Contact array of an electrical connector
By using compliant pins with grounding contacts and deflectable signal contacts in the socket connector assembly, the problem of difficult soldering of conventional communication connectors is solved, and a stable and reliable circuit board connection is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TAI LIAN SERVICES CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-01-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The solder joints of conventional communication connectors are usually non-planar, making them difficult to solder to circuit boards and potentially causing connector failure.
A socket connector assembly is designed, including a socket cage and a communication connector. The contact array has ground contacts and signal contacts. The ground contacts are press-fitted into plated through-holes in a circuit board via conformal pins. The signal contacts are deflected against the circuit board and soldered via deflectable spring beams.
It enables reliable and cost-effective communication system assembly, ensures stable connection between contacts and circuit boards, and avoids connector failures caused by soldering difficulties.
Smart Images
Figure CN113161800B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The main topic of this article is the contact array of electrical connectors. Background Technology
[0002] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable modules, such as I / O modules, which are electrically connected to the communication connector. Many conventional communication connectors are surface mount connectors with solder tails that are soldered to a circuit board. These solder tails are typically bent at 90° to provide a solderable surface. However, conventional communication connectors are not without drawbacks. For example, the solder tails are often non-planar. Misalignment of the bottom surface of the solder tail makes it difficult to solder it to the circuit board. Some solder tails may not be soldered, leading to connector failure.
[0003] There is still a need for a communication system that can be assembled in a cost-effective and reliable manner. Summary of the Invention
[0004] According to the present invention, a receptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage configured for mounting to a circuit board, the receptacle cage having walls defining a cavity including at least one module channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The receptacle connector assembly includes a communication connector received in the cavity, configured for mounting to the circuit board. The communication connector has a housing holding an array of contacts. The housing includes a mounting end facing the circuit board and a mating end configured to mate with a pluggable module received in the module channel. The contact array includes a ground contact extending between the mating end and the mounting end of the housing, having a ground mating end configured to mate with the pluggable module and a ground mounting end configured to terminate to the circuit board. The contact array also includes a signal contact extending between the mating end and the mounting end of the housing, having a signal mating end configured to mate with the pluggable module and a signal mounting end configured to terminate to the circuit board. The ground mounting end includes compliant pins configured to press-fit into plated through-holes in the circuit board. The signal mounting end includes a deflectable spring beam that deflects against the circuit board when the communication connector is mounted to the circuit board. Attached Figure Description
[0005] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system formed according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0006] Figure 2 This is an exploded diagram of a communication system formed according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0007] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a portion of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a portion of a circuit board.
[0008] Figure 4This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the communication connector.
[0009] Figure 5 This is a bottom perspective view of a socket connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a communication connector.
[0010] Figure 6 This is a bottom perspective view of a part of the receptacle connector assembly, showing the communication connector inside the receptacle cage.
[0011] Figure 7 This is a side view of a portion of the socket connector assembly, showing a communication connector ready to be mounted to a circuit board.
[0012] Figure 8 This is a side view of a portion of the socket connector assembly, showing the communication connector mounted to the circuit board.
[0013] Figure 9 This is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a socket connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a communication connector.
[0014] Figure 10 A diagram showing the method for receiving Figure 9 The mounting area of the circuit board for the communication connector shown according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] Figure 11 This is a side view of a portion of the socket connector assembly, showing the communication connector mounted to the circuit board. Detailed Implementation
[0016] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 formed according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a communication system 100 formed according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a circuit board 102 and a receptacle connector assembly 104 mounted to the circuit board 102. The receptacle connector assembly 104 is configured to receive one or more pluggable modules (not shown), such as I / O transceiver modules. The pluggable modules are electrically connected to the circuit board 102 via the receptacle connector assembly 104.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110 and a communication connector 112 adjacent to the receptacle cage 110 (also as...). Figure 4(As shown). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the communication connector 112 is received in the receptacle cage 110. In various other embodiments, the communication connector 112 may be located at the rear of the receptacle cage 110. In various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 is enclosed and provides electrical shielding for the communication connector 112. When a pluggable module is loaded into the receptacle cage 110, the pluggable module is at least partially surrounded by the receptacle cage 110.
[0018] The socket cage 110 includes a plurality of walls 114 defining one or more module channels for receiving corresponding pluggable modules. The walls 114 may be walls defined by solid sheets, perforated walls allowing airflow through them, walls with cutouts (e.g., for allowing heat sinks or radiators to pass through them), or walls defined by rails or beams with relatively large openings (e.g., for allowing airflow through them). In an exemplary embodiment, the socket cage 110 is a shielded, stamped cage member, wherein the walls 114 are shielding walls. In other embodiments, the socket cage 110 may open between frame members (e.g., rails or beams) to provide cooling airflow for the pluggable modules, wherein the frame members of the socket cage 110 define guide rails for guiding the pluggable modules into the socket cage 110 for loading.
[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 constitutes a stacked cage member having an upper module channel 116 and a lower module channel 118. The receptacle cage 110 has module ports leading to the module channels 116, 118 for receiving pluggable modules. A receptacle connector assembly 104 is configured to mate with a pluggable module in one of the two stacked module channels 116, 118. Optionally, multiple communication connectors 104 may be arranged within the receptacle cage 110, for example, when multiple rows of module channels 116, 118 are provided. Any number of module channels can be provided in various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 includes an upper module channel 116 and a lower module channel 118 arranged in a single row; however, in alternative embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may include multiple rows of grouped module channels 116, 118 (e.g., 2x2, 3x2, 4x2, 4x3, etc.). In alternative embodiments, not as a stacked cage member, the receptacle cage 110 may include a single module channel or a single row of module channels.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the wall 114 of the socket cage 110 includes a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, a side wall 134, and a rear wall 136. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the circuit board 102. However, in an alternative embodiment, the socket cage 110 may not have a bottom wall 132. The socket cage 110 extends to a front end 138. A module port is located at the front end 138. 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 wall 134, and the rear wall 136. Other walls 114 may separate or divide the cavity 140 into individual module channels 116, 118. For example, the wall 114 includes a spacer 142 between the upper module channel 116 and the lower module channel 118. The spacer 142 forms a space between the upper module channel 116 and the lower module channel 118, for example, for airflow, for wiring light tubes, or for other purposes. In various other embodiments, wall 114 may include vertical partition panels between groups of module channels 116 and / or 118.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include one or more washers 144 at its front end 138 for providing electrical shielding for the module channels 116, 118. For example, the washers 144 may be configured to electrically connect to pluggable modules received in the corresponding module channels 116, 118. The washers 144 are configured to engage a panel (not shown) to electrically connect the receptacle cage 110 to a panel.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the pluggable module. For example, the heat sink may be coupled to the top wall 130 for engaging the pluggable module in the upper module channel 116. The heat sink may extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to directly engage the pluggable module. Other types of heat sinks may be provided in alternative embodiments.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication connector 112 is received in the cavity 140, for example, near the rear wall 136. However, in an alternative embodiment, the communication connector 112 may be located behind the rear wall 136 outside the socket cage 110 and extend through an opening in the rear wall 136 into the cavity 140 to mate with (a plurality of) pluggable modules. In an exemplary embodiment, a single communication connector 112 is used for electrical connection with a pair of stacked pluggable modules in the upper module channel 116 and the lower module channel 118. In an alternative embodiment, the communication system 100 may include discrete, stacked communication connectors 112 (e.g., an upper communication connector and a lower communication connector) for mating with corresponding pluggable modules.
[0024] Communication connector 112 is coupled to circuit board 102. For example, in various embodiments, communication connector 112 may be surface-mounted to circuit board 102. In various embodiments, communication connector 112 may be press-fitted to circuit board 102. In various embodiments, communication connector 112 may be through-hole soldered to circuit board 102. In an exemplary embodiment, communication connector 112 has a compressible electrical interconnect mating interface for mating with circuit board 102. For example, at least some contacts of communication connector 112 may have compressible, deflectable spring beams. Receptacle cage 110 is mounted to circuit board 102 above communication connector 112. In various embodiments, receptacle cage 110 includes mounting pins 146 for mounting receptacle cage 110 to circuit board 102. For example, mounting pins 146 may be press-fit pins. In other various embodiments, mounting pins 146 may be solder pins. Mounting pins 146 may be used to hold communication connector 112 and its contacts in a compressed state.
[0025] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a portion of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a portion of a circuit board 102. The circuit board 102 includes a mounting region 150. A receptacle connector assembly 104 is mounted to the mounting region 150 of the circuit board 102. The circuit board 102 includes an alignment opening 152 that receives alignment posts of a communication connector 112 to position the communication connector 112 relative to the circuit board 102. The circuit board 102 includes a through-hole 154 that receives mounting pins 146 of a receptacle cage 110 to align and secure the receptacle cage 110 to the circuit board 102.
[0026] Circuit board 102 includes a signal conductor 158 configured to be electrically connected to a signal contact of communication connector 112. In various embodiments, the signal conductor 158 is a contact pad. In various embodiments, the contact pad may be a solder pad to the signal contact of communication connector 112, the signal contact being configured to be soldered to the contact pad. In other various embodiments, the contact pad may be a contact wiping pad to the signal contact of communication connector 112, the signal contact being configured to wipe against the contact pad to define a separable mating interface. In other various embodiments, the signal conductor 156 may be a plated through-hole.
[0027] Circuit board 102 includes a ground conductor 156 configured to be electrically connected to a ground contact of communication connector 112. In various embodiments, the ground conductor 156 is a plated through-hole configured to receive a compliant pin, such as a press-fit pin. In other various embodiments, the ground conductor 156 may be a contact pad. For example, the contact pad may be a solder pad to the ground contact of communication connector 112, the ground contact being configured to be soldered to the contact pad. The contact pad may be a contact wipe pad to the ground contact of communication connector 112, the ground contact being configured to wipe against the contact pad to define a separable mating interface. Communication connector 112 may include retaining features (e.g., fasteners) to position communication connector 112 relative to circuit board 102 for soldering the ground conductor 156 to the contact pad or compressing the ground conductor 156 to circuit board 102. In various embodiments, communication connector 112 may include different types of ground conductors 156, such as both press-fit pins and solder tails.
[0028] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. A communication connector 112 is located within a cavity 140 of a socket cage 110. The communication connector 112 is shown mounted to a circuit board 102. The communication connector 112 includes a housing 160 that holds a contact array 162. The contact array 162 includes a plurality of upper contacts 166 and a plurality of lower contacts 168. The upper contacts 166 may be arranged in multiple rows within the housing 160, and the lower contacts 168 may be arranged in multiple rows within the housing 160. The upper contacts 166 may include signal contacts and ground contacts. The lower contacts 168 may include signal contacts and ground contacts.
[0029] The housing 160 may be made of a dielectric material, such as plastic. The housing 160 extends between a front portion 170 and a rear portion 172. The housing 160 has a top 174 and a bottom 176. In an exemplary embodiment, the front portion 170 defines a mating end 180 of the communication connector 112, and the bottom 176 defines a mounting end 182 of the communication connector 112. The mating end 180 is configured to mate with a pluggable module(s). The mounting end 182 is configured to mount to a circuit board 102. The contacts of the contact array 162 extend between the mating end 180 and the mounting end 182.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, housing 160 includes: an upper extension 184 having an upper mating groove 185 configured to receive a portion of a pluggable module; and a lower extension 186 having a lower mating groove 187 configured to receive a portion of a pluggable module. An upper contact 166 is disposed in the upper mating groove 185 and a lower contact 168 is disposed in the lower mating groove 187 to mate with the pluggable module. Extensions 184 and 186 extend forward of front wall 188 at the front portion 170 of housing 160. Mating grooves 185 and 187 define slots configured to receive circuit cards of the pluggable module. In alternative embodiments, other types of mating interfaces may be provided.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, upper contact 166 and lower contact 168 transition between mating end 180 and mounting end 182 to electrically connect a pluggable module to circuit board 102. Upper contact 166 transitions from upper mating groove 185 to bottom 176 to terminate to circuit board 102. Lower contact 168 transitions from lower mating groove 187 to bottom 176 to terminate to circuit board 102. In various embodiments, contacts 166, 168 may be surface-mounted to circuit board 102 at a compressible mating interface. For example, contacts 166, 168 may include spring beams that deflect against the upper surface of circuit board 102 when mounted to circuit board 102. In various embodiments, at least some of contacts 166, 168 may be soldered to circuit board 102. In various embodiments, at least some of contacts 166, 168 may be press-fitted into through-holes in circuit board 102.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact array 162 includes a plurality of signal contacts and a plurality of ground contacts. For example, the upper contact 166 includes both a signal contact 200 and a ground contact 202. The lower contact 166 includes both a signal contact 200 and a ground contact 202. The signal contact 200 transitions between a mating end 180 and a mounting end 182 to electrically connect a pluggable module to the circuit board 102. Each signal contact 200 includes a mating end 210 and a mounting end 212. The mating end 210 is disposed at a corresponding mating slot 185, 187. The mounting end 212 extends to a bottom 176 to terminate to the circuit board 102. The ground contact 202 transitions between the mating end 180 and the mounting end 182 to electrically connect a pluggable module to the circuit board 102. Each ground contact 202 includes a mating end 220 and a mounting end 222. The mating end 220 is disposed at a corresponding mating slot 185, 187. Mounting end 222 extends to bottom 176 to terminate to circuit board 102.
[0033] Figure 5 This is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle connector assembly 104, showing the communication connector 112 within the receptacle cage 110. Figure 6This is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the receptacle connector assembly 104, showing the communication connector 112 within the receptacle cage 110. The mounting end 182 of the communication connector 112 is... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the figure. The housing 160 includes an alignment post 178 extending from the bottom 176. The alignment post 178 is configured to receive in a corresponding alignment opening 152 (e.g., Figure 3 As shown, the communication connector 112 is aligned with the mounting area of the circuit board 102.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding mounting end 222 of the grounding contact 202 includes a conforming pin 224 configured to press-fit into a plated through-hole 156 of the circuit board 102 (e.g., ...). Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. The compliant pin 224 can be an eyelet pin. In an exemplary embodiment, the compliant pin 224 provides a retaining force to secure the communication connector 112 to the circuit board 102. For example, the compliant pin 224 can provide a retaining force against the circuit board 102 to compress the signal mounting terminal 212 and the deflection signal mounting terminal 212.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal mounting end 212 of the signal contact 200 includes a deflectable spring beam 230. When the communication connector 112 is mounted to the circuit board 120, the spring beam 230 is configured to deflect against the circuit board 120. The spring beam 230 includes an arm 232 and a tail 234 extending from the arm 232. The arm 232 extends at an angle relative to the bottom 176, for example, an angle of approximately 25°. When the communication connector 112 is mounted to the circuit board 102, the arm 232 is deflectable to a deflected state. When the arm 232 deflects, the angle of the arm 232 decreases. When deflected to press the tail 234 outward against the circuit board 102, the arm 232 is configured to elastically deform. When the communication connector 112 is mounted to the circuit board 102, the arm 232 and the tail 234 can be compressed toward the bottom 176 of the housing 160. In an exemplary embodiment, a first subset of the signal mounting end 212 extends forward, and a second subset of the signal mounting end 212 extends rearward. For example, some of the arms 232 may extend forward, and some of the arms 232 may extend backward. The spring beam 230 thus rubs against the circuit board 102 in opposite directions to eliminate lateral forces during engagement with the circuit board 102.
[0036] Tail end 234 has a contact interface 236 configured to resiliently connect to signal conductor 158 of circuit board 102 when arm 232 is in a deflected state (e.g., Figure 3(The circuit pad shown). Arm 232 generates internal elasticity to press the contact interface 236 outward to engage it with the circuit pad 158 of the circuit board 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact interface 236 is curved to define a separable contact interface configured to wipe along the circuit pad as arm 232 deflects to a deflected state. In various embodiments, the tail 234 of the solder tail is configured to be soldered to the circuit pad 158 of the circuit board 102. For example, the spring beam 230 may be compressed against the circuit board 102 and then soldered in place.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, signal contacts 200 are arranged in pairs. Signal mounting ends 212 are arranged in pairs such that ground mounting ends 222 are located between the pairs of signal mounting ends 212. Signal mounting ends 212 may be arranged in rows. For example, signal mounting ends 212 associated with an upper contact may be arranged in one or more rows, and signal mounting ends 212 associated with a lower contact may be arranged in one or more rows. Ground mounting ends 222 may be arranged in a row with signal mounting ends 212.
[0038] Figure 7 A side view of a portion of the receptacle connector assembly 104 is shown, illustrating the communication connector 112 ready to be mounted to the circuit board 102. Figure 8 This is a side view of a portion of the receptacle connector assembly 104, showing the communication connector 112 mounted to the circuit board 102. During assembly, the communication connector 112 and the receptacle cage 110 are mounted to the upper surface of the circuit board 102.
[0039] The communication connector 112 has a compressible electrical interconnect mating interface for cooperating with the circuit board 102. For example, the signal mounting end 212 of the signal contact 200 includes a deflectable spring beam 230 that is compressible when mated with the circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring beam 230 extends in different directions (e.g., some facing forward, some facing backward). The spring beam 230 is deflectable toward the bottom 176 of the housing 160 of the communication connector 112. Figure 7 The spring beam 230 in its undeflected state is shown.
[0040] Figure 8 The spring beam 230 in a deflected state is shown. The angle of the arm 232 of the spring beam 230 is smaller in the deflected state.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, mounting pins 146 of the receptacle cage 110 can be used to press the communication connector 112 downward onto the circuit board 102. Mounting pins 146 can also be used to hold the spring beam 230 of the signal contact 200 in a compressed, deflected state. In an exemplary embodiment, compliant pins 224 of the ground contact 202 can be used to press the communication connector 112 downward onto the circuit board 102. Compliant pins 224 provide a retaining force to hold the spring beam 230 to the circuit board 102 and to maintain the contact pad 158 (e.g., ...) of the spring beam 230 with the contact pad 158 of the circuit board 102. Figure 3 Electrical connections between (shown). For example, compliant pin 224 can provide a retaining force to compress the spring beam 230 and deflect the arm 232 to hold the tail 234 against the circuit board 102. In an exemplary embodiment, housing 160 includes a bracket 179 at its bottom 176 to position housing 160 relative to the circuit board 102. The bracket 179 limits the compression of the spring beam 230.
[0042] Figure 9 This is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a receptacle connector assembly 104 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a communication connector 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the contacts have an alternative mating interface that includes all compressible, deflectable mounting ends, instead of... Figure 6 Some compliant pins in the illustrated embodiments.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the ground mounting end 222 of the ground contact 202 includes a deflectable spring beam 226. When the communication connector 112 is mounted to the circuit board 120, the spring beam 226 is configured to deflect against the circuit board 120. Each spring beam 226 includes an arm 227 and a tail 228 extending from the arm 227. The arm 227 extends at an angle relative to the bottom 176, for example, an angle of about 25°. When the communication connector 112 is mounted to the circuit board 102, the arm 227 is deflectable to a deflected state. When the arm 227 deflects, the angle of the arm 227 decreases. When deflected to press the tail 228 outward against the circuit board 102, the arm 227 is configured to elastically deform. When the communication connector 112 is mounted to the circuit board 102, the arm 227 and the tail 228 can be compressed toward the bottom 176 of the housing 160. In an exemplary embodiment, a first subset of the grounding mounting ends 222 extends forward, and a second subset of the grounding mounting ends 222 extends backward. For example, some of the arms 227 may extend forward, and some of the arms 227 may extend backward.
[0044] The signal mounting end 212 of the signal contact 200 includes a deflectable spring beam 230 having an arm 232 and a tail 234. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal mounting ends 212 are arranged in pairs, with a ground mounting end 222 located between the pairs of signal mounting ends 212. The mounting ends 212, 222 can be arranged in multiple rows. The tails 228, 234 have contact interfaces 229, 236, respectively, configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the tails 228, 234 are solder tails configured to be soldered to the circuit board 102. For example, the solder tails 228, 234 are soldered to the circuit board 102 at the contact interfaces 229, 236.
[0045] Figure 10 A diagram showing the method for receiving Figure 9 The illustrated communication connector 112 shows a mounting area of a circuit board 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. The circuit board 102 includes a signal conductor 158 and a ground conductor 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the signal conductor 158 and the ground conductor 156 are contact pads. In various embodiments, the contact pads 158 and 156 may be the signal contacts 200 and the ground contacts 202 of the communication connector 112 (both are located on...). Figure 9 The signal contact 200 and ground contact 202 are configured to be soldered to contact pads 158 and 156, respectively, as shown in the diagram. In various other embodiments, contact pads 158 and 156 may be contact wiping pads for the signal contact 200 and ground contact 202 of the communication connector 112, which are configured to wipe against the contact pads to define a separable mating interface.
[0046] Figure 11 This is a side view of a portion of the receptacle connector assembly 104, showing a communication connector 112 mounted to a circuit board 102. During assembly, the communication connector 112 and the receptacle cage 110 are mounted to the upper surface of the circuit board 102. The communication connector 112 has a compressible electrical interconnect mating interface for cooperating with the circuit board 102. For example, the signal mounting end 212 of the signal contact 200 includes a deflectable spring beam 230 that is compressible when mating with the circuit board 102, and the ground mounting end 222 of the ground contact 202 includes a deflectable spring beam 226 that is compressible with the circuit board 102. In an exemplary embodiment, solder tails 228, 234 are configured to be soldered to the circuit board 102.
Claims
1. A socket connector assembly (104), comprising: A socket cage (110) configured for mounting to a circuit board (120), the socket cage having a wall (114) defining a cavity (140) including at least one module channel (116) configured to receive a pluggable module (106); and A communication connector (112) configured for mounting to the circuit board is received in the cavity. The communication connector has a housing (160) holding a contact array (162). The housing includes a mounting end (182) facing the circuit board and a mating end (180) configured to mate with the pluggable module received in the module channel. The contact array includes a ground contact (202) extending between the mating end and the mounting end of the housing. The ground contact has a ground mating end (220) configured to mate with the pluggable module and a ground mounting end (222) configured to terminate to the circuit board. The contact array includes a signal contact (200) extending between the mating end and the mounting end of the housing. The signal contact has a signal mating end (210) configured to mate with the pluggable module. A signal mounting terminal (212) is configured to terminate to the circuit board, wherein the ground mounting terminal includes a compliant pin (224) configured to press-fit into a plated through-hole (154) of the circuit board, and wherein the signal mounting terminal includes a deflectable spring beam (230) that deflects against the circuit board when the communication connector is mounted to the circuit board, wherein each spring beam (230) includes an arm (232) and a tail (234) extending from the arm, wherein the arm is deflectable to a deflected state when the communication connector (112) is mounted to the circuit board (120), and the tail has a contact interface (236) configured to be electrically connected to a circuit pad of the circuit board via the arm in the deflected state, wherein the contact interface (236) is bent to define a separable contact interface, and the contact interface is configured to wipe along the circuit pad as the arm (232) deflects to the deflected state.
2. The socket connector assembly (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal mounting end (212) forms a mating interface between the communication connector (112) and the connection disk grid array of the circuit board (120).
3. The socket connector assembly (104) of claim 1, wherein the compliant pin (224) provides a retaining force to retain the spring beam (230) against the circuit board (120) as it deflects.
4. The socket connector assembly (104) of claim 1, wherein a first subset of the signal mounting ends (212) extends forward and a second subset of the signal mounting ends extends backward.
5. The socket connector assembly (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal contacts (200) are arranged in pairs, and the ground mounting end (222) is located between the pairs of signal mounting ends (212).
6. The socket connector assembly (104) of claim 1, wherein the socket cage (110) includes mounting pins (146) configured to press-fit into the circuit board (120), the mounting pins providing a retaining force to retain the spring beam (230) against the circuit board for deflection.