Electrical connectors with grounding bus

Abstract

The contact assembly (202) includes an array of contacts, including signal contacts (300) and ground contacts (400). The signal contacts include a signal intermediate portion (249) extending between a signal mating beam (246s) and a signal contact tail (248s). The ground contacts include a ground intermediate portion (249g) extending between a grounding mating beam (246g) and a ground contact tail (248g). The contact assembly includes front (244) and rear (245) contact holders. The contact assembly includes a ground bus bridge (404) extending between each ground contact to make each ground contact common potential. The ground bus bridge is integral with the ground contacts and extends across and close to the signal intermediate portion for resonant control of signals transmitted along the signal contacts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The main topic of this article concerns electrical connectors for communication systems. Background Technology

[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, which are electrically connected to the card edge connectors. Pluggable modules have module circuit cards, which have card edges that mate with the card edge connectors during mating operation. Each card edge connector typically has upward and downward contacts for mating with a corresponding circuit board. Communication systems require electrical connectors and circuit boards with higher contact density and / or data throughput. However, with increased contact density and data throughput, electrical performance is negatively impacted. For example, signal lines suffer from crosstalk.

[0003] Known electrical connectors include a grounding shield to provide electrical shielding for signal lines. For example, a grounding shield can be attached to a grounding contact to provide electrical shielding. Such grounding shields are typically soldered or welded to the grounding contact. Grounding shields are stamped parts, which increases the manufacturing and assembly costs of the electrical connector. Furthermore, the solder joints between the grounding shield and the grounding contact may be inconsistent and may lead to failure due to mechanical or thermal stress.

[0004] A reliable electrical connector is still needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, a contact assembly for an electrical connector is provided. The contact assembly includes a contact array having contacts, including signal contacts and ground contacts. The signal contacts include a signal mating beam configured to mate with mating contacts and a signal contact tail portion configured to be mounted to a main circuit board, extending between the signal mating beam and the signal contact tail portion. The ground contacts include a grounding intermediate portion extending between a grounding mating beam configured to mate with mating contacts and a ground contact tail portion configured to be mounted to a main circuit board. The contact assembly includes a front contact retainer that retains the signal mating beam and the grounding mating beam, and a rear contact retainer separate and independent from the front contact retainer that retains the signal contact tail portion and the ground contact tail portion. The contact assembly includes a ground bus bridge extending between each ground contact to make each ground contact common potential. The ground bus bridge is integral with the ground contacts. The ground bus bridge extends across and proximity to the signal intermediate portion for resonant control of signals transmitted along the signal contacts. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a communication system formed according to an exemplary embodiment.

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

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

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

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

[0011] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a portion of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact assembly.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a rear perspective view of the first upper contact array according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a front perspective view of the first upper contact array according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a bottom perspective view of the first upper contact array according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a signal grounding frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the grounding lead frame 402 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Figure 12 This is an exploded side view of a portion of a contact assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a first upper contact array and a second upper contact array.

[0018] Figure 13 This is a front perspective view of a card edge connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact assembly mounted in the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1This 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 an electrical connector 112 coupled to the main circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the electrical connector 112 may be part of a receptacle connector assembly 104 mounted to the main circuit board 102. The electrical connector 112 is configured to be electrically connected to a mating electrical connector 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating electrical connector 106 is a pluggable module and may be referred to hereinafter as pluggable module 106. Pluggable module 106 in Figure 2 The pluggable module 106 is electrically connected to the main circuit board 102 via a receptacle connector assembly 104.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110 and a retaining edge connector 112 (shown in dashed lines) adjacent to the receptacle cage 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the retaining edge connector 112 is received within the receptacle cage 110. In various other embodiments, the retaining edge connector 112 may be located rearward of the receptacle cage 110. In various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 is closed and provides electrical shielding for the retaining edge connector 112. A pluggable module 106 is loaded into and at least partially surrounded by the receptacle cage 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a shielded, stamped cage member including a plurality of shielding walls 114 defining one or more module channels for receiving a corresponding pluggable module 106. In other embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may open between frame members to provide cooling airflow for the pluggable module 106, wherein the frame members of the receptacle cage 110 define guide rails for guiding the pluggable module 106 into the receptacle cage 110. In various other embodiments, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may include a receptacle cage 110, but may only include a retaining edge connector 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining edge connector 112 is oriented for a horizontal fit (e.g., parallel to the main circuit board 102). In various other embodiments, the retaining edge connector 112 is oriented for a vertical fit (e.g., perpendicular to the main circuit board 102).

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a single-port receptacle cage configured to receive a single pluggable module 106. In various other embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be a group of cage members having multiple ports grouped together in a single row and / or stacked cage members having multiple ports stacked as upper and lower ports. The receptacle cage 110 includes a module channel 116 having a module port 118 leading to the module channel 116. The module channel 116 receives the pluggable module 106 through the module port 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 extends between a front end 120 and a rear end 122. The module port 118 is located at the front end 120. Any number of module channels 116 (e.g., 2x2, 3x2, 4x2, 4x3, 4x1, 2x1, etc.) may be provided in various embodiments arranged in a single or multiple rows. Alternatively, multiple card edge connectors 112 may be arranged within the socket cage 110, for example when multiple rows and / or columns of module channels 116 are provided.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the wall 114 of the receptacle cage 110 includes a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, a first side wall 134 extending from the top wall 130, and a second side wall 136. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the main circuit board 102. In various other embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be provided without the bottom wall 132. Optionally, the wall 114 of the receptacle cage 110 may include a rear wall 138 at a 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 a 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, for example, in embodiments using grouped and / or stacked receptacle cages. For example, wall 114 may include one or more vertical partition walls between the group of module channels 116. In various embodiments, wall 114 may include a partition panel between stacked upper and lower module channels 116. The partition 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 airflow, for heat sinks, for routing light tubes, or for other purposes.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include one or more washers 142 at its front end 120 for providing electrical shielding for the module channel 116. For example, the washers 142 may be disposed at a port 118 for electrical connection to a pluggable module 106 received in the module channel 116. Alternatively, the pluggable module 106 may include a washer engaging the receptacle cage 110, rather than a receptacle cage 110 having washers engaging the pluggable module 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the washers 142 may be disposed around the exterior of the receptacle cage 110 for mating with a panel 144, for example, when the front end 120 of the receptacle cage 110 extends through a cutout in the panel 144. The washers 142 may include fingers or other deflectable features configured to spring-bias against the panel to form an electrical connection with the panel.

[0024] Optionally, the receptacle 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 for engaging the pluggable module 106 received 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. Other types of heat sinks may be provided in alternative embodiments.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the edge connector 112 is received in the cavity 140, for example, near the rear wall 138. However, in an alternative embodiment, the edge connector 112 may be located behind the rear wall 138 outside the receptacle cage 110 and extend into the cavity 140 to mate with the pluggable module(s) 106. In an exemplary embodiment, a single edge connector 112 is provided. In an alternative embodiment, the communication system 100 may include multiple edge connectors 112 (e.g., for stacked and / or grouped receptacle cages) for mating with corresponding pluggable modules 106.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 106 is loaded via port 118 at front end 120 to mate with the card edge connector 112. The shielding wall 114 of the socket cage 110 provides electrical shielding around the card edge connector 112 and the pluggable module 106, for example, around the mating interface between the card edge connector 112 and the pluggable module 106.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a rear perspective view of a pluggable module 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 106 has a pluggable body 170, which may be defined by one or more housings. The pluggable body 170 may be thermally conductive and / or electrically conductive to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. The pluggable body 170 includes a mating end 172 and an opposing front end 174. The mating end 172 is configured to insert into a corresponding module channel 116 (e.g., Figure 1(As shown in the diagram). The front end 174 may be a cable end having a cable extending from it to another component within the system.

[0028] The pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 176 configured to be communicatively connected to the card edge connector 112 (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram). Module circuit board 176 is receptable at mating end 172. Module circuit board 176 has a retaining edge 178 extending between a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface at the mating end of module circuit board 176. Module circuit board 176 includes mating contacts 179, such as pads or circuitry, at retaining edge 178, configured to mate with retaining edge connector 112. In an exemplary embodiment, mating contacts 179 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces. Module circuit board 176 may include components, circuitry, etc., for operating and / or using pluggable module 106. For example, module circuit board 176 may have conductors, traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers, switches, inputs, outputs, etc., associated with module circuit board 176, which can be mounted to module circuit board 176 to form various circuits.

[0029] The pluggable module 106 includes an outer periphery defining the exterior of a pluggable body 170. For example, the outer periphery may 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 may have other shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 170 provides heat transfer to a module circuit board 176, such as electronic components on the module circuit board 176. For example, the module circuit board 176 is in thermal communication with the pluggable body 170, which transfers heat from the module circuit board 176. Optionally, the pluggable body 170 may include a plurality of heat-transfer fins 188 along at least a portion of the outer periphery (e.g., the top 180) of the pluggable module 106 for heat dissipation from the pluggable body 170.

[0030] In various other embodiments, the pluggable module 106 may be a circuit card instead of an I / O module. For example, the pluggable module 106 may include a module circuit board 176 without a pluggable body 170 surrounding the module circuit board 176.

[0031] Figure 3This is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The receptacle connector assembly 104 is shown as a snap-edge connector 112 (without a receptacle cage) mounted to a main circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the snap-edge connector 112 can be mounted horizontally or vertically. In various embodiments, the snap-edge connector 112 can be mounted to the circuit board 102 to receive a pluggable module 106 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 102. In an alternative embodiment, the snap-edge connector 112 can be a right-angle snap-edge connector mounted to the circuit board 102 to receive a pluggable module 106 in a direction parallel to the circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 is a through connector having mating ends and mounting ends of the housing that are parallel to each other rather than perpendicular to each other, such that the contacts pass directly through the housing rather than at right angles.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 176 without an external pluggable body (such as...) that holds the module circuit board 176 in place. Figure 2 (As shown). The module circuit board 176 has a retaining edge 178 at its mating end between a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface. The module circuit board 176 includes mating contacts 179 at the retaining edge 178, for example at the upper and lower surfaces, configured to mate with contacts of the retaining edge connector 112.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a bottom perspective view of the card edge connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 5 This is a front perspective view of a card edge connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment. The card edge connector 112 includes a housing 200 and 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 portion 210 and a bottom portion 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 portion 212 defines a mounting end configured to be mounted to a main circuit board 102 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 As shown), and the front part 206 defines a configuration end, which is configured to connect to the pluggable module 106 (as shown). Figure 1 (As shown) Alignment. In alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible.

[0034] The housing 200 includes a top wall 220 at a top 210 and a bottom wall 222 at a bottom 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 200 includes a shield 214 at a front 206 configured to mate with a pluggable module 106. The shield 214 is configured to be received within the pluggable module 106. The housing 200 includes a housing slot 216 at the front 206. For example, the housing slot 216 may be located within the shield 214 and open at the front of the shield 214. The housing slot 216 receives a module circuit board 176 (e.g., Figure 2 Card edge 178 (as shown) Figure 2 (As shown).

[0035] The contacts of the contact assembly 202 are located in the housing slot 216 to mate with the module circuit board 176, for example, with contacts (e.g., contact pads) at the upper and lower surfaces of the module circuit board 176. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 202 is a double-sided, multi-row contact assembly. For example, the contact assembly 202 includes upper contacts 240 and lower contacts 260 arranged on opposite sides of the slot. The upper contacts 240 are arranged in one or more upper contact arrays, and the lower contacts 260 are arranged in one or more lower contact arrays. In various embodiments, the upper contacts 240 are arranged in multiple rows, and the lower contacts 260 are arranged in multiple rows. For example, refer to... Figure 4 The upper contacts 240 can be arranged as a first upper contact array 242 (e.g., a forward-facing upper contact array) and a second upper contact array 243 (e.g., a backward-facing upper contact array), and the lower contacts 260 can be arranged as a first lower contact array 262 (e.g., a forward-facing lower contact array) and a second lower contact array 263 (e.g., a backward-facing lower contact array). Thus, the card edge connector 112 has high density and significant data throughput.

[0036] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a portion of the card edge connector 112 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the contact assembly 202. Figure 6 The upper contact arrays 242 and 243, separated from the contact positioner 230 of the contact assembly 202, are shown. The lower contact arrays 262 and 263 are assembled with the contact positioner 230. The contact positioner 230 supports the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260.

[0037] The upper contact arrays 242 and 243 may be lead frames having stamped contacts forming the upper contacts 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, 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, parallel to and spaced apart from the first row. In an alternative embodiment, the contact assembly 202 may have a single upper contact array instead of a pair of upper contact arrays 242 and 243.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the lower contacts 260 are arranged as a first lower contact array 262 and a second lower contact array 263. The lower contact arrays 262 and 263 may be lead frames having stamped contacts forming the lower contacts 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, 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, parallel to and spaced apart from the first row. In an alternative embodiment, the contact array 202 may be provided with a single lower contact array instead of a pair of lower contact arrays 262 and 263.

[0039] Contact positioner 230 is used to position upper contact 240 and lower contact 260 relative to each other. Contact positioner 230 is used to hold the contact array for loading contact assembly 202 into housing 200. In an exemplary embodiment, contact positioner 230 is a right-angle contact positioner having a mating end at the front of contact positioner 230 and a mounting end at the bottom of contact positioner 230. In an exemplary embodiment, contacts 240, 260 are movable relative to contact positioner 230 for proper alignment and positioning to mate with pluggable module 106 and be mounted to main circuit board 102. In various embodiments, housing 200 is used to properly position contacts 240, 260.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact 240 is held by a contact holder. For example, contact arrays 242, 243 may each include a front contact holder 244 and / or a rear contact holder 245. The front contact holder 244 is located near the front end of the upper contact 240. The rear contact holder 245 is located near the rear end of the upper contact 240. The contact holders 244, 245 enclose portions of the contact 240. In various embodiments, the contact holders 244, 245 are dielectric bodies, such as overmolded bodies molded around portions of the contact 240, to maintain the relative position of the front and rear ends of the contact 240, for example, for loading the contact 240 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, a portion of contact 240 extends unenclosed between contact retainers 244 and 245. Contact 240 can move independently and freely between contact retainers 244 and 245. For example, portions of contacts 240 and 260 can be bent, compressed, displaced, or otherwise moved relative to each other to position the mating and mounting ends within contact positioner 230.

[0041] The contact positioner 230 includes a base 232, an arm 234 extending from the base 232, and a nose 236 between the arms 234. The contact positioner 230 has a positioner slot 238 in the nose 236. The positioner slot 238 receives a module circuit board 176 (e.g., Figure 2 The base 232 is located between the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260. The base 232 can hold the contact 240 and the lower contact 260. Contact retainers 244, 245 can be coupled to the base 232 and / or the arm 234. The nose 236 holds the upper contact 240 and the lower contact 260. 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 and be mounted to the main circuit board 102 (e.g., as shown). Figure 1 (As shown).

[0042] Each upper contact 240 includes a transition portion 247 extending between a mating beam 246 at a mating end and a contact tail 248 at a termination end. A 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, a portion 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 forward of the front contact retainer 244 to mate with the module circuit board 176. The mating beam 246 is configured to engage with the nose 236. The mating beam 246 may extend into the housing 214 to mate with the module circuit board 176.

[0043] A 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 transition portion 247. Optionally, a portion 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 to terminate 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.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, each upper contact 240 includes an intermediate portion 249 extending between a front contact holder 244 and a rear contact holder 245. The intermediate portion 249 is the unenclosed portion of the transition portion 247. The intermediate portion 249 may be bent along the respective portions to bend between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245.

[0045] Each upper contact 240 may be a signal contact 300, and other upper contacts 240 may be ground contacts 400, for example, distributed among signal contacts 300 or pairs of signal contacts 300. Signal contacts 300 are formed by a signal grounding frame 302, and ground contacts 400 are formed by a grounding lead frame 402. Each signal contact 300 includes a mating beam 246g, a transition portion 247g, and a contact tail 248g. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal transition portion 247g includes a signal intermediate portion 249g. Each ground contact 400 includes a mating beam 246g, a transition portion 247g, and a contact tail 248g. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground transition portion 247g includes an intermediate portion 249g and at least one ground bus bridge extending between each ground contact 400 to make each ground contact 400 common potential. The grounding busbar bridge is integral with the grounding contact 400, for example, by stamping, as part of the grounding lead frame 402. In the illustrated embodiment, the grounding lead frame 402 includes a grounding busbar bridge 404 near the front of the grounding lead frame 402 (e.g., near the front contact holder 244) and a rear grounding busbar bridge 406 near the rear of the grounding lead frame 402 (e.g., near the rear contact holder 245). For example, the front grounding busbar bridge 404 is located near the grounding mating beam 246g, and the rear grounding busbar bridge 406 is located near the grounding contact tail 248g.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a rear perspective view of the first upper contact array 242 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 This is a front perspective view of the first upper contact array 242 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9This is a bottom perspective view of the first upper contact array 242 according to an exemplary embodiment. The first upper contact array 242 is an example of the contact array of the contact assembly 202 (e.g., both are...). Figure 4 The second upper contact array 243 and / or the first lower contact array 262 and / or the second lower contact array 263 shown may include similar components, but are not described with the same level of detail.

[0047] The upper contact 240 is held by a front contact holder 244 and a rear contact holder 245. A mating beam 246 extends in front of the front contact holder 244. A transition portion 247 extends between the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245. A contact tail 248 extends from the rear contact holder 245, for example, from the rear of the rear contact holder 245.

[0048] In various embodiments, the front contact holder 244 includes a dielectric body 280 that is overmolded around the upper contact 240 to enclose the upper contact 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the front contact holder 244 includes positioning features 284 to position the front contact holder 244 on the contact positioner 230. Figure 6 In various embodiments, the rear contact holder 245 includes a dielectric body 290 that is overmolded around the upper contact 240 to enclose the upper contact 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear contact holder 245 includes positioning features 294 to position the rear contact holder 245 within the contact positioner 230. In various embodiments, the front contact holder 244 and / or the rear contact holder 245 may include an impedance control window 296 for controlling the impedance of a signal transmitted along the signal contact 300. The impedance control window 296 may expose the signal contact 300 to air.

[0049] Grounding busbars 404 and 406 extend between each upper grounding contact 400 to make each upper grounding contact 400 common potential. The upper grounding contacts 400 are electrically connected to the grounding busbars 404 and 406 without interfaces (e.g., no solder joints, solder joints, or conductive adhesive structures). Instead, the grounding busbars 404 and 406 are integral with the upper grounding contacts 400. For example, the grounding busbars 404 and 406 and the upper grounding contacts 400 are stamped from the same sheet of metal. In an exemplary embodiment, each grounding busbar 404 and 406 includes a plate 420 extending between a first side 422 and a second side 424. The plate 420 includes edges 426 and 428 between the first side 422 and the second side 424. A grounding mating beam 246g extends from the edge of the grounding busbar 404. A grounding contact tail 248g extends from the edge of the grounding busbar 406. The grounding intermediate portion 249g extends between the edge 428 of the grounding bus bridge 404 and the edge 426 of the grounding bus bridge 406.

[0050] Grounding bus bridges 404 and 406 extend across the signal intermediate portion 249s of the upper signal contact 300. The signal intermediate portion 249s extends generally parallel to and is spaced apart from the grounding bus bridges 404 and 406. The grounding bus bridges 404 and 406 extend the entire width of the contact assembly 202 between the first side 250 and the second side 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the grounding bus bridge 404 is located below the signal intermediate portion 249, and the grounding bus bridge 406 is located in front of the signal intermediate portion 249. In alternative embodiments, other locations are possible. The grounding bus bridges 404 and 406 are spaced apart from the signal intermediate portion 249 by a small air gap to prevent short circuits. However, the grounding bus bridges 404 and 406 are very close to the signal intermediate portion 249 for resonant control of the signal transmitted along the upper signal contact 300.

[0051] Signal contact 300 and ground contact 400 are held together by a front contact holder 244 and a rear contact holder 245. In an exemplary embodiment, signal ground frame 302 and ground lead frame 402 are overmolded by the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245 to maintain the relative position of signal ground frame 302 and ground lead frame 402. In an exemplary embodiment, upper grounding mating beams 246g are distributed between upper signal mating beams 246s, upper grounding contact tails 248g are distributed between upper signal contact tails 248s, and upper grounding intermediate portions 249g are distributed between upper signal intermediate portions 249s. Grounding bus bridges 404, 406 transition out of the corresponding upper signal intermediate portions 249s (e.g., above / below, or behind / in front). Grounding bus bridges 404 and 406 extend parallel to the corresponding upper signal middle portion 249s. In an exemplary embodiment, the front grounding bus bridge 404 is a horizontal grounding bus bridge, and the rear grounding bus bridge 406 is a vertical grounding bus bridge.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper signal intermediate portion 249s and the upper ground intermediate portion 249g are bent at corners 310 and 410, respectively, to transition between the upper signal mating beam 246s and the upper signal contact tail portion 248s, and between the upper ground mating beam 246g and the upper ground contact tail portion 248g. The grounding bus bridge 404 is located in front of the corner 410, for example, between the corner 410 and the upper ground mating beam 246g. The grounding bus bridge 406 is located below the corner 410, for example, between the corner 410 and the upper ground contact tail portion 248g. In an exemplary embodiment, after the upper front contact holder 244 and the upper rear contact holder 245 are connected to the upper signal contact 300 and the upper ground contact 400, the upper signal middle portion 249s and the upper ground middle portion 249g are bent at corners 310 and 410 to maintain the relative position of the upper signal contact 300 and the upper ground contact 400 after the upper signal middle portion 249s and the upper ground middle portion 249g are bent at corners 310 and 410.

[0053] Figure 10This is a perspective view of a signal grounding frame 302. The signal grounding frame 302 includes signal contacts 300. Each signal contact 300 includes a signal transition portion 247s extending between a signal mating beam 246s and a signal contact tail 248s. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts 300 include high-speed signal contacts and low-speed signal contacts. In the illustrated embodiment, the low-speed signal contacts are grouped together at the center of the signal contact array. In the illustrated embodiment, the high-speed signal contacts are arranged in pairs, for example, four pairs. The pairs can be transmitting pairs or receiving pairs. The paired signal contacts 300 are closely spaced together and separated from other pairs by a larger gap or interval that can receive grounding contacts 400 (e.g., Figure 11 (As shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contact 300 is a right-angle contact with a right angle or a 90° bend at the corner 310. The signal contact 300 may be substantially horizontal in front of the corner 310 and substantially vertical below the corner 310.

[0054] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the grounding lead frame 402. The grounding lead frame 402 includes a grounding contact 400 and grounding busbars 404 and 406. The grounding busbars 404 and 406 are integral with the upper grounding contact 400. For example, the grounding busbars 404 and 406 and the upper grounding contact 400 are stamped from the same sheet of metal. The grounding transition portion 247g includes the grounding busbars 404 and 406 and the grounding intermediate portion 249g. Grounding mating beams 246g extend forward from the grounding transition portion 247g at the front and top of the grounding lead frame 402, and grounding contact tail portions 248g extend from the grounding transition portion 247g at the bottom and rear of the grounding lead frame 402. In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding mating beams 246g are configured to be distributed among the signal mating beams 246s, for example, between pairs of signal contacts 300. The grounding contact tail 248g is configured to be distributed among the signal contact tails 248s, for example, among pairs of signal contacts 300. The grounding intermediate portion 249g is configured to be distributed among the signal intermediate portions 249s, for example, among pairs of signal contacts 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding contact 400 is a right-angle contact with a right angle or a 90° bend at the corner 410. The grounding contact 400 may be substantially horizontal in front of the corner 410 and substantially vertical below the corner 410.

[0055] Figure 12This is an exploded side view of a portion of the contact assembly 202, showing a first upper contact array 242 and a second upper contact array 243. A front contact holder 244 and a rear contact holder 245 are overmolded onto the signal lead frame 302 and ground lead frame 402 of the first upper contact array 242 and the second upper contact array 243. After overmolding the front contact holder 244 and the rear contact holder 245, the signal ground frame 302 and the ground lead frame 402 can be bent at corners 310, 410. Thus, while the middle portion 249 is bent, the mating beam 246 and the contact tail 248 are held in place by the contact holders 244, 245. The contact holders 244, 245 hold the signal contact 300 such that the signal middle portion 249s extends generally parallel to and spaced apart from the ground bus bridges 404, 406. Ground bus bridges 404 and 406 transition out of the plane relative to the signal intermediate portion 249s. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first upper contact array 242 and the second upper contact array 243 can be assembled together, for example, by coupling the front contact holder 244 of the second upper contact array 243 to the first upper contact array 242, for example, to the first ground lead frame 402 of the first upper contact array 242. In the illustrated embodiment, the front contact holder 244 of the second upper contact array 243 includes fins at the top, which are loaded into an opening in the first ground lead frame 402 to position the first upper contact array 242 relative to the second upper contact array 243. The first and second rear contact holders 245 can be coupled together. In an exemplary embodiment, the forward ground bus bridge 404 and the rear ground bus bridge 406 transition toward each other. Optionally, the forward ground bus bridge 404 can be coupled together and / or the rear ground bus bridge 406 can be coupled together.

[0056] Figure 13 This is a front perspective view of the edge connector 112, showing the contact assembly 202 loaded into the housing 200. Upper contact arrays 242, 243 and lower contact arrays 262, 263 are assembled with a contact positioner 230. The contact positioner 230 supports the upper contacts 240 and the lower contacts 260. The contact positioner 230 is configured to be loaded into the cavity 204 via the rear 208 of the housing 200.

Claims

1. A contact assembly (202) for an electrical connector (112), comprising: An array of contacts, the contacts including signal contacts (300) and ground contacts (400), the signal contacts including a signal intermediate portion (249) extending between a signal mating beam (246s) configured to mate with a mating contact (179) and a signal contact tail portion (248s) configured to be mounted to a main circuit board (102), the ground contacts including a ground intermediate portion (249g) extending between a ground mating beam (246g) configured to mate with a mating contact and a ground contact tail portion (248g) configured to be mounted to the main circuit board; A front contact retainer (244) holding the signal mating beam and the grounding mating beam, and a rear contact retainer (245) separate from and independent of the front contact retainer (244) holding the tail of the signal contact and the tail of the grounding contact; and A grounding bus bridge (404) extends between each of the grounding contacts to make each of the grounding contacts common potential. The grounding bus bridge is integral with the grounding contacts. The grounding bus bridge includes a plate at the grounding intermediate portion. The plate of the grounding bus bridge extends across the signal intermediate portion parallel to and spaced from the signal intermediate portion and close to the signal intermediate portion to perform resonant control of the signal transmitted along the signal contacts.

2. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the grounding mating beam extends forward from the front edge of the plate of the grounding busbar bridge (404).

3. The contact assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact array includes a signal grounding frame (302) and a grounding lead frame (402), the signal contact (300) is formed by the signal grounding frame, and the grounding contact (400) and the grounding bus bridge (404) are formed by the grounding lead frame.

4. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the grounding contact (400) is electrically connected to the grounding bus bridge (404) without an interface.

5. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the grounding mating beam (246g) is distributed between the signal mating beams (246s), wherein the grounding contact tail (248g) is distributed between the signal contact tails (248s), wherein the grounding intermediate portion (249g) is distributed between the signal intermediate portions (249), and wherein the grounding bus bridge (404) transitions out of plane and is parallel to the signal intermediate portion (249s).

6. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the grounding intermediate portion (249g) and the signal intermediate portion (249) are bent at corners to transition between the grounding mating beam (246g) and the grounding contact tail (248g) and between the signal mating beam (246s) and the signal contact tail (248s), respectively, and the grounding bus bridge (404) is located in front of the corners, between the corners and the grounding mating beam (246g).

7. The contact assembly (202) of claim 6 further includes a rear ground bus bridge (406) located between the corner portion and the tail portion (248g) of the ground contact, the rear ground bus bridge extending between each of the ground contacts (400) to make each of the ground contacts common potential, the rear ground bus bridge being integral with the ground contacts, the rear ground bus bridge extending across and close to the signal intermediate portion (249) for resonant control of signals transmitted along the signal contacts (300).

8. The contact assembly (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the grounding bus bridge (404) is a horizontal grounding bus bridge and the rear grounding bus bridge (406) is a vertical grounding bus bridge.

9. The contact assembly (202) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, After the front contact retainer (244) and the rear contact retainer (245) are connected to the signal contact (300), the grounding intermediate portion (249g) and the signal intermediate portion (249) are bent at the corners to maintain the relative position of the signal contact and the grounding contact after the grounding intermediate portion (249g) and the signal intermediate portion are bent at the corners.

10. The contact assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the grounding bus bridge (404) extends the entire width of the contact assembly between the first side (250) and the second side (252) of the contact assembly.

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