Card Edge Connector System

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector system and more particularly to a connector system for interfacing with a circuit card. The card-edge connector system includes a receptacle body formed with a receptacle therein for receiving a printed circuit board, wherein the receptacle is configured to interface with a signal processing device or other devices known in the art including another card or signal component to provide a good interface between the printed circuit card and another signal processing device.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector system, and more particularly to a connector system for interfacing with a circuit card. Background of the Invention

[0002] Card edge connectors are used in a variety of system applications. For example, card edge connector systems are typically mounted on a host circuit board. The card edge connector includes a card slot for receiving the card edge of a printed circuit board or a card of a pluggable circuit or module. For example, such a pluggable module with a card can be a module including electronic components thereon, such as a memory, a processor, etc. that form a circuit interacting with the main circuit board and its components. Generally, such a card edge connector provides the desired electrical connections and ground signals and is designed to support a stand-alone plug-in module.

[0003] To improve the performance of a card edge connector system, one problem to be solved is to reduce signal loss through the transition between the connector and the hard edge of the printed circuit card. It is also desirable to improve signal integrity. Accordingly, the present invention addresses these problems in an improved card edge connector system design. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] The drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a card edge connector system according to the present invention.

[0006] Figure 2 is as Figure 1 shown in an exploded view of the card edge connector system.

[0007] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a card edge connector system embodying the present invention with opposite cards.

[0008] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a perspective view of the system shown, in which a card is inserted into the socket of the card edge connector system.

[0009] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Figure 4 5-5.

[0010] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Figure 4 6-6 in the middle.

[0011] Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, which utilizes cards interconnected with each other through a card edge connector system in a surface mount structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Figure 1 An embodiment of a card edge connector system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The card edge connector system 10 includes a receptacle body 12 that is formed with a receptacle 14 therein for receiving a printed circuit card 26 (see Figure 3 ). The receptacle body 12 may be formed of a suitable insulating material, such as a suitable plastic known in the art. The receptacle body 12 forms a receptacle that is configured to receive a circuit card edge and sides for making suitable electrical connections as described herein. As Figure 5 shown, the receptacle body 12 has opposite sides 16 and a bottom 19. The receptacle also includes an end wall 17 that incorporates a notch 18 for alignment with the card 26 as described herein. The receptacle is configured to receive a portion of a printed circuit card that provides electrical connections to the card and electronic components thereon through the receptacle, and the receptacle body 12 and the card 26 incorporate features for proper alignment in use. The receptacle is configured to interface with a signal processing device or other device that includes other cards or signal components known in the art to provide a suitable interface between the printed circuit card and the other signal processing device.

[0013] As Figure 2 shown, the receptacle includes a plurality of conductors in the form of a plurality of elongated spring elements 20. Specifically, the plurality of spring elements are located within the receptacle body for electrical connection. Each of the plurality of spring elements is positioned on one of the opposite sides of the receptacle 14. The spring elements form a plurality of flexible spring fingers 22 at each end of the respective spring element. The plurality of spring fingers are configured to bend inwardly from the opposite sides of the receptacle 14 toward the centerline of the receptacle to grip the edge of the board 26. In accordance with card edge connector technology, the spring elements 20 are formed of a suitable flexible conductive metal for providing a signal connection between a conductive signal pattern and a conductive ground pattern plated on the card as is known in the art. Generally, the spring elements will bend inwardly toward the side 16 of the receptacle to contact the board and the conductive pattern thereon. In the disclosed embodiment, multiple sets of spring elements are used to form opposite spring element sets 20 to contact both sides of the board. One set operates with another set located on opposite sides of the receptacle. Generally, the distance between each end of the spring fingers 22 and particularly the distance between the contact areas 24 of the spring fingers 22 are separated by a distance less than the thickness of the printed circuit card 26 to be received by the receptacle. In this manner, a proper spring force is provided against the corresponding conductive pattern on the card 26 that is aligned with the spring fingers to effectively grip the board as described herein.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a single set of spring elements can be used and bent from one side of the socket. That is, the plurality of spring elements located in the socket body can be positioned only along one of the opposite sides of the socket. The spring elements will still form spring fingers that bend inwardly in the socket to contact the card 26.

[0015] Generally, the spring elements are elongated flexible metal elements, and according to one embodiment of the present invention, the socket body includes a plurality of slots 30 formed therein for receiving, positioning, and seating each of the plurality of spring elements 20 on each of the opposite sides of the socket 14, as Figure 2 shown. In this way, the spring elements on each side of the socket form a plurality of spring fingers 22 that deflect inwardly from those opposite sides towards the center of the socket. Generally, the printed circuit card 26 will include one or more data signal patterns on one or both of the opposite sides of the card. In this way, the spring fingers engage the corresponding signal patterns on the respective sides of the card, as described herein.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, as Figure 3 、 4 and 6 show, the system of the present invention includes a configured printed circuit board or card 26 and a socket body 12 that are configured to interface with each other in the correct orientation. The socket body 12 incorporates alignment notches 18, and the card 26 has mating notches 51, and the alignment notches and the mating notches cooperate to ensure alignment. Referring to Figure 3 and 4 , in order to insert the card 26, particularly portion 46, into the socket body 12 in the correct direction to achieve proper signal connection between the spring fingers 22 and the contact areas on the board, alignment is necessary. For example, in order to align contact areas such as 32a and 34a with the appropriate fingers, a bottom edge 53 of the card 26 is configured to be received in the notch 18 for inserting portion 50 of the card to an appropriate depth to form properly aligned contacts. Thus, as Figure 3 and 4 show, the notch 18 formed in the wall 17 is sized to receive the card edge 53. As Figure 3 shows, the socket wall 17 at the end of the socket body opposite the wall having the notch 18 is not formed with a notch but forms a solid wall. For this reason, in order to ensure the appropriate insertion depth at this end of the socket body, as Figure 4 and 6As shown, a notch 51 is formed in the board to receive the solid wall 17. In this way, the board 26 incorporates a notch 51 in one edge 55 of the card 26 to engage around the solid wall 17, while the straight edge 53 engages the socket body 12 in the notch 18. In this manner, the combination of the notch 18 in the wall 17 and the notch 51 in the card edge 55 together provide the correct orientation of the card 26 and in particular the correct orientation of the face surfaces 36, 38 of the board to ensure that the appropriate contact features 32, 34 are aligned with the appropriate spring fingers 22 to ensure proper signal and ground connections.

[0017] According to another feature of the present invention, the spring finger ground contact 40 is positioned at the bottom of the socket between groups of the spring-like fingers 22, as Figure 5 shown. The ground contact 40 includes spring fingers 42 that are configured to bend upward from the bottom wall 19 of the socket. As shown, the spring fingers 42 include a contact area 43 at a location on the finger 42. As described herein, the spring fingers are configured to bend upward in the socket so that the contact area 43 engages the bottom edge of the card 26 to provide a ground signal or return signal path. Referring to Figure 3 , at least one printed circuit card 26 has opposite face surfaces 36, 38 and a bottom edge 46. The printed circuit card defines a portion 50 between the card edges 53, 55 that is to be received in the socket 14. As described above, the notch 18 in the socket body 12 and the notch 51 in the card 26 ensure proper alignment between the data signal and other signal patterns 32, 34. The printed circuit card includes one or more data signal patterns 32, 34 that are plated on the sides of the card for processing various signals including data signals. The patterns are plated or printed on the sides of the card using conventional techniques. The term "data signal" as used herein is not limiting and refers to the signal of interest that passes through the card 26 and through the card edge connector system of the present invention and to another signal processing card or circuit or device. As used herein, the term "data signal" will refer to one or more of the signals of interest, and the term "ground signal" or "return signal" refers to the ground signal as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0018] Referring to Figure 1 , the socket 12 of the present invention can be configured to interface with another circuit or device, such as Figure 3 shown printed circuit card. To this end, the socket 12 can be constructed with a slotted portion 54 for also receiving the edge of another circuit card 60, as Figure 3 shown. Generally, although the spring element 20 has a portion forming the spring fingers 22 located within the slot 30 of the socket body, the other end of the spring element is as Figure 3extending as shown from the end of the receptacle body and forming another plurality of spring fingers 22 that bend inwardly from opposite side portions 16 of the receptacle body in the receptacle. As Figure 2 and Figure 5 shown, those other plurality of resilient fingers of the element generally form a receptacle area 54, as described herein, which is configured to engage another printed circuit card to engage one or more data signal patterns for transferring signals between cards 26 and 60 in the card edge connector system 10 of the present invention.

[0019] Referring again to Figure 3 , the printed circuit card 26 has one or more data signal patterns 32, 34 plated on the sides of the card for processing data signals. Generally, as shown, such patterns can include contact areas 32a, 34a for contacting corresponding contact areas 24 of the spring fingers 22 when the card 26 is received in the receptacle 14. For ground signals or return signals, the printed circuit card also includes ground patterns 62 plated on each of the opposite sides of the card (see Figure 5 ). The printed circuit card also includes a ground pattern 64 plated on the edge 46 of the card received in the receptacle. The card 26 includes at least one ground layer and, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of ground layers 66 located within the body of the circuit card 26.

[0020] Referring again to Figure 5 , generally, the internal ground layers 66 will be formed to be located at least partially below the surfaces plated on each of the opposite sides of the card. The internal ground layers 66 are electrically coupled to the ground patterns 62 on the opposite sides and to the ground pattern 64 on the edge of the card. In this way, a ground signal path or return signal path is provided both internally and externally of the printed circuit card 26. According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more plated vias 70 are formed in the card 26 and extend between the ground patterns 62 plated on each of the opposite sides of the card, as Figure 5 shown. The plated vias 70 also extend and intersect the internal ground layers 66 located within the board for electrically coupling these internal ground layers to the patterns on the opposite surface 36, 38. As shown in the various figures, a plurality of vias 70 can be implemented to provide connections between the external pattern 62 and the ground layers 66 and the edge pattern 64.

[0021] According to Figure 5 one embodiment of the present invention shown, the internal ground layer extends downward along the card to intersect the edge 46 of the card 26 and engage or intersect the ground layer or pattern 64 on the edge of the card. In this way, the internal ground layer 66 located within the card is electrically coupled to the ground pattern 62 through the plated vias 70 and is also coupled to the ground pattern 64 on the edge 64 of the card. As Figure 4 and 5As shown, when a portion 50 of the card 26 is received in the socket 14, the spring fingers 22 engage corresponding data signal patterns 32, 34 through the contact areas 24, and the spring fingers 42 of the spring finger ground contact 40 engage the edge of the card 26 and the pattern 64 on the edge 46. In this way, corresponding signal paths for data and ground signals are provided. Through the engagement with the spring fingers 42 and their contact portions 43, the ground contact 40 of the socket 14 is provided with a proper ground signal path to both the ground pattern 62 plated on the side of the card and the internal ground layer 66, as well as to the ground pattern on the edge of the board 64. In this way, a proper ground signal return path is provided for the card 26 at the edge 46 of the card 26. As Figure 6 shown, the spring fingers 42 will bend downward under tension to provide a proper contact force against the edge pattern 64.

[0022] Referring Figure 5 to 6 and Figure 5-6 shown, the spring finger ground contact 40 includes an edge 41 opposite the spring fingers 42. The edge 41 provides an interface to another ground pattern or ground layer in another signal processing element. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the socket 12 can be configured to interface with Figure 3 and 5 shown another printed circuit board or card and be positioned edge-to-edge with the card 26 through the card edge connector system 10. To this end, the card 60 can include one or more data signal patterns 72, 74 corresponding to the data signal patterns 32, 34 in the card 26, and can include ground patterns 78 plated on each of the opposite sides of the card 60 and a ground pattern 80 plated on the edge of the card 60. As

[0023] Referring Figure 5 to Figure 4When the card edge connector system shown is inserted into the appropriate end in an edge-to-edge relationship, the spring finger ground contact 40, the edge 41, and the spring finger 42 provide a ground connection between the two cards 26 and 60. In this way, the cards 26 and 60 are generally in parallel planes, and in one embodiment, when inserted into the socket 12, the cards 26 and 60 are generally coplanar with each other.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention as Figure 7 shown, as shown, the socket 12 can be used in a surface-mount relationship with another card 90 for connecting the cards 26 and 90. For this purpose, the card 90 can include one or more data signal patterns 92 and one or more ground patterns 94 plated on the corresponding surfaces of the card 90. For this purpose, the ends of a plurality of spring elements that generally extend from Figure 1 the socket body shown are suitably terminated to engage the patterns 92 on the card 90 in a surface-to-surface manner. For the ground connection, the edge 41 of the spring finger ground contact 40 engages the ground pattern 94 for the ground connection. For this purpose, as is known in the art, the socket body 12 can be suitably fixed to the card 90 to provide a proper signal connection to both the data signal pattern and the ground pattern on the card 90. As described herein with respect to Figure 1 the embodiment of, the card 26 is inserted and suitably engaged and connected.

[0025] According to one feature of the present invention, as Figure 6 shown, the spring finger ground contact 40 can include one or more protrusions 44 along its lower edge 41. Then, as Figure 3 shown, the card 60 can include one or more recesses 45 in the edge ground pattern for receiving the protrusions 44. In this way, a more robust ground connection is provided between the bottom edge 41 of the spring finger ground contact 40 and the card 60.

[0026] Although the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments of the present invention, and although these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims or in any way limit them to these details. The various features of the motor mounting assembly 10 shown and described herein can be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from these details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A card edge connector system, comprising: A socket body that forms a socket having opposite sides and a bottom; A spring element located in the socket body and positioned along at least one of the opposite sides of the socket, the spring element forming a plurality of spring fingers that bend inwardly in the socket and the spring element forming another plurality of spring fingers that bend inwardly from at least one of the opposite sides of the socket to form a socket area near the bottom of the socket; A ground contact positioned near the bottom of the socket and including spring fingers configured to bend upwardly in the socket; A printed circuit board having opposite sides and an edge and a portion to be received in the socket, the printed circuit board including at least one data signal pattern plated on a side of the printed circuit board for processing data signals; Another printed circuit board having opposite sides and an edge, the another printed circuit board including at least one data signal pattern plated on a side of the another printed circuit board for processing signals; A ground pattern plated on each of the opposite sides and the edge of each of the printed circuit board and the another printed circuit board; At least one ground layer positioned within the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the ground pattern located on the opposite sides and the ground pattern located on the edge of the printed circuit board; When the portion of the printed circuit board is received in the socket and a portion of the another printed circuit board is received in the socket area, at least one spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers and the another plurality of spring fingers engages a corresponding one of the data signal patterns of the corresponding one of the printed circuit board and the another printed circuit board and the spring fingers of the ground contact engage the edge of the another printed circuit board to provide corresponding signal paths for data and ground signals between the printed circuit board and the another printed circuit board.

2. The card edge connector system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ground layers positioned within the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the ground pattern located on the opposite sides and the ground pattern located on the edge of the printed circuit board.

3. The card edge connector system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one data signal pattern plated on the side of the printed circuit board includes a plurality of data signal patterns plated on the side of the printed circuit board for processing data signals.

4. The card edge connector system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of data signal patterns plated on both opposite sides of the printed circuit board for processing data signals, and a plurality of spring elements located in the socket body and positioned along both of the opposite sides of the socket for engaging corresponding data signal patterns.

5. The card edge connector system according to claim 1 further includes at least one plated through hole that extends between the ground patterns plated on each of the opposite side portions of the one printed circuit board and intersects the corresponding ground layer located within the one printed circuit board for electrically coupling the corresponding ground patterns of the opposite side portions of the one printed circuit board to the ground pattern of the edge.

6. The card edge connector system according to claim 5 further includes a plurality of plated through holes that extend between the corresponding ground patterns plated on each of the opposite side portions of the one printed circuit board and intersect the corresponding ground layers located within the one printed circuit board.

7. The card edge connector system according to claim 2, wherein, The plurality of ground layers located within the one printed circuit board are coupled to the corresponding ground patterns on the edge of the one printed circuit board at opposite side portions of the edge.

8. The card edge connector system according to claim 1, wherein, The ground contact includes at least one protrusion along its lower edge, and the edge of the other printed circuit board includes at least one recess to receive the at least one protrusion.

9. The card edge connector system according to claim 1 further includes an end wall located in the socket, and at least one notch is formed in the end wall to receive the edge of the one printed circuit board for receiving the portion in the socket.

10. The card edge connector system according to claim 1 further includes an end wall located in the socket, and the one printed circuit board has at least one notch formed therein to receive the end wall for receiving the portion of the one printed circuit board in the socket.

11. A card edge connector system includes: A socket body that forms a socket having opposite side portions and a bottom; A spring element located in the socket body and positioned along at least one of the opposite side portions of the socket, the spring element forming a plurality of spring fingers that bend inwardly in the socket to engage data signal patterns plated on a side portion of a printed circuit board received in the socket; A ground contact located on the bottom of the socket and including spring fingers configured to bend upwardly in the socket to engage a ground pattern plated on the edge of the one printed circuit board; The spring element extends from the socket body at an end of the socket body and forms another plurality of spring fingers that bend inwardly from at least one of the opposite side portions of the socket body to form a socket area for receiving another printed circuit board having opposite side portions and an edge to engage data signal patterns plated on a side portion of the other printed circuit board received in the socket area; The ground contact engages a ground pattern plated on the edge of the other printed circuit board to provide corresponding signal paths for data and ground signals between the one printed circuit board and the other printed circuit board; The ground contact includes at least one protrusion along its lower edge, and the edge of the other printed circuit board includes at least one recess to receive the at least one protrusion.

12. The card edge connector system according to claim 11 further includes a plurality of spring elements located in the socket body and positioned along two opposite sides of the socket for engaging data signal patterns plated on opposite sides of the one printed circuit board received in the socket.

13. The card edge connector system according to claim 11 further includes an end wall located in the socket, and at least one notch is formed in the end wall for receiving an edge of the one printed circuit board to receive the portion in the socket.

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