TW202101830A - Connector system with wafers - Google Patents

Abstract

The inventors describe various exemplary connectors and connector assemblies that allow for design flexibility and cost savings. Some embodiments of an electrical connector assembly include a housing member having a plurality of outer surfaces. They also include multiple wafers supported by the housing member, each wafer including a plurality of electrically conductive terminals and an insulative support member supporting the electrical terminals, each terminal having a contact configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical component. Some embodiments also include a satellite connector disposed along one of the outer surfaces of the housing member, the satellite connector including an insulative satellite housing and a plurality of connections supported by the satellite housing, each connection having a termination section, the termination section being operatively connected to a cable.

Description

Electric connector assembly and connector system

The present disclosure relates generally to electrical connectors, and more specifically to electrical connectors including a thin-film assembly for connecting orthogonal circuit elements to each other.

Electrical connectors are typically designed to meet both mechanical and electrical requirements. High speed or high data rate electrical connectors are often used in backplane applications that require extremely high density and high data rate. In order to meet the required mechanical and electrical requirements, this backplane connector often utilizes or incorporates a sheet body assembly having an insulating mesh plate supporting a plurality of conductive terminals. It is generally advisable to use thin-film components to create a structure capable of achieving the required high data rate, which is also strong enough to support the required assembly process. The wafer assembly is typically oriented perpendicular to the plane of the circuit substrate on which the backplane connector is mounted.

The backplane connector can be provided for any of a variety of different configurations. In a right-angle sandwich configuration, a pair of butting connectors are mounted on two parallel (and often coplanar) circuit substrates or circuit components. In such a sandwich configuration, by adding an additional mating connector in an adjacent configuration or by using a connector with more laminar components, an additional electrical connection can be established between two circuit substrates.

In an orthogonal configuration, two right-angle backplane connectors are used to electrically connect two circuit substrates or circuit elements orthogonal to each other. This causes the two connectors to rotate 90 degrees relative to each other. Therefore, the number of rows and columns of each connector is limited, because the number of rows and columns of one connector must match the number of rows and columns of another connector. Adding additional electrical connections to the two orthogonal backplane connectors requires increasing the number of slice components of one connector and increasing the height of the slice components of the other connector. However, it is typically very expensive to modify the mold used to form the wafer assembly or create a new mold that changes the number of terminals in a wafer assembly.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an orthogonal connector assembly in which the number of circuits or electrical connections can be easily modified.

The foregoing background discussion is only intended to help the reader. It is neither intended to limit the innovations described herein, nor is it intended to limit or extend the prior art discussed. Therefore, the foregoing discussion should not be considered to indicate that any particular element of the existing system is not suitable for use with the innovation described herein, nor is it intended to indicate that any element is essential for implementing the innovation described herein. The implementation and application of the innovation described herein are defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

The present invention describes various exemplary connectors and connector assemblies that allow design flexibility and cost savings.

Some embodiments of an electrical connector assembly may include: a housing element, the housing element has a plurality of outer surfaces; a plurality of slices supported by the housing element, each slice includes a plurality of conductive A terminal and an insulating support element supporting the plurality of conductive terminals, each terminal has a contact portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical element; and a satellite connector disposed at On one of the outer surfaces of the housing element, the satellite connector includes an insulated satellite base and a plurality of connecting pieces supported by the satellite base, each connecting piece having an end connection part, the end connection Part can be connected to a cable.

In some embodiments, the plurality of flakes are parallel and face a first direction, and the plurality of connecting members of the satellite connector are located in a plane perpendicular to the plurality of flakes.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include conductive terminals.

In some embodiments, the terminal portions of the plurality of connecting members are arranged along a rear surface of the satellite base.

In some embodiments, the terminal portion of the connector of the satellite connector is terminated with a conductive element.

In some embodiments, the conductive element is a cable with a plurality of conductive wires, and each wire is terminated in a terminal portion of one of the connectors.

In some embodiments, the conductive element is a flexible circuit element, and the flexible circuit element has a plurality of electrical conductors, and each electrical conductor is terminated in a terminal portion of one of the connectors.

In some embodiments, the plurality of flakes are substantially flat and arranged in a side-by-side relationship, and the satellite base of the satellite connector is substantially flat, and the plane of the plurality of flakes is perpendicular to all The plane of the satellite base.

In some embodiments, the housing element includes a first side wall and a second side wall that are spaced apart, and the plurality of sheets are parallel to the two side walls.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sheets define a subassembly having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end is disposed adjacent to the first side wall, and the second end It is arranged adjacent to the second side wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sheets are arranged in the housing element.

In some embodiments, the satellite base is a separate component from the housing.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sheets includes a plurality of high-speed signal terminals and a plurality of ground elements.

In some embodiments, the terminal of the thin body includes a mating portion along a mating surface, and the tail of the terminal is arranged along a substrate mounting surface, and the mating surface is perpendicular to the substrate mounting surface.

In some embodiments, the tail of the terminal includes a crimping pin.

In some embodiments, a part of the housing element and a part of the satellite base define a cover surrounding the mating part of the terminals of the plurality of thin bodies, and the cover is configured to be used for receiving One-to-one electrical connector.

In some embodiments, the portion of the satellite base defines an upper portion of the cover.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include at least one power terminal.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include at least one fiber optic connector.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connections of the satellite connector include a plurality of high-speed signal terminals and a plurality of ground elements.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connections of the satellite connector include at least one conductive low-speed signal terminal.

In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include: a second electrical connector assembly having a second housing element, the second housing element including a plurality of outer surfaces, the housing The element supports a plurality of second sheet bodies, each sheet body includes a plurality of conductive terminals and an insulating support element supporting the plurality of conductive terminals, each terminal has a contact portion configured to connect the terminal Electrically connected to another electrical element; and a second satellite connector, which is arranged along one of the outer surfaces of the second housing element, the second satellite connector includes an insulated second satellite base and The plurality of connecting pieces supported by the second satellite base, each connecting piece has an end connection part, and the end connection part may be connected to the cable of the satellite connector.

In some embodiments, the housing element has an upper surface, each terminal also has a tail, and the tail is configured to electrically connect the terminal to a circuit element, and the tail of each terminal is electrically connected along the The lower surface of the device is arranged, the upper surface is opposite to the lower surface, and the satellite connector is arranged along the upper surface of the housing element.

Other embodiments of an electrical connector assembly may include: a housing element, the housing element includes a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are spaced apart; and a plurality of second parts A sheet body supported by the shell element in the first part of the shell element, each first sheet body includes a plurality of conductive terminals and an insulating support element supporting the plurality of conductive terminals, each The terminal has: a contact portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical element; and a tail portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to a circuit element, and the tail of each terminal is along the electrical The lower surface of the connector is provided; and at least one second sheet is supported by the housing in the second part of the housing element.

In some embodiments, the housing element includes a spacing portion between the first portion and the second portion.

In some embodiments, the spacing portion has no conductive terminals.

In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include at least one spacer sheet body between the first sheet body and the at least one second sheet body, and the spacer sheet body has no working terminals. .

Another embodiment of an electrical connector assembly may include: a first electrical connector assembly having a first housing element, a plurality of first slices supported by the housing element, and each slice includes a plurality of A conductive terminal and an insulating support element supporting the conductive terminal, each terminal has: a contact portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical element; and a tail portion configured to connect the terminal Electrically connected to a circuit element, the tail of each terminal is arranged along the lower surface of the electrical connector; a first satellite connector is arranged along an outer surface of the first electrical connector, the first A satellite connector includes an insulated first satellite base and a plurality of connecting pieces supported by the first satellite base. Each connecting piece has a terminal portion, and the terminal portion can be connected to a satellite cable Cable; a second electrical connector assembly, which has a second housing element, the housing element supports a plurality of second slices, each slice includes a plurality of conductive terminals and supports the plurality of conductive terminals An insulating support element of, each conductive terminal having a contact portion configured to electrically connect the conductive terminal to another electrical element; and a second satellite connector along the second electrical connection The second satellite connector includes an insulated second satellite pedestal and a plurality of connecting pieces supported by the second satellite pedestal. Each connecting piece has an end connection part, and the end The connection part may be connected to the satellite cable.

Another embodiment of an electrical connector assembly may include: a first electrical connector assembly having a first housing element, the first housing element supporting a plurality of conductive first terminals, each A terminal has a contact part; a first satellite connector, which is arranged along an outer surface of the first electrical connector, the first satellite connector includes an insulated first satellite base and A plurality of first connecting members supported by a satellite base, each first connecting member having a mating part and an end connecting part, the end connecting part can be connected to a satellite cable; a second electrical connector assembly, It has a second housing element, the second housing element supports a plurality of conductive second terminals, each second terminal has a contact portion configured to make the second terminal butt One of the contact portions of the first terminal; and a second satellite connector disposed along an outer surface of the second electrical connector, the second satellite connector including an insulated second satellite base and A plurality of second connecting pieces supported by the second satellite base, each second connecting piece having a butting portion and an end connecting portion, and the butting portion of the second connecting piece is configured to be connected to the first satellite The butting part of one of the first connectors of the connector is butted.

Referring to Figures 1 to 2, an orthogonal connector system 10 is shown. The orthogonal connector system 10 includes: a first right angle connector assembly 20 mounted on a first circuit element or first circuit substrate 11; and a second right angle connector assembly 60 mounted on a second circuit element Or on the second circuit board 13. The first circuit substrate 11 and the second circuit substrate 13 are orthogonal to each other.

The first connector assembly 20 includes an insulated first housing 21 and a plurality of sheet body assemblies 30. The first housing 21 has a front butt end or front butt surface 22, an opposite rear end or sheet insertion end or back or sheet insertion surface 23, two side walls 24, a substrate mounting end or substrate mounting surface 25, and An opposite upper end or upper surface 26. The mating surface 22, the two side walls 24 and a part of the substrate mounting surface 25 define a mating interface portion 27, and the mating interface portion 27 is configured to be received in a socket or cover 105 of the second connector assembly 60.

The front mating surface 22 may include a plurality of openings or holes 28 configured to receive the mating terminals from the second connector assembly 60 when the two connector assemblies are mated together. The sheet insertion end 23 may be open so that the plurality of sheet assemblies 30 are inserted into the housing 21. Except for the adjacent butting interface portion 27, the housing 21 may be open along the substrate mounting surface 25. The lengths of the two side walls 24, the substrate mounting surface 25, and the upper surface 26 may be different. For example, in some embodiments, the side wall 24 may be shorter than the upper surface 26 (in the butting direction "A" in FIG. 2).

The plurality of sheet assemblies 30 of the first connector assembly 20 may have any desired configuration. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, an exemplary embodiment of a plurality of sheet assemblies 30 is shown. The plurality of sheet assemblies 30 in the group includes a plurality of parallel sheet assemblies, wherein each parallel sheet assembly is perpendicular to the first circuit substrate 11. As shown in FIG. 5, each sheet assembly 30 includes a plurality of high-speed signal terminals 31, a plurality of grounding elements or reference elements 37, an insulating base element or an insulating sheet 42, and a substantially flat ground plate or reference plate. 44. In some applications, high-speed signal terminals can be used to provide power.

The high-speed signal terminals 31 may be arranged in adjacent pairs 32, wherein the amount of vertical spacing between adjacent terminals in each pair is small, and the amount of vertical spacing between adjacent pairs is large. As used herein, the term "vertical" in relation to the first connector assembly 20 refers to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first circuit substrate 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, and in relation to the first connector The word “horizontal” of the component 20 refers to a direction parallel to the plane of the first circuit substrate 11.

Each signal terminal 31 has a mating end 33 configured to be connected to a high-speed signal terminal 71 of the second connector assembly 60 and a mounting tail 34 configured to be electrically connected to the first circuit board 11. In an embodiment, the mounting tail 34 may be configured as a press-fit pin for mechanically joining the plated holes on the first circuit substrate 11. The body portion 35 of each signal terminal 31 located between the mating end 33 and the mounting tail portion 34 is configured to change direction, so that the first connector assembly 20 can be configured as a right-angle connector.

As shown in the figure, each ground element 37 has: a mating end 38 configured to be connected to a ground terminal or ground element 77 of the second connector assembly 60; and a mounting tail 39 configured to be electrically connected to the first circuit substrate 11. The main body 40 of the grounding element 37 extends between the mating end 38 and the mounting tail 39 and has a U-shaped cross section. The main body 40 of each ground element 37 is located in the body portion 35 of the signal terminal 31 of each adjacent pair 32, so that the pair of terminals 32 is located within the U-shaped cross section of its adjacent ground element 37 to provide shielding and required impedance. In some embodiments, a plurality of grounding elements 37 may be connected through a conductive mesh plate 41.

The insulating sheet 42 supports a plurality of pairs of vertically aligned signal terminals 31, and in an embodiment, the insulating sheet 42 may be insert-molded around a part of the signal terminal 31. The ground element 37 may then be fixed or attached to the sheet body 42 and the generally flat ground plate 44, such as by heat staking.

Other configurations and other ways of forming the thin body assembly 30 can be considered. For example, in one embodiment, although the terminals 31 are shown as edge-coupled signal pairs 32, the terminals 31 may also be configured as broadside-coupled signal pairs, wherein the flat portions of the terminals 31 of each pair are parallel and adjacent to each other. In an embodiment, each terminal of a terminal pair can be arranged in its own sheet body, and the sheet bodies are assembled together to create a terminal pair. Further, the grounding element may be arranged in its own sheet body, and its own sheet body is fixed to the sheet body of the signal terminal to form a sheet body assembly. In some embodiments, the ground element 37 and/or the ground plate 44 may be omitted.

Due to the configuration of the first housing 21 and the thin body assembly 30, additional terminals 31 can be easily added to the first connector assembly 20. More specifically, it is possible to increase the lateral width of the first connector assembly 20 or the distance between the side walls 24 (as shown by the arrow "B" in FIG. 3) and insert the additional sheet assembly 30 into the first housing. The thin body of 21 is inserted into the end 23 to add an additional terminal 31. More specifically, the first housing 21 may be formed with a molding die set (not shown), which allows the distance between the two side walls 24 to be changed before the molding process. As a result, the number of terminals of the first connector assembly 20 can be modified by configuring the housing mold so that more thin-film components can be inserted into the first housing 21 without modifying the mold required to manufacture the thin-film components Costly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 3, the first housing 21 includes a first part 50 and a second part 51. The first part 50 and the second part 51 each include a plurality of openings 28 on the mating surface 22. The first part 50 may be spaced apart from the second part 51. As shown in the figure, the first portion 50 and the second portion 51 are spaced apart in a direction parallel to or along the first circuit substrate 11. The first part 50 accommodates some but not all of the plurality of sheet assembly 30 therein. The second part 51 can house more than one sheet assembly 30a therein. As shown in the figure, the second part 51 houses a sheet 30a therein. The laminar assembly 30a in the second part 51 may be the same as or different from the other laminar assemblies 30 in the first part 50, and may be cited separately or collectively with the other laminar assemblies 30 based on the context herein. Alternative functions may be supported or provided by components 30a such as power supplies, an electrically modified sheet that supports an alternating transmission impedance compared to other sheet components 30, or even a different transmission medium (such as an optical medium).

In an embodiment, a spacer portion 52 without an opening may be provided between the first portion 50 and the second portion 51 of the first housing 21. In another embodiment, the spacing portion (not shown) may include a plurality of openings similar to the opening 29 of the mating surface 22 but without terminals. One or more spacer sheets 30 b into which no terminal (or at least no butting part) is inserted may be located between the set of sheet body assembly 30 and the sheet body assembly 30 a and arranged in the spacer part 52. With this configuration, a plurality or a stack of the sheet assembly 30, 30a and the spacer sheet 30b can be assembled together to create a subassembly, and then the subassembly is inserted into the first housing 21 through the sheet insertion end 23.

Although the description is made with a one-piece structure in which the first housing 21 is configured as an integrally formed one, the first housing 21 may be formed of a plurality of components assembled together. For example, referring to FIG. 16, the first part 50 and the second part 351 of the first connector assembly 320b may be parts of two separate housing elements used as a single housing element. The structure for fixing two independent housing elements together may occupy some or all of the space of the spacer portion 52.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 7, the second connector assembly 60 includes an insulating second housing 61, a plurality of sheet assemblies 70, a ground support element 85 and a satellite connector assembly 90. The second housing 61 has a front butt end or front butt surface 62, an opposite rear insertion end or sheet insertion end or rear insertion surface or sheet insertion surface 63, two side walls 64, a substrate mounting end or substrate mounting Surface 65 and an opposite upper end or surface 66.

The butting portion of the terminal of the thin body assembly 70 extends through the ground support member 85 so as to be butted with the high-speed signal terminal 31 and the ground member 37 of the first connector assembly 20. The sheet insertion end 63 may be open so that the plurality of sheet assemblies 70 are inserted into the second housing 61. Except for the adjacent butting end 62, the second housing 61 may be open along the substrate mounting surface 65. The length of the side wall 64 and the upper surface 66 may be different.

The sheet assembly 70 of the second connector assembly 60 may be configured in a similar or identical manner to the sheet assembly 30. Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, an exemplary embodiment of a plurality of sheet assembly 70 is shown. A set of thin film components 70 includes a plurality of parallel thin film components 70, and each parallel thin film component is perpendicular to the second circuit substrate 13. As shown in the figure, each sheet assembly 70 includes a plurality of high-speed signal terminals 71, a plurality of grounding elements or reference elements 77, an insulating base element or insulating sheet 82, and a substantially flat grounding plate or reference plate 84.

A plurality of high-speed signal terminals 71 may be arranged in adjacent pairs 72, wherein the amount of vertical spacing between adjacent terminals of each pair is small and the amount of horizontal spacing between adjacent pairs is large. As used herein, the term "vertical" with respect to the second connector assembly 60 refers to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the second circuit substrate 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, while referring to the second connector The word “horizontal” of the component 60 refers to a direction parallel to the plane of the second circuit substrate 13.

Each signal terminal 71 has a mating end 73 configured to be connected to a high-speed signal terminal 31 of the first connector assembly 20 and a mounting tail 74 configured to be electrically connected to the second circuit board 13. As described above, in one embodiment, the mounting tail 74 may be configured as a crimp pin for mechanically joining the plated holes on the first circuit substrate 11. The body portion 75 between the mating end 73 and the mounting tail portion 74 of each signal terminal 71 is configured to change direction, so that the second connector assembly 60 can be configured as a right-angle connector.

As shown in the figure, each grounding element 77 has: a mating end 78 configured to be mated with a grounding terminal or grounding element 37 of the first connector assembly 20; and a mounting tail 79 configured to be electrically connected to the second circuit substrate 13. The main body 80 of the grounding element 77 extends between the mating end 78 and the mounting tail 79 and has a U-shaped cross section. The main body 80 of each ground element 77 is located at the body portion 75 of the signal terminal 71 of each adjacent pair 72, so that the pair of the terminal 72 is located within the U-shaped cross section of its adjacent ground element 77 to provide shielding and required impedance. In some embodiments, a plurality of grounding elements 77 may be connected through a conductive mesh plate 81.

The insulating sheet 82 supports the signal terminals 71 that are vertically aligned in a pair 72, and in an embodiment, the insulating sheet 82 may be insert-molded around a part of the signal terminal 71. The ground element 77 may then be fixed or attached to the sheet body 82 and the substantially flat ground plate 84, for example by thermal welding.

In order to allow the first connector assembly 20 to be mated with the second connector assembly 60, the mating interface portion 27 of the first connector assembly 20 must be configured to be received in the cover 105 of the second connector assembly 60. In addition, the first connector assembly 20 and the second connector assembly 60 must also have the same configuration. More specifically, the number of rows and columns of the signal terminals 31, 71 and the grounding elements 37, 77 is the same, the spacing or spacing between the terminals and the grounding elements is the same, and the butting ends 33 and 73 of the signal terminals and the butting ends of the grounding element are the same. 38 and 78 must also be configured to dock with each other.

Although it is desirable to form a connector assembly containing a terminal foil body in some connector systems, the use of a terminal foil body with an orthogonal connector assembly typically reduces the flexibility to modify the number of terminals that each connector assembly can carry. Sex. More specifically, although it is typically possible to increase the distance between the two side walls 24 of the first connector assembly 20 to enable the insertion of the additional sheet assembly 30, the second connector assembly 60 is modified to match the modified first A connector assembly will need to increase the height of the second housing 61 (that is, parallel to the side wall 64 or perpendicular to the second circuit substrate 13) and the height of the sheet assembly 70.

The second connector assembly 60 shows a solution that does not require modification of the sheet assembly 70. The second connector assembly 60 includes one or more satellite connector assemblies 90 which are mounted on the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61 and form the upper surface of the connector assembly 60. 1, 2 and FIGS. 6 to 7, in one embodiment, the satellite connector assembly 90 includes: a satellite connector 91 having a satellite base 92, wherein a plurality of conductive terminals 100 are installed on the satellite base 92; a flexible cable or flexible circuit element 102 with a plurality of conductors 103; and a board-to-board electrical connector 120. The satellite base 92 has a terminal holding body 93 and a mating portion 95. The docking portion 95 is configured in a generally inverted U shape, with a connecting structure or net plate 96 extending between a pair of spaced side walls 97.

The conductive terminals 100 may have any structure as long as they are configured to be butted with the terminals of the thin body assembly 30 a of the first connector assembly 20. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 100 includes a high-speed signal terminal and a ground terminal or a reference terminal arranged in the same pattern as the wafer assembly 30a. The terminal 100 includes a butting part or a butting end (not shown in FIG. 6) and a terminal part or a terminal 101. The terminal end 101 of each terminal 100 is terminated to one of the conductors 103 of the cable 102. The conductor 103 of the cable 102 electrically connects at least some of the terminals 100 in the satellite base 92 to at least some of the terminals (not shown) of the board-to-board electrical connector 120.

When the satellite connector 91 is installed on the second housing 61, a part of the side wall 64 of the second housing 61 may be aligned with the side wall 97 of the satellite base 92. By reducing the length of the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61, a part of the sidewall 64 of the second housing 61 and the substrate mounting surface 65 together with the satellite base 92 define a cover 105 configured to connect the first The docking interface portion 27 of the device assembly 20 is received in the cover 105.

Further, reducing the length of the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61 provides an opening for receiving the spacer portion 52 of the first housing 21. In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface 66 may extend toward the first connector assembly 20 the same (or some other) length as the side wall 64 and the substrate mounting surface 65, and the spacer portion 52 of the first housing 21 is provided along A recess (not shown) of the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61 extends from the mating surface 22.

The upper surface 66 of the second housing 61 and the lower surface of the main body 93 of the satellite base 92 may include alignment structures or alignment elements to align the satellite base 91 with the second housing 61. As shown in the figure, the second housing 61 includes a plurality of protrusions or pegs 67, and the plurality of protrusions or pegs 67 are accommodated in the same plurality of recesses or openings (not shown) on the lower surface of the main body 93 of the satellite base 92 Inside.

The connecting element or the connecting structure may be configured to fix the satellite base 92 to the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61. Any type of connection structure can be used. As shown, a fastener 107 such as a screw may extend through the satellite base 92 into the threaded hole 68 on the second housing 61. Other connection elements or connection structures such as crimping elements or thermal welding can be considered.

A substrate-mounted electrical connector 125 can be mounted on the second circuit substrate 13 and configured to be mated with the substrate-to-substrate electrical connector 120. The conductive terminals (not shown) of the substrate-mounted electrical connector 125 may be electrically connected to conductive traces (not shown) on the second circuit substrate 13 or the second circuit substrate 13.

If necessary, some or all of the terminals 100 may be replaced with optical connections and corresponding components to the cable 102, the board-to-board connector 120, and the board-mount connector 125 configured to transmit and receive optical signals.

During assembly, in one embodiment, without the satellite connector assembly 90, a force is applied to the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61 and/or the sheet assembly 70 to enable the high-speed signal terminal 71 The mounting tail 74 and the mounting tail 79 of the grounding element 77 are forced into the alignment holes on the second circuit substrate 13, and the second connector assembly 60 is mounted on the second circuit substrate 13. The satellite connector assembly 90 is installed and fixed on the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61. The substrate-to-substrate connector 120 can then be aligned and connected to the substrate-mounted connector 125 pre-mounted on the second circuit substrate 13. In another embodiment, the fully assembled second connector assembly 60 including the satellite connector assembly 90 can be mounted on the second circuit substrate 13 so that the second connector assembly 60 can be fully assembled before the mounting operation.

The first connector assembly 20 and the second connector assembly 60 may include an alignment structure and/or a guiding structure to facilitate the alignment and guidance of the two connector assemblies when mating. Any desired structure can be used. As shown in the figure, the first connector assembly 20 includes two protrusions 54 along each surface 25, 26 of the first portion 50 of the adjacent mating surface 22 and a single recess or opening along each surface 25, 26 of the adjacent spacing portion 52 55. The second connector assembly 60 includes two recesses or openings 69 along each side wall 64, and the two recesses or openings 69 are configured (for example, sized and aligned to be) butted between the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly When together, it abuts against the protrusion 54 of the first connector assembly 20. As shown in the figure, the upper surface 66 of the second housing 61 is not completely removed at the butting end 62 of the adjacent second housing 61 to form a pair of inwardly extending protrusions 66a. The inwardly extending protrusion 66a is configured (e.g., sized and aligned to be set) to be aligned with the surfaces 25, 26 of the first housing 21 when the first connector assembly 20 and the second connector assembly 60 are mated together. The opening 55 is butted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the sheet assembly 30 of the first connector assembly 20 is schematically shown in dashed lines, and the sheet assembly 70 of the second connector assembly 60 is schematically shown in solid lines. It can be seen that when the connector assembly 20 and the second connector assembly 60 are mated, the sheet assembly 30 of the first connector assembly 20 is orthogonal to the sheet assembly 70 of the second connector assembly 60. However, the satellite connector assembly 90 (shown in solid lines) is perpendicular to the laminar assembly 70 of the second connector assembly 60 and therefore parallel to the laminar assembly 30 of the first connector assembly 20. As a result, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the wafer assembly 30 a (shown in dashed lines) of the second part 51 and the satellite connector assembly 90.

With such a configuration, the terminals in the wafer assembly 30a and the satellite connector assembly 90 can be easily modified without affecting the wafer assembly 30 of the first part 50 and the wafer assembly 70 of the second connector assembly 60. In other words, the wafer assembly 30a and the satellite connector assembly 90 can be configured in any manner without the need to correspond to changes in the wafer assemblies 30, 70. The independent nature of this pre-anticipated design easily allows for additions and modifications, thereby providing considerable flexibility in product configuration options that would otherwise require redesign and reprocessing. Product configuration options include such as adding loops and crossovers Unique architecture solution for connection function. In addition, the disclosed structure avoids or reduces the need for indirect solutions that may not be optimal in terms of transmission loss and timing delay.

Due to the mating of the first connector assembly 20 and the second connector assembly 60, a plurality of electrical connections will be established between the first circuit substrate 11 and the second circuit substrate 13. More specifically, the first circuit board 11 passes through the high-speed signal terminal 31 and the ground element 37 of the sheet assembly 30 in the first portion 50 of the first housing 21 of the first connector assembly 20, and then passes through the second connector The electrical connection of the corresponding high-speed signal terminal 71 and the grounding element 77 of the thin body assembly 70 of the assembly 60 to the second circuit substrate 13 will be established. In addition, the first circuit board 11 passes through the sheet assembly 30a of the second part 51 of the first housing 21 of the first connector assembly 20, then passes through the terminal 92 of the satellite connector assembly 90, and passes through the cable 93 to the board to the board. The electrical connection of the electrical connector 120 is established. By connecting the board-to-board electrical connector 120 to the board mounting connector 125, the electrical connection between the first circuit board 11 and the second circuit board 13 can be completed.

Various alternative configurations can be considered. For example, referring to FIGS. 11 to 12, an alternative embodiment is shown in which a pair of first connector assemblies 20a, 20b are mounted on the first circuit substrates 11a, 11b, and a pair of second connector assemblies 60a, 60b Mounted on a single second circuit substrate 13. A satellite connector assembly 190 has a pair of satellite connectors 191a, 191b, and a cable 202 extends between the two satellite connectors 191a, 191b. One of the satellite connectors 191a is mounted on the second connector housing 61 of one second connector assembly 60a, and the other satellite connector 191b is mounted on the second connector housing 61 of the other connector assembly 60b. Because the cable 202 extends between the two satellite connectors 191a, 191b, an electrical connection is directly established between the two satellite connectors 191a, 191b.

With this configuration, from the first circuit board 11a through the sheet assembly 30a of the second portion 51 of the first connector assembly 20a, through the first satellite connector 191a, through the cable 202 to the second satellite connector 191b, through The electrical connection of the sheet assembly 30a of the second part of the first connector assembly 20b to the first circuit substrate 11b is established. With such a configuration, electrical connection can be established between the first circuit substrate 11 a and the first circuit substrate 11 b without establishing an electrical connection through the second circuit substrate 13.

Figures 13-14 show yet another alternative embodiment, in which one satellite connector assembly 290 includes four satellite connectors 291a-291d mounted on top of four second connector assemblies 60a-60d. The satellite connectors 291a-291d are connected to each other by a cable 302, which connects the terminals of the four satellite connectors to each other in any desired manner. More specifically, the terminal of the first satellite connector 291a can be connected to any terminal of the other satellite connectors 291b-291d, and the terminal of the second satellite connector 291b can be connected to any terminal of the other satellite connectors 291a, 291c-d, The terminal of the third satellite connector 291c can be connected to any terminal of the other satellite connectors 291a-b, 291d, and the terminal of the fourth satellite connector 291d can be connected to any terminal of the other satellite connectors 291a-291c. The satellite cable assembly 290 operates to connect the four first circuit boards 11a-11d through the four first electrical connector assemblies 20a-20d mounted on the respective first circuit boards 11a-11d, and the signal does not pass through the second Circuit board 13.

In addition to the first connector assembly 20 having a single sheet assembly 30a in the second part 51 of the first housing 21 and the satellite connector 91 having a single row of terminals, the second part 51 of the first connector assembly 20 can also A plurality of thin bodies 30a are included, and the satellite connector 391 may have a plurality of rows of terminals butted with terminals of the thin body 30a. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 15 to 16, the first connector components 320a, 320b are mounted on a first circuit substrate 11a, 11b, respectively. The first connector assembly 320a, 320b may be the same as the first connector assembly 20, except that the first housing 321 of each first connector assembly has a larger second part 351, of which the second part 351 A plurality of sheet body assemblies 30a are provided inside. As shown, the first connector assembly 320b has separate housing parts for the first part 50 and the second part 351. Parts or elements that are the same as or similar to those of the first connector assembly 20 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The satellite cable assembly 390 includes a pair of multiple rows of satellite connectors 391a, 391b, wherein each of the multiple rows of satellite connectors 391a, 391b is configured to be docked with one of the first connector assemblies 320a, 320b. The multiple rows of satellite connectors 391a and 391b may be the same as or similar to the aforementioned single row satellite connector 91, except that they include multiple rows of terminals vertically above the second housing 61. In other words, the side wall 403 is higher than the side wall 97 of the satellite base 92 to accommodate more rows of terminals supported by the satellite base 392. Further, multiple rows of tail portions 401 extend rearward from the terminal holding body 393. Parts or elements that are the same as or similar to those of the satellite connector assembly 90 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The multiple rows of satellite connectors 391a, 391b can be used to connect multiple circuit boards in the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 1-9, 11-14 or a combination of these figures. For example, as shown in Figs. 15-16, the upper-row tails 401a-401b of two multi-row satellite connectors 391a, 391b are connected by a pair of cables 402a, 402b. As a result, the end sheet body or upper sheet body 30a (as shown in FIGS. 15 to 16) can be electrically connected through the satellite connector assembly 390, and the signal does not need to pass through the second circuit board 13 as in the case of FIGS. 11 to 14 described above. . In addition, the lower tail portions 402c, 402d of the two multi-row satellite connectors 391a, 391b are connected to the multiple board-mounted connectors 120 through cables 402c-402f. The plurality of substrate-mounted connectors 120 are connected to a plurality of substrate-to-board connectors (not shown), and the plurality of substrate-to-board connectors are mechanically and electrically connected to the second circuit substrate 13.

In another example shown in FIGS. 17-19, a second connector assembly 490 may include a multi-row satellite connector 491, which forms a multi-component base 492. In the example shown, the base 492 is formed of two or more base parts 492a, 492b, each of the base parts 492a, 492b having a terminal fixed therein. The terminal may be terminated to the cables 502a, 502b having the connected substrate mount connector 120, or the terminal may be terminated to a cable (not shown) and the cable is terminated to the adjacent second connector assembly 490 Other base parts 492a, 492b.

Figure 20 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2 but with a pair of newly added docking satellite connectors 590, 690 assembled on the housing. The pair of additional docking satellite connectors 590, 690 have terminals and housings configured to be docked together.

Although FIGS. 1 to 9 show that the wafer assembly 30a and the satellite connector assembly 90 each have an array of high-speed signal terminals and grounding elements similar or identical to the wafer assemblies 30, 70, alternative structures can be considered. The second part 51 of the first housing 21 may include or establish any type of connection, including power terminals, fiber optic connectors, and low-speed signal terminals, and high-speed signal terminals and grounding elements similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 . In some examples, the connection in the second part 51 may not be installed in at least one sheet assembly similar to the sheet assembly 30, 30a. The satellite connector assembly 90 is configured with connections that will interface with those of the second part 51. As an example, referring back to FIG. 10, the sheet body assembly 30a and the satellite connector assembly 90 are each shown as having two power terminals 110, two optical fiber connectors 111, and two pairs of high-speed terminals 112, where the ground element 113 is located in the two pairs. Between the high-speed terminals 112 and on both ends of the two pairs of high-speed terminals 112.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed systems and techniques. However, it is expected that other embodiments of the present disclosure may be different from the foregoing examples in details. All references to the present disclosure or examples thereof are intended to refer to the specific example being discussed at that time and are not intended to imply any more general limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. All distinguishing and derogatory language about certain features are intended to indicate that those features are not prioritized, but they are not completely excluded from the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise stated.

The enumeration of numerical ranges herein is only intended to be used as a shorthand method to separately refer to each individual value falling within the range, unless otherwise stated herein, and each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were in this document Are listed separately. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable sequence, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradictory to the context.

Therefore, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter cited in the patent scope of the appended application as permitted by applicable laws. Moreover, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradictory to the context, the present disclosure encompasses all possible variations of any combination of the aforementioned elements. In addition, the advantages described herein may not be applicable to all embodiments covered by the scope of the patent application.

10: Orthogonal connector system 11: The first circuit board 11a-11d: The first circuit board 13: The second circuit board 20: The first connector assembly 20a-20d: The first electrical connector assembly 21: The first shell 22: Front butt 23: Insert end of sheet 24: side wall 25: substrate mounting surface 26: upper surface 27: Docking interface part 28: opening 29: opening 30: Thin body components 30a: Thin body assembly 30b: Spacer sheet 31: signal terminal 32: Right 33: Butt end 34: Install the tail 35: body part 37: Grounding element 38: Butt end 39: install the tail 40: main body 41: conductive mesh board 42: Insulating sheet body 44: Ground plate 50: Part One 51: Part Two 52: Interval part 54: protrusion 55: opening 60: second connector assembly 60a-60d: second connector assembly 61: second shell 62: Front butt end 63: Thin body insertion end 64: side wall 65: substrate mounting surface 66: upper surface 66a: protrusion 67: bolt 69: open 70: thin body components 71: signal terminal 72: Right 73: Butt end 74: Install the tail 75: body part 77: Grounding element 78: Butt end 79: install the tail 80: main body 81: conductive mesh board 82: Insulating sheet body 84: Ground plate 85: Ground support element 90: Satellite connector assembly 91: Satellite connector 92: Satellite base 93: terminal holder 95: docking part 96: Screen 97: side wall 100: conductive terminal 101: Termination 102: cable 103: Conductor 105: Hood 110: Power terminal 111: Optical fiber connector 112: High-speed terminal 113: Grounding element 120: substrate to substrate electrical connector 125: board mount electrical connector 190: Satellite connector assembly 191a: The first satellite connector 191b: second satellite connector 202: Cable 290: Satellite connector assembly 291a: The first satellite connector 291b: second satellite connector 291c: third satellite connector 291d: Fourth satellite connector 302: Cable 320a, 320b: first connector assembly 321: first shell 351: Part Two 390: Satellite cable assembly 391: Satellite connector 391a, 391b: Multi-row satellite connectors 392: Satellite Dock 393: terminal holder 401: tail 401a-401b: upper row tail 402a, 402b: cable 402c, 402d: bottom row tail 402c-402f: cable 403: Sidewall 490: second connector assembly 491: Multi-row satellite connector 492: Multi-component base 492a, 492b: base parts 502a, 502b: cable 590, 690: docking satellite connector

Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector system according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector system of Fig. 1 in an unconnected state, with a satellite connector assembly exploded therefrom. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the connector assemblies of Fig. 1 with the housing part exploded therefrom. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the sheet assembly of the connector assembly of Fig. 3, wherein one sheet assembly is exploded therefrom. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the sheet components of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another connector assembly of Fig. 1 with the satellite connector exploded therefrom. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a part of the connector assembly of Fig. 6 with the housing part exploded therefrom. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the sheet assembly of the connector assembly of Fig. 6, in which the grounding element and one of the sheet assemblies are exploded therefrom. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of one of the sheet components of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the postures of the sheet body of the connector assembly of Fig. 3 and the sheet body and the satellite connector assembly of Fig. 6. Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a connector system according to the present disclosure. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the connector system of Fig. 11 in an unconnected state, with a satellite connector assembly exploded therefrom. Figure 13 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a connector system according to the present disclosure. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the connector system of Fig. 13 in an unconnected state, with a satellite connector assembly exploded therefrom. Figure 15 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a connector system according to the present disclosure. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the connector system of Fig. 15 in an unconnected state, with a satellite connector assembly exploded therefrom. Figure 17 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a connector system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the connector system of FIG. 17 in an unconnected state, with a satellite connector assembly exploded therefrom; Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the connector system of Fig. 17 in an unconnected state, in which the satellite connector assembly is partially assembled; and Figure 20 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2 but with a pair of newly added docking satellite connectors assembled on the housing.

10: Orthogonal connector system

11: The first circuit board

20: The first connector assembly

21: The first shell

30: Thin body components

30a: Thin body assembly

60: second connector assembly

61: second shell

70: thin body components

90: Satellite connector assembly

92: Satellite base

101: Termination

102: cable

103: Conductor

120: substrate to substrate electrical connector

Claims (29)

An electrical connector assembly includes: A housing element, the housing element having a plurality of outer surfaces; A plurality of slices, which are supported by the housing element, each slice includes a plurality of conductive terminals and an insulating support element supporting the plurality of conductive terminals, each terminal has a contact portion, and the contact portion is configured To electrically connect the terminal to another electrical component; and A satellite connector, which is arranged on one of the outer surfaces of the housing element, the satellite connector includes an insulated satellite base and a plurality of connecting pieces supported by the satellite base, each connecting piece having A terminating part that can be connected to a cable. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sheets are parallel and face a first direction, and the plurality of connecting members of the satellite connector are located in contact with the plurality of sheets. In a plane perpendicular to the body. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include conductive terminals. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the terminal portions of the plurality of connectors are arranged along a rear surface of the satellite base. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the terminal part of the connector of the satellite connector is terminated with a conductive element. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the conductive element is a cable having a plurality of conductive wires, and each wire is terminated in a terminal portion of one of the connectors. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the conductive element is a flexible circuit element, the flexible circuit element has a plurality of electrical conductors, and each electrical conductor is terminated in a terminal portion of one of the connectors . The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sheets are generally flat and arranged in a side-by-side relationship, and the satellite base of the satellite connector is generally flat, and The plane of each slice is perpendicular to the plane of the satellite base. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the housing element includes a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart, and the plurality of sheets are parallel to the two side walls. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of sheets define a subassembly having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end being adjacent to the first side wall And the second end is arranged adjacent to the second side wall. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sheets are arranged in the housing element. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the satellite base is a component independent of the housing. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sheets include a plurality of high-speed signal terminals and a plurality of grounding elements. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the thin body includes a mating portion along a mating surface, and the tail of the terminal is arranged along a substrate mounting surface, and the mating surface is perpendicular to the The substrate mounting surface. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein the tail of the terminal includes a crimping pin. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a part of the housing element and a part of the satellite base define a cover that surrounds the mating part of the terminals of the plurality of thin bodies, the The cover body is configured to be used for accommodating a pair of electrical connectors. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 16, wherein the portion of the satellite base defines an upper portion of the cover. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include at least one power terminal. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include at least one optical fiber connector. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the multiple connectors of the satellite connector include multiple high-speed signal terminals and multiple ground elements. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors of the satellite connector include at least one conductive low-speed signal terminal. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising A second electrical connector assembly, which has a second housing element, the second housing element includes a plurality of outer surfaces, the housing element supports a plurality of second slices, each slice includes a plurality of Conductive terminals and an insulating support element supporting the plurality of conductive terminals, each terminal has a contact portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical element; and A second satellite connector is arranged along one of the outer surfaces of the second housing element. The second satellite connector includes an insulated second satellite base and a second satellite base supported by the second satellite base. A plurality of connecting pieces, each connecting piece having a terminating part, and the terminating part may be connected to the cable of the satellite connector. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing element has an upper surface, each terminal also has a tail, and the tail is configured to electrically connect the terminal to a circuit element, each The tail of the terminal is arranged along the lower surface of the electrical connector, the upper surface is opposite to the lower surface, and the satellite connector is arranged along the upper surface of the housing element. An electrical connector assembly includes: A housing element, the housing element including a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part spaced apart; and A plurality of first sheets supported by the housing element in the first part of the housing element, each first sheet including a plurality of conductive terminals and an insulating support element supporting the plurality of conductive terminals , Each terminal has: a contact portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical component; and a tail portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to a circuit component, and the tail portion of each terminal is along The lower surface of the electrical connector is provided; and At least one second lamella supported by the housing in the second part of the housing element. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 24, wherein the housing element includes a spacer part between the first part and the second part. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 25, wherein the spacing portion has no conductive terminals. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 26, further comprising at least one spacer sheet body between the first sheet body and the at least one second sheet body, and the spacer sheet body has no working terminals. A component including: A first electrical connector assembly, which has a first housing element, a plurality of first slices supported by the housing element, each slice includes a plurality of conductive terminals and an insulation supporting the conductive terminals A supporting element, each terminal has: a contact portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to another electrical element; and a tail portion configured to electrically connect the terminal to a circuit element, the tail portion of each terminal Is arranged along the lower surface of the electrical connector; A first satellite connector, which is arranged along an outer surface of the first electrical connector. The first satellite connector includes an insulated first satellite base and a plurality of satellites supported by the first satellite base. Connecting pieces, each connecting piece has an end connection part, and the end connection part can be connected to a satellite cable; A second electrical connector assembly having a second housing element, a plurality of second slices supported by the housing element, each slice including a plurality of conductive terminals and one supporting the plurality of conductive terminals An insulating support element, each conductive terminal has a contact portion configured to electrically connect the conductive terminal to another electrical element; and A second satellite connector, which is arranged along an outer surface of the second electrical connector, the second satellite connector includes an insulated second satellite base and a plurality of satellites supported by the second satellite base Connecting pieces, each connecting piece has a terminal part, and the terminal part can be connected to the satellite cable. A component including: A first electrical connector assembly, which has a first housing element, the first housing element supports a plurality of conductive first terminals, and each first terminal has a contact portion; A first satellite connector, which is arranged along an outer surface of the first electrical connector. The first satellite connector includes an insulated first satellite base and a plurality of satellites supported by the first satellite base. First connecting pieces, each first connecting piece having a mating part and an end connecting part, and the end connecting part can be connected to a satellite cable; A second electrical connector assembly, which has a second housing element, the second housing element supports a plurality of conductive second terminals, each second terminal has a contact part, the contact part is configured to The second terminal is connected to one of the contact portions of the first terminal; and A second satellite connector, which is arranged along an outer surface of the second electrical connector, the second satellite connector includes an insulated second satellite base and a plurality of satellites supported by the second satellite base Two second connecting pieces, each of the second connecting pieces has a mating part and an end connecting part. The docking part is docked.

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