CN214797796U

CN214797796U - Connector with expansion shell

Info

Publication number: CN214797796U
Application number: CN202022190670.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 奥斯汀·博利厄
Original assignee: Samtec Inc
Current assignee: Samtec Inc
Priority date: 2020-01-28
Filing date: 2020-09-29
Publication date: 2021-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-29

Abstract

The present application relates to connectors with expansion shells. In one example, an electrical connector has a housing including a base, first and second sidewalls extending from the base to define a space between the first and second sidewalls, and at least one spacer wall extending a first distance from the base within the space. Each sidewall has an inner surface that is free of contact support recesses. The first side and the second side of the partition wall define a contact support recess therein. The electrical connector has a first row of electrical contacts and a second row of electrical contacts supported in the contact support recesses of the first and second sides, respectively. Each contact extends through the base to define 1) a mating end that projects a second distance into the space from the base, and 2) a mounting end that projects from the base opposite the mating end. The first distance is greater than or equal to the second distance.

Description

Connector with expansion shell

Technical Field

The present application relates to connectors with expansion shells.

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, backplanes, midplane boards, and the like. The electrical assembly may also include one or more electrical connectors that provide an interface between the electrical components and provide a conductive path for electrically communicating data signals and/or power to place the electrical components in electrical communication with each other.

For example, conventional electrical connector systems may include an electrical card edge connector that electrically connects between a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and an edge card. The card edge connector has a mating end defining a slot for receiving an edge of an edge card and a mounting end mounted to the PCB. Card edge connectors provide conductive paths between traces near the edge of an edge card and traces on a PCB. Such a configuration may be well suited for electrical connector systems in enclosures, such as rack-mounted servers.

As another example, a conventional electrical connector system may include a mezzanine connector that places a first substrate, which may be a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), in electrical communication with a second substrate, which may also be a PCB. The electrical connector system may include a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector mated to each other. The first electrical connector includes a first dielectric connector housing and a first plurality of contacts supported by the first connector housing. The first electrical connector defines a first mounting interface mounted to the first substrate and a first mating interface that mates with the second electrical connector. The second electrical connector includes a second dielectric connector housing and a second plurality of contacts supported by the second connector housing. The second electrical connector defines a second mounting interface mounted to the second substrate and a second mating interface that mates with the first electrical connector at the first mating interface. When mated, the connector provides an electrically conductive path between traces carried by the first substrate and traces carried by the second substrate.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In an example, an electrical connector includes: a mounting end configured to be mounted to an electrical component; and a mating end offset from the mounting end along a mating direction and configured to mate with a complementary electrical connector. The connector includes a housing including a base having a first end and a second end offset from the first end along a mating direction. The housing includes first and second sidewalls extending from the base and spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction perpendicular to the docking direction, thereby defining a space between the first and second sidewalls. The first and second side walls each have an inner surface at least partially bounding the space, the inner surface being free of contact support recesses in which electrical contacts are supported. The housing includes at least one contact spacer wall extending within the space along the mating direction, the at least one contact spacer wall being spaced between the first and second sidewalls and having first and second sides offset from each other along the lateral direction. The first and second side surfaces define a plurality of contact support recesses therein, respectively, the plurality of contact support recesses being offset from one another along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating and lateral directions. The electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts including, for each of the at least one contact spacing wall, a first row of electrical contacts and a second row of electrical contacts supported in the contact support recesses of the first side and the contact support recesses of the second side, respectively. The first and second rows of electrical contacts include electrical contacts extending through the base to define 1) a contact mating end projecting from the base in a mating direction, and 2) a contact mounting end projecting from the base in a mounting direction opposite the mating direction. The first and second sidewalls extend a first distance from the second end of the base along the mating direction, and the contact mating end protrudes a second distance from the base along the mating direction. The first distance is greater than or equal to the second distance.

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 a perspective view of a mating end of an electrical connector according to one example;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the mounting end of the electrical connector of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 shows a front view of a first side of the electrical connector of fig. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a second side of the electrical connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the mounting end of the electrical connector of FIG. 1;

fig. 6 shows a plan view of a mating end of the electrical connector of fig. 1;

fig. 7 shows a front view of a second longitudinal end of the electrical connector of fig. 1;

fig. 8 shows a front view of a first longitudinal end of the electrical connector of fig. 1;

fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a first housing body of the electrical connector of fig. 1;

fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a second housing body of the electrical connector of fig. 1;

fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a mating end of an electrical connector according to another example;

fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the mounting end of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

fig. 13 shows a front view of a first side of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

fig. 14 shows a front view of a second side of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

fig. 15 shows a plan view of the mounting end of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

fig. 16 shows a plan view of a mating end of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

fig. 17 shows a front view of a second longitudinal end of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

fig. 18 shows a front view of a first longitudinal end of the electrical connector of fig. 11;

figure 19 shows a front perspective view of an electrical contact of the electrical connector of figures 1 and 11; and

fig. 20 shows a rear perspective view of the electrical contacts of the electrical connector of fig. 1 and 11.

Detailed Description

Turning to fig. 1-18, and in particular fig. 1, 2, 11, and 12, an example of an electrical connector 100 of the present disclosure is shown. In the example of fig. 1-10, the electrical connector 100 has a multi-component housing 114, while in the example of fig. 11-18, the electrical connector 100 has a housing formed as a unitary body. Features common to both examples will now be described, followed by a discussion of differences between the two examples.

In each example, the electrical connector 100 includes a mounting end 102 and a mating end 104, the mating end 104 being along a mating direction M_AOffset from the mounting end 102. Conversely, the mounting end 102 is along the mounting direction M_OOffset from the mating end 104, in the mounting direction M_OAnd the butt joint direction M_AThe opposite is true. The electrical connector 100 comprises a first longitudinal end 106 and a second longitudinal end 108, the first longitudinal end 106 and the second longitudinal end 108 being offset from each other along a longitudinal direction L, the longitudinal direction L being perpendicular to the mounting direction M_OAnd a docking direction M_A. The electrical connector 100 comprises a first side 106 and a second side 108, the first side 106 and the second side 108 being offset from each other along a lateral direction a, the lateral direction a being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, the mounting direction M_OAnd a docking direction M_A。

In one example, the electrical connector 100 may be elongated along the longitudinal direction L from the first longitudinal end 106 to the second longitudinal end 108. For example, the electrical connector 100 may have a length along the longitudinal direction L that may be greater than a width of the electrical connector 100 along the lateral direction a and the electrical connector 100 along the mating direction M_AOf (c) is measured. However, it should be understood that in alternative examples, the electrical connector 100 need not be elongated in the longitudinal direction L.

The mounting end 102 is configured to be mounted to a complementary electrical component (not shown) such that the electrical connector 100 is in electrical communication with the complementary electrical component. The mating end 104 is configured to mate with a mating end of a complementary electrical connector (not shown) to mate the electrical connectors 100 with each otherThe complementary electrical connector is in electrical communication. The complementary electrical connector, in turn, can have a mounting end configured to be mounted onto a second complementary electrical component (not shown). One or both of the complementary electrical component and the second complementary component can be a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. Thus, the electrical connector 100 and the complementary electrical connector may together define a mezzanine connector system that places the complementary electrical component in electrical communication with a second complementary electrical component. The electrical connector 100 may be a vertical connector as shown, wherein the mating direction M_AAnd a mounting direction M_OParallel to each other. In an alternative embodiment, the first electrical connector 100 may be an angled connector, such as a right angle connector, wherein the mating direction M_AAnd a mounting direction M_OAre offset from each other by an angle.

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 or electrically insulating material. The connector housing 114 has a base 118. The base 118 may have a first end 118a and a second end 118b, the second end 118b along the mating direction M_AOffset from the first end 118 a. The base 118 may be elongated in the longitudinal direction L. The length of the base 118 in the longitudinal direction L may be greater than the width of the base 118 in the lateral direction a and the docking direction M of the base 118_AOf (c) is measured. The width of the base 118 may be greater than the height of the base. The base 118 may define a plurality of apertures 119 (shown in fig. 9 and 19) through the base 118, the apertures 119 configured to receive a plurality of electrical contacts 116.

The connector housing 114 has a first sidewall 120 and a second sidewall 122, the first sidewall 120 and the second sidewall 122 along the mating direction M from the second end 118b of the base 118_AExtends a first distance d₁(labeled in fig. 8 and 18). In an example, such as in the examples of fig. 1-10, the first distance d₁May be 6.32 mm ± 0.05 mm. In another example, such as in the examples of fig. 1-10, the first distance d₁May be 10.34 mm ± 0.05 mm. In yet another example, such as in the examples of fig. 11-18, the distance d₁May be 2.62 mm ± 0.05 mm.

The first and

second sidewalls

120, 122 are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a, thereby defining a space S between the first and

second sidewalls

120, 122. The first sidewall 120 may have an inner surface 120a and an outer surface 120b, the inner surface 120a and the outer surface 120b being opposite to each other in the lateral direction a. The inner surface 120a may at least partially define a space S. The length of the first sidewall 120 in the longitudinal direction L may be greater than the length of the first sidewall 120 in the docking direction M_AAnd the width of the first sidewall 120 in the lateral direction a. The first sidewall 120 may be aligned along the longitudinal direction L and the mating direction M_AThe extended plane has a substantially planar shape. One or both of the inner surface 120a and the outer surface 120b may not have any contact-bearing recesses (such as recesses 128 discussed below) in which electrical contacts are supported.

Similarly, the second sidewall 122 may have an inner surface 122a and an outer surface 122b, the inner surface 122a and the outer surface 122b being opposite to each other along the lateral direction a. The inner surface 122a may at least partially define a space S. The length of the second sidewall 122 along the longitudinal direction L may be greater than the length of the second sidewall 122 along the mating direction M_AAnd the width of the second sidewall 122 in the lateral direction a. The second sidewall 122 may be aligned along the longitudinal direction L and the mating direction M_AThe extended plane has a substantially planar shape. One or both of the inner surface 122a and the outer surface 122b may not have any contact-bearing recesses (such as the recesses 128 discussed below) in which electrical contacts are supported. The inner surface 120a of the first sidewall 120 and the inner surface 122a of the second sidewall 122 may face each other.

A plurality of electrical contacts 116 are supported by the connector housing 114 such that each electrical contact 116 is along the mating direction M_AAnd a mounting direction M_OExtending through the base 118. Note that although not shown, the electrical connector 100 may include electrical contacts other than the plurality of electrical contacts 116 that are configured differently than described herein. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to a plurality of electrical contacts 116 refers only to those electrical contacts configured as described herein, and does not necessarily refer to all electrical contacts of electrical connector 100. Each electrical contact 116 is along the mounting direction M_OExtends through the base 118 to define a mounting direction M_OA contact mounting end 116b extending from the base 118. Each electrical contact 116 is along the mating direction M_AExtends through the base 118 to define a docking direction M_OA contact mating end 116a extending from the base 118. Each of the mating ends 116a extends a second distance d from the base 118₂And enters the space S between the first and

second sidewalls

120 and 122. First distance d₁Is greater than or equal to the second distance d₂. Thus, the first sidewall 120 and the second sidewall 122 are each along the docking direction M from the base 118_AExtends at least as much as the contact mating end 116a so that the first and

second sidewalls

120 and 122 can protect the mating end 116a of the electrical contact 116 from damage. In an example, such as in the examples of fig. 1-10, the distance d₂May be 6.12 mm ± 0.05 mm. In another example, such as in the examples of fig. 1-10, the distance d₂May be 10.13 mm ± 0.05 mm. In another example, such as in the examples of fig. 11-18, the distance d₂And may be 2.46 mm ± 0.05 mm.

Turning briefly to fig. 19 and 20, one example of an electrical contact is shown that may be used to implement one or more, or even all, of the electrical contacts 116 of fig. 1-18. The electrical contact 116 includes a mating end 116a and a mounting end 116b, the mounting end 116b being along the mounting direction M_OOpposite the butt end 116 a. In one example, the electrical contact 116 can be a vertical electrical contact, wherein the mating end 116a is in line with the mounting end 116 b. Alternatively, the electrical contacts 116 may be configured as angled contacts, such as right angle contacts, with the mating end 116a extending in a direction that is offset at an angle from the mounting end 116 b.

The electrical contact 116 includes a contact body 116c, the contact body 116c defining first and

second edges

116d, 116e and first and

second broadsides

116f, 116 g. The first edge 116d and the second edge 116e are spaced opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the first edge 116d and the second edge 116e may face away from each other. The first and

second broadsides

116f, 116g are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction a relative to one another. Thus, the first and

second broadsides

116f, 116g face away from each other. It should be appreciated that the first edge 116d and the second edge 116e extend between the first broadside 116f and the second broadside 116 g. Similarly, the first and

second broadsides

116f, 116g extend between the first and

second edges

116d, 116 e. The

edges

116d and 116e and the

broadsides

116f and 116g may each be defined along a direction perpendicular to the mating direction M_ADistance of the plane of orientation. For example, the

edges

116d and 116e may each extend along a plane from one of the first and

second broadsides

116f and 116g to the other of the first and

second broadsides

116f and 116g along the first distance. The

broadsides

116f and 116g may each extend along a plane from one of the first edge 116d and the second edge 116e to the other of the first edge 116d and the second edge 116e along a second distance. The second distance may be greater than the first distance. In one example, the first distance may define a thickness of the contact body 116c and the second distance may define a width of the contact body 116 c. The thickness of the contact body 116c may be oriented along the lateral direction a and the width of the contact body 116c may be oriented along the longitudinal direction L. The electrical contacts 116 may have a mating direction M_AThe total length of (c). The overall length may be greater than the width and thickness. Thus, it can be said that the electrical contact 100 is along the mating direction M_AIs elongate.

The electrical contacts 116 include an anchoring region 116h, the anchoring region 116h configured to be secured to the connector housing 114 of the electrical connector 100. The anchoring region 116h can be disposed between the docking end 116a and the mounting end 116 b. The electrical contact 116h also includes a contact beam 116j, the contact beam 116j extending outwardly relative to the anchor region 116 h. For example, the contact beam 116j may be along the mating direction M relative to the anchor region 116h_AExtending outwardly. The anchor region 116h extends between the mounting end 116b and the contact beam 116 j. For example, the anchor region 116h may extend from the mounting end 116b to the contact beam 116 j. The anchoring area 116h may be along the installation direction M_OPartially or fully disposed below the midpoint of the electrical contact 116.

The anchor region 116h may include at least one retention feature 116k, the at least one retention feature 116k configured to engage the connector housing 114 to secure the connector housingThe electrical contacts 116 are secured to the connector housing 114. Each retention feature 116k may define a barb having a first barb end 116l, the first barb end 116l extending from the body of the anchor region 116h in a hinged manner. Each retention feature 116k may also include a second barbed end 116m or free barbed end 116m, the second barbed end 116m or free barbed end 116m being opposite the first barbed end 116l and not attached to the body of the anchor region 116 k. As shown, the second barbed end 116M may be along the mounting direction M_O(or alternatively, the docking direction M_A) Spaced apart from the first barbed end 116L, and the hinge may be configured to bend about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction L to offset the second barbed end 116m from the first barbed end 116L in the lateral direction a. Alternatively, the second barbed end 116M may be spaced apart from the first barbed end 116L along the longitudinal direction L, and the hinge may be configured to be looped along the mating direction M_OThe axis of extension is curved such that the second barb end 116m is offset from the first barb end 116l in the lateral direction a. Note that in alternative embodiments, the at least one retention feature 116k may define features other than barbs, such as (but not limited to) a securing protrusion or a recess that receives a protrusion on the connector housing 114, or the at least one retention feature 116k may be omitted altogether.

The contact beam 116j may be configured as a flexible beam extending from the anchor region 116h to the free end of the electrical contact 116. The contact beam 116j may include at least one bent region between the anchor region 116h and the free end of the contact beam 116 j. When the contact beam 116j is along the mating direction M_AExtending away from the anchor region 116h, the at least one bending region may bend toward a first direction extending from the second broadside 116g toward the first broadside 116 f. In alternative embodiments, the curvature of the contact beam 116j may be different than that shown. For example, the contact beam 116j may include more than one bending region, or may have a bending region different than the illustrated position or shape. In the illustrated example, the contact beam 116j is curved about an axis extending in the lateral direction a to define a tip 116n of the contact beam 116 j. The curved structure described herein means that the shape can be bent by, for example, bending the ends or by stamping or by any of themHe is suitably manufactured with a manufacturing process to produce the curved shape. The second broadside 116g at the contact beam 116j is configured to wipe (wipe against) the corresponding electrical contacts of the complementary electrical connector when the connector 100 is mated with the complementary electrical connector. Further, the contact beam 116j is configured to contact a corresponding contact of a corresponding electrical connector to apply a force to the corresponding contact in the lateral direction a.

The mounting end 116b may include a mounting tail portion 116p, the mounting tail portion 116p being along the mounting direction M_OExtending away from the anchoring region 116 h. For example, the mounting tails 116p may define press-fit tails. In alternative embodiments, the mounting tails 116p may be configured as surface mount tails, differently configured press fit tails, fusible elements (e.g., solder balls), or combinations thereof.

Returning to fig. 1 and 11, the electrical contacts 116 may be arranged in at least one row extending in the longitudinal direction L. For example, the at least one row may comprise a plurality of rows spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The plurality of rows may include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more than eight rows. The rows may be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction a. The electrical contacts 116 in each row may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction L. The electrical contacts 116 in each row may be in line with each other along the longitudinal direction L. The electrical contacts 116 in each row may be arranged edge-to-edge. Thus, for each pair of adjacent electrical contacts in a row, an edge (e.g., 116d or 116e) of one contact 116 of a pair of contacts may be opposite an edge (e.g., 116d or 116e) of the other electrical contact 116 of the pair of contacts. The

edges

116d and 116e of each contact in the row may be in line along the longitudinal direction L. Adjacent ones of the electrical contacts 116 in each row may be spaced apart from each other by a center-to-center distance d₃(marked in fig. 6 and 16), the distance d₃From the center of one of the adjacent electrical contacts of the electrical contact 116 to the center of the other of the adjacent electrical contacts of the electrical contact 116. In one example, the center-to-center distance d₃May be 1.27 mm ± 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 1-18.

The electrical contacts 116 may be arranged in at least one column extending in the lateral direction a. For example, the at least one column may be arranged in a plurality of columns spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L. Each column may include one electrical contact 116 from each row. Fig. 1 shows nineteen electrical contacts 116 in a row, each of the nineteen electrical contacts 116 corresponding to a different column. The contacts 116 in each column may be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The contacts 116 in each column may be arranged broadside-to-broadside. Thus, for each pair of adjacent electrical contacts 116 in a column, the broadside (e.g., 116f or 116g) of one contact 116 in the pair may be opposite the broadside (e.g., 116f or 116g) of the other contact in the pair. The

broadsides

116f and 116g of each contact 116 in a column may be in line along the lateral direction a. It should be appreciated that in alternative examples, the contacts 116 may be staggered along the lateral direction a such that the contacts 116 are not arranged in a linear column along the lateral direction a.

The electrical contacts 116 may be supported by the housing 114 in any suitable manner. For example, the electrical contacts 116 may be overmolded with the housing 114. As another example, the electrical contacts 116 may be plugged (stick) or plugged in groups into the housing. The contact 116 may be press fit into a hole 119 (shown in fig. 9) of the housing 114. The retention feature 116k may limit the electrical contact 116 from being pulled out of the housing 114.

The electrical connector 100 may have at least one contact spacer wall 126 spaced between the first sidewall 120 and the second sidewall 122. Note that although not shown, electrical connector 100 may include contact spacer walls in addition to contact spacer walls 126, which are configured in a manner alternative to that described herein. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to contact spacing walls 126 refers only to those electrical contacts configured as described herein, and not necessarily to all contact spacing walls of electrical connector 100. Each contact spacer wall 126 may be along mating direction M_AExtending toward the mating end 104. Each contact spacer wall 126 may be substantially parallel to the side wall 120 and the side wall 122. Each contact spacer wall 126 may be elongated along the longitudinal direction L. For example, the length of each contact spacer 126 in the longitudinal direction L is greater than the length of the contact spacer 126 alongWidth in lateral direction a and contact spacer 126 along mating direction M_AOf (c) is measured. The width of the contact spacer 126 may be greater than the height of the contact spacer 126. Each contact spacer wall 126 can have a first side 126a and a second side 126b, the first 126a and second 126b sides being offset from each other along the lateral direction a. Each contact spacer wall 126 can have a width d from a first side 126a to a second side 126b₄(labeled in fig. 6 and 16). In one example, the width d₄May be 1.42 mm ± 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 1-18.

Each contact spacing wall 126 can define a plurality of contact support recesses 128 therein, each contact support recess 128 configured to support an electrical contact 116 therein. For example, each contact-bearing recess 128 can support the mating end 116a of the electrical contact therein. Each contact 116 may be configured to deflect into a contact bearing recess 128. The contact support recesses 128 of each contact spacer wall 126 may include a set of recesses 128, the set of recesses 128 extending into the first side 126a of the contact spacer wall 126 along the lateral direction a. The set of recesses 128 may extend into the first side 126a toward the second side 126 b. The set of recesses 128 may support a row of electrical contacts 116. The contact support recesses 128 of each contact spacer wall 126 may include a second set of recesses 128, the second set of recesses 128 extending into the second side 126b of the contact spacer wall 126 along the lateral direction a. The second set may extend into the second side 126b toward the first side 126 a. The second set of recesses 128 may support a second row of electrical contacts 116. Thus, each contact spacer wall 126 can define a recess 128 on opposing sides of at least one contact spacer wall 126. The recess 128 may have a cross-section perpendicular to the mating direction M_AMay have a T-shape in the plane of (a), or may have any other suitable shape.

In some examples, the at least one contact spacer wall 126 can include a plurality of contact spacer walls 126. The contact spacer walls 126 may be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. For example, the plurality of contact spacer walls 126 can include two or more contact spacer walls 126,three or more contact spacers 126, or more than three contact spacers 126. Adjacent ones of the spacer walls 126 may define a gap 124 therebetween. The gap 124 may be configured to accommodate at least one row of electrical contacts of a complementary electrical connector (not shown). In some examples, the gaps 124 may be configured to accommodate opposing pairs of rows of electrical contacts of a complementary electrical connector. Gap 124 may have a dimension d from a side (126a or 126b) of one of contact spacers 126 to an opposite side (126a or 126b) of an adjacent one of contact spacers 126 in lateral direction a₅(labeled in fig. 6 and 16). In one example, dimension d₅May be 1.12 mm ± 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 1-18. Further, in some examples, the gap 124 may be configured to receive a complementary contact spacer wall (not shown) of a complementary electrical connector that supports pairs of rows of contacts on opposite sides of the complementary contact spacer wall.

The first sidewall 120 can be spaced apart from an adjacent outermost one of the contact spacers 126 to define a gap 125 therebetween. In one example, the gap 125 may be open at one or both of the first longitudinal end 106 and the second longitudinal end 108. The inner surface 120a of the first sidewall 120 can be spaced apart from an opposite side 126b of an adjacent outermost one of the contact spacers 126 by a distance d₆(labeled in fig. 6 and 16). In one example, the distance d₆May be 1.60 mm ± 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 1-10. In another example, the distance d₆May be 1.27 mm 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 11-18. Similarly, the second sidewall 122 can be spaced apart from an adjacent outermost one of the contact spacers 126 to define a gap 125 therebetween. In one example, the gap 125 may be open at one or both of the first longitudinal end 106 and the second longitudinal end 108. The inner surface 122a of the second sidewall 122 can be spaced apart from an opposite side 126a of an adjacent outermost one of the contact spacers 126 by a distance d₇. In one example, the distance d₇May be 1.60 mm ± 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 1-10. In another example, the distance d₇May be 1.27 mm ± 0.05 mm, such as in the example of fig. 11-18.

The electrical connector 100 may have at least one mating alignment feature 130, such as a plurality of mating alignment features 130. At least one mating alignment feature 130 may be provided at the mating end 104 of the electrical connector 100. The at least one mating alignment feature 130 is configured to engage a corresponding mating alignment feature of a complementary electrical connector (not shown) to align the mating end 104 of the electrical connector 100 with the mating end of the complementary electrical connector. The at least one mating alignment feature 130, for example, may define a post or recess configured to engage a corresponding post or recess of a complementary electrical connector. The at least one docking alignment feature 130 may include a plurality of docking alignment features 130. For example, the at least one docking alignment feature 130 may include docking alignment features 130 spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction L. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one docking alignment feature 130 may include docking alignment features 130 spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction a. The docking alignment features 130 may be disposed at the first longitudinal end 106 and the second longitudinal end 108.

The electrical connector 100 may have at least one mounting alignment feature 132, such as a plurality of mounting alignment features 132. At least one mounting alignment feature 132 may be provided at the mounting end 102 of the electrical connector 100. For example, at least one mounting feature may be along mounting direction M from base 118_OAnd (4) extending. The at least one mounting alignment feature 132 is configured to engage a corresponding mounting alignment feature of a complementary electrical component (not shown) to align the mounting end 102 of the electrical connector 100 with the complementary electrical component. The at least one mounting alignment feature 132, for example, can define a post or recess configured to engage a corresponding post or recess of the complementary electrical component. The at least one mounting alignment feature 132 may include a plurality of mounting alignment features 132. For example, the at least one mounting alignment feature 132 may include mounting alignment features 132 spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction L. Alternatively or additionally, at least one mounting alignment feature 132 may include a plurality of mounting alignment features that are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction aSpaced apart mounting alignment features 132.

Turning now more particularly to the example of fig. 1-10, and particularly to fig. 9 and 10, the housing 114 may include a first housing body 114a and a second housing body 114 b. The first housing body 114a may include first and

second sidewalls

120, 122 and a base 118. The second case body 114b may be configured to be received within the space S between the first and

second sidewalls

120 and 122. The second housing body 114b may include at least one contact spacer wall 126. The second housing body 114b may include a second pedestal 134. The second base 134 may have a first end 134a and a mating direction M_AA second end 134b offset from the first end 134 a. The second base 134 may be elongated along the longitudinal direction L. The length of the second base 134 along the longitudinal direction L may be greater than the width of the base 134 along the lateral direction a and the second base 134 along the docking direction M_AOf (c) is measured. The width of the second base 134 may be greater than the height of the second base 134. The second base 134 can define a plurality of apertures 135 therethrough, the apertures 135 configured to receive a plurality of electrical contacts 116.

At least one contact spacer wall 126 may be along mating direction M_AExtending from the second end 134b of the second base 134. The at least one contact spacer wall 126 and the second pedestal 134 may be integrated with each other to form a unitary body. The at least one docking alignment feature 130 may be along the docking direction M_AExtending from the second base 134. The at least one docking alignment feature 130 and the second pedestal 134 may be integral with one another to form a unitary body. In other examples, the at least one docking alignment feature 130 may be removably coupled to the second base 134.

The first and

second housing bodies

114a, 114b may include corresponding engagement features 136 and 138, the corresponding engagement features 136 and 138 configured to engage with one another to couple the first and

second housing bodies

114a, 114b to one another. Fig. 1-10 illustrate examples of engagement features 136 and 138. However, it will be appreciated that the engagement features 136 and 138 may be configured in another suitable manner. In fig. 1 to 10, a first side wall 120 and a second side wallThe wall 122 includes an engagement feature 136 of the first housing body 114 a. The engagement feature 136 of the first housing body 114a includes opposing

engagement surfaces

136a and 136 b. The engagement surface 136b is along the mating direction M_ASpaced from the engagement surface 136 a. The engagement surface 136a may face the mounting direction M_OAnd the engagement surface 136b may face the mating direction M_A. For example, the engagement surface 136a and the engagement surface 136b may face each other to define a space between the engagement surface 136a and the engagement surface 136b that is configured to receive a corresponding engagement feature 138 of the second housing body 114 b. The engagement feature 138 may be an edge or protrusion of the second housing body 114 b. The base 134 of the second housing body 114b can include an engagement feature 138.

Turning now more particularly to the example of fig. 11-17, and particularly to fig. 11 and 12, at least one contact spacer wall 126 may be aligned in the mating direction M from the base 118 of the housing 114_AAnd (4) extending. The at least one contact spacer wall 126 may be integrated with the base 118 such that the at least one contact spacer wall 126 and the base 118 form a unitary body. The at least one docking alignment feature 130 may be aligned along the docking direction M_AExtending from the base 118. The at least one docking alignment feature 130 and the base 118 may be integrated with one another to form a unitary body. In other examples, the at least one docking alignment feature 130 may be removably coupled to the base 118.

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. Additionally, it should be understood 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 also be understood that various alternative examples described above with respect to one illustrated example may be applicable to all examples described herein, unless otherwise indicated.

Conditional language, e.g., "can," "might," "can," "e.g.," as used herein, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and/or steps but certain embodiments do not, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood in context. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required by or necessary for one or more examples to include such features, elements, and/or steps. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like are synonymous, are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, or 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 disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the certain scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein.

It will be understood that references to "a" or "an" herein to describe 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 "one" of 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 "one" of a plurality of features does not exclude the invention from comprising two or more, or even all, of the features. For example, reference to a device having or defining "one of X and Y" does not preclude the device from having both X and Y.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a mounting end configured to be mounted to an electrical component and a mating end offset from the mounting end along a mating direction and configured to mate with a complementary electrical connector;

a housing, the housing comprising:

a base having a first end and a second end offset from the first end along the docking direction;

first and second side walls extending from the base and spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction perpendicular to the mating direction to define a space between the first and second side walls, each of the first and second side walls having an inner surface at least partially defining the space, the inner surfaces being free of contact support recesses in which electrical contacts are supported; and

at least one contact spacer wall extending within the space along the mating direction, the at least one contact spacer wall spaced between the first and second sidewalls and having first and second sides offset from each other along the lateral direction, the first and second sides each defining a plurality of contact support recesses therein, the plurality of contact support recesses offset from each other along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the lateral direction; and

a plurality of electrical contacts, for each of the at least one contact spacing wall, the plurality of electrical contacts including a first row of electrical contacts and a second row of electrical contacts supported in the contact support recesses of the first side and the second side, respectively, the first and second rows including electrical contacts extending through the base to define 1) a contact mating end projecting from the base in the mating direction, and 2) a contact mounting end projecting from the base in a mounting direction opposite the mating direction,

wherein the first and second sidewalls extend a first distance from the second end of the base along the mating direction, the contact mating end protrudes a second distance from the base along the mating direction, and the first distance is greater than or equal to the second distance.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

3. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1-2, wherein adjacent electrical contacts in each row of electrical contacts are spaced apart from each other by a center-to-center distance of 1.27 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein each contact spacer wall has a width from a first side of the contact spacer wall to a second side of the contact spacer wall, the width being 1.42 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein each outermost one of the at least one contact spacer walls is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the first and second sidewalls by a distance of 1.60 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

6. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein each outermost one of the at least one contact spacer walls is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the first and second sidewalls by a distance of 1.27 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein the at least one contact spacer wall includes a first contact spacer wall and a second contact spacer wall, the first and second contact spacer walls being offset from each other along the lateral direction to define a gap between the first and second contact spacer walls.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the gap has a width in the lateral direction of 1.12 millimeters ± 0.05 millimeters.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the at least one contact spacer wall includes a first contact spacer wall, a second contact spacer wall, and a third contact spacer wall, the first, second, and third contact spacer walls being offset from one another along the lateral direction to define a gap between the first and second contact spacer walls and a gap between the second and third contact spacer walls.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a first housing body and a second housing body, the first housing body comprising the first and second sidewalls and the base, and the second housing body configured to be received within a space between the first and second sidewalls, the second housing body comprising the at least one contact partition wall.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein the second housing body includes a second base and the at least one contact spacer wall extends from the second base along the mating direction.

12. The electrical connector of claim 11, wherein the at least one contact spacer wall and the second base are integrated with one another to form a unitary body.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein the first and second housing bodies include corresponding engagement features configured to engage one another to couple the first and second housing bodies to one another.

14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the engagement feature of the first housing body comprises opposing engagement surfaces spaced opposite each other to define a space between the opposing engagement surfaces, and the engagement feature of the second housing body comprises an edge or protrusion configured to be received within the space between the opposing engagement surfaces.

15. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein the at least one contact spacer wall extends from the base of the housing along the mating direction.

16. The electrical connector of claim 15, wherein the at least one contact spacer wall is integrated with the base such that the at least one contact spacer wall forms a unitary body with the base.

17. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein the electrical connector is elongated along the longitudinal direction.

18. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts defines first and second edges and first and second broadsides, each of the broadsides having a width in the longitudinal direction that is greater than a width of the edge in the lateral direction.

19. The electrical connector of claim 18, wherein the electrical contacts in each of the first and second rows are arranged edge-to-edge along the longitudinal direction.

20. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are arranged in a plurality of columns such that the electrical contacts in each column are offset from each other along the lateral direction.