Configurable as a high-performance connector

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector configurable for high performance. The electrical connector includes a first subassembly including a first plurality of conductive elements arranged in a first row along a row direction; a second subassembly including a second plurality of conductive elements arranged in a second row along a row direction; and a member arranged between the first subassembly and the second subassembly, including a plurality of conductive members, wherein each of the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements includes a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion; a conductive member in the plurality of conductive members electrically contacts the intermediate portions of a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and electrically contacts the intermediate portions of a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements; and each of the conductive members electrically contacting a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements shares a position with a conductive member in the conductive member electrically contacting a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

Description

[0001] This application is a second-generation divisional application of a first-generation divisional application, filed on May 28, 2020, with application number 202010467444.1 and title “CONNECTOR Configurable for High Performance.” This first-generation divisional application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application, filed on April 18, 2019, with application number 201780064531.9 and title “CONNECTOR Configurable for High Performance.” The international filing date of the parent application of this first-generation divisional application is August 22, 2017, and its international application number is PCT / US2017 / 047905.

[0002] Related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 378,244, entitled “CONNECTOR CONFIGURABLE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE,” filed on August 23, 2016. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] This patent application generally relates to electrical connectors that can be configured to carry high-frequency signals.

[0005] Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is often easier and more cost-effective to manufacture the system as separate electronic components, such as printed circuit boards ("PCBs"), that can be joined together using electrical connectors. A known arrangement for joining several PCBs within a single housing is to use one PCB as a backplane. Additional PCBs, known as "daughterboards" or "daughter cards," can be connected via the backplane. Connectors designed to connect daughter cards to backplanes are widely used.

[0006] Some electronic systems are assembled using electronic components in different housings. These housings can be connected with cables, which can be fiber optic cables, but more generally include conductive wires for transmitting electrical signals. In order to facilitate the assembly of the system, the cables can be terminated with cable connectors (sometimes referred to as plugs). The plugs are designed to mate with corresponding connectors (sometimes referred to as socket connectors) of printed circuit boards in the housings of the electronic devices. The socket connectors can have one or more ports that are designed to be exposed in the panel of the housing. Typically, a plug can be inserted into each port.

[0007] To facilitate the manufacture of different parts of electronic systems by different companies in different locations, various aspects of the receptacle and plug connectors can be standardized through a formal standard setting process or by a large number of manufacturers adopting specific designs. An example of a standard is called SAS. As another example, there are several such standards, and these standards are generally referred to as "Small Form Factor Pluggable" (SFP) connectors. Variants of these standards exist under names such as SFP, QSFP, QSFP+, etc.

[0008] As electronic systems have generally become smaller, faster, and more complex, different standards have been developed that allow for different combinations of speed and density within a connector system.

[0009] For standards requiring high-density, high-speed connectors, techniques can be used to reduce interference between conductive elements within the connector and otherwise provide desired electrical characteristics. One such technique involves the use of shielding members between or around adjacent signal conductors. Shielding can prevent signals carried on one conductive element from generating "crosstalk" on another conductive element. Shielding can also affect the impedance of each conductive element, which can further contribute to the desired electrical characteristics of the connector system.

[0010] Another technique that can be used to control connector performance involves transmitting signals differentially. Differential signals are carried on pairs of conductive paths called "differential pairs." The voltage difference between the conductive paths represents the signal. Typically, differential pairs are designed to preferentially couple between the conductive paths within the pair. For example, the two conductive paths of a differential pair can be arranged to extend closer together than adjacent signal paths in the connector.

[0011] Amphenol also pioneered the use of “lossy” materials in connectors to improve performance, particularly in high-speed, high-density connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present application, an electrical connector includes a first subassembly, the first subassembly including a first plurality of conductive elements arranged in a first row, each conductive element in the first plurality of conductive elements having a mating contact portion, a contact tail, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail. The electrical connector also includes a second subassembly, the second subassembly including a second plurality of conductive elements arranged in a second row, each conductive element in the second plurality of conductive elements having a mating contact portion, a contact tail, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail. A component can be arranged between the first subassembly and the second subassembly, the component including a lossy material and a plurality of conductive flexible components extending from the lossy material. A conductive flexible component in the plurality of conductive flexible components contacts a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

[0013] In another aspect, an electrical connector may include a plurality of conductive elements arranged in at least one row, each of the plurality of conductive elements having a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail portion. The connector may also include a member comprising: an electrically lossy body extending in a direction parallel to the row; and a plurality of conductive flexible members extending from the lossy body. The conductive flexible members may contact a portion of the plurality of conductive elements.

[0014] In yet another aspect, an electrical connector configured as a receptacle for a plug of a cable assembly may include: an insulative housing including at least one cavity configured to receive the plug, the cavity including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first plurality of conductive elements, each having a portion arranged along the first surface; a second plurality of conductive elements, each having a portion arranged along the second surface; and a member disposed within the housing, the member including a lossy material and a plurality of conductive members extending from the lossy material. Conductive members of the plurality of conductive members may contact a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

[0015] The foregoing is a non-limiting summary of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like reference numeral. For clarity, not every component will be labeled in every figure. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector according to some embodiments, the receptacle connector being shown mated with a complementary plug connector (dashed lines);

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the socket connector;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the plug connector without the cable attached;

[0020] Figure 4 Can be installed on Figure 1 A perspective view, particularly a cross-sectional view, of a first illustrative embodiment of a short-circuit member in a receptacle connector;

[0021] Figure 5 Can be installed on Figure 1a perspective view, particularly a cross-sectional view, of a second illustrative embodiment of a short-circuit member in a receptacle connector; and

[0022] Figure 6 Can be installed on Figure 1 A perspective view, particularly a cross-sectional view, of a third illustrative embodiment of a shorting member in a receptacle connector.

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram assigning functions to conductive elements within the connector; and

[0024] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle connector having two ports, each of which can accommodate a shorting member as described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The inventors have recognized and appreciated that the utility of an electrical connector can be substantially improved by configuring the connector to accommodate a component that includes both a lossy material and a conductive member. The conductive member can extend from one or more surfaces of the lossy material. Some or all of the conductive members can be electrically connected, for example, via a conductive mesh embedded in the lossy material or through the lossy material itself. Thus, the component can function as a shorting member, shorting together structures in contact with the conductive member.

[0026] The conductive member can be electrically connected to a conductive element within the connector. The conductive member can be aligned with a conductive element positioned to function as a ground conductor. When the shorting member is installed in the connector, the combined action of the conductive member and the lossy material can reduce resonances involving the conductive elements within the connector.

[0027] When the connector operates at higher frequencies (e.g., 25 GHz, 30 GHz, 35 GHz, 40 GHz, 45 GHz, etc.), a shorting member can be installed. When installed, the shorting member can reduce resonance at frequencies in the high-frequency portion of the connector's desired operating range, thereby enabling operation in the high-frequency portion and increasing the connector's operating range. For applications that do not require operation at frequencies in the high-frequency portion of the operating range, the shorting member can be omitted, providing a lower-cost connector configuration.

[0028] To support the optional inclusion of a shorting member in the connector, the housing can have a cavity or other features shaped to accommodate the shorting member. The conductive members of the shorting member can be flexible so that they can be compressed when inserted into the connector. The compression of the conductive flexible member can generate a spring force to form a reliable electrical connection between the conductive flexible member and the conductive elements within the connector.

[0029] The insulating portion of the connector housing can be shaped to accommodate the short-circuit member and expose a portion of the conductive element so that contact can be formed between the conductive element and the conductive member of the short-circuit member. In some embodiments, the conductive element of the connector can have: a mating contact portion, which is configured to mate with a complementary connector; and a contact tail, which is configured to be attached to a printed circuit board. The conductive element can also have an intermediate portion connecting the contact tail and the mating contact portion. The housing can be configured to expose a portion of the intermediate portion of at least those conductive elements designed to serve as ground contacts for contacting the conductive member of the short-circuit member.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the conductive elements of the connector can be organized into rows. The conductive member extending from the short-circuit member can be positioned to contact selected conductive elements in at least one row. In some embodiments, the conductive member can extend from two opposing surfaces of the lossy portion of the short-circuit member. Such a configuration enables the conductive member to contact conductive elements in two adjacent rows. In such a configuration, the short-circuit member can be extended in a direction parallel to the row and can be configured as a shorting bar.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the connector can be a socket connector. For example, the socket can have a port shaped to accommodate a paddle card of a mating electrical connector. The mating contact portions of the socket's conductive elements can be arranged along two opposing surfaces of the port, forming two adjacent rows of conductive elements. In some embodiments, the conductive elements in each row can be formed into separate subassemblies, for example by molding an insulating portion around a lead frame comprising the row of conductive elements. A shorting member can be positioned between the subassemblies, wherein the conductive members of the shorting member are electrically connected to selected conductive elements in each row.

[0032] Go to Figure 1 , shows an exemplary embodiment of a connector that can be selectively configured with a short-circuit member as described herein. In this example, the connector is a socket connector 10 of a type known in the art to be attached to a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may include signal traces and a ground plane connected to pads on the surface of the printed circuit board. The socket connector 10 may include a conductive element having contact tails that can be attached to pads on the printed circuit board. Any suitable attachment technique can be used, including those known in the art. For example, in the embodiment shown, the contact tails are configured to be attached to the printed circuit board using surface mount soldering technology.

[0033] In the example shown, the receptacle connector 10 includes a housing 1. The housing 1 can be formed of an insulating material, which can be a dielectric material. In various embodiments, the housing 1 can be molded or overmolded from a dielectric material such as plastic or nylon. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high-temperature nylon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). Other suitable materials may be used, as aspects of the present disclosure are not limited in this respect.

[0034] All of the aforementioned materials are suitable for use as binder materials in connector manufacturing. According to some embodiments, some or all of the binder materials may include one or more fillers. To form an insulating housing, the filler may also be insulating. As a non-limiting example, thermoplastic PPS filled with glass fiber at 30% volume can be used to form the entire connector housing or the dielectric portion of the housing.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, the housing 1 is integrally formed as a single component. In other embodiments, the housing 1 may be formed as multiple components that are formed separately and then connected together.

[0036] The conductive elements within the receptacle connector 10 can be supported directly or indirectly by the housing 1. The conductive elements can be made of metal or any other material that is electrically conductive and provides suitable mechanical properties for conductive elements in an electrical connector. Phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and other copper alloys are non-limiting examples of materials that can be used. The conductive elements can be formed from these materials in any suitable manner, including by stamping and / or forming.

[0037] Each conductive element can have a contact tail that is adapted to be mounted to a printed circuit board or other substrate to which the receptacle connector 10 can be attached. The printed circuit board can have multiple ground planes and multiple signal traces within the printed circuit board. Conductive vias extending perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board can connect the ground planes and signal traces within the printed circuit board to the contact tails of the receptacle connector 10.

[0038] Each conductive element within the receptacle connector 10 may also have a mating contact at the end of the conductive element opposite the contact tail. The mating contact may be configured to contact a corresponding conductive element in a mating connector. The mating contact and contact tail of each conductive element may be electrically connected by a middle portion of the conductive element. The middle portion may carry signals between the contact tail and the mating contact. The middle portion may also be directly or indirectly attached to the housing 1.

[0039] To make an electrical connection between the printed circuit board (PCB) on which the socket connector 10 is mounted and another electronic component, a mating connector can be inserted into the socket connector 10. The mating connector can also be attached to a substrate that supports conductive members that carry signals and ground potentials. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate is a cable 30. Therefore, the mating connector is a plug 20. Plug 20 can be inserted into the socket connector 10.

[0040] In this example, the plug 20 is terminated with a cable 30. The cable 30 includes a plurality of conductors that can be connected at a second end ( Figure 1 The connector is terminated at a location not visible in the figure to another plug connector for insertion into another electronic component having a receptacle connector or for otherwise connecting to an electronic component.

[0041] The plug connector 20 may include conductive elements positioned to make mechanical and electrical contact with conductive elements within the receptacle connector 10. Like the conductive elements in the receptacle 10, the conductive elements in the plug 20 may have mating contacts and contact tails that are joined by an intermediate portion. However, the conductive elements of the plug 20 may be shaped differently than the conductive elements of the receptacle 10. As a distinction, the contact tails of the conductive elements in the plug 20 may be shaped to attach to conductors in the cable 30 rather than being shaped to connect to a printed circuit board. In the discussion below, Figure 3 The conductive elements of the plug 20 are shown in more detail in FIG.

[0042] One or both of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 may include features that hold the connectors together when mated. Figure 1 In the example of FIG, the socket connector 10 includes a latch clip 4 covering the housing 1. In this example, the latch clip 4 is formed of a conductive material such as metal. Alternatively, the latch clip 4 can be formed of a dielectric material such as plastic or other suitable material.

[0043] The plug connector 20 includes a member designed to engage with the latch clip 4. Figure 1 , the latch release piece 310 is visible. The latch release piece 310 can be connected to the opening 206 ( Figure 2 ) engaging protrusion 312 ( Figure 3 ). The latch piece 310 can be formed of an elastic material such as metal. When the latch piece 310 is pressed down, the protrusion 312 ( Figure 3 ) can be freed from engagement with the opening 206, allowing the plug 20 to be pulled out of the socket 10. Conversely, when the latch piece 310 is released, the elastic movement of the latch piece 310 can cause the protrusion 312 to engage with the opening 206, preventing the plug 20 from being pulled out of the socket 10.

[0044] Figure 2 An exploded view of the receptacle connector 10 is shown. Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , the housing 1 includes a cavity 240 that forms part of the mating interface of the receptacle connector 10. The cavity 240 may form a port of the receptacle connector. The cavity 240 has a lower surface 242 and an upper surface ( Figure 2 (not visible in the figure). Each of these surfaces includes a plurality of parallel channels, which are numbered as channels 244. Each of these channels is configured to receive a mating contact of the conductive element.

[0045] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the conductive elements are held together in a wafer, which is inserted into the housing 1 . Figure 2 An upper contact wafer 2 and a lower contact wafer 3 are shown. Each of the upper contact wafer 2 and the lower contact wafer 3 provides a row of conductive elements. The lower contact wafer 3 provides a row of conductive elements 210 having mating contact portions 216 that fit into channels 244 of a lower surface 242 .

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in FIG, the mating contact portion 216 is formed as a flexible beam. Each of the mating contact portions 216 is curved, providing a mating contact surface on the concave side of the curve. This shape is suitable for mating with a mating contact formed as a pad. Therefore, in FIG. Figure 2 In an example, the mating plug may include a Figure 3 The conductive elements of the mating contact portions are shown as being shaped as pads. However, it should be understood that the mating contact portions of the receptacle 10 and plug 20 may be of any suitable complementary size and shape.

[0047] When the lower contact wafer 3 is inserted into the housing 1, the mating contact portion 216 is exposed in the lower surface 242, providing a mechanism for the conductive elements to contact corresponding conductive elements in the plug 20 when the plug 20 is inserted into the cavity 240. The intermediate portion 214 extends through the housing 1 so that the contact tail 212 can be located on the lower surface ( Figure 2 The contact tails 212 are exposed (not visible in the figure) so that the contact tails 212 can be attached to a printed circuit board.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the lower contact wafer 3 is formed as a subassembly, for example by molding an insulating portion 230 around the middle portion 214 of a row of conductive elements.

[0049] The upper contact wafer 2 has a row of conductive elements 220 and can be formed similarly to the lower contact wafer 3, wherein an insulating portion is formed around the row of conductive elements 220. The conductive elements 220 can be positioned to fit on the upper surface of the cavity 240 ( Figure 2When positioned in the channel, the mating contact portion 226 of the conductive element 220 can be exposed in the upper surface of the cavity 240 so as to be able to contact the conductive element in the plug 20. The conductive element 220 of the upper contact wafer 2 similarly has an intermediate portion 224 connected to the contact tail 222 for attaching the conductive element to the printed circuit board. Figure 2 In the example shown, the housing holding the row of conductive elements of the upper contact wafer 2 is formed as two pieces, housing portion 232A and housing portion 232B. Each can be formed by insert molding a suitable dielectric material around the conductive elements 220 forming the upper contact wafer 2.

[0050] Figure 2 Also shown is a shorting bar 5 which may optionally be included in the receptacle connector 10. The shorting bar 5 may be included to extend Figure 1 The illustrated interconnect system may operate over a frequency range. In some embodiments, the conductive structure of the receptacle connector 10 may support a resonant mode at a fundamental frequency within the frequency range of interest for operation of the connector. In that case, the inclusion of the shorting bar 5 may alter the fundamental frequency of the resonant mode such that resonance occurs outside the frequency range of interest. In the absence of a fundamental frequency of the resonant mode within the frequency range of interest, one or more performance characteristics of the connector may be at an acceptable level within the frequency range of interest, whereas in the absence of the shorting bar 5, the performance characteristics would be unacceptable. Conversely, when the performance characteristics are suitable for the frequency range of interest without the shorting bar 5, the shorting bar 5 may be omitted to provide a lower cost connector.

[0051] The frequency range of interest may depend on the operating parameters of the system in which such a connector is used, but may generally have an upper limit between about 15 GHz and 50 GHz, e.g., 25 GHz, 30 GHz, or 40 GHz, although higher or lower frequencies may be of interest in certain applications. Some connector designs may have a frequency range of interest that spans only a portion of this range, e.g., 1 GHz to 10 GHz, or 3 GHz to 15 GHz, or 5 GHz to 35 GHz.

[0052] The operating frequency range of an interconnect system can be defined based on the range of frequencies that can pass through the interconnect with acceptable signal integrity. Signal integrity can be measured according to a number of standards depending on the application for which the interconnect system is designed. Some of these standards may relate to signal propagation along a single-ended signal path, a differential signal path, a hollow waveguide, or any other type of signal path. The standard can be specified as a limit or range of values ​​for a performance characteristic. Two examples of such characteristics are signal attenuation along the signal path or signal reflection from the signal path.

[0053] Other characteristics may include the interaction of signals on multiple different signal paths. Such characteristics may include, for example, near-end crosstalk, which is defined as the portion of a signal injected on one signal path at one end of an interconnect system that is measurable at any other signal path on the same end of the interconnect system. Another such characteristic may be far-end crosstalk, which is defined as the portion of a signal injected on one signal path at one end of an interconnect system that is measurable at any other signal path on the other end of the interconnect system.

[0054] As a specific example of a standard, it may be required that the signal path attenuation does not exceed 3dB power loss, the reflected power ratio is no greater than -20dB, and a single signal path contributes no more than -50dB to the signal path crosstalk. Since these characteristics are frequency dependent, the operating range of the interconnect system is defined as the range of frequencies that meet the specific standard.

[0055] Described herein are designs for electrical connectors that improve signal integrity for high frequency signals, such as frequencies in the GHz range, including up to about 25 GHz or up to about 40 GHz or higher, while maintaining high density, e.g., spacing between adjacent mating contacts on the order of about 3 mm or less, including center-to-center spacing between adjacent contacts in a row, e.g., between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm or between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. As a specific example, the center-to-center spacing can be 0.6 mm. The conductive elements can have a width of about 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, leaving an edge-to-edge spacing between the conductive elements on the order of about 0.1 mm.

[0056] When contact wafers 2 and 3 are inserted, shorting bar 5 can be incorporated into receptacle connector 10 by inserting shorting bar 5 into housing 1. As a specific example, shorting bar 5 can be located between upper contact wafer 2 and lower contact wafer 3 before the contact wafers are inserted into housing 1.

[0057] Each of the contact wafers may include one or more features that secure the contact wafer in the housing 1. For example, the contact wafer 3 may include a latch or other snap-fit ​​feature. Alternatively or in addition, the housing 1 may include features that secure the contact wafer in the housing when inserted.

[0058] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, if a shorting bar 5 is used, the shorting bar 5 can be held between the lower contact wafer 3 and the upper contact wafer 2. In the example shown, the rear surface of the insulating portion 230 can include an opening 234. The opening 234 can be shaped to accommodate the shorting bar 5. Figure 4As shown, the shorting bar 5 has a body 410 and a flexible conductive member 420 extending from the body 410. The opening 234 can be shaped so that the body 410 presses against the insulating portion 230. The opening 234 can also be shaped to expose the intermediate portion 214 of selected ones of the conductive elements 210 in the lower contact wafer 3. The flexible conductive member 420 can contact the selected ones of the conductive elements 210. Due to the shapes of the shorting bar 5 and the insulating portion 230, the flexible conductive member 420 can be insulated from the other conductive elements 210. Similarly, the body 410 can be insulated from the unselected conductive elements 210.

[0059] The insulating portion 232A of the upper contact wafer 2 can press against the shorting bar 5, pressing it into the insulating portion 230. With both the lower contact wafer 3 and the upper contact wafer 2 secured in the housing 1, the shorting bar 5 will also be secured within the socket connector 10.

[0060] The surface of the insulating portion 232A that presses against the shorting bar 5 may similarly have openings 236 into which the shorting bar 5 may fit. These openings may also be shaped to expose selected ones of the mating contacts 220. The flexible conductive member 420 ( Figure 4 ) can contact the middle portion of a selected one of the conductive elements 220 of the upper contact wafer 2. Due to the shapes of the shorting bar 5 and the insulating portion 232A, both the flexible conductive member 420 and the body 410 of the shorting bar 5 can be insulated from unselected conductive elements.

[0061] As described below, selected conductive elements contacted by the flexible conductive member of the shorting bar 5 can be designated as ground conductors. In operation of the interconnect system, the ground conductor is intended to be connected to a conductive member of a printed circuit board or other substrate that carries a ground potential or other voltage level used as a reference potential for the electronic system containing the connector. Such a connection has been found to increase the fundamental frequency of the resonance excited within the connector, thereby increasing the frequency range of operation of the connector.

[0062] Go to Figure 3 , shows further details of the plug 20. In this example, the plug 20 includes an insulating housing 301. The housing 301 can be formed from the same type of material used to form the housing 1 or any other suitable material.

[0063] In this example, the conductive elements within the plug connector 20 are implemented as conductive traces on a printed circuit board 320, which serves as a paddle card for the plug 20. The printed circuit board 320 may be a double-sided printed circuit board. The conductive traces formed on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 320 may mate with the mating contact portions 220 ( Figure 2The conductive traces on the lower surface of the printed circuit board 320 can be aligned with the mating contact portions 216 of the conductive elements arranged along the lower surface 244 of the cavity 240 .

[0064] exist Figure 3 , a row of contact pads 324 is visible on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 320. The contact pads 324 can be connected to traces within the printed circuit board 320 and can serve as mating contacts for a first portion of conductive elements within the plug 20. A similar row of contact pads on the lower surface of the printed circuit board 320 can serve as mating contacts for a second portion of conductive elements within the plug 20. Figure 3 2 shows an exploded view of the plug 20. When assembled, a row of solder pads 324 may extend from the plug housing 301 so that when the printed circuit board 320 is inserted into the cavity 240 ( Figure 2 ) when the mating contact portion of the conductive element within the socket connector 10 is pressed against the pad 324 on the printed circuit board 320, forming a conductive path through the interconnection system formed by the mating plug 20 to the socket 10.

[0065] The printed circuit board 320 has a second row of pads 322. When the plug 20 is assembled, the pads 322 will be located inside the housing 301. The pads 322 are designed so that the pads 322 are connected to the cable 30 ( Figure 1 ) can be attached to the pads. The cable conductors can be attached to the pads 322 in any suitable manner, such as by welding or soldering. Securing the housing 301 to the printed circuit board 320 can press the cable 30 against the printed circuit board 320, helping to secure the cable 30 to the printed circuit board 320. Figure 1 In the example shown, the cable 30 has an upper portion and a lower portion providing conductors to be secured to pads on the upper and lower surfaces of the printed circuit board 320 .

[0066] Figure 3 Additional details of the latch release tab 310 including the protrusion 312 are also disclosed.

[0067] Go to Figure 4 , showing additional details of the shorting bar 5. The shorting bar 5 has a body 410. Figure 2 See you can Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG, the body 410 is extended parallel to the row of conductive elements in the socket 10.

[0068] The body 410 may have any suitable shape. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , the body 410 includes castellations 416A, 416B, 416C, ... on the upper surface 412 and castellations 418A, 418B, 418C, ... on the lower surface 414 . A flexible conductive member 420 extends from the body 410 at locations between the castellations.

[0069] exist Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , the flexible conductive member 420 extends from the upper surface 412 and the opposite lower surface 414. Figure 2 As described above, the flexible conductive member 420 is positioned along the upper surface 412 and the lower surface 414 to respectively contact the selected conductive elements 220 of the upper contact wafer 2 and the conductive elements 210 of the lower contact wafer 3. The flexible conductive member can be formed of any material that is appropriately flexible and conductive, such as the metals mentioned above for use in forming the conductive elements of the socket 10.

[0070] When the shorting bar 5 is installed between the lower contact wafer 3 and the upper contact wafer 2, the portion of the flexible conductive member 420 extending from the body 410 can be shaped to press against the intermediate portions of the conductive elements in the upper contact wafer 2 and the lower contact wafer 3. In this example, the flexibility of the conductive member 420 can be achieved by bending the elongated member extending from the body 410. For example, the portion 422 can extend in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the body 410. The member can have a bend that creates a lateral portion 424 at the distal end of the conductive member 420. The bend and / or lateral portion 424 can serve as a contact for electrically connecting to the conductive elements in the connector 10.

[0071] The body 410 can be formed from a lossy material. Any suitable lossy material can be used. Materials that are electrically conductive but have some loss or that absorb electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of interest through another physical mechanism are collectively referred to herein as "lossy" materials. Electrically lossy materials can be formed from lossy dielectric materials and / or poorly conductive materials and / or lossy magnetic materials. Magnetic lossy materials can be formed, for example, from materials that are traditionally considered ferromagnetic materials, such as materials that have a magnetic loss tangent greater than approximately 0.05 in the frequency range of interest. "Magnetic loss tangent" is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex electromagnetic permeability of a material. Actual lossy magnetic materials or mixtures containing lossy magnetic materials can also exhibit useful amounts of dielectric loss or conductive loss effects over portions of the frequency range of interest. Electrically lossy materials can be formed from materials that are traditionally considered dielectric materials, such as materials that have an electrical loss tangent greater than approximately 0.05 in the frequency range of interest. "Electrical loss tangent" is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant of a material. Electrically lossy materials may also be formed from materials that are generally considered conductors but are relatively poor conductors in the frequency range of interest, contain conductive particles or regions that are sufficiently dispersed that they do not provide high electrical conductivity or are otherwise prepared to have properties that result in relatively poor bulk conductivity in the frequency range of interest compared to a good conductor such as copper.

[0072] Electrically lossy materials typically have a bulk conductivity of about 1 Siemens / meter to about 100,000 Siemens / meter, and preferably about 1 Siemens / meter to about 10,000 Siemens / meter. In some embodiments, materials having a bulk conductivity between about 10 Siemens / meter and about 200 Siemens / meter may be used. As a specific example, a material having a conductivity of about 50 Siemens / meter may be used. However, it should be understood that the conductivity of the material may be selected empirically or through electrical simulation using known simulation tools to determine a suitable conductivity that provides suitably low crosstalk and suitably low signal path attenuation or insertion loss.

[0073] The electrically lossy material can be a partially conductive material, such as a material having a surface resistivity between 1 Ω / square and 100,000 Ω / square. In some embodiments, the surface resistivity of the electrically lossy material is between 10 Ω / square and 1000 Ω / square. As a specific example, the surface resistivity of the material can be between approximately 20 Ω / square and 80 Ω / square.

[0074] In some embodiments, the electrically lossy material is formed by adding a filler containing conductive particles to a binder. In such embodiments, the lossy component can be formed by molding or otherwise shaping the filler-containing binder into the desired form. Examples of conductive particles that can be used as fillers to form the electrically lossy material include carbon or graphite formed into fibers, flakes, nanoparticles, or other types of particles. Metals in powder, flake, fiber, or other particulate form can also be used to provide suitable electrically lossy properties. Alternatively, a combination of fillers can be used. For example, metal-plated carbon particles can be used. Silver and nickel are suitable metals for electroplating fibers. Coated particles can be used alone or in combination with other fillers, such as carbon flakes. The binder or matrix can be any material that will set, cure, or otherwise be used to position the filler material. In some embodiments, the binder can be a thermoplastic material conventionally used in the manufacture of electrical connectors to mold the electrically lossy material into the desired shape and position as part of the manufacture of the electrical connector. Examples of such materials include liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and nylon. However, many alternative forms of binder materials can be used. A curable material such as epoxy resin may be used as the adhesive. Alternatively, a material such as a thermosetting resin or adhesive may be used.

[0075] Additionally, while the aforementioned binder materials can be used to create an electrically lossy material by forming a binder around a conductive particulate filler, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the conductive particles can be impregnated into a formed matrix material, or the conductive particles can be coated onto a formed matrix material, such as by applying a conductive coating to a plastic or metal part. As used herein, the term "binder" includes a material that encapsulates the filler, is impregnated with the filler, or otherwise serves as a substrate for retaining the filler.

[0076] Preferably, the filler will be present in a sufficient volume percentage to allow for a conductive path to be created from particle to particle. For example, when metal fibers are used, the fibers may be present in an amount of about 3% to 40% by volume. The amount of filler can affect the conductive properties of the material.

[0077] Filler materials are commercially available, for example, from Celanese Corporation under the trade name Materials that can be filled with carbon fiber or stainless steel filaments are sold. Lossy materials can also be used, such as lossy conductive carbon filled adhesive preforms, such as those sold by Techfilm of Billerica, Massachusetts, USA. The preform can include an epoxy resin adhesive filled with carbon fiber and / or other carbon particles. The adhesive surrounds the carbon particles, which serve as reinforcement for the preform. Such a preform can be inserted into a connector lead frame subassembly to form all or part of the housing. In some embodiments, the preform can be bonded by an adhesive in the preform, which can be cured during a heat treatment process. In some embodiments, the adhesive can take the form of a separate conductive or non-conductive adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the preform can alternatively or additionally be used to secure one or more conductive elements, such as foil strips, to the lossy material.

[0078] Various forms of reinforcing fibers, woven or nonwoven, coated or uncoated, can be used. Non-woven carbon fibers are one suitable material. Since the present invention is not limited in this respect, other suitable materials, such as custom blends sold by RTP Company, can be used.

[0079] However, the lossy member may be formed in other ways. In some embodiments, the lossy member may be formed by interweaving layers of lossy material, such as metal foil, and conductive material. The layers may be rigidly attached to one another, for example, using epoxy or other adhesives, or may be held together in any other suitable manner. The layers may have a desired shape before being secured to one another, or may be stamped or otherwise formed after being held together.

[0080] exist Figure 4In the embodiment shown, the lossy material used to form the body 410 can be a polymer filled with conductive particles, so that the body 410 can be formed by molding and then curing the conductive polymer. The flexible conductive member 420 can be fixed to the shorting bar 5 by molding the polymer over one or more conductive members from which the flexible conductive member 420 extends.

[0081] The contact between the lossy material of the body 410 and the flexible conductive member that contacts the conductive elements within the socket 10 can attenuate high-frequency energy, such as may be caused by resonance in the conductive elements. A sufficient portion of the conductive member 420 can be positioned within the body 410 to provide suitable mechanical integrity of the shorting bar 5 and attenuation of high-frequency energy. Figure 4 An embodiment is shown in which separate conductive members 430A and 430B extend from upper and lower surfaces 412 and 414, respectively.

[0082] Figure 5 An alternative embodiment of a shorting bar 505 is shown, where the flexible conductive member 520 can be positioned similarly to the flexible conductive member 420. In this example, the shorting bar 505 has a body similar to the body 410 ( Figure 4 ) is formed into a body 510. The shorting bar 505 is similar in shape to the conductive member 520 in the body 510. Figure 4 ) are different and similarly formed of lossy materials. In this example, the two flexible conductive members 520 extending from opposite surfaces of the body 510 are opposite ends of a single conductive member. Figure 5 As shown, the conductive member is C-shaped, with ends 530A and 530B extending from opposing surfaces of the body 510. In some embodiments, having a conductive path between the flexible conductive members can reduce resonance within the socket 10.

[0083] Figure 6 Another alternative embodiment is shown. Shorting bar 605 includes a body 610 that is also shaped similarly to body 410 and similarly formed of a lossy material. The portion of the flexible conductive member extending from body 610 may be Figure 4 and Figure 5 The extension shown in is similarly shaped. Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 5 , the flexible conductive members 630A and 630B extending from opposite surfaces of the body 610 are formed by Figure 5 The same conductive members shown are integrally formed. In addition, multiple flexible conductive members along the length of the shorting bar 605 are connected together by a conductive mesh 640. The conductive inserts may be formed, for example, by stamping them from sheet metal. Figure 6The conductive insert may include flexible conductive members extending over a portion or the entire length of the shorting bar 605, and a conductive mesh 640 interconnecting the flexible conductive members. The body 610 may then be overmolded onto the insert. However, other construction techniques are possible.

[0084] In some embodiments, the connector can have assignments that reflect the intended use of the conductive elements, and the flexible conductive members can be positioned to contact selected ones of the conductive elements based on their assignments. For example, pairs of adjacent conductive elements can be assigned as signal conductors each for carrying differential signals. In some embodiments, these pairs can be separated by other conductive elements that are assigned as ground. When mounted to a printed circuit board, the contact tails of these conductive elements can be attached to structures within the printed circuit board that correspond to the assigned uses of the conductive elements: ground can be attached to a ground plane and signal conductors can be attached to signal traces, which can be routed in pairs, reflecting their use in carrying differential signals. The conductive members of the shorting bar can be aligned with some or all of the conductive elements that are assigned as ground.

[0085] Figure 7 7 is a schematic diagram of a specific definition of conductive elements in a receptacle connector according to an embodiment. Element 710 represents the distribution of conductive elements in a first row that may be on the upper surface of a port. Element 750 represents the distribution of conductive elements in a second row that may be on the opposite lower surface of a port.

[0086] In the example shown, the conductive elements are allocated to provide a pair of clock signal pins, eight sideband pins and eight pairs of differential signal pins are arranged on each of the upper surface and the lower surface respectively. The differential signal pins 720 arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface are symmetrical with respect to each other. It can be seen that the differential signal conductors are arranged in pairs, and each pair is located between the ground conductors. According to some embodiments, the conductive members of the short-circuit member can contact the ground conductor, as schematically indicated by the arrows, at positions B1, B4, B7, B13, B16, B19, B22, B25, B31, B34 and B37. In addition, the conductive members contact at positions A1, A4, A7, A13, A16, A19, A22, A25, A31, A34 and A37. Compared to when the short-circuit bar is omitted, when the short-circuit bar is present, the connector system can support higher frequency operations on the signal pair 420.

[0087] Each set of symmetrical differential signal pins is arranged in a staggered manner on the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. For example, the RX8 pin is arranged on the upper surface at the B2 and B3 pin positions, and the TX8 pin, which is symmetrical to the RX8, is arranged on the lower surface at the A35 and A36 pin positions. Other signal pins that are symmetrical with respect to each other are similarly arranged in a staggered manner, so that near-end crosstalk can be effectively reduced. The arrangement of the defined pins is not limited to the above, and any arrangement in which the symmetrical differential signal pins are arranged in a staggered manner on the upper and lower surfaces falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0089] For example, the shorting bar's conductive member is described as being electrically connected to a conductive element serving as a ground. It should be understood that "ground" does not necessarily mean grounded. Any potential serving as a reference for high-speed signals can be considered grounded. Thus, "ground" can have a positive or negative potential relative to grounded ground, or, in some embodiments, can be a low-frequency signal, such as a control signal that infrequently changes levels.

[0090] As another example of a variation, a short-circuit member is depicted for use in a connector having a pattern of signal pairs separated by ground conductors. It should be understood that a uniform or repeating pattern is not required, and the conductive members of the short-circuit member do not need to be regularly spaced. For example, a connector may have an allocation in which some conductive elements are intended to carry high-frequency signals, while some conductive elements are only used for low-frequency signals. There may be fewer grounds near signal conductors allocated for low-frequency operation than near signal conductors allocated for high-frequency signals, resulting in uneven spacing between conductive members.

[0091] Each conductive member in the short-circuit member is described as being in electrical and mechanical contact with a corresponding conductive element in the connector. Mechanical contact is not required. If the conductive members and conductive elements are closely spaced, sufficient electrical connection can be achieved to achieve the desired improvement in the electrical performance of the connector. However, the inventors have recognized and appreciated that including a flexible conductive element extending from the lossy body improves the effectiveness of the short-circuit member in enhancing the high-frequency performance of the connector, particularly in densely packed connectors.

[0092] Furthermore, the shorting bar is shown in conjunction with a receptacle connector. It will be appreciated that the shorting bar comprising a lossy body and an extended flexible conductive member may alternatively or additionally be used in a plug connector or any other form of connector, including a right angle connector or a mezzanine connection.

[0093] As a further variation, it should be recognized that Figure 1A single port connector is shown. The techniques described above can be used to implement a multi-port connector. Figure 8 For example, a dual-port connector 810 is shown having ports 812 and 814. Shorting bars may be associated with either or both of ports 812 and / or 814. For example, the receptacle connector 810 may be formed within an insulating housing 820 into which a plurality of contact wafers are inserted. In embodiments where each contact wafer includes a row of conductive elements, Figure 8 The dual-port connector shown may be constructed from four contact wafers, each contact wafer providing a row of conductive elements for either the upper or lower surface of port 812 or 814 .

[0094] As yet another variation, a shorting bar is shown having conductive elements extending from two opposing surfaces to contact conductive elements in two parallel rows. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the shorting bar may contact conductive elements in a single row or more than two rows.

[0095] Furthermore, the shorting bar is described as being located between two parallel rows of conductive elements. It is not required that the lossy member be configured as an elongated member. In some embodiments, the lossy member positioned to electrically couple to the conductive elements in the row may be annular, wrapped around the conductive element. Such a lossy member may have protrusions adjacent to the ground conductor. These protrusions may be flexible, such as may be produced by protrusions made of metal or a conductive elastomer. Alternatively, the protrusions may be rigid, such as may be produced by molding the lossy member from a plastic material filled with a conductive filler. Furthermore, the coupling between the lossy member and the conductive element intended to be connected to ground may alternatively or additionally be achieved by an opening in the insulating housing between the lossy member and the grounded conductive element.

[0096] As an example of another possible configuration for lossy members, two elongated members can be provided, one adjacent to each row of conductive elements. As another alternative, multiple lossy members can be coupled to each row of conductive elements. As a specific example, two lossy members can each be positioned adjacent to half of the conductive elements in a row. However, it should be understood that any suitable number of lossy members can be positioned adjacent to any suitable number of conductive elements.

[0097] Other variations may be made to the illustrative structures shown and described herein. For example, techniques are described for improving signal quality at the mating interface of an electrical interconnect system. These techniques may be used individually or in any suitable combination. Furthermore, while the techniques described herein are particularly well-suited to improving the performance of miniaturized connectors, the dimensions of the connectors may be increased or decreased from those shown. Furthermore, materials other than those explicitly mentioned may be used to construct the connectors.

[0098] Furthermore, although many of the inventive aspects are shown and described with reference to I / O connectors, and particularly socket-type connectors, the technology described herein can be applied to any suitable type of connector, including daughterboard / backplane connectors having a right-angle configuration, stacking connectors, mezzanine connectors, I / O connectors, chip sockets, etc.

[0099] In some embodiments, the contact tails are shown as surface mount contacts. However, since aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the use of any particular mechanism for attaching the connector to a printed circuit board, other configurations may also be used, such as press-fit "eye of the needle" flexible portions designed to fit within through-holes in a printed circuit board, spring contacts, solderable pins, etc.

[0100] Such changes, modifications and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, while the advantages of the invention have been noted, it should be understood that not every embodiment of the invention will include every described advantage. Some embodiments may not implement, and in some cases may not implement, any of the features described herein as advantageous. Therefore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are intended to be examples only.

[0101] The various aspects of the present invention may be used alone, in combination, or in various arrangements not specifically discussed in the previously described embodiments, and the present invention is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangements of components set forth in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, various aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with various aspects described in other embodiments.

[0102] The use of ordinal terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. in the claims to modify claim elements does not itself mean that one claim element has any priority, precedence and order over another claim element or the temporal order of the actions of the method of performing the claim, but is merely used as a mark to distinguish one claim element with a certain name from another element with the same name (but using ordinal terms), thereby distinguishing the claim elements.

[0103] As defined and used herein, all definitions should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0104] Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used in the specification and claims herein should be understood to mean "at least one."

[0105] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" when referring to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one element of each or each element specifically listed in the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0106] As used in the specification and claims herein, the phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so combined, i.e., elements that are present in conjunction in some cases and separately in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements explicitly indicated by the "and / or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether or not related to the explicitly specified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used with open-ended terms such as "comprising," a reference to "A and / or B" may refer to only A (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment; to only B (optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment; to both A and B (optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment; and so on.

[0107] As used in the specification and claims of this article, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when the items in the list are separated, "or" or "and / or" should be understood to be inclusive, i.e., including at least one of a plurality of elements or a list of elements, but also including more than one element in a plurality of elements or a list of elements, and optionally including other unlisted items. Only when explicitly indicating terms with opposite meanings such as "only one" or "just one" or when used in the claims, "consisting of..." will refer to including just one element in a plurality of elements or a list of elements. Generally speaking, the term "or" used in this article, when preceded by an exclusive term such as "any one", "one", "only one" or "just one", should only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or another but not two"). "Mainly consisting of..." will have the ordinary meaning used in the field of patent law when used in the claims.

[0108] In addition, the words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered as limiting. The use of "includes," "comprising," or "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof herein is intended to include the items listed thereafter and their equivalents as well as additional items.

[0109] Regarding the implementation methods including the above embodiments, the following technical solutions are also disclosed:

[0110] Solution 1. An electrical connector, comprising:

[0111] a first subassembly comprising a first plurality of conductive elements arranged in a first row, each conductive element of the first plurality of conductive elements having a mating contact portion, a contact tail, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail;

[0112] a second subassembly comprising a second plurality of conductive elements arranged in a second row, each conductive element of the second plurality of conductive elements having a mating contact portion, a contact tail, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail;

[0113] a member disposed between the first subassembly and the second subassembly, the member comprising a lossy material and a plurality of conductive flexible members extending from the lossy material,

[0114] in:

[0115] A conductive flexible member of the plurality of conductive flexible members contacts a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

[0116] Solution 2. The electrical connector according to Solution 1, wherein:

[0117] The conductive flexible member is positioned to contact conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements that are separated by pairs of conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements.

[0118] Solution 3. The electrical connector according to Solution 2, wherein:

[0119] The conductive flexible member is positioned to contact conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements that are separated by pairs of conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements.

[0120] Solution 4. The electrical connector according to Solution 3, further comprising a housing having a cavity, the cavity having a first surface and a parallel second surface, wherein:

[0121] The mating contact portions of the first plurality of conductive elements are adjacent to the first surface, and the mating contact portions of the second plurality of conductive elements are adjacent to the second surface.

[0122] Solution 5. The electrical connector according to Solution 4, wherein:

[0123] the first surface and the second surface being spaced apart to receive a paddle card therebetween;

[0124] the housing comprising a first plurality of channels in the first surface and a second plurality of channels in the second surface;

[0125] the mating contact portions of the first plurality of conductive elements being arranged in the first plurality of channels; and

[0126] The mating contact portions of the second plurality of conductive elements are arranged in the second plurality of channels.

[0127] Solution 6. The electrical connector according to Solution 4, wherein:

[0128] The member is disposed within the housing between the first subassembly and the second subassembly.

[0129] Solution 7. The electrical connector according to Solution 6, wherein:

[0130] The first subassembly includes a first insulating portion;

[0131] The second subassembly includes a second insulating portion; and

[0132] The member is held between the first insulating portion and the second insulating portion.

[0133] Solution 8. The electrical connector according to solution 1, wherein:

[0134] The lossy material includes a polymer and a conductive filler;

[0135] The conductive flexible member is integrally formed with at least one conductive member;

[0136] The lossy material is formed around the at least one conductive member.

[0137] Solution 9. The electrical connector according to solution 1, wherein:

[0138] The lossy material comprises a polymer and a conductive filler; and

[0139] Each of the plurality of conductive flexible members that contacts a conductive element of the first plurality of conductive elements and a conductive member that contacts a conductive element of the second plurality of conductive elements are integrally formed.

[0140] Option 10. The electrical connector of Option 1, wherein the bulk conductivity of the conductive flexible member is at least ten times greater than the conductivity of the lossy material.

[0141] Solution 11. An electrical connector, comprising:

[0142] a plurality of conductive elements arranged in at least one row, each conductive element of the plurality of conductive elements having a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail portion;

[0143] A component comprising:

[0144] an electrically lossy body elongated in a direction parallel to the rows; and

[0145] a plurality of conductive flexible members extending from the lossy body,

[0146] in:

[0147] The conductive flexible member contacts a portion of the plurality of conductive elements.

[0148] Solution 12. The electrical connector according to solution 11, wherein:

[0149] The plurality of conductive flexible members contact a middle portion of the conductive element in the portion, and

[0150] The portion of the plurality of conductive elements consists essentially of conductive elements separated from adjacent conductive elements in the portion by at least one other conductive element in the row.

[0151] Solution 13. The electrical connector according to solution 11, wherein:

[0152] The portion of the plurality of conductive elements consists essentially of conductive elements separated from adjacent conductive elements in the portion by a pair of other conductive elements in the row.

[0153] Solution 14. The electrical connector according to solution 11, wherein:

[0154] The member includes a surface that is elongated in a direction parallel to the rows; and

[0155] Each of the plurality of conductive flexible members includes a first portion extending across the surface, a bend, and a second portion separated from the first portion by the bend, the second portion extending in a direction transverse to a direction parallel to the row.

[0156] Solution 15. The electrical connector according to solution 11, wherein:

[0157] The member comprises a metal member elongated in a direction parallel to the row; and

[0158] The plurality of conductive flexible members are integrally formed with the metal member.

[0159] Solution 16. The electrical connector according to Solution 14, wherein:

[0160] The member comprises a polymer having conductive particles embedded therein; and

[0161] The metal member includes a first portion embedded in the polymer, wherein the conductive flexible member extends from the first portion.

[0162] Solution 17. The electrical connector according to solution 11, wherein:

[0163] The plurality of conductive flexible members includes a plurality of C-shaped elements.

[0164] Solution 18. The electrical connector according to solution 11, further comprising:

[0165] an insulating housing comprising a surface, wherein the plurality of conductive elements are supported by the housing; and

[0166] A metal latch clip is disposed on a surface of the housing.

[0167] Solution 19. An electrical connector configured as a receptacle for a plug of a cable assembly, the electrical connector comprising:

[0168] an insulating housing comprising at least one cavity configured to receive the plug, the cavity comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;

[0169] a first plurality of conductive elements, each having a portion disposed along the first surface;

[0170] a second plurality of conductive elements, each having a portion disposed along the second surface;

[0171] a member disposed within the housing, the member comprising a lossy material and a plurality of conductive members extending from the lossy material,

[0172] in:

[0173] A conductive member of the plurality of conductive members contacts a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

[0174] Option 20. The electrical connector according to Option 19, comprising a printed circuit board in the assembly, wherein:

[0175] The printed circuit board includes at least one ground plane; and

[0176] Each of the portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and the portion of the second plurality of conductive elements is attached to a ground plane of the at least one ground plane.

[0177] Option 21. The assembly according to Option 19, wherein:

[0178] The printed circuit board includes a plurality of pairs of signal traces;

[0179] the conductive member being positioned to contact conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements separated by pairs of conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements;

[0180] the conductive member being positioned to contact conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements separated by pairs of conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements; and

[0181] Each pair of conductive elements in the first and second pluralities of conductive elements is coupled to a pair of signal traces in a plurality of pairs of signal traces in the printed circuit board.

[0182] Option 22. An assembly according to Option 19, wherein the member includes a conductive mesh interconnecting the plurality of conductive members.

[0183] Item 23. The component of Item 19, wherein the conductive mesh is embedded in the lossy material.

[0184] Item 24. The assembly of Item 23, wherein:

[0185] the first plurality of conductive elements comprising a first subassembly including a first insulating portion holding the plurality of conductive elements in a first row; and

[0186] The second plurality of conductive elements includes a second subassembly including a second insulating portion holding the plurality of conductive elements in a second row.

[0187] Option 25. The assembly of Option 24, wherein the first insulating portion and the second insulating portion are formed with a plurality of castellations, and the member includes a portion extending between the castellations of the first insulating portion and the second insulating portion.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: a first subassembly (2, 3) comprising a first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) arranged in a first row along a row direction; a second subassembly (3, 2) comprising a second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210) arranged in a second row along the row direction; as well as a member (5, 505, 605) disposed between the first subassembly and the second subassembly, the member comprising a plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) extending therefrom, in: Each conductive element of the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements includes a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail portion; A conductive member of the plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) is in electrical contact with a middle portion of a portion of the conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220), and is in electrical contact with a middle portion of a portion of the conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210); Each of the conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) that is in electrical contact with a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) shares a position along the row direction with each of the conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) that is in electrical contact with a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210); The contact tails of the conductive elements are configured to be attached to a printed circuit board; and The intermediate portions of the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements include sections substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board when the electrical connector is attached to the printed circuit board, and in the sections substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board, conductive members of the plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) are in electrical contact with the intermediate portions of a portion of the conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) and with the intermediate portions of a portion of the conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210).

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) are positioned to contact conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) that are separated by pairs of conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a housing (1), the housing (1) having a cavity (240), the cavity having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface, wherein: The mating contact portions of the conductive elements in the first plurality of conductive elements or the second plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) are exposed in the first surface or the second surface.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein: The housing (1) includes a first plurality of channels (224) in the first surface and a second plurality of channels (244) in the second surface; the mating contact portions of the first plurality of conductive elements of the first subassembly being arranged in the first plurality of channels; as well as The mating contact portions of the second plurality of conductive elements of the second subassembly are arranged in the second plurality of channels.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first subassembly and / or the second subassembly includes an insulating portion.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The member (5, 505, 605) is at least partially formed from an electrically conductive material.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The component (5, 505, 605) further includes: a body (410, 510, 610) having an upper side; castellations (416A to 416C, 418A to 418C) arranged on an upper side of the body; a metal member (640) elongated in a direction parallel to the row direction; and A plurality of conductive members extend from the upper side of the body at positions between the castellations and are integrated with the metal member.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein The component (5, 505, 605) further includes: a metal member (640) elongated in a direction parallel to the row direction; and A body (410, 510, 610) is formed of a lossy material and is arranged to contact the metal member (640).

9. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The member (5, 505, 605) includes a first member and a second member.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein: The first member is arranged parallel to the second member, and the first member and the second member are in electrical contact with both a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: Conductive members of the plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) are in electrical and mechanical contact with a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220).

12. The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein: Conductive members of the plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) are in electrical and mechanical contact with a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210).

13. An electrical connector configured as a socket for mating with a plug of a cable assembly, the electrical connector comprising: An insulating housing (1) comprising at least one cavity (240) configured to accommodate the plug, the at least one cavity comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220), each having a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail portion, arranged along the first surface; a second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210), each having a mating contact portion, a contact tail, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail, arranged along the second surface; and a member (5, 505, 605) disposed within the insulating housing, the member comprising a conductive material and a plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) extending from the conductive material, in: A conductive member of the plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) is in electrical contact with a middle portion of a portion of the conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220), and is in electrical contact with a middle portion of a portion of the conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210); Each of the conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) that is in electrical contact with a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements shares a position along a row direction with each of the conductive members that is in electrical contact with a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements; The contact tails of the conductive elements are configured to be attached to a printed circuit board; and The intermediate portions of the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements include sections substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board when the electrical connector is attached to the printed circuit board, and in the sections substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board, conductive members of the plurality of conductive members (420, 520, 630A, 630B) are in electrical contact with the intermediate portions of a portion of the conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) and with the intermediate portions of a portion of the conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements (220, 210).

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein: The electrical connector is attached to a printed circuit board, wherein: The printed circuit board includes at least one ground plane; and Each conductive element of the portion of conductive elements is electrically and mechanically attached to the at least one ground plane.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 14, wherein: The printed circuit board includes a plurality of pairs of signal traces; and Each pair of conductive elements in the first and second pluralities of conductive elements is electrically and mechanically attached to a pair of signal traces in a plurality of pairs of signal traces in the printed circuit board.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 15, wherein: The first plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) comprises a subassembly (3, 2) including an insulating portion (230; 232A, 232B) that holds the plurality of conductive elements in a row; the insulating portion including an opening therein; and The member is at least partially disposed within the opening.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein: The component (5, 505, 605) further includes: a metal member (640) elongated in a direction parallel to the row direction; and A body (410, 510, 610) is formed of a lossy material and is arranged to contact the metal member (640).

18. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein The member (5, 505, 605) includes a first member and a second member.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein The first member is arranged parallel to the second member, and the first member and the second member are in electrical contact with both a portion of the first plurality of conductive elements and a portion of the second plurality of conductive elements.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein The at least one cavity (240) includes a first cavity (812, 814) and a second cavity (814, 812).

21. An electrical connector, comprising: A subassembly (2, 3) comprising a plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) arranged in a row, each conductive element comprising a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail portion; A short-circuit member (605) is arranged adjacent to the subassembly, the short-circuit member comprising a conductive sheet, the conductive sheet comprising: a first portion (630A, 630B) in electrical contact with a subset of the plurality of conductive elements; and a second portion (640) interconnecting said first portions, in: The contact tails of the conductive elements are configured to be attached to a printed circuit board; and The middle portion of the conductive element includes a section substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board when the electrical connector is attached to the printed circuit board, and the first portion of the conductive sheet is in electrical contact with the middle portion of the conductive element in the subset of conductive elements in the section substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board.

22. The electrical connector according to claim 21, wherein: The first part (630A, 630B) of the short-circuit member is a plurality of conductive members; as well as The second portion (640) of the short-circuit member includes a conductive strip interconnecting conductive members of the plurality of conductive members.

23. The electrical connector according to claim 22, wherein: A conductive member of the plurality of conductive members has a bent shape.

24. The electrical connector according to claim 22, wherein The second portion includes a first conductive strip and a second conductive strip.

25. The electrical connector according to claim 24, wherein The first conductive strip is arranged parallel to the second conductive strip.

26. The electrical connector according to claim 25, wherein The first conductive strip and the second conductive strip are both in electrical contact with a subset of the plurality of conductive elements.

27. The electrical connector according to claim 21, wherein The plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) includes a first plurality of conductive elements (210) and a second plurality of conductive elements (220), wherein conductive elements of the first plurality of conductive elements are arranged along the row opposite corresponding conductive elements of the second plurality of conductive elements.

28. The electrical connector according to claim 27, wherein The conductive elements of the first and second pluralities of conductive elements include mating contact portions (216, 226), contact tail portions (212, 222), and intermediate portions (214, 224) connecting the mating contact portions and the contact tail portions.

29. The electrical connector according to claim 28, further comprising a housing (1), the housing (1) having a cavity (240), the cavity (240) having a first surface (242) and a parallel second surface, wherein: the mating contact portions of the first plurality of conductive elements being adjacent to the first surface; as well as The mating contact portions of the second plurality of conductive elements are adjacent to the second surface.

30. The electrical connector according to claim 29, wherein The first surface and the second surface are spaced apart to receive a paddle card therebetween.

31. An electrical connector, comprising: A subassembly (2, 3) comprising a plurality of conductive elements (210, 220) arranged in a row, each conductive element comprising a mating contact portion, a contact tail portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the mating contact portion and the contact tail portion; as well as A short-circuit member (605) is arranged adjacent to the subassembly, the short-circuit member comprising: a web (640) extending along the row; and a plurality of conductive members (630A, 630B) extending from the mesh and in electrical contact with a subset of the plurality of conductive elements, in: The contact tails of the conductive elements are configured to be attached to a printed circuit board; and The middle portion of the conductive element includes a section substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board when the electrical connector is attached to the printed circuit board, and a conductive member of the plurality of conductive members is in electrical contact with the middle portion of the conductive element of the subset of conductive elements in the section substantially along the upper surface of the printed circuit board.

32. The electrical connector according to claim 31, wherein The plurality of conductive members (630A, 630B) have a curved shape.

33. The electrical connector of claim 31, further comprising a lossy material (610) positioned adjacent the conductive member such that resonance is reduced.

34. The electrical connector according to claim 33, wherein The lossy materials include polymers and conductive fillers.

35. The electrical connector according to claim 31, wherein The subassembly includes an insulating portion (232A, 232B) supporting the plurality of conductive elements.

36. The electrical connector according to claim 35, wherein A conductive member of the plurality of conductive members extends through an opening (234) in the insulating portion to contact the subset of conductive elements.

37. The electrical connector according to claim 31, wherein The plurality of conductive elements include ground conductors and signal conductors.

38. The electrical connector according to claim 37, wherein The first ground conductor is separated from the second ground conductor along the row by a pair of signal conductors.

39. The electrical connector according to claim 31, wherein The subset of conductive elements includes ground contacts.

40. The electrical connector according to claim 31, wherein The electrical connector is attached to a printed circuit board, and wherein: The printed circuit board includes at least one ground plane; and Each conductive element in the subset of conductive elements is electrically coupled to the at least one ground plane.

41. The electrical connector according to claim 40, wherein: The printed circuit board includes a plurality of pairs of signal traces; and Each pair of conductive elements in the plurality of conductive elements is electrically coupled to a pair of signal traces in the plurality of pairs of signal traces in the printed circuit board.

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