CN220672889U

CN220672889U - Cable assembly

Info

Publication number: CN220672889U
Application number: CN202190000847.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔云龙; 李国豪; S·班德胡
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2020-12-02
Filing date: 2021-12-01
Publication date: 2024-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-01
Also published as: WO2022118216A1

Abstract

A cable assembly is disclosed. The cable assembly includes a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads and an overmold that encapsulates at least a portion of the printed circuit board. The overmold defines upper and lower surfaces spaced apart in the Z-direction, opposing lateral surfaces spaced apart in the Y-direction, and mating faces perpendicular to the X-direction. The mating portion of the printed circuit board extends forwardly from the mating surface. One or more cables extend from the printed circuit board rearward in the X-direction. An upper projection is directly connected to the upper surface and extends forward in the X-direction, and the upper projection is directly connected to the upper surface at a position rearward of the mating face in the X-direction.

Description

Cable assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to cable assemblies.

Background

The data rate of servers in data centers is increasing. Improved and standardized connectors provide mechanical, electrical and cost characteristics that are superior to current PCB cable assemblies.

Disclosure of Invention

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable assembly is disclosed. The cable assembly may include a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads and an overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the printed circuit board. The overmold may define upper and lower surfaces spaced apart in the Z-direction, opposing lateral surfaces spaced apart in the Y-direction, and mating faces perpendicular to the X-direction. The mating portion of the printed circuit board may extend forward from the mating face. One or more cables may extend from the printed circuit board rearward in the X-direction. An upper projection may be directly connected to the upper surface and extend forward in the X-direction, the upper projection being directly connected to the upper surface at a location rearward of the mating face in the X-direction.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable assembly is disclosed. The cable assembly may include a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads and an overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the printed circuit board. The overmold may define upper and lower surfaces spaced apart in the Z-direction, opposing lateral surfaces spaced apart in the Y-direction, and mating faces perpendicular to the X-direction. The mating portion of the printed circuit board may extend forward from the mating face. One or more cables may extend from the printed circuit board rearward in the X-direction. The lower protrusion may be directly connected to the mating surface and may extend in the X direction. The lower protrusion may include a horizontal part extending in the Y direction and a vertical part extending in the Z direction.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable assembly is disclosed. The cable assembly may include a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads and an overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the printed circuit board. The overmold may define upper and lower surfaces spaced apart in the Z-direction, opposing lateral surfaces spaced apart in the Y-direction, and mating faces perpendicular to the X-direction. The mating portion of the printed circuit board may extend forward from the mating face. One or more cables may extend from the printed circuit board rearward in the X-direction. The central protrusion may be directly connected to the mating face and may extend in the X-direction, and the central protrusion may be adapted to be disposed below an upper surface of the cover of the board mount connector in the Z-direction when the cable assembly is releasably connected to the board mount connector.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an upper perspective view of a cable assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an upper perspective view of a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is an upper perspective view of a cable assembly connected to a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is an upper perspective view of a cable assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a lower perspective view of a cable assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cable assembly connected to a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration various embodiments. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present description. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scientific and technical terms used herein have the meanings commonly used in the art. The definitions provided herein will facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. All numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about" unless otherwise indicated. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

For ease of description, spatially relative terms (including, but not limited to, "lower," "upper," "below … …," "below … …," "above … …," and "at … … top") (if used herein) are used herein to describe spatial relationships of an element(s) relative to another element. Such spatially relative terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the particular orientation depicted in the figures and described herein. For example, if the object depicted in the figures is flipped or inverted, the portions previously described as being below or beneath other elements will now be above those other elements.

As used herein, when an element, component, or layer is referred to as being "in line with" or being "on", "connected to", "coupled to" or being "in contact with" another element, component, or layer, it can be directly on, coupled or in contact with the other element, component, or layer or intervening elements, components, or layers may be present on, connected, coupled or in contact with the particular element, component, or layer. For example, when an element, component, or layer is referred to as being "directly on," directly connected to, "directly coupled to," or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements, components, or layers present.

As used herein, "having," including, "" containing, "and the like are used in their open sense and generally refer to" including but not limited to. It is to be understood that the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are included in the term "comprising" and the like.

The data center industry has recently created several data center alliances to provide standardized data products and encourage data/computer server providers to build servers with higher data rates. The common Printed Circuit Board (PCB) materials available today need improvement as data rates continue to increase. Thus, special high performance materials are being developed, but these materials can be expensive. For some applications, expensive repeater/retimer components may be required when using common PCB materials to improve signal quality on long circuit traces, connectors, and cables. Twinax cables or "twinax" can be used to eliminate or minimize the need for expensive PCB materials and repeaters/retimers. Mini Cool Edge IO (MCIO) applications may be designed to work with multiple interfaces, and improved interface designs for cable assemblies and/or mating connectors may enhance connection security, mechanical rigidity, and ease of manual connection or disconnection. The disclosed embodiments of the MCIO cable assembly may be used in next generation server applications supporting PCIe Gen4/Gen5 speeds.

Turning to the drawings, fig. 1 is an upper perspective view of a cable assembly 108 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an upper perspective view of mating connector 104 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 may together form the connector system 100, and the cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 may be releasably connected to one another, as exemplarily shown in fig. 3. It should be understood that the disclosed mating connector 104 and/or board mount connector 107 are shown and described as exemplary elements only, and that a wide range of mating connectors 104 and/or board mount connectors 107 are within the scope of the present disclosure and may be connected to the disclosed cable assemblies 108 in the manner disclosed and illustrated.

The cable assembly 108 may include a latch 130, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 140, and an overmold 150. As will be described further below, the latch 130 may define a latch engagement portion 132 and the PCB 140 may define a mating portion 142 and one or more conductive contact pads 144. The PCB may have a thickness of 1.57mm or about 1.57 mm. As can be seen from the figures, the X-direction may be orthogonal to the Y-direction, and each of the X-direction and the Y-direction may be orthogonal to the Z-direction. For clarity, rearward movement in the X-direction may indicate movement from the overmold 150 along the cable 120 toward the upper right in fig. 1, while forward movement in the X-direction may indicate the opposite direction. Further, upward movement in the Z direction may indicate vertical upward movement, as shown in fig. 1, while downward movement in the Z direction may indicate the opposite direction. From the perspective of fig. 1, downward right movement may indicate forward movement in the Y direction, while movement in the opposite direction may indicate rearward movement in the Y direction.

The mating connector 104, which in some embodiments may be a board mounted connector 107, may be electrically and/or mechanically releasably or permanently connected with the cable assembly 108. Such a connection is shown schematically in fig. 3 as connector system 100. The mating connector 104 may receive a portion of the PCB 140 and electrically connect to one or more conductive contact pads 144 on the PCB 140. The mating connector 104 may include a shroud 106. The shroud 106 may provide structural support and engagement interface for the mating connector 104. The cover 106 may also engage with the latch engagement portion 132 of the latch 130 to permanently or releasably connect the mating connector 104 to the cable assembly 108.

In some embodiments, the conductive pads 144 may be disposed on the front 142 or mating portion of the PCB. One or more of the cables 120 may be twinaxial and may extend rearward in the X-direction. The cable 120 may be electrically connected to portions of the PCB 140, which may be the rear of the PCB 140.

The overmold 150 may be proximate to the PCB 140 and/or in contact with the PCB 140, and in some embodiments may encase, encapsulate, partially encase, or partially encase a portion of the PCB 140, such as the rear of the PCB 140 as measured in the X-direction. The overmold 150 may include electrically insulating or substantially insulating materials such as, but not limited to, polymers, rubbers, ceramics, organic materials, metals, carbon, and metal alloys. As can be seen by way of example in fig. 3 and 4, the overmold 150 may define an upper surface 160 perpendicular to the Z-direction, a lower surface perpendicular to the Z-direction, opposite lateral surfaces 168a, 168b perpendicular to the Y-direction, and a mating surface 172 perpendicular to the X-direction. In various embodiments, one or more of the upper surface 160, the lower surface 164, the lateral surfaces 168a, 168b, and the mating surface 172 need not be perpendicular to, or parallel to, any of the X-direction, the Y-direction, or the Z-direction. One or more shoulders 176 may be defined in the overmold 150 proximate the mating face 172, the upper surface 160, and the lateral surfaces 168a and/or 168 b.

Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate various features of the overmold 150, including a central tab 200, a first lower tab 220a, a second lower tab 220b, a first upper tab 250a, and a second upper tab 250b. The central protrusion 200 may extend from the overmold 150, and in some embodiments, forward in the X-direction. In some embodiments, the central protrusion 200 may extend from the mating face 172. The central protrusion 200 may define a central protrusion leading edge 202, which may be the forward-most portion of the central protrusion 200, as measured in the X-direction. The central protrusion 200 may also define an upper surface 203, which may be flush or coplanar with the upper surface 160. The upper surface 203 may also be perpendicular to the Z-direction and may define an uppermost surface of the central protrusion 200 along the Z-direction. The central protrusion lower inclined surface 204, the central protrusion upper inclined surface 208, and the central protrusion lateral inclined surfaces 212a, 212b may be formed toward the front (in the X direction) of the central protrusion 200.

The central protrusion lower inclined surface 204 may be inclined to be non-parallel to the X-direction and the Z-direction, and parallel to the Y-direction. The central protrusion upper inclined surface 208 may be inclined to be non-parallel to the X-direction and the Z-direction, and parallel to the Y-direction. The central protrusion lateral inclined surfaces 212a, 212b may be inclined to be non-parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction, and parallel to the Z-direction. In various embodiments, the width of the central protrusion 200 (as measured in the Y-direction) is, about, at least, or at most 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the distance between the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168 b.

The first lower tab 220a may extend from the overmold 150, and in some embodiments, forward in the X-direction. In some embodiments, the first lower protrusion 220a extends from the mating face 172. The first lower protrusion 220a may define a vertical member 224a and a horizontal member 232a. The vertical member 224a may define a vertical member angled surface 228a and a vertical member leading edge 230a, which may include a forwardmost surface of the vertical member 224a, as measured in the X-direction. The horizontal member 232a may define a horizontal member angled surface 236a and a horizontal member leading edge 238a, which may include a forwardmost surface of the horizontal member 232a, as measured in the X-direction. The horizontal component leading edge 238a and/or the vertical component leading edge 230a may be disposed forward of the mating face 172, as measured in the X-direction. The vertical members 224a may extend substantially in the X-direction and the Z-direction, and may be perpendicular to the Y-direction. The horizontal member 232a may extend substantially in the X-direction and the Y-direction, and may be perpendicular to the Z-direction. The horizontal member 232a may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the vertical member 224a. In some embodiments, the horizontal member 232a and the vertical member 224a may be connected at one location or at more than one location in front of the mating face 172 in the X-direction.

In some embodiments, the horizontal member 232a extends to one of the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168b, as measured in the Y-direction. In various embodiments, the width of the horizontal member 232a (as measured in the Y-direction) is, about, at least, or at most 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45% of the distance between the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168 b. In some embodiments, a portion of horizontal member 232a (such as the lower surface) is coplanar or flush with lower surface 164.

In some embodiments, a portion of the vertical member 224a (such as a lateral surface) is coplanar or flush with one of the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168 b. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224a extends to the shoulder 176 as measured in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224a extends to the lower surface 164 as measured in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224a extends from the lower surface 164 to the shoulder 176, as measured in the Z-direction. In various embodiments, the height of the vertical member 224a (as measured in the Z-direction) is, about, at least, or at most 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45% of the distance between the lower surface 164 and the upper surface 160.

The vertical component leading edge 230a may be parallel or substantially parallel to the Z-axis and/or the horizontal component leading edge 238a may be parallel or substantially parallel to the Y-axis. In some embodiments, the first lower protrusion 220a is L-shaped. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224a and the horizontal member 232a form an L-shape.

The first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b may be identical, similar, and/or mirror images of each other, as seen across a plane containing the X-direction and the Z-direction between the first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b. However, for clarity, the second lower protrusion 220b will now be described in detail.

The second lower tab 220b may extend from the overmold 150, and in some embodiments, forward in the X-direction. In some embodiments, the second lower protrusion 220b may extend from the mating face 172. The second lower protrusion 220b may define a vertical member 224b and a horizontal member 232b. The vertical member 224b may define a vertical member angled surface 228b and a vertical member leading edge 230b, which may include a forwardmost surface of the vertical member 224b, as measured in the X-direction. The horizontal member 232b may define a horizontal member angled surface 236b and a horizontal member leading edge 238b, which may include a forwardmost surface of the horizontal member 232b, as measured in the X-direction. The horizontal component leading edge 238b and/or the vertical component leading edge 230b may be disposed forward of the mating face 172, as measured in the X-direction. The vertical members 224b may extend substantially in the X-direction and the Z-direction, and may be perpendicular to the Y-direction. The horizontal member 232b may extend substantially in the X-direction and the Y-direction, and may be perpendicular to the Z-direction. The horizontal member 232b may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the vertical member 224b. In some embodiments, the horizontal member 232b and the vertical member 224b may be connected at one location or at more than one location in front of the mating face 172 in the X-direction.

In some embodiments, the horizontal member 232b extends to one of the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168b, as measured in the Y-direction. In various embodiments, the width of the horizontal member 232b (as measured in the Y-direction) is, about, at least, or at most 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45% of the distance between the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168 b. In some embodiments, a portion of horizontal member 232b (such as the lower surface as measured in the Z-direction) is coplanar or flush with lower surface 164.

In some embodiments, a portion of the vertical member 224b (such as a lateral surface as measured in the Y-direction) is coplanar or flush with one of the opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168 b. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224b extends to the shoulder 176 as measured in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224b extends to the lower surface 164 as measured in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224b extends from the lower surface 164 to the shoulder 176, as measured in the Z-direction. In various embodiments, the height of the vertical member 224b (as measured in the Z-direction) is, about, at least, or at most 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45% of the distance between the lower surface 164 and the upper surface 160.

The vertical component leading edge 230b may be parallel or substantially parallel to the Z-axis and/or the horizontal component leading edge 238b may be parallel or substantially parallel to the Y-axis. In some embodiments, the first lower protrusion 220b is L-shaped. In some embodiments, the vertical member 224b and the horizontal member 232b form an L-shape.

Fig. 4 and 5 also show therein a first upper tab 250a and a second upper tab 250b. The first upper tab 250a may include a base 254a and an upper tab member 258a. The upper tab member 258a may define an upper tab member angled surface 262a and an upper tab member leading edge 264a, which may be the forward-most portion of the first upper tab 250a, as measured in the X-direction. The base 254a may be connected to or in contact with the upper surface 160, and the base 254a (and thus the first upper protrusion 250 a) may be directly connected to the upper surface 160 at a location rearward of the mating face 172, as measured in the X-direction. The upper tab member 258a may extend in the X direction. In some embodiments, the upper tab member 258a may extend forward in the X-direction. In various embodiments, the upper tab member leading edge 264a is forward of the mating surface 172, the central tab leading edge 202, the vertical component leading edge 230a, the vertical component leading edge 230b, the horizontal component leading edge 238a, and/or the horizontal component leading edge 238b in the X-direction. In various embodiments, the upper tab member leading edge 264a is rearward of the mating surface 172, the central tab leading edge 202, the vertical component leading edge 230a, the vertical component leading edge 230b, the horizontal component leading edge 238a, and/or the horizontal component leading edge 238b in the X-direction.

Upper tab member 258a may be located above upper surface 160 as measured in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, a non-zero distance or gap exists between upper tab member 258a and upper surface 160, as measured in the Z-direction. The upper projection member upper surface 266a may be parallel or substantially parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction and may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the Z-direction. The upper projection member upper surface 266a may be parallel or substantially parallel to the upper surface 160, the lower surface 164, the horizontal component 232a, and/or the horizontal component 232b. The upper protruding member inclined surface 262a may be formed at or near the upper protruding member leading edge 264a and may be inclined such that the upper protruding member inclined surface 262a is non-parallel to the X-direction and the Z-direction and parallel to the Y-direction.

The first upper tab 250a and the second upper tab 250b may be identical, similar, and/or may be mirror images of each other as seen across a plane containing the X-direction and the Z-direction between the first upper tab 250a and the second upper tab 250b. However, for clarity, the second upper protrusion 250b will now be described in detail.

Fig. 4 and 5 also show a second upper tab 250b therein. The second upper tab 250b may include a base 254b and an upper tab member 258b. The upper tab member 258b may define an upper tab member angled surface 262b and an upper tab member leading edge 264b, which may be the forward-most portion of the second upper tab 250b, as measured in the X-direction. The base 254b may be connected to or in contact with the upper surface 160, and the base 254b (and thus the second upper protrusion 250 b) may be directly connected to the upper surface 160 at a location rearward of the mating face 172, as measured in the X-direction. The upper tab member 258b may extend in the X direction. In some embodiments, the upper tab member 258b may extend forward in the X-direction. In various embodiments, the upper tab member leading edge 264b is forward of the mating surface 172, the central tab leading edge 202, the vertical component leading edge 230a, the vertical component leading edge 230b, the horizontal component leading edge 238a, and/or the horizontal component leading edge 238b in the X-direction. In various embodiments, the upper tab member leading edge 264b is rearward of the mating surface 172, the central tab leading edge 202, the vertical component leading edge 230a, the vertical component leading edge 230b, the horizontal component leading edge 238a, and/or the horizontal component leading edge 238b in the X-direction.

Upper tab member 258b may be located above upper surface 160 as measured in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, a non-zero distance or gap exists between upper tab member 258b and upper surface 160, as measured in the Z-direction. The upper projection member upper surface 266b may be parallel or substantially parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction and may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the Z-direction. The upper projection member upper surface 266b may be parallel or substantially parallel to the upper surface 160, the lower surface 164, the horizontal component 232a, and/or the horizontal component 232b. The upper protruding member inclined surface 262b may be formed at or near the upper protruding member leading edge 264b, and may be inclined such that the upper protruding member inclined surface 262b is non-parallel to the X-direction and the Z-direction, and parallel to the Y-direction.

In some embodiments, the first upper tab 250a and the second upper tab 250b are disposed on opposite sides of the central tab 200, as measured in the Y-direction. In various embodiments, the first upper tab 250a and the second upper tab 250b are each disposed between opposing lateral surfaces 168a, 168b, as measured in the Y-direction.

As described above, as exemplarily shown in fig. 3, the cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 can be releasably connected to each other. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the connector system 100 when the mating connector 104 is releasably connected to the cable assembly 108. It can be seen that portions of the mating connector 104, such as the mating connector body 105 and the shroud 106, engage portions of the cable assembly 108.

In some embodiments, the first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b and/or the horizontal members 232a, 232b are below the mating connector 104, the mating connector body 105, and the shroud 106 (as measured in the Z-direction) when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108. In various embodiments, the first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b and/or the vertical members 224a, 224b are located laterally outside of or beyond the mating connector 104, the mating connector body 105 and the shroud 106 (as measured in the Y-direction) when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108, as measured from the center of the cable assembly 108 in the Y-direction. The central protrusion 200 may be above the mating connector body 105 (as measured in the Z-direction) and below the shroud 106 when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108. In some embodiments, the upper surface 160 is above the mating connector body 105 (as measured in the Z-direction) and below the shroud 106 when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108. In some embodiments, the upper protrusions 250a, 250b and/or the upper protrusion members 258a, 258b are above the mating connector body 105 and the shroud 106 (as measured in the Z-direction) when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108. In various embodiments, when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108, a portion of the cap 106 is above the upper surface 160 (as measured in the Z-direction) and below the upper tabs 250a, 250b and/or the upper tab members 258a, 258b. Further, in some embodiments, a portion of the cap 106 may engage and be inserted into a shoulder 176 formed in the overmold 150.

The disclosed embodiments provide a number of benefits for efficient, safe, and stable operation of the connector system 100. In particular, any of the above-described features of the overmold 150, such as the first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b, the horizontal members 232a, 232b, the vertical members 224a, 224b, the central protrusion 200, the upper surface 160, the upper protrusions 250a, 250b, and/or the upper protrusion members 258a, 258b, may contact in a mechanically biased manner to press two adjacent members together and/or to be disposed proximate to the mating connector 104, the mating connector body 105, and/or the shroud when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108.

Thus, based on the described and illustrated embodiments, when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108, relative movement between the cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 in the Z-direction is limited or prevented by contact between the shroud 106 and/or the mating connector body 105 and the first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b, the horizontal members 232a, 232b, the lower surface 164, the upper surface 160, the central protrusion 200, the upper protrusions 250a, 250b, and/or the upper protrusion members 258a, 258b. Further, when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108, relative movement between the cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 in the Y-direction is limited or prevented by contact between the shroud 106 and/or the mating connector body 105 and the first and second lower protrusions 220a, 220b and/or the vertical members 224a, 224b. Further, when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108, relative movement between the cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 in the Y-direction is limited or prevented by contact between the shroud 106 and the shoulder 176. Enhanced mechanical fixation may be provided when the contact between the elements is a biased contact.

Further, when the mating connector 104 is connected to the cable assembly 108, relative movement between the cable assembly 108 and the mating connector 104 in the X-direction (when moved toward each other) is limited or prevented by contact between the shroud 106 and/or the mating connector body 105 and the mating face 172, the upper protrusions 250a, 250b, and/or the bases 254a, 254 b.

In some embodiments, one or more of the overmold 150, PCB 140, cover 106, mating connector body 105, or any of their constituent elements may be cast, molded, machined, or otherwise formed as a single, unitary component. In some embodiments, the overmold 150, PCB 140, cover 106, mating connector body 105, or any of their constituent elements may be formed of or may include a metal, metal alloy, polymer, composite material, ceramic, organic material, electrically conductive material, electrical insulator, or any other material known to those skilled in the art.

Although the terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the embodiments of the disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that although the present disclosure has been specifically disclosed by specific embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of embodiments of this utility model. The entire disclosures of the patents, patent documents, and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. In the event of any conflict or conflict between the written specification and the disclosure in any document incorporated by reference, the written specification will control.

Claims

1. A cable assembly, the cable assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads;

an overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the printed circuit board, the overmold defining upper and lower surfaces spaced apart in a Z-direction, opposing lateral surfaces spaced apart in a Y-direction, and a mating face perpendicular to an X-direction, the mating portion of the printed circuit board extending forward from the mating face;

one or more cables extending from the printed circuit board rearward along the X-direction; and

an upper protruding portion that is directly connected to the upper surface and extends forward in the X direction, the upper protruding portion being directly connected to the upper surface at a position rearward of the mating face in the X direction.

2. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper projection extends forward of the mating face in the X-direction.

3. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper protrusion is adapted to be disposed above a shroud of the board mount connector in the Z-direction when the cable assembly is releasably connected to the board mount connector.

4. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper protrusion is disposed between the lateral surfaces along the Y-direction.

5. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein a front end of the upper protrusion in the X-direction is disposed higher than the upper surface in the Z-direction.

6. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between the upper protrusion and the upper surface.

7. A cable assembly, the cable assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads;

an overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the printed circuit board, the overmold defining upper and lower surfaces spaced apart in a Z-direction, opposing lateral surfaces spaced apart in a Y-direction, and a mating face perpendicular to an X-direction from which a mating portion of the printed circuit board extends forward;

a lower projection directly connected to the mating face and extending in the X-direction, the lower projection including a horizontal member extending in the Y-direction and a vertical member extending in the Z-direction.

8. The cable assembly of claim 7, wherein the horizontal member and the vertical member are connected at a position forward of the mating face in the X-direction.

9. The cable assembly of claim 7, wherein a front edge of the horizontal member in the X-direction and a front edge of the vertical member in the X-direction are both disposed in front of the mating surface as measured in the X-direction or as measured in the X-direction.

10. The cable assembly of claim 7, wherein the horizontal member extends to one of the opposing lateral surfaces as measured in the Y-direction or as measured in the Y-direction.

11. The cable assembly of claim 7, wherein the lower protrusion is L-shaped.

12. A cable assembly, the cable assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board having one or more conductive contact pads;

one or more cables extending from the printed circuit board rearward along the X-direction;

a central protrusion directly connected to the mating face and extending in the X-direction, wherein the central protrusion is adapted to be disposed below an upper surface of a cover of the board mount connector in the Z-direction when the cable assembly is releasably connected to the board mount connector.

13. The cable assembly of claim 12, wherein the central protrusion defines a central protrusion upper surface perpendicular to the Z-direction, the central protrusion upper surface being coplanar with the upper surface of the overmold.

14. The cable assembly of claim 12, further comprising an upper protrusion extending in the X-direction, and a front of the upper protrusion in the X-direction is disposed above the central protrusion in the Z-direction.

15. The cable assembly of claim 12, wherein the central protrusion is not directly connected to the upper surface of the overmold.

16. The cable assembly of claim 12, wherein a width of the central protrusion in the Y-direction is less than two-thirds of a distance between the lateral surfaces.