Card-edge connector with contact locator

Abstract

A card edge connector (112) includes a housing (200) that includes a card slot (216) opening into a cavity (204) and a contact assembly (202) received in the cavity. The contact assembly has a contact locator (230) that holds upper contacts (240) in upper contact arrays (242, 243) and lower contacts (260) in lower contact arrays (262, 263). The contact locator has a locator card slot (238). The contacts include intermediate portions (249, 269) extending between mating beams (246, 266) and contact tails (248, 268). The contact arrays include separate and discrete front contact holders and rear contact holders. The front contact holders are located between the mating beams and the intermediate portions. The rear contact holders are located between the intermediate portions and the contact tails.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter herein generally relates to card edge connectors for communication systems. Background Art

[0002] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors, such as card edge connectors, to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable modules, such as I / O modules or circuit cards, that are electrically connected to the card's edge connector. The pluggable module has a modular circuit board having a card edge that mates with the card edge connector during a mating operation. Each card edge connector typically has an upper row of contacts and a lower row of contacts for mating with a corresponding circuit board. There is a need for connectors and circuit boards for communication systems that have greater contact density and / or data throughput.

[0003] Known card edge connectors are not without disadvantages. For example, the contacts of card edge connectors are typically bent at the mating end to provide a larger lead-in for the circuit board during mating to prevent mechanical jamming and damage to the contacts during mating. However, this additional length of the contacts at the ends of the contacts beyond the mating interface of the contacts can create electrical stubs that can affect the electrical performance of the card edge connector. In addition, the majority of the contacts are typically rigidly fixed within the connector housing, for example using contact overmolding to hold the contacts relative to each other and to the housing. However, positioning the ends of the contacts for mating with the module circuit board and positioning the ends of the contacts for mounting to the main circuit board is difficult. For example, a displacement of the mating end results in a corresponding displacement of the mounting end, and vice versa.

[0004] There remains a need for a reliable card edge connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The solution to the above problem is provided by a card-edge connector for mating with a pluggable module. The card-edge connector includes a housing having a top and a bottom. The housing has a front portion and a rear portion. The housing has a first side and a second side. The bottom is configured to be mounted to a main circuit board. The housing includes a cavity and a housing card slot that opens into the cavity at the front portion of the housing. The housing card slot is configured to receive a card edge of a module circuit board of the pluggable module. The card-edge connector includes a contact assembly received in the cavity. The contact assembly has a contact locator that holds upper contacts in an upper contact array and lower contacts in a lower contact array. The contact locator has an upper wall and a lower wall, and a locator card slot is defined between the upper wall and the lower wall. The contact locator is positioned in the cavity, and the locator card slot is aligned with the housing card slot to receive the card edge of the module circuit board. The upper contacts include an upper intermediate portion extending between an upper mating beam and an upper contact tail. The upper mating beam extends into the locator card slot to mate with upper mating contacts of the module circuit board. The upper contact tail extends from the contact locator for mounting to the main circuit board. The upper contact array includes an upper front contact retainer that holds the upper contacts and an upper rear contact retainer that is separate and discrete from the upper front contact retainer that holds the upper contacts. The upper front contact retainer is positioned between the upper mating beam and the upper intermediate portion of the upper contact. The upper rear contact retainer is positioned between the upper intermediate portion and the upper contact tail of the upper contact. The lower contacts include a lower intermediate portion extending between a lower mating beam and a lower contact tail. The lower mating beam extends into the locator card slot to mate with lower mating contacts of the module circuit board. The lower contact tail extends from the contact locator for mounting to the main circuit board. The lower contact array includes a lower front contact retainer that holds the lower contacts and a lower rear contact retainer that is separate and discrete from the lower front contact retainer that holds the lower contacts. The lower front contact retainer is positioned between the lower mating beam and the lower intermediate portion of the lower contact. The lower rear contact retainer is positioned between the lower intermediate portion and the lower contact tail of the lower contact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a pluggable module of the communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a card-edge connector of the communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a portion of a card-edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 Is an exploded view of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 Is a front perspective view of a contact array of a contact assembly of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 Is an exploded top perspective view of a part of the contact assembly, showing a contact locator and a contact array according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Figure 9 Is a partial bottom perspective view of a contact assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Figure 10 Is a partial front top perspective view of a contact assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Figure 11 Is a partial rear perspective view of a part of a housing according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Figure 12 Is a rear perspective view of a part of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator being loaded into the housing.

[0018] Figure 13 Is a rear perspective view of a part of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator being loaded into the housing.

[0019] Figure 14 Is a cross-sectional view of a part of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator being loaded into the housing.

[0020] Figure 15 Is a cross-sectional view of a part of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator being loaded into the housing. Detailed Description

[0021] Figure 1 Is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 formed according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication system includes a main circuit board 102 and a socket connector assembly 104 mounted to the main circuit board 102. A pluggable module 106 (fully shown in Figure 2 is configured to be electrically connected to the socket connector assembly 104. The pluggable module 106 is electrically connected to the main circuit board 102 through the socket connector assembly 104.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the socket connector assembly 104 includes a socket cage 110 and a card-edge connector 112 (shown in dashed lines) adjacent to the socket cage 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the card-edge connector 112 is housed within the socket cage 110. In various other embodiments, the card-edge connector 112 may be located behind the socket cage 110. In various embodiments, the socket cage 110 is enclosed and provides electrical shielding for the card-edge connector 112. The pluggable module 106 is loaded into the socket cage 110 and is at least partially surrounded by the socket cage 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket cage 110 includes a shielded, stamped cage member that includes a plurality of shield walls 114 that define one or more module channels for housing a corresponding pluggable module 106. In other embodiments, the socket cage 110 may be open between frame members to provide a cooling air flow for the pluggable module 106, wherein the frame members of the socket cage 110 define rails for guiding the loading of the pluggable module 106 into the socket cage 110. In various other embodiments, the socket connector assembly 104 may be provided without the socket cage 110 and instead include only the card-edge connector 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the card-edge connector 112 is oriented for horizontal mating (e.g., parallel to the main circuit board 102). In various other embodiments, the card-edge connector 112 is oriented for vertical mating (e.g., perpendicular to the main circuit board 102).

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the socket cage 110 is a single-port socket cage configured to receive a single pluggable module 106. In various other embodiments, the socket cage 110 may be a grouped cage member having a plurality of ports grouped together in a single row and / or a stacked cage member having a plurality of ports stacked as upper and lower ports. The socket cage 110 includes a module channel 116 that has a module port 118 that opens into the module channel 116. The module channel 116 receives the pluggable module 106 through the module port 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket cage 110 extends between a front end 120 and a rear end 122. The module port 118 is provided at the front end 120. In various embodiments, any number of module channels 116 may be provided arranged in a single column or multiple columns (e.g., 2X2, 3X2, 4X2, 4X3, 4X1, 2X1, etc.). Optionally, multiple card-edge connectors 112 may be arranged within the socket cage 110, such as when multiple rows and / or columns of module channels 116 are provided.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the wall 114 of the socket cage 110 includes a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, a first side wall 134 and a second side wall 136 extending from the top wall 130. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the main circuit board 102. In various other embodiments, the socket cage 110 may be provided without the bottom wall 132. Optionally, the wall 114 of the socket cage 110 may include a rear wall 138 at the rear end 122. The wall 114 defines a cavity 140. For example, the cavity 140 may be defined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the side walls 134, 136 and the rear wall 138. The cavity 140 includes a module channel 116. In various embodiments, the cavity 140 receives the card edge connector 112, for example, at the rear end 122. Other walls 114 may separate or divide the cavity 140 into additional module channels 116, such as in embodiments using grouped socket cages and / or stacked socket cages. For example, the wall 114 may include one or more vertical partition walls between the grouped module channels 116. In various embodiments, the wall 114 may include a spacer panel between the upper and lower module channels 116 of the stack. The spacer panel may include an upper panel and a lower panel that form a space between the upper and lower module channels 116, for example, for air flow, for a heat sink, for guiding an optical waveguide, or for other purposes.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the socket cage 110 may include one or more gaskets 142 at the front end 120 to provide electrical shielding for the module channel 116. For example, the gasket 142 may be disposed at the port 118 to electrically connect to the pluggable module 106 housed in the module channel 116. Optionally, the pluggable module 106 may include a gasket that engages the socket cage 110, rather than the socket cage 110 having a gasket that engages the pluggable module 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the gasket 142 may be disposed around the outside of the socket cage 110 for docking with a panel (not shown), for example, when the front end 120 of the socket cage 110 extends through a cutout in the panel. The gasket 142 may include spring fingers or other deflectable features that are configured to be spring-biased against the panel to create an electrical connection with the panel.

[0026] Optionally, the socket connector assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the pluggable module 106. For example, the heat sink may be coupled to the top wall 130 to engage the pluggable module 106 housed in the module channel 116. The heat sink may extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to directly engage the pluggable module 106. In alternative embodiments, other types of heat sinks may be provided.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the edge card connector 112 is received, for example, in the cavity 140 near the rear wall 138. However, in an alternative embodiment, the edge card connector 112 can be located behind the rear wall 138 outside the socket cage 110 and extend into the cavity 140 to mate with the (pluggable) module(s) 106. In an exemplary embodiment, a single edge card connector 112 is provided. In an alternative embodiment, the communication system 100 can include multiple edge card connectors 112 (e.g., for stacking and / or grouping socket cages) to cooperate with corresponding pluggable modules 106.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 106 is loaded through the port 118 at the front end 120 to mate with the edge card connector 112. The shielding wall 114 of the socket cage 110 provides electrical shielding around the edge card connector 112 and the pluggable module 106, such as around the mating interface between the edge card connector 112 and the pluggable module 106.

[0029] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 106 has a pluggable body 170, which can be defined by one or more housings. The pluggable body 170 can be thermally conductive and / or can be electrically conductive to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. The pluggable body 170 includes a mating end 172 and an opposite front end 174. The mating end 172 is configured to be inserted into a corresponding module channel 116 (shown in Figure 1 . The front end 174 can be a cable end having a cable extending therefrom to another component within the system.

[0030] The pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 176, which is configured to be communicatively coupled to the edge card connector 112 (shown in Figure 1 . The module circuit board 176 can be proximate at the mating end 172. The module circuit board 176 has an edge 178 extending between a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface at the mating end of the module circuit board 176. The module circuit board 176 includes mating contacts 179, such as pads or circuits, at the edge 178 configured to mate with the edge card connector 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the mating contacts 179 are provided on both the upper surface and the lower surface. The module circuit board 176 can include components, circuits, etc. for operating and / or using the pluggable module 106. For example, the module circuit board 176 can have conductors, traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers, switches, inputs, outputs, etc. associated with the module circuit board 176, which can be mounted to the module circuit board 176 to form various circuits.

[0031] The pluggable module 106 includes a peripheral that defines the exterior of the pluggable body 170. For example, the peripheral can be defined by a top 180, a bottom 182, a first side 184, and a second side 186. In alternative embodiments, the pluggable body 170 can have other shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 170 provides heat transfer for the module circuit board 176, such as for the electronic components on the module circuit board 176. For example, the module circuit board 176 is in thermal communication with the pluggable body 170, and the pluggable body 170 transfers heat from the module circuit board 176. Optionally, the pluggable body 170 can include a plurality of heat transfer fins 188 along at least a portion of the periphery of the pluggable module 106 (such as the top 180) to dissipate heat from the pluggable body 170.

[0032] In various other embodiments, the pluggable module 106 can be a circuit card instead of an I / O module. For example, the pluggable module 106 can include a module circuit board 176, and the pluggable body 170 does not surround the module circuit board 176.

[0033] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The socket connector assembly 104 is shown mounted to the edge card connector 112 of the main circuit board 102 (without a socket cage). In various embodiments, the edge card connector 112 can be mounted horizontally or vertically. In various embodiments, the edge card connector 112 can be mounted to the circuit board 102 to receive the pluggable module 106 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 102. In an alternative embodiment, the edge card connector 112 can be a right-angle edge card connector mounted to the circuit board 102 to receive the pluggable module 106 in a direction parallel to the circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the socket connector assembly 104 is a through connector, and the mating end and the mounting end of its housing are parallel to each other rather than perpendicular to each other, so that the contacts pass straight through the housing rather than through contacts.

[0034] In various embodiments, the pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 176, and the external pluggable body ( Figure 2 as shown) does not hold the module circuit board 176. The module circuit board 176 includes an edge card 178 that extends between a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface at the mating end of the module circuit board 176. The module circuit board 176 includes mating contacts 179 at the edge card 178, such as at the upper surface and the lower surface, which are configured to mate with the contacts of the edge card connector 112.

[0035] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the edge card connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 5Is a front perspective view of a portion of a card-edge connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. The card-edge connector 112 includes a housing 200 having a contact assembly 202 received in a cavity 204 of the housing 200. The housing 200 extends between a front portion 206 and a rear portion 208. The housing 200 extends between a top 210 and a bottom 212. The housing 200 extends between opposite sides 218. In various embodiments, the housing 200 may be generally box-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom 212 defines a mounting end configured to be mounted to a main circuit board 102 (as Figure 1 shown), and the front portion 206 defines a mating end configured to mate with a pluggable module 106 (as Figure 1 shown). In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible.

[0036] The housing 200 includes a top wall 220 at the top 210 and a bottom wall 222 at the bottom 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 200 includes a shroud 214 at the front portion 206, the shroud being configured to mate with the pluggable module 106. The shroud 214 is configured to be received in the pluggable module 106. The housing 200 includes a housing card slot 216 at the front portion 206. For example, the housing card slot 216 may be located in the shroud 214 and open in front of the shroud 214. The housing card slot 216 receives a card edge 178 ( Figure 2 shown) of a module circuit board 176 ( Figure 2 shown).

[0037] Is an exploded view of a card-edge connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 202 is a double-sided, multi-row contact assembly. For example, the contact assembly 202 includes an upper contact 240 and a lower contact 260 disposed on opposite sides of a card slot. The upper contact 240 is arranged in multiple rows, and the lower contact 260 is arranged in multiple rows. Thus, the card-edge connector 112 has a high density and significant data throughput.

[0038] The contact assembly 202 includes a contact locator 230 that supports an upper contact 240 and a lower contact 260. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact 240 is arranged in a first upper contact array 242 and a second upper contact array 243. The upper contact arrays 242, 243 may be lead frames having stamping-formed contacts that form the upper contact 240. The mating ends of the upper contacts 240 of the first upper contact array 242 are arranged in a first upper row, and the mating ends of the upper contacts 240 of the second upper contact array 243 are arranged in a second upper row that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first upper row. The mounting ends of the upper contacts 240 of the first upper contact array 242 are arranged in a first row, and the mounting ends of the upper contacts 240 of the second upper contact array 243 are arranged in a second row that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first row. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower contact 260 is arranged in a first lower contact array 262 and a second lower contact array 263. The lower contact arrays 262, 263 may be lead frames having stamping-formed contacts that form the lower contact 260. The mating ends of the lower contacts 260 of the first lower contact array 262 are arranged in a first lower row, and the mating ends of the lower contacts 260 of the second lower contact array 263 are arranged in a second lower row that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first lower row. The mounting ends of the lower contacts 260 of the first lower contact array 262 are arranged in a first row, and the mounting ends of the lower contacts 260 of the second lower contact array 263 are arranged in a second row that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first row.

[0039] The contact locator 230 is used to position the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 relative to each other. The contact locator 230 is used to hold the contact arrays to load the contact assembly 202 into the outer housing 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts 240, 260 are movable relative to the contact locator 230 for proper alignment and positioning to mate with the pluggable module 106 and be mounted to the main circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the outer housing 200 is used to properly position the contacts 240, 260.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the contacts 240, 260 are held by contact holders. For example, the contact arrays 242, 243, 262, 263 include a front contact holder 244 and / or a rear contact holder 245. The front contact holder 244 is positioned proximate to the front ends of the contacts 240, 260. The rear contact holder 245 is positioned proximate to the rear ends of the contacts 240, 260. The contact holders 244, 245 surround portions of the contacts 240, 260. In various embodiments, the contact holders 244, 245 are dielectric bodies, such as overmolded bodies overmolded around portions of the contacts 240, 260, to maintain the relative positions of the front and rear ends of the contacts 240, 260, for example, for loading the contacts 240, 260 into the contact locator 230. In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245 are spaced apart from each other. For example, sections of the contacts 240, 260 extend between the contact holders 244, 245 without being surrounded. The contacts 240, 260 can move freely independently between the contact holders 244, 245. For example, portions of the contacts 240, 260 can flex, compress, shift, or otherwise move relative to each other to position the mating end and the mounting end within the contact locator 230.

[0041] The contact holders 244, 245 are coupled to the contact locator 230 to load the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 into the contact locator 230 to form the contact assembly 202. The assembled contact assembly 202 is configured to be loaded into the housing 200, for example, through the rear portion 208 of the housing 200.

[0042] The contact locator 230 includes a base 232, an arm 234 extending from the base 232, and a nose 236 between the arms 234. The contact locator 230 has a locator card slot 238 in the nose 236. The locator card slot 238 receives the card edge 178 of the module circuit board 176. The base 232 holds the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260. For example, the base 232 can hold the rear contact holder 245. The nose 236 holds the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260. For example, the nose 236 can hold the front contact holder 244. The upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 are loaded into the base 232 and the nose 236 to position the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 to mate with the module circuit board 176 ( Figure 6 as shown) and be mounted to the main circuit board 102 (as Figure 2 shown).

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the nose 236 of the contact locator 230 is used to preload an internal spring biasing force for each of the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 to cooperate with the module circuit board 176. Preloading the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 biases the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 against the module circuit board 176 to ensure maintaining the electrical connection between the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 and the module circuit board 176. When the module circuit board 176 is loaded into the locator card slot 238, the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 are deflected outwardly by the module circuit board 176. The internal biasing force preloaded in the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 ensures that the module circuit board 176 provides sufficient contact force with less deflection of the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260.

[0044] Each upper contact 240 includes a transition portion 247 that extends between a mating beam 246 at the mating end and a contact tail 248 at the termination end. The front contact retainer 244 supports the mating beam 246 of the upper contact 240. For example, the front contact retainer 244 is disposed at the mating beam 246 and / or the transition portion 247. Optionally, portions of the mating beam 246 and / or the front portion of the transition portion 247 may be enclosed in the front contact retainer 244. The mating beam 246 extends in front of the front contact retainer 244 to cooperate with the module circuit board 176. The mating beam 246 is configured to be coupled to the nose 236. The mating beam 246 may extend into the shield 214 to cooperate with the module circuit board 176.

[0045] The rear contact retainer 245 supports the contact tail 248 of the upper contact 240. For example, the rear contact retainer 245 is disposed at the contact tail 248 and / or the transition portion 247. Optionally, portions of the contact tail 248 and / or the rear portion of the transition portion 247 may be enclosed in the rear contact retainer 245. The contact tail 248 extends from the rear contact retainer 245 for termination to the main circuit board 102. For example, the contact tail 248 may be a solder tail configured to be soldered to the main circuit board 102. The contact tail 248 may be coupled to the base 232.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, each upper contact 240 includes an intermediate portion 249 that extends between the front contact retainer 244 and the rear contact retainer 245. The intermediate portion 249 is an unenclosed segment of the transition portion 247. The intermediate portion 249 may be bent along respective segments to transition between the front contact retainer 244 and the rear contact retainer 245.

[0047] Each upper contact 240 can be a signal contact, and other upper contacts 240 can be ground contacts, such as being dispersed between signal contacts or pairs of signal contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact 240 is flexible and configured to elastically deform and flex, for example, during assembly and during mating with the module circuit board 176. For example, the intermediate portion 249 can flex between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245, for example, for the relative positioning of the mating beam 246 and the contact tail 248. The mating beam 246 can be a cantilever spring beam extending forward from the front contact holder 244 and configured to flex when mating with the module circuit board 176. The contact tail 248 can flex when mounted to the main circuit board 102.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the mating beam 246 includes a mating interface 250 at the end 252 of the upper contact 240. For example, the spring beam defining the mating beam 246 includes an arm 254 and a finger 256 extending from the arm 254 to the end 252. The arm 254 extends generally forward (e.g., horizontally), and the finger 256 extends generally inward (e.g., vertically) from the arm 254. The finger 256 can be curved and extends both inward from the arm 254 to the mating interface 250 and outward to the end 252. The finger 256 can have flat sections between the curved sections to define the mating interface 250. In various other embodiments, the upper contact 240 can terminate at the mating interface 250, and the end 252 is at the mating interface 250 without creating an electrical cut-off beyond the mating interface 250. For example, the upper contact 240 does not include a flared lead-in portion beyond the mating interface 250 as commonly found in conventional contacts.

[0049] Each lower contact 260 includes a transition portion 267 that extends between the mating beam 266 at the mating end and the contact tail 268 at the termination end. The front contact holder 244 supports the mating beam 266 of the lower contact 260. For example, the front contact holder 244 is provided at the mating beam 266 and / or the transition portion 267. Optionally, portions of the mating beam 266 and / or the front portion of the transition portion 267 can be enclosed within the front contact holder 244. The mating beam 266 extends in front of the front contact holder 244 for mating with the module circuit board 176. The mating beam 266 is configured to be coupled to the nose 236. The mating beam 266 can extend into the shroud 214 for mating with the module circuit board 176.

[0050] The rear contact holder 245 supports the contact tail 268 of the lower contact 260. For example, the rear contact holder 245 is disposed at the contact tail 268 and / or the transition portion 267. Optionally, portions of the contact tail 268 and / or the rear portion of the transition portion 267 can be surrounded within the rear contact holder 245. The contact tail 268 extends from the rear contact holder 245 for termination to the main circuit board 102. For example, the contact tail 268 can be a solder tail configured to be soldered to the main circuit board 102. The contact tail 268 can be coupled to the base 232.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, each lower contact 260 includes an intermediate portion 269 extending between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245. The intermediate portion 269 is an unenclosed segment of the transition portion 267. The intermediate portion 269 can be bent along respective segments to transition between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245.

[0052] Some of the lower contacts 260 can be signal contacts, while other lower contacts 260 can be ground contacts, such as being dispersed between the signal contacts or in pairs of signal contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower contacts 260 are flexible and configured to elastically deform and flex, for example, during assembly and during mating with the module circuit board 176. For example, the intermediate portion 269 can flex between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245, for example, for the relative positioning of the mating beam 266 and the contact tail 268. The mating beam 266 can be a cantilever spring beam extending forward from the front contact holder 244 and configured to flex when mating with the module circuit board 176. The contact tail 268 can flex when mounted to the main circuit board 102.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the mating beam 266 includes a mating interface 270 at the end 272 of the lower contact 260. For example, the spring beam defining the mating beam 266 includes an arm 274 and a finger 276 extending from the arm 274 to the end 272. The arm 274 extends generally forward (e.g., horizontally), and the finger 276 extends generally inward (e.g., vertically) from the arm 274. The finger 276 can be curved and extends both inward from the arm 274 to the mating interface 270 and outward to the end 272. The finger 276 can have a flat segment between the curved segments to define the mating interface 270. In various other embodiments, the lower contact 260 can terminate at the mating interface 270, and the end 272 is at the mating interface 270, and there is no electrical stub extending beyond the mating interface 270. For example, the lower contact 260 does not include a flared lead-in portion extending beyond the mating interface 270 as is common in conventional contacts.

[0054] The upper contact holder 244 and the lower contact holder 245 are coupled to the contact locator 230 to load the upper contact holder 244 and the lower contact holder 245 into the contact locator 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition portions 247, 267 bend through a 90-degree transition from the mating beams 246, 266 to the contact tails 248, 268. In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the arm 234 extends forward from the base 232 to support the nose 236. The arm 234 and / or the base 232 and / or the nose 236 includes a slot 348 for receiving the contact holders 244, 245. The slot 348 may be open at the top to receive the contact holders 244, 245 of the upper contact arrays 242, 243, and the slot 348 may be open at the bottom to receive the contact holders 244, 245 of the lower contact arrays 262, 263.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact locator 230 is a right-angle contact locator having a mating end at the front wall 350 of the contact locator 230 and a mounting end at the bottom 352 of the contact locator 230. The base 232 is disposed at the bottom 352. The nose 236 extends to the front wall 350. In alternative embodiments, other orientations are also possible, such as the nose 236 being located at the top 354 of the contact locator 230 and / or the base 232 being located at the rear 356 of the contact locator 230.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact locator 230 includes a securing feature 370 for securing the contact locator 230 within the outer housing 200. The securing feature 370 can be a latch or other type of securing feature. The securing feature 370 can be disposed on the arm 234 and / or the base 232 and / or the nose 236.

[0058] The nose 236 includes an upper wall 300 and a lower wall 400. The locator card slot 238 is located between the upper wall 300 and the lower wall 400. The upper wall 300 receives and supports the mating beam 246 of the upper contact 240. The lower wall 400 receives and supports the mating beam 266 of the lower contact 260. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper wall 300 includes a front mounting area 302 for receiving the mating beam 246 of the front upper contact array 242 and a rear mounting area 304 for receiving the mating beam 246 of the rear upper contact array 243. The lower wall 400 includes similar front and rear mounting areas.

[0059] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the contact array 243 according to an exemplary embodiment. Other contact arrays 242, 262, 263 (such as Figure 7As shown, it can be similar to the contact array 243. The upper contact 240 is held by a front contact holder 244 and a rear contact holder 245. The mating beam 246 extends in front of the front contact holder 244. The middle portion 249 extends between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245. The contact tail 248 extends from the rear contact holder 245, for example, from the bottom of the rear contact holder 244.

[0060] In various embodiments, the front contact holder 244 includes a dielectric body 280 that is overmolded around the upper contact 240 to surround the upper contact 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 244 includes positioning features 284 for positioning the front contact holder 244 in the contact locator 230 and the housing body 200 (both shown in Figure 6 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning feature 284 can be a tab that extends outward from the front contact holder 244, for example, a tab that extends outward from the top 282 of the front contact holder 244. Other types of positioning features 284 can be used in alternative embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the positioning feature 284 can be in other positions.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 244 includes a contact channel 286 along the top 282. The contact channel 286 is separated by a partition wall 288. The contact channel 286 receives the upper contact 240 from the contact array 242 ( Figure 6 shown).

[0062] In various embodiments, the rear contact holder 245 includes a dielectric body 290 that is overmolded around the upper contact 240 to surround the upper contact 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 245 includes positioning features 294 for positioning the rear contact holder 244 in the contact locator 230 and / or the housing body 200 (both shown in Figure 6 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning feature 294 is a groove formed in the side of the rear contact holder 244. In alternative embodiments, other types of positioning features 294 can be used, such as a tab that extends from the side of the rear contact holder 244. In alternative embodiments, the positioning feature 294 can be in other positions.

[0063] Figure 6 is an exploded top perspective view of a part of the contact assembly 202, showing the contact locator 230 and the upper contact array 243 ready to be coupled to the contact locator 230. The front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245 are aligned with the corresponding slots 348. The upper contact array 243 is configured to be installed into the contact locator 230 from above.

[0064] The base 232 is configured to be mounted to the main circuit board 102 ( Figure 8 In an exemplary embodiment, the base 232 includes a track 360 extending between the arms 234. The track 360 can maintain the spacing between the arms 234. The track 360 can support the contact tails 248 or the contact tails 268 (in Figure 1 Optionally, the track 360 may include channels (not shown) that accommodate the contact tails 248 , 268 .

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the mating beams 246 of the upper contacts 240 of the rear upper contact array 243 are configured to be mounted to the rear mounting area 304 of the upper wall 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper wall 300 includes contact channels 330 at the rear mounting area 304 to receive the mating beams 246 of the upper contacts 240. The arms 254 and / or fingers 256 can pass through the opening in the upper wall 300 into the locator card slot 238 ( Figure 6 shown).

[0066] The middle portion 249 of the upper contact 240 is flexible between the front contact retainer 244 and the rear contact retainer 245. This allows the mating beam 246 to move independently and freely compared to the contact tail 248. For example, the mating beam 246 can be moved or positioned with the front contact retainer 244 without moving the contact tail 248 and the rear contact retainer 245, or vice versa. The mating beam 246 and the front contact retainer 244 can therefore be positioned independently of the contact tail 248 and the rear contact retainer 245.

[0067] Figure 6 is a partial bottom perspective view of the contact assembly 202 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9 2 is a partial front top perspective view of the contact assembly 202 according to an exemplary embodiment. The upper contact arrays 242, 243 are received in the contact locator 230 from above. The lower contact arrays 262, 263 are received in the contact locator 230 from below. The front contact holders 244 are received in corresponding slots 348, and the rear contact holders 245 are received in corresponding slots 348. The contact tails 248, 268 of the upper contacts 240 and the lower contacts 260 are arranged in multiple rows. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact tails 248, 268 are arranged in four rows.

[0068] refer to Figure 10 , the mating beams 246 of the upper contacts 240 of the front upper contact array 242 are configured to be mounted to the front mounting area 302 of the upper wall 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper wall 300 includes contact channels 332 at the front mounting area 302 to receive the mating beams 246 of the upper contacts 240. The arms 254 and / or fingers 256 can pass through openings in the upper wall 300 into the locator card slots 238.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the mating beam 266 of the lower contact 260 of the front lower contact array 262 is configured to be mounted to the front mounting region 402 of the lower wall 400. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower wall 400 includes a contact channel 432 at the front mounting region 402 to receive the mating beam 266 of the lower contact 260. The arm 274 and / or finger 276 of the mating beam 266 can pass through an opening in the lower wall 400 into the locator card slot 238.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper front contact holder 244 projects above the upper surface of the side wall (e.g., extends above it), while the lower front contact holder 244 projects below the lower surface of the side wall (e.g., extends below it). Figure 10 A positioning feature 284 extending below the lower surface of the side wall is shown. Similarly, Figure 9 A positioning feature 284 extending above the upper surface of the side wall is shown. The positioning feature 284 is configured to engage with the housing 200 ( Figure 10 as shown) when the contact assembly 202 is loaded into the housing 200 to position the front contact holder 244 in the housing 200. Thus, when the contact assembly 202 is loaded into the housing 200, the mating beams 246, 266 of the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 are positioned relative to the housing 200.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 245 includes a positioning feature 294 for positioning the rear contact holder 244 in the contact locator 230 and the housing 200. The positioning feature 294 is a groove that aligns with a groove 296 formed in the side of the contact locator 230. The positioning feature 294 is exposed at the groove 296 through an opening 298. The positioning feature 294 is configured to engage with the housing 200 when the contact assembly 202 is loaded into the housing 200 to position the rear contact holder 245 in the housing 200. Thus, when the contact assembly 202 is loaded into the housing 200, the contact tails 248, 268 of the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 are positioned relative to the housing 200.

[0072] Figure 6 is a partial rear perspective view of a part of the housing 200, showing the cavity 204 of the housing 200. The cavity 204 is located between the top wall 220 and the bottom wall 222. The housing 200 includes tracks 224 along the sides 218 (e.g., at two sides 218). The tracks 224 define a positioning feature for the housing 200 that is used to position the contact locator 230 and / or the rear contact holder 245 (both Figure 11As shown). The outer housing 200 includes alignment features 226 at the side 218 for aligning the contact locator 230 in the cavity 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment feature 226 is an opening that is open at the rear 208. The outer housing includes latching features 228 at the side 218 for securing the contact locator 230 in the cavity 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching feature 228 is an opening or window and includes a latching surface at the rear of the window.

[0073] Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the edge card connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator 230 loaded into the outer housing 200. Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the edge card connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact assembly 202 loaded into the outer housing 200. The contact locator 230 is loaded into the cavity 204 through the rear 208. The guide rail 224 is aligned with the groove 296 of the contact locator 230 and configured to be received therein. The alignment feature 226 of the outer housing 200 is configured to receive the alignment feature 233 extending from the arm 234. Optionally, the alignment feature 233 can be wedge-shaped, such as in the form of a dovetail. In alternative embodiments, other shapes are possible. The latching feature 228 of the outer housing 200 is configured to receive the securing feature 370 extending from the arm 234. The securing feature 370 can be a latch configured to engage the latching surface of the latching feature 228 to hold the contact locator 230 in the outer housing 200.

[0074] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the edge card connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator 230 loaded into the outer housing 200. Figure 14 shows the rear contact holder 245 received in the slot 348. The slot 348 positions the rear contact holder 245, thereby positioning the contacts 240, 260. For example, the slot 348 holds the front-to-back position of the rear contact holder 245 to position the contact tails 248, 268 for mounting to the main circuit board 102 ( Figure 14 as shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the guide rail 224 of the outer housing 200 is configured to engage the rear contact holder 245 in the slot 348 to hold the position of the rear contact holder 245 in the vertical direction (e.g., up and down position) in the slot 348.

[0075] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the edge card connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact locator 230 loaded into the outer housing 200. Figure 15Shows a front contact holder 245 located in the contact locator 230. The front contact holder 245 is configured to engage the outer housing 200 to position the front contact holder 245, and thus the contacts 240, 260, in the cavity 204 of the outer housing 200 for mating with the module circuit board 176 (shown in Figure 15 Figure 2 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 245 includes an inner surface 253 adjacent to each other and an outer surface 255 that engages the inner surfaces of the top wall 220 and the bottom wall 222. Intermediate portions 249, 269 extend behind the front contact holder 245 and are free and independently movable. The intermediate portions 249, 269 are surrounded by air rather than plastic for impedance matching or tuning.

[0076] The front contact holder 245 positions the mating beams 246, 266 in the cavity 204 for mating with the module circuit board 176. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact locator 230 is used to preload the mating beams 246, 266. For example, the contact locator 230 may include a preloading surface 287 within the contact channel 286 for preloading each of the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 with an internal spring biasing force for mating with the module circuit board 176. Preloading the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 biases the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 against the module circuit board 176 to ensure maintaining an electrical connection between the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 and the module circuit board 176. When the module circuit board 176 is loaded into the locator card slot 238, the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 are deflected outwardly by the module circuit board 176. The internal biasing forces preloaded in the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260 ensure that the module circuit board 176 provides sufficient contact force with less deflection of the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260. Thus, the ends of the mating beams 246, 266 can be shortened because the mating beams 246, 266 do not require long lead-in surfaces, thereby reducing electrical stub lengths.

Claims

1. A card edge connector (112) for mating with a pluggable module (106), comprising: a housing (200) comprising a top (210) and a bottom (212), the housing having a front (206) and a rear (208), the housing having a first side and a second side, the bottom configured to be mounted to a main circuit board (102), the housing comprising a cavity (204) and a housing card slot (216) at the front of the housing opening into the cavity, the housing card slot being configured to receive a card edge (178) of a module circuit board (176) of the pluggable module; and A contact assembly (202) is received in the cavity (204), the contact assembly having a contact locator (230), the contact locator (230) holding upper contacts (240) arranged in multiple rows in an upper contact array (242, 243) and lower contacts (260) arranged in multiple rows in a lower contact array (262, 263), the contact locator having an upper wall (300) and a lower wall, a locator card slot (238) being defined between the upper wall and the lower wall, the contact locator being positioned in the cavity, the locator card slot being aligned with the housing card slot for receiving a card edge of the module circuit board; wherein the upper contact includes an upper middle portion (249) extending between an upper mating beam (246) and an upper contact tail (248), the upper mating beam extending into the locator card slot to mate with the upper mating contact of the module circuit board, the upper contact tail extending from the contact locator for mounting to the main circuit board, the upper contact array including an upper front contact retainer (244) for holding a first row of upper contacts and an upper rear contact retainer (245) separate and distinct from the upper front contact retainer for holding a second row of upper contacts, the upper front contact retainer being located between the upper mating beam and the upper middle portion of the upper contact, and the upper rear contact retainer being located between the upper middle portion and the upper contact tail of the upper contact; and Wherein, the lower contact includes a lower middle portion (269) extending between a lower mating beam (266) and a lower contact tail (268), the lower mating beam extends into the locator card slot to mate with the lower mating contact of the module circuit board, the lower contact tail extends from the contact locator for installation on the main circuit board, the lower contact array includes a lower front contact retainer (244) for holding a first row of lower contacts and a lower rear contact retainer (245) separated and independent from the lower front contact retainer for holding a second row of lower contacts, the lower front contact retainer is located between the lower mating beam and the lower middle portion of the lower contact, and the lower rear contact retainer is located between the lower middle portion and the lower contact tail of the lower contact.

2. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein The upper middle portion (249) is flexible to allow relative movement of the upper front contact holder (244) and the upper rear contact holder (245), and the lower middle portion (269) is flexible to allow relative movement of the lower front contact holder (244) and the lower rear contact holder (245).

3. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein The upper middle portion (249) is exposed to air between the upper front contact holder (244) and the upper rear contact holder (245), and the lower middle portion (269) is exposed to air between the lower front contact holder (244) and the lower rear contact holder (245).

4. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein The upper front contact retainer (244) is capable of moving relative to the contact locator (230), and the lower front contact retainer (244) is capable of moving relative to the contact locator, the upper front contact retainer engages the shell (200) in the cavity (204) to position the upper front contact retainer relative to the contact locator and the shell, so as to position the upper mating beam (246) relative to the locator card slot (238) and the shell card slot (216) for mating with the module circuit board (176), and the lower front contact retainer engages with the shell in the cavity (204) to position the lower front contact retainer relative to the contact locator and the shell, so as to position the lower mating beam (266) relative to the locator card slot and the shell card slot for mating with the module circuit board.

5. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein The contact locator (230) includes a front slot (348) that accommodates the upper front contact retainer (244) and the lower front contact retainer (244) to position the upper mating beam (246) and the lower mating beam (266) relative to the locator card slot (238), and the contact locator includes a rear slot (348) that accommodates the upper rear contact retainer (245) and the lower rear contact retainer (245) to position the upper contact tail (248) and the lower contact tail (268) relative to the housing (200) to terminate at the main circuit board (102).

6. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein The upper front contact retainer (244) includes a molded body surrounding each upper contact (240), the upper rear contact retainer (245) includes a molded body surrounding each upper contact, the lower front contact retainer (244) includes a molded body surrounding each lower contact (260), and the lower rear contact retainer (245) includes a molded body surrounding each lower contact.

7. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein The upper wall includes a preload beam engaged with an upper mating beam (246) of the upper contact (240) to preload the upper contact in an inwardly biased direction, and the lower wall has a preload beam engaged with a lower mating beam (266) of the lower contact (260) to preload the lower contact in an inwardly biased direction.

8. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein: The upper wall and the lower wall are fixed relative to each other on opposite sides of the locator card slot (238), and the upper engagement beam (246) and the lower engagement beam (266) are spaced apart from each other when mated with the module circuit board (176).

9. The card edge connector (112) according to claim 1, wherein: The upper wall includes an impedance-controlled air gap between the upper engagement beam (246), the upper middle portion (249), the lower engagement beam (266), and the lower middle portion (269).

10. The card edge connector (112) of claim 1, wherein: The upper engagement beam (246) and the lower engagement beam (266) extend forward from the contact locator (230) into a housing contact channel of the housing (200).

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