WO2008034004A1 - Electrical connector assembly - Google Patents

Electrical connector assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008034004A1
WO2008034004A1 PCT/US2007/078404 US2007078404W WO2008034004A1 WO 2008034004 A1 WO2008034004 A1 WO 2008034004A1 US 2007078404 W US2007078404 W US 2007078404W WO 2008034004 A1 WO2008034004 A1 WO 2008034004A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
retention clip
carrier
retention
insulating housing
terminated cable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/078404
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard J. Scherer
Joseph N. Castiglione
Michael L. Black
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 3M Innovative Properties Company filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority to EP07842434A priority Critical patent/EP2070163A1/en
Priority to CN2007800343391A priority patent/CN101517833B/en
Publication of WO2008034004A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008034004A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/514—Bases; Cases composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
    • H01R12/716—Coupling device provided on the PCB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/646—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00 specially adapted for high-frequency, e.g. structures providing an impedance match or phase match
    • H01R13/6473—Impedance matching
    • H01R13/6474—Impedance matching by variation of conductive properties, e.g. by dimension variations
    • H01R13/6476—Impedance matching by variation of conductive properties, e.g. by dimension variations by making an aperture, e.g. a hole
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
    • H01R13/65912—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members for shielded multiconductor cable

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to high speed electrical connectors.
  • the present invention relates to electrical connectors that provide high signal line density while also providing shielded controlled impedance (SCI) for the signal lines.
  • SCI shielded controlled impedance
  • Connectors have been developed to provide the necessary impedance control for high speed circuits, i.e., circuits with a transmission frequency of at least 5 GHz. Although many of these connectors are useful, there is still a need in the art for connector designs having increased signal line densities with closely controlled electrical characteristics to achieve satisfactory control of the signal integrity.
  • the carrier for use with an electrical connector assembly.
  • the carrier comprises an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall.
  • the side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement.
  • the carrier comprises at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing.
  • the electrical connector assembly comprises a carrier and a plurality of terminated cable assemblies.
  • the carrier comprises an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall.
  • the side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement.
  • the carrier comprises at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing.
  • Each terminated cable assembly comprises an electrical cable attached to a termination device, wherein the termination device has a front face and at least one female contact lying substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminated cable assembly.
  • the plurality of terminated cable assemblies is disposed in the carrier such that the front face of each termination device is in contact with the interior surface of the housing.
  • the electrical connector system comprises a plurality of electrical connector assemblies and a pin header configured to receive the plurality of electrical connector assemblies.
  • Each of the electrical connector assemblies comprises a carrier and a plurality of terminated cable assemblies.
  • the carrier comprises an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall.
  • the side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement.
  • the carrier comprises at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing.
  • Each terminated cable assembly comprises an electrical cable attached to a termination device, wherein the termination device has a front face and at least one female contact lying substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminated cable assembly.
  • the plurality of terminated cable assemblies is disposed in the carrier such that the front face of each termination device is in contact with the interior surface of the housing.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is a top view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1.
  • Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a carrier housing according to the present invention.
  • Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a carrier housing according to the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of a retention clip according to the present invention.
  • Figure 11 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a retention clip according to the present invention.
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a retention bar according to the present invention.
  • Figure 13 is a perspective view of the assembly of the carrier housing of Figures 6 and 7 and the retention clip of Figure 10.
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view of the assembly of the carrier housing of Figures 8 and 9 and the retention clip of Figure 11.
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
  • Figure 16 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
  • Figure 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pull tab that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
  • Figure 18 is a perspective view of the assembly of the carrier housing of Figures 8 and 9, a plurality of terminated cable assemblies as the one of Figure 15, the retention clip of Figure 11, and the pull tab of Figure 17.
  • Figure 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a header that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
  • Figure 20 is a perspective view of the assembly of the header of Figure 19 and a printed circuit board.
  • Figures 1 through 5 illustrate different views of one exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector system according to the present invention.
  • Electrical connector system 2 is used in conjunction with printed circuit board 4.
  • a plurality of electrical cable assemblies 6 is mated to pin header 8, which is in turn connected to printed circuit board 4.
  • Electrical cable assemblies 6 can be placed side-to-side and end-to-end into pin header 8 such that potentially all pin positions in pin header 8 can be used.
  • FIGS 6 and 7 illustrate different perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing according to the present invention.
  • Insulating housing 10 has a front exterior wall 12, laterally extending side exterior walls 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d (hereafter collectively referred to as 14, unless otherwise indicated), and a plurality of laterally extending interior walls 16.
  • Side exterior wall 14c has a set of retention clip apertures 18. It is to be understood that retention clip apertures 18 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 14.
  • Retention clip apertures 18 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and assembly of retention clip 32, illustrated in Figure 10.
  • Front exterior wall 12 has a plurality of pin insertion apertures 20 configured to receive contact pins 22 of pin header 8, illustrated in Figure 19.
  • Pin insertion apertures 20 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and mating of contact pins 22 of pin header 8.
  • side exterior wall 14c has slot 26.
  • Slot 26 is configured to receive pull tab 56, illustrated in Figure 17. It is to be understood that slot 26 is optional, that it can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 14, and that it can have different geometries to accommodate different types of pull tabs.
  • Insulating housing 10 can have more than one slot 26, e.g. in case more than one pull tab 56 is desired.
  • side exterior wall 14c has a set of terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28. It is to be understood that terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 14. Terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by rounded edges to facilitate proper assembly, retention, and removal of each terminated cable assembly 30, illustrated in Figure 15.
  • FIGS 8 and 9 illustrate different perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing according to the present invention.
  • Insulating housing 110 has a front exterior wall 112, laterally extending side exterior walls 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d (hereafter collectively referred to as 114, unless otherwise indicated), and a plurality of laterally extending interior walls 116.
  • Side exterior wall 114c has a set of retention clip apertures 118. It is to be understood that retention clip apertures 118 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 114.
  • Retention clip apertures 118 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and assembly of retention clip 132, illustrated in Figure 11.
  • Front exterior wall 112 has a plurality of pin insertion apertures 120 configured to receive contact pins 22 of pin header 8, illustrated in Figure 19.
  • Pin insertion apertures 120 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and mating of contact pins 22 of pin header 8.
  • side exterior wall 114c has slot 126.
  • Slot 126 is configured to receive pull tab 56, illustrated in Figure 17. It is to be understood that slot 126 is optional, that it can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 114, and that it can have different geometries to accommodate different types of pull tabs.
  • Insulating housing 110 can have more than one slot 126, e.g. in case more than one pull tab 56 is desired.
  • side exterior wall 114c has a set of terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128. It is to be understood that terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 114. Terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by rounded edges to facilitate proper assembly, retention, and removal of each terminated cable assembly 30, illustrated in Figure 15.
  • insulating housing 10 and insulating housing 110 are used as a pair to allow side -to-side placement of electrical cable assemblies 6 into pin header 8 such that potentially all pin positions in pin header 8 can be used.
  • FIG 10 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a retention clip according to the present invention.
  • Retention clip 32 has a plurality of retention clip ribs 34 extending from back side 36.
  • Retention clip ribs 34 are configured to mate with retention clip apertures 18 of insulating housing 10, as illustrated in Figure 7.
  • One of the functions of retention clip 32 and retention clip ribs 34 specifically is to retain terminated cable assemblies 30 in insulating housing 10.
  • Retention clip 32 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
  • FIG 11 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a retention clip according to the present invention.
  • Retention clip 132 has a plurality of retention clip ribs 134 extending from back side 136.
  • Retention clip ribs 134 are configured to mate with retention clip apertures 118 of insulating housing 110, as illustrated in Figure 9.
  • One of the functions of retention clip 132 and retention clip ribs 134 specifically is to retain terminated cable assemblies 30 in insulating housing 110.
  • Retention clip 132 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
  • FIG 12 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a retention bar according to the present invention.
  • Retention bar 38 has a plurality of retention clip apertures.
  • Retention clip apertures 40 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and assembly of retention clip 132, illustrated in Figure 11.
  • One of the functions of retention bar 38 is to provide additional support to retain terminated cable assemblies 30 in insulating housing 110.
  • retention bar 38 has slot 42. Slot 42 is configured to receive pull tab 56, illustrated in Figure 17. It is to be understood that slot 42 is optional and that it can have different geometries to accommodate different types of pull tabs.
  • Retention bar 38 can have more than one slot 42, e.g. in case more than one pull tab 56 is desired.
  • Retention bar 38 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
  • Figures 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with carrier 44 and carrier 144, illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively.
  • Terminated cable assembly 30 includes electrical cable 46 attached to termination device 48 through the use of a solder opening (not shown).
  • the type of electrical cable used in this invention can be a single wire cable (e.g. single coaxial or single twinaxial) or a multiple wire cable (e.g. multiple coaxial, multiple twinaxial, or twisted pair).
  • the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 10 such that the front face 48a of termination devices 48 abuts interior surface 12a of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10.
  • terminated cable assembly 30 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 to help retain terminated cable assembly 30 into the carrier.
  • the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 110 such that the front face 48a of termination devices 48 abuts interior surface 112a of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110.
  • terminated cable assembly 30 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 to help retain terminated cable assembly 30 into the carrier.
  • Figures 16 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with carrier 44 and carrier 144, illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively.
  • Terminated cable assembly 130 includes electrical cable 146 attached to termination device 148 through the use of solder opening 50.
  • the type of electrical cable used in this invention can be a single wire cable (e.g. single coaxial or single twinaxial) or a multiple wire cable (e.g. multiple coaxial, multiple twinaxial, or twisted pair).
  • the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 10 such that the front face 148a of termination devices 148 abuts interior surface 12a of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10.
  • terminated cable assembly 130 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 to help retain terminated cable assembly 130 into the carrier.
  • the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 110 such that the front face 148a of termination devices 148 abuts interior surface 112a of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110.
  • Female contacts 52 lie along the longitudinal axis of termination device 148 and align with pin insertion apertures 120 of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110. Side exterior walls 114 and interior walls 116 help position termination devices 148.
  • terminated cable assembly 130 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 to help retain terminated cable assembly 130 into the carrier.
  • Figure 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pull tab for use in conjunction with the present invention. Pull tab 56 serves to ease manual removal of electrical cable assembly 6 from pin header 8. Pull tab 56 is typically an integrally formed piece of insulating material.
  • Figure 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrical cable assembly according to the present invention.
  • Electrical cable assembly 6 includes a plurality of terminated cable assemblies 30 (4 shown), carrier 144 including insulating housing and retention clip 132, and pull tab 56.
  • Figure 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pin header according to the present invention.
  • Pin header 8 includes insulating housing 24 and a plurality of contact pins 22.
  • Insulating housing 24 includes a bottom wall 54 having a top surface and a bottom surface (not shown).
  • Bottom wall 54 is formed to include a plurality of pin insertion windows for contact pins 22, where contact pins 22 extend through bottom wall 54.
  • Insulating housing 24 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
  • pin header 8 is mated with electrical cable assembly 6 such that the exterior surface 12b of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10 is in contact with the top surface of bottom wall 54.
  • pin header 8 is mated with electrical cable assembly 6 such that the exterior surface 112b of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110 is in contact with the top surface of bottom wall 54.
  • Figure 20 illustrates pin header 8 assembled to printed circuit board 4.

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Abstract

An electrical cable assembly includes a carrier having an insulating housing and at least one retention clip for managing and securing terminated cable assemblies to the carrier. The side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement of a plurality of carriers for mating to a pin header, resulting in a high speed, high density electrical connector system.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/825,679, filed September 14, 2006.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to high speed electrical connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to electrical connectors that provide high signal line density while also providing shielded controlled impedance (SCI) for the signal lines.
BACKGROUND Interconnection of integrated circuits to other circuit boards, cables or electronic devices is known in the art. Such interconnections typically have not been difficult to form, especially when the signal line densities have been relatively low, and when the circuit switching speeds (also referred to as signal transmission times) have been slow when compared to the length of time required for a signal to propagate through a conductor in the interconnect or in the printed circuit board. As user requirements grow more demanding with respect to both interconnect sizes and signal transmission times, the design and manufacture of interconnects that can perform satisfactorily in terms of both physical size and electrical performance has grown more difficult.
Connectors have been developed to provide the necessary impedance control for high speed circuits, i.e., circuits with a transmission frequency of at least 5 GHz. Although many of these connectors are useful, there is still a need in the art for connector designs having increased signal line densities with closely controlled electrical characteristics to achieve satisfactory control of the signal integrity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the invention described herein provides a carrier for use with an electrical connector assembly. In one embodiment according to the invention, the carrier comprises an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall. The side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement. In addition, the carrier comprises at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing. Another aspect of the invention described herein provides an electrical connector assembly. In one embodiment according to the invention, the electrical connector assembly comprises a carrier and a plurality of terminated cable assemblies. The carrier comprises an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall. The side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement. In addition, the carrier comprises at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing. Each terminated cable assembly comprises an electrical cable attached to a termination device, wherein the termination device has a front face and at least one female contact lying substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminated cable assembly. The plurality of terminated cable assemblies is disposed in the carrier such that the front face of each termination device is in contact with the interior surface of the housing.
Yet another aspect of the invention described herein provides an electrical connector system. In one embodiment according to the invention, the electrical connector system comprises a plurality of electrical connector assemblies and a pin header configured to receive the plurality of electrical connector assemblies. Each of the electrical connector assemblies comprises a carrier and a plurality of terminated cable assemblies.
The carrier comprises an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall. The side exterior walls of the insulating housing are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement. In addition, the carrier comprises at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing. Each terminated cable assembly comprises an electrical cable attached to a termination device, wherein the termination device has a front face and at least one female contact lying substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminated cable assembly. The plurality of terminated cable assemblies is disposed in the carrier such that the front face of each termination device is in contact with the interior surface of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of Figure 1.
Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a carrier housing according to the present invention. Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a carrier housing according to the present invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a retention clip according to the present invention.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a retention clip according to the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a retention bar according to the present invention.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the assembly of the carrier housing of Figures 6 and 7 and the retention clip of Figure 10. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the assembly of the carrier housing of Figures 8 and 9 and the retention clip of Figure 11.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with the present invention. Figure 16 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pull tab that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the assembly of the carrier housing of Figures 8 and 9, a plurality of terminated cable assemblies as the one of Figure 15, the retention clip of Figure 11, and the pull tab of Figure 17.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a header that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.
Figure 20 is a perspective view of the assembly of the header of Figure 19 and a printed circuit board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "leading," "trailing," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
Figures 1 through 5 illustrate different views of one exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector system according to the present invention. Electrical connector system 2 is used in conjunction with printed circuit board 4. As shown, a plurality of electrical cable assemblies 6 is mated to pin header 8, which is in turn connected to printed circuit board 4. Electrical cable assemblies 6 can be placed side-to-side and end-to-end into pin header 8 such that potentially all pin positions in pin header 8 can be used.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate different perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing according to the present invention. Insulating housing 10 has a front exterior wall 12, laterally extending side exterior walls 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d (hereafter collectively referred to as 14, unless otherwise indicated), and a plurality of laterally extending interior walls 16. Side exterior wall 14c has a set of retention clip apertures 18. It is to be understood that retention clip apertures 18 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 14. Retention clip apertures 18 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and assembly of retention clip 32, illustrated in Figure 10. Front exterior wall 12 has a plurality of pin insertion apertures 20 configured to receive contact pins 22 of pin header 8, illustrated in Figure 19. Pin insertion apertures 20 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and mating of contact pins 22 of pin header 8. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, side exterior wall 14c has slot 26. Slot 26 is configured to receive pull tab 56, illustrated in Figure 17. It is to be understood that slot 26 is optional, that it can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 14, and that it can have different geometries to accommodate different types of pull tabs. Insulating housing 10 can have more than one slot 26, e.g. in case more than one pull tab 56 is desired.
Optionally, side exterior wall 14c has a set of terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28. It is to be understood that terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 14. Terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by rounded edges to facilitate proper assembly, retention, and removal of each terminated cable assembly 30, illustrated in Figure 15.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate different perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing according to the present invention. Insulating housing 110 has a front exterior wall 112, laterally extending side exterior walls 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d (hereafter collectively referred to as 114, unless otherwise indicated), and a plurality of laterally extending interior walls 116. Side exterior wall 114c has a set of retention clip apertures 118. It is to be understood that retention clip apertures 118 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 114. Retention clip apertures 118 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and assembly of retention clip 132, illustrated in Figure 11. Front exterior wall 112 has a plurality of pin insertion apertures 120 configured to receive contact pins 22 of pin header 8, illustrated in Figure 19. Pin insertion apertures 120 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and mating of contact pins 22 of pin header 8. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, side exterior wall 114c has slot 126. Slot 126 is configured to receive pull tab 56, illustrated in Figure 17. It is to be understood that slot 126 is optional, that it can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 114, and that it can have different geometries to accommodate different types of pull tabs.
Insulating housing 110 can have more than one slot 126, e.g. in case more than one pull tab 56 is desired. Optionally, side exterior wall 114c has a set of terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128. It is to be understood that terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 can be positioned in one or more of the side exterior walls 114. Terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by rounded edges to facilitate proper assembly, retention, and removal of each terminated cable assembly 30, illustrated in Figure 15. In one embodiment, insulating housing 10 and insulating housing 110 are used as a pair to allow side -to-side placement of electrical cable assemblies 6 into pin header 8 such that potentially all pin positions in pin header 8 can be used.
Figure 10 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a retention clip according to the present invention. Retention clip 32 has a plurality of retention clip ribs 34 extending from back side 36. Retention clip ribs 34 are configured to mate with retention clip apertures 18 of insulating housing 10, as illustrated in Figure 7. One of the functions of retention clip 32 and retention clip ribs 34 specifically is to retain terminated cable assemblies 30 in insulating housing 10. Retention clip 32 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
Figure 11 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a retention clip according to the present invention. Retention clip 132 has a plurality of retention clip ribs 134 extending from back side 136. Retention clip ribs 134 are configured to mate with retention clip apertures 118 of insulating housing 110, as illustrated in Figure 9. One of the functions of retention clip 132 and retention clip ribs 134 specifically is to retain terminated cable assemblies 30 in insulating housing 110. Retention clip 132 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
Figure 12 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a retention bar according to the present invention. Retention bar 38 has a plurality of retention clip apertures. Retention clip apertures 40 preferably have a lead-in formed e.g. by chamfered edges to facilitate guidance and assembly of retention clip 132, illustrated in Figure 11. One of the functions of retention bar 38 is to provide additional support to retain terminated cable assemblies 30 in insulating housing 110. As shown in Figure 12, retention bar 38 has slot 42. Slot 42 is configured to receive pull tab 56, illustrated in Figure 17. It is to be understood that slot 42 is optional and that it can have different geometries to accommodate different types of pull tabs. Retention bar 38 can have more than one slot 42, e.g. in case more than one pull tab 56 is desired. Retention bar 38 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material.
Figures 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with carrier 44 and carrier 144, illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively. Terminated cable assembly 30 includes electrical cable 46 attached to termination device 48 through the use of a solder opening (not shown). The type of electrical cable used in this invention can be a single wire cable (e.g. single coaxial or single twinaxial) or a multiple wire cable (e.g. multiple coaxial, multiple twinaxial, or twisted pair). For use in conjunction with carrier 44, the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 10 such that the front face 48a of termination devices 48 abuts interior surface 12a of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10. Female contacts (not shown) lie along the longitudinal axis of termination device 48 and align with pin insertion apertures 20 of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10. Side exterior walls 14 and interior walls 16 help position termination devices 48. Optionally, terminated cable assembly 30 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 to help retain terminated cable assembly 30 into the carrier. For use in conjunction with carrier 144, the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 110 such that the front face 48a of termination devices 48 abuts interior surface 112a of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110. Female contacts (not shown) lie along the longitudinal axis of termination device 48 and align with pin insertion apertures 120 of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110. Side exterior walls 114 and interior walls 116 help position termination devices 48. Optionally, terminated cable assembly 30 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 to help retain terminated cable assembly 30 into the carrier.
Figures 16 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a terminated cable assembly that can be used in conjunction with carrier 44 and carrier 144, illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively. Terminated cable assembly 130 includes electrical cable 146 attached to termination device 148 through the use of solder opening 50. The type of electrical cable used in this invention can be a single wire cable (e.g. single coaxial or single twinaxial) or a multiple wire cable (e.g. multiple coaxial, multiple twinaxial, or twisted pair). For use in conjunction with carrier 44, the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 10 such that the front face 148a of termination devices 148 abuts interior surface 12a of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10. Female contacts 52 lie along the longitudinal axis of termination device 148 and align with pin insertion apertures 20 of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10. Side exterior walls 14 and interior walls 16 help position termination devices 148. Optionally, terminated cable assembly 130 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 28 to help retain terminated cable assembly 130 into the carrier. For use in conjunction with carrier 144, the terminated cable assemblies are inserted into insulating housing 110 such that the front face 148a of termination devices 148 abuts interior surface 112a of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110. Female contacts 52 lie along the longitudinal axis of termination device 148 and align with pin insertion apertures 120 of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110. Side exterior walls 114 and interior walls 116 help position termination devices 148. Optionally, terminated cable assembly 130 can include a retention feature such as a tab or bump (not shown) that will snap into terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures 128 to help retain terminated cable assembly 130 into the carrier. Figure 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pull tab for use in conjunction with the present invention. Pull tab 56 serves to ease manual removal of electrical cable assembly 6 from pin header 8. Pull tab 56 is typically an integrally formed piece of insulating material.
Figure 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrical cable assembly according to the present invention. Electrical cable assembly 6 includes a plurality of terminated cable assemblies 30 (4 shown), carrier 144 including insulating housing and retention clip 132, and pull tab 56.
Figure 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pin header according to the present invention. Pin header 8 includes insulating housing 24 and a plurality of contact pins 22. Insulating housing 24 includes a bottom wall 54 having a top surface and a bottom surface (not shown). Bottom wall 54 is formed to include a plurality of pin insertion windows for contact pins 22, where contact pins 22 extend through bottom wall 54. Insulating housing 24 is typically an integrally molded piece of insulating material. For use in conjunction with carrier 44, pin header 8 is mated with electrical cable assembly 6 such that the exterior surface 12b of the front exterior wall 12 of insulating housing 10 is in contact with the top surface of bottom wall 54. For use in conjunction with carrier 144, pin header 8 is mated with electrical cable assembly 6 such that the exterior surface 112b of the front exterior wall 112 of insulating housing 110 is in contact with the top surface of bottom wall 54.
Figure 20 illustrates pin header 8 assembled to printed circuit board 4.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A carrier for use with an electrical connector assembly, the carrier comprising: an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall; wherein the side exterior walls are configured to enable side-to-side and end- to-end placement; and at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing.
2. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a slot disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, the slot configured to receive a pull tab.
3. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one set of terminated cable assembly retention feature apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls.
4. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a retention bar having a plurality of retention clip apertures, the retention bar disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip apertures in the retention bar mate with the retention clip ribs.
5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the retention bar further comprises a slot configured to receive a pull tab.
6. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a carrier configured to receive a plurality of terminated cable assemblies, the carrier comprising: an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall; wherein the side exterior walls are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement; and at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing; a plurality of terminated cable assemblies, each terminated cable assembly comprising an electrical cable attached to a termination device, wherein the termination device has a front face and at least one female contact lying substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminated cable assembly; wherein the plurality of terminated cable assemblies is disposed in the carrier such that the front face of each termination device is in contact with the interior surface of the housing.
7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 6 further comprising a pull tab configured to remove the electrical connector assembly from a pin header.
8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 6, wherein each terminated cable assembly further comprises a retention feature configured to retain the terminated cable assembly into the carrier.
9. An electrical connector system comprising: a plurality of electrical connector assemblies comprising: a carrier configured to receive a plurality of terminated cable assemblies, the carrier comprising: an insulating housing having a front exterior wall, laterally extending side exterior walls, a plurality of laterally extending interior walls, at least one set of retention clip apertures disposed on at least one of the side exterior walls, and a plurality of pin insertion apertures disposed on the front exterior wall; wherein the side exterior walls are configured to enable side-to-side and end-to-end placement; and at least one retention clip having a plurality of retention clip ribs extending from a back, the retention clip disposed in the insulating housing such that the retention clip ribs mate with the retention clip apertures in the insulating housing; a plurality of terminated cable assemblies, each terminated cable assembly comprising an electrical cable attached to a termination device, wherein the termination device has a front face and at least one female contact lying substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the terminated cable assembly; wherein the plurality of terminated cable assemblies is disposed in the carrier such that the front face of each termination device is in contact with the interior surface of the housing; and a pin header configured to receive the plurality of electrical connector assemblies.
10. The electrical connector system of claim 9 further comprising a printed circuit board attached to the pin header, wherein the printed circuit board, pin header, and plurality of electrical connector assemblies are in electrical communication.
PCT/US2007/078404 2006-09-14 2007-09-13 Electrical connector assembly WO2008034004A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07842434A EP2070163A1 (en) 2006-09-14 2007-09-13 Electrical connector assembly
CN2007800343391A CN101517833B (en) 2006-09-14 2007-09-13 Electrical connector assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US82567906P 2006-09-14 2006-09-14
US60/825,679 2006-09-14

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EP (1) EP2070163A1 (en)
CN (1) CN101517833B (en)
WO (1) WO2008034004A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2070163A1 (en) 2009-06-17
CN101517833B (en) 2011-06-22
US20080070436A1 (en) 2008-03-20
CN101517833A (en) 2009-08-26
US7651359B2 (en) 2010-01-26

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