said lateral direction.

67. The cable connector according to claim 66, wherein each row is spaced from the centerline by a distance of 1.575 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

68. A cable connector, comprising:

a first row of electrical contacts;

a second row of electrical contacts;

an ungrounded shield positioned between the first row and the second row.

69. The cable connector according to claim 68 comprising a third row and a fourth row, wherein said ungrounded shield is located between: i) a first set of rows including the first row and a third row and ii) a second set of rows including the second row and a fourth row.

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