Cable assembly with dielectric clamshell connector for impedance control

Abstract

A connector for use in a connector assembly for controlling impedance has a housing (44) made of an insulating material. The housing (44) has a first conductor receiving opening (68) and a second conductor receiving opening (68), sized to receive exposed conductors (18, 20) of a cable (10). The first conductor receiving opening (68) and the second conductor receiving opening (68) have conductor receiving portions (41, 49) extending at an angle (71) relative to the longitudinal axis (45) of the housing (44). The first conductor receiving opening (68) and the second conductor receiving opening (68) have conductor spacer portions (43, 51) extending from the conductor receiving portions (41, 49). The conductor spacer portions (43, 51) extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (45) of the housing (44). The spacer portions (43, 51) are spaced apart by a distance. The distance (47) between the dielectric material and the conductor spacer portions is selected to match the impedance of the cable (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cable assembly for controlling impedance. More specifically, this invention relates to a cable assembly that utilizes a dielectric clamshell component to control the impedance of the cable termination. Background Technology

[0002] Maintaining signal integrity in communications is always desirable. Factors affecting signal integrity include cable design and the processes used to terminate or attach cables. Cables are typically made with at least one plated or unplated center conductor, which is covered by a braided layer and / or foil shielding protector with a dielectric and an overall non-conductive sheath. The termination of the braided layer in devices such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) or connectors can significantly affect cable performance.

[0003] Several methods are known for terminating shielded components, including soldering the ends of the wires to the PCB / connector terminals, laser termination with parallel gap resistance soldering, and another common termination method using ferrules. A significant problem with ferrules is that crimping the wires to apply the ferrules tends to crush the cable dielectric. Another issue with existing methods of terminating braids is that they may tend to rearrange the placement of differential pairs within the cable sheath. Both of these issues affect impedance and other electrical parameters, thus impacting signal integrity.

[0004] The problem to be solved is to provide a cable assembly that controls impedance without damaging or rearranging the conductors. In particular, a cable assembly that utilizes dielectric shell components to control the impedance of the cable terminations would be beneficial. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This problem is solved by an impedance-controlled connector used in a connector assembly, the connector having a housing with a first conductor receiving opening and a second conductor receiving opening. The dimensions of the first and second conductor receiving openings are adapted to receive the exposed conductors of the cable. Both the first and second conductor receiving openings have conductor receiving portions that extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The first and second conductor receiving openings have conductor spacing portions extending from the conductor receiving openings. The conductor spacing portions extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The spacing portions are spaced apart by a distance. The distance between the spacing portions is selected to match the impedance of the cable. Attached Figure Description

[0006] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a cable assembly according to the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 For along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the cable taken from centerline 2-2.

[0009] Figure 3 This is an enlarged perspective view of the clamshell connector of the cable assembly.

[0010] Figure 4 It is an enlarged perspective view of the conductor located in the first part of the clamshell connector, from which the second part of the clamshell connector is separated.

[0011] Figure 5 This is an enlarged perspective view of a clamshell connector fully inserted into the conductor.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the fully assembled cable assembly.

[0013] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The cable assembly shown is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Cable 10 Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown. Cable 10 can transmit data between storage devices, switches, routers, printed circuit boards (PCBs), analog-to-digital converters, connectors, and other devices. In various embodiments, cable 10 can support data transmission rates of 100 Mbps and higher. In some embodiments, cable 10 can support data transmission rates from approximately 4.25 Gbps to approximately 25 Gbps. Cable 10 can also be used at data transmission rates higher or lower than these exemplary rates. Figure 2 As shown, cable 10 has a cable sheath 12, a braided shield 16, a metallized foil 14, and two center conductors 18 and 20. Conductors 18 and 20 are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other. Conductors 18 and 20 are surrounded by the braided metal shield 16, such as, but not limited to, braided copper shielding. The center conductors 18 and 20 may also be surrounded by separate dielectrics 22 and 23.

[0015] like Figure 1 and 7 As shown, one end of cable 10 has its cable sheath 12 removed. A portion 24 of cable 10 may include a loop 26 disposed near its end. In this application, the braided shield 16 will be folded back over the loop 26. The dielectric of conductors 18, 20 is also removed, thereby exposing a portion of conductors 18, 20.

[0016] When conductors 18 and 20 are exposed, terminal 30 is located at the ends of conductors 18 and 20. For example... Figure 4As shown, the wire termination portion 32 of terminal 30 is crimped onto conductors 18 and 20. However, other methods can be used to terminate terminal 30 onto conductors 18 and 20. In the illustrative embodiment shown, terminal 30 is a male terminal having a pin portion 34 extending from the wire termination portion 32. However, other terminal structures can also be used, including but not limited to female receptacle terminals.

[0017] After terminal 30 is correctly terminated to conductors 18 and 20, the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 are aligned with the clamshell connector or housing 44. The clamshell connector 44 is made of insulating material. Figure 3 As shown, the clamshell connector 44 has a first or bottom portion 42 and a second or top portion 46.

[0018] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the bottom portion 42 has a conductor receiving recess 40 for receiving conductors 18 and 20 therein. The conductor receiving recess 40 has a conductor receiving portion 41 and a conductor transition or spacing portion 43. The conductor receiving portion 41 extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 44 to receive and space conductors 18 and 20 as they exit the cable 10. The conductor spacing portion 43 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 44. The spacing portions 43 are spaced apart by a distance 47.

[0019] The bottom portion 42 has a conductor receiving recess 40 for receiving conductors 18, 20 therein. The conductor receiving recess 40 extends to a terminal receiving recess 58, which is sized to receive a wire termination portion 32 of a terminal 30 therein. A latch receiving opening 60 is located between the conductor receiving recesses 40. The latch receiving opening 60 has a latch shoulder 61 extending from its sidewall. A latch receiving recess 62 is located between the terminal receiving recesses 58. The latch receiving recess 62 has a latch shoulder 63 extending from its sidewall.

[0020] The top portion 46 has a conductor receiving recess 48 for receiving conductors 18 and 20 therein. The conductor receiving recess 48 has a conductor receiving portion 49 and a conductor transition or spacing portion 51. The conductor receiving portion 49 extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 44 to receive and space conductors 18 and 20 when the cable 10 is withdrawn. The conductor spacing portion 51 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 44. The spacing portions 51 are spaced apart by a distance 47.

[0021] A conductor receiving recess 48 extends to a terminal receiving recess 50, the terminal receiving recess being sized to accommodate a wire termination portion 32 of a terminal 30. Latches 52 and 54 extend from a top portion 46 and are located between the conductor receiving recesses 48. Latches 52 and 54 have latch shoulders 53 and 55. Latch 56 extends from a top portion 46 and is located between the terminal receiving recesses 50. Latch 56 has a latch shoulder 57. In the illustrative embodiment shown, latches 52, 54, and 56 have similar constructions. However, other constructions of the latches may be used.

[0022] like Figure 5 As shown, the bottom portion 42 and the top portion 46 are configured to be fixed together to close the exposed portions of the conductors 18 and 20. When fixed, the exposed portions of the conductors 18 and 20 are positioned within the first and second conductor receiving openings 66 formed by the conductor receiving recesses 40 and 48. Figure 7 The conductor receiving opening 66 includes first and second conductor transition or spacing portions 65, which are formed by a first conductor transition or spacing portion 43 and a second conductor transition or spacing portion 51 when the bottom portion 42 is engaged with the top portion 46. The conductor receiving opening 66 also includes first and second conductor receiving portions 67, which are formed by a first conductor receiving portion 41 and a second conductor receiving portion 49 when the bottom portion 42 is engaged with the top portion 46. The wire termination portion 32 of the terminal 30 is located in the first and second terminal receiving openings 68 formed by the terminal receiving recesses 50 and 58. Figure 7 )middle.

[0023] The bottom portion 42 and the top portion 46 are held in the closed position by the engagement of the latch shoulders 53 and 55 of latches 52 and 54 with the latch shoulder 61 of latch receiving opening 60, and by the engagement of the latch shoulder 57 of latch 56 with the latch shoulder 63 of latch receiving recess 62.

[0024] The positioning of the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 within the first and second conductor receiving portions 67 of the first and second conductor receiving openings 66 of the clamshell connector 44 maintains the correct positioning and required spacing of the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 to allow mating with the mating connector. In the illustrative embodiment, the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 in the first and second conductor receiving portions 67 extend substantially parallel to each other and are substantially in the same plane. Since the housing 44 surrounds the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20, the housing provides protection for the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20, preventing damage to the exposed portions and thus maintaining the integrity of the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 and the signal path thereby provided.

[0025] Since the spacing and dimensions of the first and second conductor receiving portions 67 of the first and second conductor receiving openings 66 of the clamshell connector 44 are controlled during the manufacturing process of the clamshell connector 44, the spacing of the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 is also controlled when the conductors are located in the first and second conductor receiving portions 67 of the first and second conductor receiving openings 66. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the dielectric material for the clamshell connector 44 and appropriately determining the spacing between the first and second conductor receiving portions 67 formed by the first conductor receiving portion 41 and the second conductor receiving portion 49, the impedance of the clamshell connector 44 can be customized to match or approximately match the impedance of the cable 10.

[0026] The positioning of the exposed portions of conductors 18, 20 in the first and second conductor receiving openings 66 and the first and second conductor transition or spacer portions 65 of the clamshell connector 44 provides a controlled transition with a controlled transition angle 71 between the conductors 18, 20 provided in the cable 10 and the exposed conductors 18, 20 located in the first and second conductor receiving portions 67 of the first and second conductor receiving openings 66. The transition angle 71 is an angle measured between the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 44 and the surface of the transition portion 65.

[0027] Since the transition angle 71, spacing, and dimensions of the first and second conductor receiving openings 66 of the clamshell connector 44 are controlled during the manufacturing process of the clamshell connector 44, the transition angle 71 and spacing of the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 are also controlled when the conductors are located at the first and second conductor transition or spacing portions 65 of the first and second conductor receiving openings 66. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the dielectric material for the clamshell connector 44 and appropriately determining the transition angle 71 and spacing between the first and second conductor transition or spacing portions 65 formed by the first conductor transition or spacing portion 43 and the second conductor transition or spacing portion 51, the impedance of the clamshell connector 44 can be customized to match or approximately match the impedance of the cable 10.

[0028] Clamshell connector 44 is correctly positioned on the exposed portions of conductors 18 and 20 and the wire termination portion 32 of terminal 30, providing a terminal housing 70. Figure 7 This provides stability to the free end of the contact 30.

[0029] The external metal shielding member 72 of the cable assembly 74 is fixed to the cable 10. For example... Figure 6 and 7As shown, the retaining portion 76 of the outer metal member 72 is located on a portion of the cable 10 and the ferrule 26. The retaining portion 76 is then secured, for example by crimping, to hold the outer metal member 72 to the cable 10. The necking portion 78 of the outer metal member 72 is located above the clamshell connector 44 to provide additional shielding and hold the clamshell connector 44 in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer metal member 72 has two parts that are mechanically and electrically connected by latching, adhesive, or other known attachment methods.

[0030] Cable assembly 74, particularly clamshell connector 44, provides impedance control without damaging or rearranging conductors 18, 20. By appropriately selecting the dielectric material for clamshell connector 44 and properly determining the spacing between recesses 40, 48, conductors 18, 20 are properly positioned, and the impedance of clamshell connector 44 can be customized to match or approximately match the impedance of cable 10, thereby optimizing the performance of cable 10 and cable assembly 74.

Claims

1. A connector for use in a connector assembly for controlling impedance, the connector comprising: The housing (44) has a first conductor receiving opening (66) and a second conductor receiving opening (66), the dimensions of which are designed to receive the exposed conductors (18, 20) of the cable (10). The first conductor receiving opening (66) and the second conductor receiving opening (66) have conductor receiving portions (41, 49) that extend at an angle (71) relative to the longitudinal axis (45) of the housing (44); The first conductor receiving opening (66) and the second conductor receiving opening (66) have conductor spacing portions (43, 51) extending from the conductor receiving portions (41, 49), the conductor spacing portions (43, 51) extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis (45) of the housing (44), the conductor spacing portions (43, 51) being spaced apart by a distance (47). The distance (47) between the intervals (43, 51) is selected to match the impedance of the cable (10). The housing (44) also has a first terminal receiving opening (68) and a second terminal receiving opening (68) of a wire termination portion (32) configured as a receiving terminal (30), the wire termination portion (32) being terminated to the end of an exposed conductor (18, 20) of the cable (10), the first conductor receiving opening (66) extending to the first terminal receiving opening (68), and the second conductor receiving opening (66) extending to the second terminal receiving opening (68).

2. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 1, wherein, The housing (44) has a first portion (42) and a second portion (46), the first portion (42) having a first conductor receiving recess (40) and the second portion (46) having a second conductor receiving recess (48), the first conductor receiving recess and the second conductor receiving recess being aligned to form a first conductor receiving opening and a second conductor receiving opening (66).

3. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 2, wherein, The first conductor receiving recess (40) extends to the first terminal receiving recess (58), and the second conductor receiving recess (48) extends to the second terminal receiving recess (50). The dimensions of the first terminal receiving recess (58) and the second terminal receiving recess (50) are designed to be the wire termination portion (32) of the receiving terminal (30).

4. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 3, wherein, The first latch (52, 54) extends from the second portion (46) and is located between the second conductor receiving recess (48).

5. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 4, wherein, The second latch (56) extends from the second portion (46) and is located between the second terminal receiving recesses (58).

6. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 5, wherein, The first latch (52, 54) and the second latch (56) have latch shoulders (53, 55, 57).

7. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 6, wherein, The first portion (42) has a latch receiving opening (60) located between the first conductor receiving recesses (40).

8. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 7, wherein, The latch receiving recess (62) is located between the first terminal receiving recesses (58).

9. The connector for controlling impedance according to claim 8, wherein, The latch receiving opening (60) and the latch receiving recess (62) have latch shoulders (61, 63) extending from their sidewalls.

10. A cable assembly (74) for terminating a cable (10) having exposed conductors (18, 20), the cable assembly (74) comprising: A clamshell connector (44) for impedance control used in a connector assembly (74), the connector comprising: A housing (44) made of dielectric material has a first conductor receiving opening (58) and a second conductor receiving opening (66), the first conductor receiving opening (66) and the second conductor receiving opening (66) being sized to receive exposed conductors (18, 20) of a cable (10). The first conductor receiving opening (66) and the second conductor receiving opening (66) have conductor receiving portions (41, 49) that extend at an angle (71) relative to the longitudinal axis (45) of the housing (44); The first conductor receiving opening (66) and the second conductor receiving opening (66) have conductor spacing portions (43, 51) extending from the conductor receiving portions (41, 49), the conductor spacing portions (43, 51) extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis (45) of the housing (44), the spacing portions (43, 51) being spaced apart by a distance (47). The distance (47) between the dielectric material and the spacer portion (43, 51) is selected as the impedance of the matching cable (10); A first terminal receiving opening (68) and a second terminal receiving opening (68) are configured as wire termination portions (32) of a receiving terminal (30), the wire termination portions (32) being terminated to the ends of exposed conductors (18, 20) of the cable (10), the first conductor receiving opening (66) extending to the first terminal receiving opening (68), and the second conductor receiving opening (66) extending to the second terminal receiving opening (68). A shielding member (72) extends from the cable (10) and is positioned on the connector housing (44).

11. The cable assembly of claim 10, wherein, The fixing part (76) of the shielding member (72) is located on the ferrule (26) of the cable (10) and a part of the cable (10).

12. The cable assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The necked portion (78) of the shielding member (72) is located above the housing (44) to provide additional shielding and hold the housing (44) in place.

13. The cable assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The shielding component consists of two parts that are mechanically and electrically connected together.

Images