KR200438441Y1 - Plug connector with mating protection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a plug connector (1200, 300), the plug connector has a circuit card (1212, 304) and the body portion extending in front of the mating surface (1211, 302) of the connector. The circuit card is protected in place by a pair of protective flanges 1215, 310, 1216, and 132, the pair of protective flanges extending forward from the body, protecting the circuit card from stubbing and plug connector The circuit card is flanked to provide a first means for aligning with the receptacle connector. One or more protrusions formed outside of the plug connector provide second means 1226, 351 for aligning the plug connector to the receptacle connector.

Plug connector, receptacle connector, protective flange, circuit card, protrusion

Description

Plug connector with mating protection means {PLUG CONNECTOR WITH MATING PROTECTION}

The present invention relates generally to a cable connector, and more particularly to a cable connector that mates with a circuit board connector having a structure that eliminates the need for a shielding cage or guide frame used with the mating circuit board connector.

It is common practice in the electronic art to connect a cable to a circuit board by terminating the cable to a connector, typically a plug connector, and then mating the connector to a receptacle connector mounted on the circuit board. A known problem with the connection of a cable and a connector mounted on a circuit board is that the weight and fluctuation of the cable loosen the point of attachment of the receptacle connector to the circuit board, blocking the signal path and causing breakage of the circuit board.

This can be prevented through the use of a large guide frame that is mounted to the circuit board to receive the receptacle connector and defines an opening into which a plug or similar connector can be inserted. However, because these guide frames are large, they occupy useful space on the circuit board that can be used for additional circuitry or termination. In addition, these guide frames are typically die cast and are prone to breakage when dropped.

Another problem that arises when mating such a plug connector to an associated receptacle connector in a narrow and confined space is that the plugs are not oriented for proper mating and that debris and contaminants can come into contact with the receptacle connector terminals too easily in confined spaces. .

Also problematic is the strain in the connector receptacle, which may be caused by the weight, size and fluctuation of the cable (s). The larger problem is that the connector plug and its mating connector receptacle may be somewhat misaligned with each other, complicating the assembly process unnecessarily, and in the case of high speed connectors some of the terminals are always exposed to the outside of the connector housing to contaminate the terminals. Can be. Therefore, a plug connector comprising means incorporated therein, which is self-alignable to mate with an opposing connector without taking up much space on the circuit board, is preferred.

The present invention thus relates to a plug connector which overcomes the above mentioned problems and which also provides certain advantages as described above.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plug connector guided by a guide member to engage with an opposing connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector that mates with a surface mount receptacle connector, the receptacle connector comprising a recess disposed along its lower surface, the plug connector assisting in the alignment of the plug connector with the receptacle connector It has a protruding flange that fits into the recess of the receptacle connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector that mates with the receptacle connector described above, wherein the plug connector includes means for engaging a guide member for aligning and guiding the plug connector to be mated with the receptacle connector, the plug connector The connector has a mating protrusion in the form of a circuit card, the plug connector further comprising a pair of protective flanges spaced apart from the circuit card and extending outwardly above and below the circuit card, wherein the plug connector flange is a receptacle connector Covering opposite sides of the shield protects portions of the receptacle connector terminals that are exposed from contact with foreign materials such as contaminants.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a plug connector for use with the receptacle connector and guide member described above, the plug connector having a mating surface with a forwardly protruding mating blade fitted into a corresponding slot of the receptacle connector. Wherein the plug connector further comprises a protruding tab extending upwardly and forwardly of the mating surface of the plug connector, the tab having a recess for receiving a corresponding prong or tab of the guide member, the plug connector The tab of is extended over the housing of the receptacle connector when mated with the receptacle connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector that mates with a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board, wherein the receptacle connector includes a transverse slot, the receptacle connector slot having a predetermined position by another external slot for receiving a terminal. A plurality of conductive terminals supported at the terminal, the terminal extending into a slot of the receptacle connector, the connector including an edge card that protrudes from the connector and is received in the slot when the two connectors are mated together; And a body having at least one flange extending therefrom above the card, wherein the flange extends over a portion of at least one terminal set of the receptacle connector, wherein the flange is an angled inlet guiding the connector to align with the receptacle connector. Includes substructures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector that mates with a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board so as to first pass through a guide located on the circuit board in front of the receptacle connector, wherein the plug connector is provided from the plug connector body. With one or more stops extending outwardly, the lugs engage with corresponding means formed in the guide to limit the insertion distance of the plug connector into the receptacle connector.

The present invention achieves these and other objects and aspects by this structure, and an aspect of the present invention includes a plug connector having a housing insertable into a guide member associated with the receptacle connector, the guide member being connected to the receptacle connector. Orient and align the plug connector to be plugged.

The receptacle connector used in the present invention typically has a main body having a slot for receiving a card extending in the transverse direction of the connector main body, wherein a conductive terminal is inserted into the connector main body, and a contact portion thereof extends into the slot. The plug connector of the present invention comprises a circuit card as a mating blade in these preferred embodiments, which project from the front face of the plug connector to extend into the slot of the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may comprise a recess disposed below between its mounting leg and the bottom of the card receiving slot. The plug connector preferably comprises a lower or first flange extending forward from the front face. This flange is received in the recess and serves as a guide for properly mating the plug connector to the receptacle connector. In addition, the lower flange preferably has a length sufficient to extend at least partially over some exposed terminals along the bottom surface of the receptacle connector to protect it from accumulation of debris or contaminants. Further, the lower flange preferably has a width that is less than the width of the circuit card so that the lower flange does not receive any interference when it enters into a defined lower recess between the receptacle connector and the circuit board.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plug connector includes a housing having a defined mating surface from which the circuit card and the first flange protrude. The first flange may be provided as a lower or lower flange of the plug connector received in the slot disposed between the opposing receptacle connector and its circuit board, thereby providing the plug connector as a main guide for aligning with the receptacle connector. do. Alternatively, the first flange may be provided as an upper flange in contact with the receptacle connector in such a manner that the first flange covers a portion of the terminal exposed on the upper surface of the receptacle connector. If one of the upper or lower flanges is used, the flange has a front extension sufficient to cover at least a portion of the exposed terminals of the receptacle connector.

The guide member used with the receptacle connector may comprise an extension in the form of a spring arm, which arm preferably extends towards and above the top surface of the receptacle connector plate. The slot or channel may be formed in the upper surface of the second flange of the plug connector, which channel may be a guide member spring arm, preferably audible or tactile, so that the plug connector can hear and feel an audible or tactile click when properly fitted to the receptacle connector A part of the recess is stored. The channel of the upper flange assists in maintaining the upper flange in a predetermined position over a portion of the upper surface of the receptacle connector.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plug connector body may include one or more features such that secondary alignment is performed between the plug connector and the receptacle connector. These features may take the form of protrusions or lugs disposed on the outer surface of the plug connector body, which are combined with the guide member to limit the range within which the plug connector can be pressed into the guide member and the receptacle connector.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

In addition to the objects and advantages of the present invention, the present invention may be clearly understood by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like elements are designated by like reference numerals.

1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic assembly using a connector guide member associated with a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board, for aligning the plug connector of the first embodiment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle connector and guide member of Fig. 1 taken from the rear, showing a configuration in which the first embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2 except that the plug connector of the first embodiment is inserted into the guide member and engaged with both the receptacle connector and the guide member.

4 is an enlarged perspective view taken from the front of the plug connector of FIG. 1 spaced from the guide member.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view taken from the rear of the plug connector of Fig. 4 after the plug connector is inserted into the guide member.

6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6.

7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vertical guide member used to engage a vertical surface mount receptacle connector.

FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 7 except that it is taken from the opposite side of FIG.

9 is a perspective view of a shroud or guide member associated with the receptacle connector and the plug connector of the second embodiment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention aligned spaced from the receptacle connector.

Figure 10 is the same view as Figure 9 except that the plug connector is partially inserted into the shroud.

FIG. 11 is the same view as FIG. 10 except that the plug connector is fully coupled to the shroud and mated to the receptacle connector.

12 is a perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 9 taken from the front of FIG.

1 is an enlarged view of an electronic assembly 2 used to exchange electrical signals between a conductive trace 6 of a circuit board or another substrate 4 and an electrical conductor of a cable 101. In FIG. 1, the illustrated electronic assembly 2 comprises a circuit board 4 on which electronic components such as integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, inductors and the like can be mounted. As is known, electronic components mounted to a circuit board are interconnected by one or more electrically conductive traces 6, at least some of which are located at least on the surface of the substrate 4. The electrical signal may be transmitted through the conductive trace 6 by a receptacle connector 8 mounted to the substrate 4 and mating with the opposing cable connector.

1 shows a receptacle connector 8 attached to a circuit board 4 using any of the mounting posts, screws or solders known in the art. The receptacle connector 8 has two opposing sides 10, 12, an upper part 14, a lower part 15, a front part 16 and a rear part 18. The receptacle connector 8 is constructed and arranged to maintain the spacing of several electrical contacts 20 accessible from the front side, each of which is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive trace 6 of the circuit board 4.

Electrical and mechanical connection to the accessible contact 20 in the front portion 16 of the receptacle connector 8 is made by extending the plug-like mating connector 100 into contact with the receptacle connector 8. The plug connector 100 has its own set of conductive contacts, which are preferably arranged along the mating blade and these contacts mate with the receptacle connector contacts 20. 1 to 6, the plug connector is at least partially guided in position by a guide member 24 associated with the receptacle connector 8, the guide member 24 being connected to the receptacle connector 8. It is preferred to be mounted to the circuit board 4 at a position spaced forward from the. In a preferred embodiment, the guide member 24 is generally inverted U-shaped, formed as a hood or shield, and attached to the circuit board 4 by suitable means such as soldering. Guide member 24 defines a hollow channel 80 through which plug connector 100 can extend to mate with mating receptacle connector 8.

As shown in Figures 1-3, the connector guide member 24 preferably comprises at least two planar sides 26,28. The first planar side 26 has an upper edge portion 30 and a lower edge portion 32, and the second side portion 28 also has an upper edge portion 34 and a lower edge portion 36. Each planar side 26, 28 further comprises a front edge and a rear edge. The first side 26 has a front edge 38 and a rear edge 42. The second side 28 has a front edge 40 and a rear edge 44. Two mounting posts (FIG. 4) are preferably formed in the guide member along the lower part of the side, and these posts may be cylindrical or may be stamped as part of the guide member itself. Regardless of these structures, the posts 70 extend downward from the sides 26 and 28 and are received in mounting holes 25 formed in the circuit board 4. These can be used to solder the guide member at a predetermined position of the circuit board 4.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the opposing first and second sides 26, 28 of the guide member have substantially the same height 46 between the upper edge and the lower edge, with each side It is preferred to have substantially the same width 48 between the front edge and the rear edge. As shown in Figure 1, the sides 26, 28 are substantially upright and extend generally at right angles to the planar top 52. Although a preferred embodiment of the guide member 24 is stamped into a single piece of sheet metal for purposes of disclosure, the top 52 and the two sides 26, 28 may be joined together at the cavity edges. The upper portion 52 has a first side edge portion 54 shown on the right side of the figure and a second side edge portion 56 shown on the left side when viewed from the front of FIG. The top 52 also has a front edge 58 and a rear edge 60.

Typically, the guide member 24 will be formed by stamping a metal blank, whereby an extension of the guide member taking the form of a tab or spring arm 64 extending rearward is formed. In the figure, this is shown as extending in a cantilevered manner and is preferably formed at a slight downward angle to create a bias or preload in the arm 64. This biasing force causes the opposing slots or recesses 102 to form a plug engagement 62, shown as a ridge or catch, positioned adjacent the distal end of the spring arm 64. Pressurized to engage.

2 is a rear perspective view showing the relative positions of the connector receptacle 8 and the guide member 24 with respect to the connector plug 8. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide member 24 is positioned so that the guide member 24 is spaced from the connector receptacle, i.e., in front of the mating surface 16 of the receptacle connector 8 without being in contact therewith. It is mounted on the circuit board 4. FIG. 2 also shows the connection of the connection traces 6 of the circuit board 4 and the electrical contacts 20 of these connection traces and the receptacle connector 8. 2 shows a side locking latch or engagement tab 53 formed in the side plate by stamping. These engaging tabs 53 extend inwardly, i.e., into the channels 80 of the guide member 24, and the plug connector when the plug 100 is inserted into the guide member 24 to engage the receptacle connector 8; Sized and shaped to be in frictional contact with sidewall 110 of 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the plug connector can be provided with an opening 57 in its side wall, through which the engaging tab 55 of the guide member is captured.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the electronic assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the circuit board 4, the rear portion 18 of the receptacle connector 8 and the contact portion 20 of the receptacle connector are installed and latched in a predetermined position. It is shown that the electrical connection is established between the substrate trace 6 and the plug connector wire 101 by 100. In FIG. 3, the plug connector 100 of the present invention is shown extending through the guide member 24 until the spring arm catch 62 is engaged with the slot 102 on the top of the plug connector 100. As shown in FIG. 3, this catch is located near the distal end, ie near the end furthest from the point at which the spring arm 64 extends from the rear edge 60 of the upper portion 52 of the guide member 24. do. This catch-slot coupling arrangement provides an acoustic coupling “click” and tactile coupling, so that the assembler can hear and feel when the plug connector 100 is mated to the receptacle connector 8.

4 is a front perspective view showing a relative position between the guide member 24 and the connector 100 before the connector is inserted into the guide member 24. FIG. 4 omits the illustration of the circuit board 4 for clarity. A plug connector 100 is formed, cut or molded into the body of the connector 100 so that the connector latch slot 102 is positioned to receive the catch 62 when the connector 100 is fully engaged with the receptacle connector. It clearly shows that it is provided. It can be seen that the plug connector includes a mating portion, and the mating portion preferably takes the form of an edge card 120 having a leading edge portion extending from the front mating surface 121 of the plug connector 100.

The edge card 120 has a plurality of conductive traces 125 disposed along its leading edge portion, which conductive contacts with the contacts 20 of the receptacle connector when the plug connector 100 is inserted into the receptacle connector 8. Intended to match. The plug connector housing may also include an extension 130 extending forward from the mating surface 121 and over the edge card 120. This extension 130 is shown as a first flange extending transverse to at least most of the width of the edge card 120, preferably having a width greater than the width of the edge card 120. This first flange is first provided to protect the edge card 120 from stubbing and extends over the upper portion of the receptacle connector 8 to cover the exposed terminal portion supported by the receptacle connector. This may also provide a support for the recess 102.

In Fig. 4, the plug connector flange has an angled side 131, which provides an entry surface that allows the plug connector 100 to be easily guided to be aligned with the receptacle connector by the guide member. The first flange is longer than the length of the edge card 120 protruding from the mating surface 121 to prevent the contact of the edge card 120 from contacting anything other than the guide member 24 or the receptacle connector 8. It has a length, the length is preferably extended to the front of the mating surface 121.

4 shows a side lock latch 55 formed on one side 28 of the guide member 24. In this embodiment, the side locking latch 55 extends toward the opposite side 26 so that a small tab is formed on the side that engages with the opposite side recess 57 formed on the opposite side of the plug connector 100. It is simply formed by stamping a metal from the member 24. When the plug connector 100 is fully engaged with the opposing receptacle connector, the side locking latch 55 (preferably formed on both sides 26 and 28 of the guide member 24) is provided with the opposing recess 57. Will engage and “latch” the plug connector 100 to the receptacle connector 8. In this embodiment the latching is achieved by the guide member 24 rather than the receptacle connector 8, so that the strain of the assembly caused by the wire 101 is not the receptacle connector 8 but the guide member 24. Is absorbed by. In addition, misalignment of the contacts of the plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 8 is minimized by the plug to receptacle alignment function performed by this aspect of the guide member 24.

5 is a rear perspective view of the connector 100 fully inserted into the guide member 24. In the figure, the catch 62 of the guide member is interlocked with the slot 102 of the connector 100. The bias or “bias” of the spring arm 64 forces the catch 62 into the engagement slot 102 when the plug connector 100 is fully inserted into the guide member 24. Similarly, the side lock latch 55 (shown on one side) can be extended inwardly into the recess 57 of the plug connector because it bends inwardly, whereby the plug connector 100 is without any significant traction. It is prevented from being removed. When plug connector 100 is connected to receptacle connector 8, guide member 24 also provides strain relief and conductor alignment.

6 is a partially cutaway view of the connector 100 provided in the connector alignment guide 24. In the figure, the interlocking engagement of the plug engagement latch 62 is clearly shown on the right side of the figure. Coupling latch 62 biased downward into connector slot 102 acts to retain connector 100 in alignment guide 24. Also shown are two mounting ports 70 connected to the lower edge portion 32 of the connector guide sides 26, 28, which mount the alignment guide 24 to the circuit board or other substrate 4. Used for electrical and mechanical mounting.

1 to 6 show the flange disposed on top of the plug connector 100, the flange 130 may be oriented below the plug connector mating surface 121. In this orientation, the flange will provide protection against stubbing and may also provide alignment features. That is, the flange will be received in a recess formed along the bottom of the receptacle connector 8 under the edge card receiving slot of the receptacle connector 8.

7 and 8 show another embodiment 200 of a plug connector in which a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is intended vertically on a circuit board. As shown in the figure, the receptacle connector 201 is a connector surface-mounted in a perpendicular form to the circuit board 202. The connector 201 has an insulating housing 204 and supports a plurality of conductive terminals 206. Terminal 206 has a tail portion 208 soldered to a pad or trace on the surface of the circuit board 202. Conductive guide member 210 is provided for use with connector 202, guide member 210 may be generally U-shaped with top plate 212, and two transversely extending from the top plate. It has a side plate 213. These three plates cooperate to define a channel 215 extending partially around and over the receptacle connector 201. The upper plate 212 of the guide member is slotted and has a recess 218 from which the catch member 220 extends. This catch member has a bend 221 formed therein, which bend is preferably coupled with a slot (not shown) of the plug connector housing 250 in the same manner as shown in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the plug connector 240 is generally oriented in the vertical direction and has an insulating housing 250 from which an edge card and a first flange extend. The first flange extends partially over the exposed terminals of the receptacle connector 201 and has a slot intended to engage the catch member 220 of the vertical guide member.

9 shows another electronic assembly in which another embodiment of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. In this assembly, the shroud 1100 (or guide member) is shown as having a top wall 1102 interconnected with two spaced sidewalls 1104 and 1105. The shroud 1100 is generally inverted U-shaped when viewed from an end and is spaced from the receptacle connector 1150 mounted to the circuit board 1110 and disposed on the circuit board 1110. The receptacle connector 1105 is generally similar in shape to the receptacle connector 8 shown and described in FIGS. 1 to 6, and has an opening along its lower surface below the card receiving slot and below the lower surface of the receptacle connector 1105. Or a recess. The slot receives the leading edge portion of the circuit board used for the plug connector 1200 as its blade portion. The shroud 1100 provides a hollow channel 1106 that can guide the engagement of the plug connector 1200 and the circuit board connector 1150.

In addition, the shroud 1100 is provided to retain the plug connector 1200 in a predetermined position after mating. In this regard, the shroud 1100 includes an elongate extension 1117 extending forward of the top wall 1102 of the shroud, for the purposes described in more detail below. It is further desirable to further include one or more alignment slots 1135 disposed on the sidewalls 1104 and 1105 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the front. Additional means 1119 for guiding the plug connector 1200 may be provided in the shroud 1100 and take the form of a tab 1118 that extends inwardly at a distance from the side walls 1104 and 1105. Can be.

As clearly shown in Fig. 12, the plug connector 1200 has a generally polygonal structure, in which the plug connector has an upper surface 1202, two side walls 1204 and 1205, and a lower surface 1206. , Shown as a solid rectangle with a rear face 1208. The cable usually exits from the rear face 1208 of the plug connector, but is omitted in the figure for clarity. The front end 1210 of the connector defines the mating end of the plug connector 1200, and as shown in FIGS. 9-12, the plug connector 1200 is typically in the form of the leading end of the circuit card 1214. And a front mating surface 1211 including mating blades 1212 projecting forward. Upper surface 1202 (and lower surface 1206 in the figure) extends 1215 forward from front surface 1211 and extends 1215 in the form of a first flange spaced from circuit board 1212 and positioned above the circuit board. ) Other extensions may be provided in this embodiment, as clearly shown in FIG. 12, such extensions extend forward from the front face 1211 and are spaced apart from the circuit card 1214 and the first flange 1215. It may take the form of a second flange 1216 located below them. In this type of arrangement, the two flanges 1215 and 1216 may be considered as "flanking" the circuit board 1212.

The pressure tab 1117 of the shroud will be bent downward to apply a slight bias, so as to slide or contact the top surface 1202 of the mating connector 1200, in particular the top extension of the mating connector. This type of arrangement is shown in FIG. 11, wherein the upper flange 1215 may be provided with transverse slots or recesses 1214 spaced a certain distance from the leading end of the upper flange 1215, which may be shrouded in pressure. It will engage with the recess of the tab 1117. This arrangement provides to assist in the retention of mating engagement of the plug connector 1200 and the receptacle connector 1150 and to assist the operator in completing a known engagement between the two connectors 1200, 1150. Press down tab 1117 with this downward bias will be “clicked” into recess 1214 in an audible and tactile manner, so that the operator will not only feel the bond but also “hear” the bond.

As mentioned above, the shroud 1100 may include a pair of alignment slots 1135 formed in the sidewalls 1104 and 1105 of the shroud, preferably along an edge facing outward thereof. These notches 1135 are engaged with corresponding structures shown as lugs 1226 formed outside of the housing 1200 of the plug connector. These lugs 1226 are generally T-shaped when viewed from the side, and have a center leg 1227 housed in the alignment slot 1135 of the corresponding shroud, and a base 1228 perpendicular to the center leg 1227. Two different legs forming the Base 1228 serves as a stop upon contacting the edges of sidewalls 1104 and 1105. According to the present invention, the tabs 1118 of the shroud 100 are housed in a notch 1207 extending longitudinally along the outside of the plug connector, and these tabs 1118 and notches 1207 are first shrouded in the shroud ( The plug connector 1200 is oriented and positioned within the interior of 1100, and the notches 1135 and lugs 1226 then connect the circuit board of the plug connector 1200 to the card receiving slot of the receptacle connector 1150. 1212 cooperates to be oriented.

Claims (14)

Plug connector for connecting the wire to the mating connector, A connector housing comprising a front face, A mating blade portion supported by the mating connector, the mating blade portion comprising a leading edge portion having a mating portion that mates with the mating connector, the mating edge portion of the mating blade portion extending outwardly from a front surface of the connector housing; A mating blade portion having a termination portion disposed in the connector housing; A plurality of wires terminated at the termination of the contact, And the connector housing includes a first flange extending from the front face of the connector housing and spaced apart from the mating blade portion. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the leading edge portion of the mating blade portion and the first flange have respective widths, and the width of the leading edge portion of the mating blade portion is narrower than the width of the first flange. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the first flange comprises an inlet structure angled along the side edge portion. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the first flange comprises a mating recess in the top surface. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing includes a pair of opposing sides, wherein at least one engagement member is disposed on one side of the connector housing for engagement with the outer guide member. The connector housing of claim 1, wherein the connector housing includes two sides, each of the sides extending transverse to the first flange, wherein at least one of the two sides engages with an outer guide member. Plug connector comprising a coupling member for. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the engagement member includes a recess formed in the side surface. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the engagement member comprises at least one protrusion disposed on the at least one side. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the mating blade portion comprises a circuit card and the contact portion of the mating blade portion comprises conductive traces disposed on the circuit card. 10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the connector housing includes a transverse slot disposed in the front face from which the circuit card extends. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the circuit card protrudes forward from the front face of the connector housing by a first distance, and the first flange protrudes forward from the front face of the connector housing by a second distance. The plug connector is longer than the first distance. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the circuit card protrudes forward from the front face of the connector housing by a first distance, the first flange protrudes forward from the front face of the connector housing by a second distance, the second The plug connector is longer than the first distance. 10. The plug connector of claim 9, wherein the first flange extends from the front side of the connector housing above the circuit card. 10. The plug connector of claim 9, wherein the first flange extends from the front face of the connector housing below the circuit card.

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