Connector assembly

Abstract

Connector assemblies for high speed data communications are described. In one example, a connector assembly includes a plug mating interface, a surface mating interface, and a wafer assembly between the plug mating interface and the surface mating interface. The wafer assembly includes a wafer insert, a channel-shaped shield, a plurality of signal conductors extending within the channel-shaped shield, a conductive gasket over an open edge of the channel-shaped shield, and a shield cover over the conductive gasket. The conductive gasket can be embodied as a conductive elastomeric gasket and provide a conductive shield over the open edge of the channel-shaped shield. The conductive gasket can be between the shield cover and the open edge of the channel-shaped shield. The conductive gasket and the shield cover help to enclose the open area in the channel-shaped shield and provide additional shielding for the plurality of signal conductors.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 503642, filed May 22, 2023. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] A range of input / output (I / O) connectors are designed for power, data, and power and data interconnect systems, including board-to-board, wire-to-wire, and wire-to-board systems. For each type of system, numerous designs exist, depending on the power and data communication environment requirements employing the connectors. As an example, a wire-to-board system includes a free-end connector attached to a wire and a fixed-end connector attached to a board.

[0004] High-data-rate connectors, cable assemblies, and interconnect systems often rely on two conductors arranged in a differentially coupled signal pair to transmit a differential signal. The transmitted signal is represented by the electrical difference measured between the conductor pairs. Differential signaling helps avoid parasitic signals and crosstalk, and prevents unintentional signaling modes between adjacent signal pairs. In connector interfaces, a grounding terminal can be used to create a return path for electrical grounding, to provide shielding between differential pairs, and for other purposes.

[0005] Connectors used in high data rate applications are typically designed to meet a range of mechanical and electrical requirements. As an example, high data rate connectors are frequently used in backplane applications requiring very high conductor density and data rates. To meet the required mechanical and electrical requirements, connectors used in such applications often include one or more sheet-body assemblies. Using sheet-body assemblies allows for the utilization of many different assembly processes to manufacture connectors capable of achieving high data rates. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This describes various aspects and embodiments of a high-speed connector assembly. In one example, a connector assembly includes a plug mating interface, a surface mating interface, and a sheet body assembly between the plug mating interface and the surface mating interface. The sheet body assembly includes a sheet body insert, a channel-like shield, a plurality of signal conductors extending within the channel-like shield, a conductive pad located above an opening edge of the channel-like shield, and a shielding cover located above the conductive pad. The conductive pad can be embodied as a conductive elastomeric pad and provides conductive shielding above the opening edge of the channel-like shield. The conductive pad can be located between the shielding cover and the opening edge of the channel-like shield. In other examples, the sheet body assembly further includes a second channel-like shield, and the conductive pad is located above the opening edge of the channel-like shield and above a second opening edge of the second channel-like shield.

[0007] In other aspects of the various embodiments, the channel-shaped shield includes a plurality of shield tail contacts, the shield cover includes a plurality of side tail contacts and a central tail contact, and the plurality of signal conductors include a plurality of signal tail contacts. At the surface mating interface, the signal tail contacts of the plurality of signal conductors are located between the plurality of shield tail contacts of the channel-shaped shield and adjacent to the central tail contact of the shield cover. In other aspects, the channel-shaped shield further includes a shield tongue. At the surface mating interface, the signal tail contacts of the plurality of signal conductors are located between the plurality of shield tail contacts of the channel-shaped shield in the front-back direction of the connector assembly, and between the central tail contact of the shield cover and the shield tongue of the channel-shaped shield in the left-right direction of the connector assembly.

[0008] In other aspects of the various embodiments, the connector assembly further includes a surface interface shield located at a surface mating interface of the connector assembly. The surface interface shield may be a plated plastic component. At the surface mating interface, the channel-like shield and the plurality of signal conductors extend through an opening in the surface interface shield. The channel-like shield can contact the inner surface of the opening in the surface interface shield. Additionally, at the surface mating interface, a shielding cover extends through a second opening in the surface interface shield. The shielding cover can contact the inner surface of the second opening in the surface interface shield.

[0009] In another embodiment, a sheet body assembly includes a sheet body insert, a channel-shaped shield, a plurality of signal conductors extending within the channel-shaped shield, a conductive pad located above an opening edge of the channel-shaped shield, and a shielding cover located above the conductive pad. The conductive pad can be embodied as a conductive elastomeric pad and provides conductive shielding above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield. The conductive pad can be located between the shielding cover and the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield.

[0010] In another embodiment, a connector assembly includes a sheet body assembly and a surface interface shield. The sheet body assembly includes a sheet body insert, a channel-shaped shield, a plurality of signal conductors extending within the channel-shaped shield, a conductive pad provided at an opening edge of the channel-shaped shield, and a shielding cover provided on the conductive pad. The surface interface shield can be embodied as a plated plastic component. The channel-shaped shield and the signal conductors can extend through an opening in the surface interface shield, and the channel-shaped shield can contact the inner surface of the opening in the surface interface shield. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Many aspects of this disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following accompanying drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, but the emphasis is on clearly illustrating the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, similar reference numerals throughout the drawings denote corresponding parts.

[0012] Figure 1A A top perspective view of an example connector assembly according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 1B Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A A side view of the connector assembly shown.

[0014] Figure 1C Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A A bottom view of the connector assembly shown.

[0015] Figure 2A Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A The diagram shows a first side perspective view of the connector assembly, in which some components are omitted.

[0016] Figure 2B Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A The diagram shows a second side perspective view of the connector assembly, in which some components are omitted.

[0017] Figure 2CVarious aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A The second side perspective view of the connector assembly is shown, in which some parts are omitted.

[0018] Figure 3A Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A A front view of a sheet body component in the connector assembly shown.

[0019] Figure 3B Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A A rear view of the sheet body assembly shown.

[0020] Figure 3C Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A A top view of the sheet body assembly shown.

[0021] Figure 3D Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A A bottom view of the sheet body assembly shown.

[0022] Figure 3E Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A A three-dimensional view of the sheet body assembly shown.

[0023] Figure 3F Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A An exploded perspective view of the sheet body assembly shown.

[0024] Figure 3G Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A The tail contact portion of the sheet body assembly shown.

[0025] Figure 4A Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A The component at the bottom of the connector assembly shown.

[0026] Figure 4B Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A A first region at the bottom of the connector assembly shown.

[0027] Figure 4C Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A A second region at the bottom of the connector assembly shown.

[0028] Figure 4D Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A The surface interface shield of the connector assembly shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Connectors are typically designed to meet a range of mechanical and electrical requirements. As an example, high data rate connectors are frequently used in backplane applications demanding very high conductor density and data rates. To achieve the required mechanical and electrical requirements, connectors used in such applications often comprise one or more sheet-body assemblies. Employing sheet-body assemblies allows for the use of a range of different assembly processes to manufacture connectors capable of high data rates. In any case, the challenge remains designing sheet-body and connector structures in new systems that possess the conductor density and small pin arrangement required for high data rate applications while maintaining the desired electrical characteristics for data transmission with signal integrity.

[0030] The sections described above illustrate various aspects and embodiments of high-speed connector assemblies. In one example, a connector assembly includes a plug mating interface, a surface mating interface, and a sheet body assembly between the plug mating interface and the surface mating interface. The sheet body assembly includes a sheet body insert, a channel-like shield, a plurality of signal conductors extending within the channel-like shield, a conductive pad located above an opening edge of the channel-like shield, and a shielding cap located above the conductive pad. The conductive pad can be embodied as a conductive elastomeric pad and provides conductive shielding above the opening edge of the channel-like shield. The conductive pad can be located between the shielding cap and the opening edge of the channel-like shield. The conductive pad and the shielding cap help close the opening area in the channel-like shield and provide additional shielding for the signal conductors.

[0031] Turn to the attached diagram. Figure 1A A top perspective view of an example connector assembly 10 (i.e., connector 10) is shown. Figure 1B A side view of connector 10 is shown, and Figure 1C A bottom view of connector 10 according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Connector 10 is shown as a representative example and is not drawn to any particular scale or size. The shape, size, ratio, and other characteristics of connector 10 vary relative to what is shown. Furthermore, although connector 10 and other connectors discussed herein are described for use in high-speed backplanes and related interconnect applications, the concept is not limited to use with such interconnect applications or systems. The concept can be extended to other types of connectors used in other types of interconnect applications or systems.

[0032] Reference Figures 1A to 1CConnector 10 includes a plug-in interface 12 and a surface mount interface 14. In one example, a plug connector can mate and electrically connect to connector 10 at the plug-in interface 12. In another example, the free end of an interconnecting system cable can mate and electrically connect to connector 10 at the plug-in interface 12. Additionally, connector 10 can be a hermaphroditic or non-hermaphroditic type connector. In other words, a replica of connector 10 can rotate and mate with connector 10 (i.e., itself) at the plug-in interface 12.

[0033] The surface interface 14 of connector 10 can be mounted and electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB). Connector 10 also includes a housing 20 and retaining clips 22, 24 (see...). Figure 2B ), with alignment plug-ins 30 and 32 supporting columns 31A, 31B, 33A, and 33B (see...) Figure 1C The connector 10 includes components such as a surface interface shield 40. The connector 10 is a male-female or genderless type connector. In other words, a copy of the connector 10 can rotate and mate with the connector 10 (i.e., itself) at the plug mating interface 12.

[0034] The housing 20 can be formed from a plastic or polymer such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyethylene (PE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluoropolymers, or other plastics or insulating materials. The housing 20 can be formed using any suitable additive or subtractive manufacturing technique, including molding, injection molding, printing, and other techniques. In some cases, the outer surface of the housing 20 can be plated with one or more conductive metals, and the housing 20 can be embodied as a plated plastic component. The surface can, in some cases, be etched and metallized or plated in a bath, barrel plated, plated by physical vapor deposition (PVD), plated by electroless plating, electroplating, sputtering, ion plating, or other plating techniques, or a combination thereof. The surface of the housing 20 can be metallized or plated with copper, nickel, tin, silver, other other plated metals, or a combination of these plated metals.

[0035] As described laterally, a plurality of sheet body assemblies are arranged side-by-side within the housing 20. The housing 20 sits on the plurality of sheet body assemblies and secures the plurality of sheet body assemblies in the connector 10. In several examples described herein, the connector 10 includes eight sheet body assemblies. However, in other cases, the connector 10 may include other numbers of sheet body assemblies, including fewer or more sheet body assemblies. See below for further details. Figures 3A to 3GEach of the plurality of sheet-like assemblies, described in further detail, includes a pair of signal conductors and a channel-like shield for each pair of signal conductors. In the examples shown, each of the plurality of sheet-like assemblies includes four pairs of signal conductors and four channel-like shields. Each pair of signal conductors extends within a channel of a respective channel-like shield, and the channel-like shield provides a common ground and shield for the pair of signal conductors. These and other aspects of the plurality of sheet-like assemblies are described in more detail later.

[0036] The retaining clips 22 and 24 can be formed individually from a flat sheet of metal (e.g., by stamping, shearing, or other methods). The retaining clips 22 and 24 can be inserted into retaining slots formed in the housing 20. For example, as... Figure 1B As shown, retaining clip 22 is inserted through retaining slot 26 formed by housing 20. Retaining clip 24 is inserted through another retaining slot formed on the opposite side of housing 20. See below. Figure 2A In further detail, retaining clips 22 and 24 include retaining tabs.

[0037] Alignment inserts 30 and 32 can be formed individually from a flat sheet of metal (e.g., by stamping, shearing, or other methods). In one example, alignment inserts 30 and 32 can be inserted into alignment slots formed in the housing 20. Figure 1C As shown, alignment inserts 30 and 32 are respectively inserted into alignment slots 28 and 29 formed in the housing 20. In one case, alignment inserts 30 and 32 can be fixed within the alignment slots 28 and 29 by mechanical interference or friction assembly. In several other examples, the housing 20 can be molded around the alignment inserts 30 and 32.

[0038] Alignment plug 30 includes support posts 31A and 31B. Alignment plug 32 includes support posts 33A and 33B. Support posts 31A, 31B, 33A, and 33B extend downward from a bottom surface of the housing 20 in the surface interface 14 region of the connector 10. For example, when the surface interface 14 region of the connector 10 is fixed to and electrically connected to the PCB, each of the support posts 31A, 31B, 33A, and 33B can be inserted into an overpass hole of the PCB and soldered into place. As described in further detail later, the support posts 31A, 31B, 33A, and 33B provide mechanical support to the connector 10 and help reduce stress on the tail contact of the connector 10, especially when the connector 10 mates with a plug connector at the plug mating interface 12.

[0039] Reference Figure 1CThe connector 10 includes a surface interface shield 40 at the surface interface 14 region of the connector 10. The surface interface shield 40 can be formed of a plated plastic material. For example, the surface interface shield 40 can be formed of LCP, PE, PTFE, or other plastic materials, and in some cases, includes additives that better bond one or more plated metals. The surface interface shield 40 can be formed using any suitable additive or subtractive manufacturing technique, including molding, injection molding, printing, and other techniques. The outer surface of the surface interface shield 40 can be plated with one or more plated metals for conductivity, and the surface interface shield 40 can be embodied as a plated plastic component. The surface can be etched in some cases and can be metallized or plated in a plating solution, barrel plated, plated by PVD, plated by chemical plating, electroplating, sputtering, ion plating, or other plating techniques, or a combination thereof. The surface of the surface interface shield 40 can be metallized or plated with copper, nickel, tin, silver, other other plated metals, or a combination of these plated metals. The surface interface shield 40 provides additional shielding at the surface mating interface 14 of the connector 10.

[0040] The surface interface shield 40 includes a plurality of openings or openings, and an end of the sheet body assembly extends through said openings or openings, such as Figure 1C As shown. The channel-shaped shield of each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies also contacts the outer surface of the surface interface shield 40. Thus, the surface interface shield 40 electrically connects all the channel-shaped shields of the plurality of sheet body assemblies in the connector 10 together at the surface interface 14 of the connector 10.

[0041] Figure 2A Show Figure 1A The connector 10 shown is a first side perspective view, in which some parts are omitted, and Figure 2B Show Figure 1A The diagram shows a second side view of connector 10, in which some components are omitted. In particular, Figure 1A and Figure 1B The housing 20 is omitted in the view. As shown, connector 10 includes a plurality of sheet body assemblies, including sheet body assemblies 50A, 50B, 50C, 50N, etc. (collectively referred to as sheet body assemblies 50). The plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 are arranged side-by-side in connector 10. In the example shown, connector 10 includes eight sheet body assemblies 50. However, in other cases, connector 10 may include other numbers of sheet body assemblies, including fewer or more sheet body assemblies.

[0042] Reference Figure 2AThe retaining member 22 includes retaining tabs 23A-23N (collectively referred to as retaining tabs 23). The retaining member 24 also includes a plurality of similar retaining tabs. When the retaining member 22 is inserted through the retaining slot 26 in the housing 20 (see...), Figure 1A and Figure 1B When the multiple retaining tabs 23 extend between and interlock with the multiple retaining grooves of the multiple sheet body assemblies 50, they hold and secure the multiple sheet body assemblies 50 in place relative to the housing 20 within the connector 10. For example, the retaining tabs 23A of the retaining clip 22 extend into the retaining grooves 220 of the sheet body assembly 50A, such as... Figure 2A As shown, other retaining tabs 23 extend into similar retaining grooves in the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50. Additionally, retaining clips 24 are inserted through the housing 20 on the opposite side (i.e., Figure 1B Another retaining slit (on the opposite side of the housing 20 shown), and a plurality of retaining tabs of retaining clip 24 extend between and interlock with a plurality of retaining grooves on the other side of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50.

[0043] Figure 2C Show Figure 2B The second side view of connector 10 is shown, in which some components are omitted. The housing 20, alignment plugs 30 and 32, and surface interface shield 40 are... Figure 2C The view is omitted. Multiple sheet body assemblies 50 have surface mount (SMT) tails at... Figure 2C As can be seen, when connector 10 is mounted and connected to the PCB, the tail ends of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 can be electrically connected (e.g., soldered, sintered, etc.) to conductive pads or traces on a PCB. The tail ends of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 will be described in further detail later.

[0044] Figure 3A Show Figure 1A A front view of the sheet body assembly 50A in the connector 10 shown. Figure 3B A rear view of the sheet body assembly 50A is shown. Figure 3C A top view of the sheet body assembly 50A is shown, and Figure 3D A bottom view of the sheet body assembly 50A is shown. The sheet body assembly 50A is shown as a representative example and is not drawn to any particular scale or size. The shape, size, proportions, and other properties of the sheet body assembly 50A vary relative to what is shown. Each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 in the connector 10 may be similar to the sheet body assembly 50A and includes the same components and features as the sheet body assembly 50A.

[0045] Reference Figures 3A to 3FBetween these components, the sheet body assembly 50A includes channel-shaped shielding members 101-104, a sheet body insert 200, a conductive pad 300, a shielding cover 350, and signal conductors 401-408. Signal conductors 401-408 are conductors for transmitting data signals through the connector 10. Channel-shaped shielding members 101-104 are common or grounded shielding members in the connector 10, and together with the surface interface shielding member 40, the conductive pad 300, and the shielding cover 350, they form a common shielding or grounding network for the connector 10.

[0046] In the various examples described herein, the channel-shaped shields 101-104 are formed as U-shaped shields, but the channel-shaped shields 101-104 can be formed in other shapes. Each of the channel-shaped shields 101-104 includes a pair of sidewalls that extend generally orthogonally to a rear wall to form a U-shaped shield. Pairs of signal conductors 401-408 extend within the channels of the channel-shaped shields 101-104. In particular, signal conductors 401, 402 extend within a channel of channel-shaped shield 101, signal conductors 403, 404 extend within a channel of channel-shaped shield 102, signal conductors 405, 406 extend within a channel of channel-shaped shield 103, and signal conductors 407, 408 extend within a channel of channel-shaped shield 104. The signal conductors 401-408 respectively include signal head contact terminals 401A-408A and signal tail contact terminals 401B-408B.

[0047] The channel-shaped shields 101-104 each include shield head contact ends 101A-104A, shield tail contact ends 101B-104B, and other contact ends. Each of the shield head contact ends 101A-104A extends from one end of a first sidewall of the channel-shaped shield 101-104. Each of the shield tail contact ends 101B-104B extends from the other end of the first sidewall of the channel-shaped shield 101-104. Each of the channel-shaped shields 101-104 also includes another shield head contact end extending from a second sidewall of the channel-shaped shield 101-104. Additionally, each of the channel-shaped shields 101-104 includes another shield tail contact end extending from the second sidewall of the channel-shaped shield 101-104.

[0048] Signal conductors 401-408 can be formed from a flat sheet of metal, such as a lead frame (e.g., by stamping, shearing, or other methods). In some cases, the metal sheet or lead frame can be plated with one or more plated metals. The shapes of the signal head contacts 401A-408A and the signal tail contacts 401B-408B can be formed by bending, pressing, or stamping, respectively. See below. Figure 4BTo elaborate further, the signal tail contacts 401B-408B are formed as J-shaped heads for surface mount (SMT) connection to a PCB. In several other examples, the signal tail contacts 401B-408B may be formed as through holes (e.g., eye of needle, EON) or other types of contacts.

[0049] The channel-shaped shielding elements 101-104 can be independently formed from a flat sheet of metal material (e.g., by stamping, shearing, or other methods). The shapes of the shielding head contact ends 101A-104A and the shielding tail contact ends 101B-104B can be formed by bending, pressing, or stamping, respectively. See also the following reference. Figure 4B Explanatoryly, the shielding tail contacts 101B-104B are also formed as J-shaped heads for SMT connection to a PCB. In several other examples, the shielding tail contacts 101B-104B can be formed as EON or other types of contacts.

[0050] The sheet-body insert 200 can be formed from a plastic or polymer such as LCP, PE, PTFE, fluoropolymers, or other plastics or insulating materials. The sheet-body insert 200 can be molded around the lead frame that forms the signal conductors 401-408 before the signal conductors 401-408 are separated from the large lead frame. The sheet-body insert 200 secures the conductors 401-408 and positions them relative to each other and relative to other components of the sheet-body assembly 50A. As an example, the sheet-body insert 200 secures the signal conductors 401-408 and positions them relative to the channel-shaped shields 101-104, the conductive pads 300, and the shielding cover 350.

[0051] The sheet-like insert 200 includes channel spacers 211-214. The channel spacers 211-214 are dimensionally configured to fit into U-shaped channels within the channel-shaped shields 101-104. The channel spacers 211-214 support signal conductors 401-408 within the channel-shaped shields 101-104 and electrically isolate the signal conductors 401-408 from the channel-shaped shields 101-104. The channel spacers 211-214 maintain the position and spacing of the signal conductors 401-408 within the channels of the channel-shaped shields 101-104.

[0052] As described above, the sheet body insert 200 can be molded around the lead frame forming the signal conductors 401-408 before the signal conductors 401-408 are separated from the large lead frame. Thus, in the sheet body assembly 50A, signal conductors 401 and 402 extend through channel spacer 211, signal conductors 403 and 404 extend through channel spacer 212, signal conductors 405 and 406 extend through channel spacer 213, and signal conductors 407 and 408 extend through channel spacer 214. When the sheet body insert 200 is first molded around the signal conductors 401-408, the sheet body insert 200 includes a plurality of heat-fused pillars. In particular, each of the channel spacers 211-214 includes a plurality of heat-fused pillars. As explained later, the heat-fused pillars are used to hold the components of the sheet body assembly 50A together.

[0053] After the sheet-like insert 200 is formed around the signal conductors 401-408 of the lead frame, the channel-like shield 101-104 can be inserted and positioned around the channel spacers 211-214 of the sheet-like insert 200. The channel-like shield 101-104 includes a plurality of openings or apertures. A hot-melt column extends through the openings of the channel spacers 211-214, and the channel-like shield 201-204 is positioned around the channel spacers 211-214. Additionally, as referred to later... Figure 3F Explained, the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 are also formed to include openings or apertures. The conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 are located on the channels of the channel-shaped shielding members 101-104, such as... Figure 3A As shown, the hot-melt columns of the channel spacers 211-214 extend through the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350.

[0054] After the sheet body insert 200 is assembled with the signal conductors 401-408, the channel shielding members 101-104, the conductive pad 300, and the shielding cover 350, a separate thermoforming process step can be performed to secure the sheet body assembly 50A together. Specifically, the thermoforming pillar of the sheet body insert 200 is thermofused and partially reshaped in a separate process step to form a thermoforming cap. Many thermoforming caps, such as thermoforming caps 210A-210C, are shown in... Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the middle, the heat-sealing caps 210A-210C secure the channel-shaped shielding 101-104, the conductive pad 300, and the shielding cover 350 together with the sheet body insert 200 and the signal conductors 401-408 to hold the sheet body assembly 50A together.

[0055] The sheet body insert 200 of the sheet body assembly 50A includes retaining grooves 220, 221 at both ends of the sheet body insert 200. Other sheet body inserts of the sheet body assembly 50 also include similar retaining grooves and both ends. Retaining clips 22, 24 include a plurality of retaining tabs. (Return to reference) Figure 2A The retaining member 22 includes a plurality of retaining tabs 23, and the retaining member 24 also includes a plurality of similar retaining tabs. When the retaining member 22 is inserted through the retaining slot 26 in the housing 20 (see...), Figure 1A and Figure 1B When the multiple retaining tabs 23 extend between and interlock with the retaining grooves of the multiple sheet body assemblies 50, they hold and secure the multiple sheet body assemblies 50 in place relative to the housing 20 in the connector 10. For example, the retaining tabs 23A of the retaining clip 22 extend into the retaining groove 220 of the sheet body assembly 50A, such as... Figure 2A As shown, other retaining tabs 23 extend into similar retaining grooves in the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50. Additionally, retaining clips 24 are inserted through a portion of the housing 20 on the opposite side (i.e., as shown). Figure 1B Another retaining slit (on the opposite side of the housing 20 shown), and a plurality of retaining tabs of retaining clip 24 extend between and interlock with a plurality of retaining grooves on the other side of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50, including a retaining groove 221 extending to sheet body assembly 50A.

[0056] Figure 3E A perspective view of the sheet body assembly 50A is shown, and Figure 3F An exploded perspective view of the sheet body assembly 50A is shown. Figure 3F As shown, when the sheet body assembly 50A is assembled, the conductive pad 300 is located between the shielding cover 350 on one side and the surfaces of the sheet body insert 200 and the channel shielding 101-104 on the other side.

[0057] The conductive pad 300 can be formed from a conductive elastomer or foam material. The conductive pad 300 is elastic and compressible to some extent. As an example, the conductive pad 300 can be embodied as a polyurethane foam multilayer, which includes a conductive material such as copper, nickel, or other conductive metals or materials. In a particular example, the conductive pad 300 can be embodied as manufactured by Polymer Sciences, Inc., Monticello, Indiana. The conductive foam, tape, or sheet is branded PS-1323, but other suitable types of conductive elastomers or foam materials may be used. The conductive pad 300 can vary in thickness between 0.1 and 3 mm, with example thicknesses including 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.0 mm, but other thicknesses are possible. The conductive pad 300 includes a bottom surface 310 and a top surface 311, and a plurality of openings or apertures passing through the conductive pad 300 as described later.

[0058] The shielding cover 350 can be formed from a flat sheet of metal or other conductive material (e.g., by stamping, shearing, or other methods). The shielding cover 350 can vary in thickness between 0.5 and 2 mm, with example thicknesses including 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm, but other thicknesses are possible.

[0059] Along one side, the shielding cover 350 includes side tail contacts 361-368 and intermediate tail contacts 381-384. In the example shown, both the side tail contacts 361-368 and the intermediate tail contacts 381-384 are formed as J-shaped heads for SMT connection to a PCB. In other cases, the tail contacts of the shielding cover 350 may also be formed as EON or other types of contacts. The intermediate tail contact 381 is located between the two side tail contacts 361, 362, the intermediate tail contact 382 is located between the two side tail contacts 363, 364, the intermediate tail contact 383 is located between the two side tail contacts 365, 366, and the intermediate tail contact 384 is located between the two side tail contacts 367, 368. In the sheet body assembly 50A, the intermediate tail contact 381 of the shielding cover 350 is located adjacent to or close to the signal tail contact ends 401B, 402B of the signal conductors 401, 402, such as... Figure 3E and 3G As shown. Additionally, the side tail contact portions 361 and 362 of the shielding cover 350 are located adjacent to or close to the shielding tail contact ends 101B and 101BB of the channel-shaped shielding member 101, as shown. Figure 3E As shown. In the sheet assembly 50A, the other tail contacts of the shielding cover 350 are located adjacent to the other shielding tail contacts of other channel-shaped shielding members and the other signal tail contacts of other signal conductors, as also... Figure 3E As shown. The layout of the tail contact portion in the sheet body assembly 50A will be referred to later. Figure 3G illustrate.

[0060] Both the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 include a plurality of openings or openings. For example, the shielding cover 350 includes openings 351-353, etc. Additionally, the conductive pad 300 includes openings 301-303, etc. During the assembly of the sheet body assembly 50A, before the hot-melt pillars are hot-melted to form hot-melt caps 210A-210C, etc., the hot-melt pillars of the sheet body insert 200 can extend through the openings of the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350. The location and layout of the openings through the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 are shown in a representative example and can be accommodated by other configurations. When the sheet body assembly 50A is assembled, the hot-melt pillars of the sheet body insert 200 extend through the openings 301, 302 in the conductive pad 300 and through the openings 351, 352 in the shielding cover 350. Additionally, the positioning mounting portion 230 of the sheet body insert 200 extends through the positioning opening 303 of the conductive pad 300 and through the positioning opening 353 of the shielding cover 350. After the components of the sheet body assembly 50A are arranged together, during a hot-melt process, hot-melt caps 210A, 210B, etc. are formed on the top surface 371 of the shielding cover 350.

[0061] In some cases, a conductive adhesive can be applied between the top surface 311 of the conductive pad 300 and the bottom surface 370 of the shielding cover 350 to hold the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 together. Together, the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 close the edges of the channel-shaped shielding 101-104 along at least a portion of its length. In that manner, the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 help to close and shield the signal conductors 401-408 extending within the channel-shaped shielding 101-104. Both the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 are conductive and electrically connected to a common or grounded network in the connector 10. Thus, the conductive pad 300 and the shielding cover 350 provide a type of electromagnetic radiation shielding that reduces crosstalk coupling and associated signal interference between the signal conductors 401-408 in the connector 10.

[0062] Due to manufacturing tolerances and related factors, the opening edges of the U-shaped channel shields 101-104 are not necessarily precisely in the same plane. Due to its elastomeric properties, the conductive pad 300 can be compressed and abutted against the opening edges of the U-shaped channel shields 101-104 along at least a portion of their length, providing continuous contact across and along the opening edges. Compared to using only the shielding cover 350, the conductive pad 300 achieves a better seal and closure along the opening edges of the channel shields 101-104. The improved shielding provided by the conductive pad 300 helps maintain signal integrity on the signal conductors 401-408 and facilitates higher data throughput for the connector 10. The conductivity of the conductive pad 300 also electrically connects the channel shields 101-104 and allows for potential sharing between them. The shielding cover 350 also helps to seal the channel-shaped shielding 101-104 and keep the conductive pad 300 in place.

[0063] Figure 3F The diagram also illustrates how the channel-shaped shields 101-104 are formed in a U-shape. Each of the channel-shaped shields 101-104 includes a pair of sidewalls extending generally orthogonally to a rear wall to form a U-shape. For example, channel-shaped shield 101 includes a first sidewall 120, a second sidewall 121, and a rear wall 123. The sidewalls 120, 121 extend generally orthogonally to the rear wall 123. Channel-shaped shields 101-104 include first shield head contact ends 101A-104A and second shield head contact ends 101AA-104AA, as well as other contact ends. Referring to channel-shaped shield 101, the first shield head contact end 101A extends from one end of the first sidewall 120, and the second shield head contact end 101AA extends from one end of the second sidewall 121. Additionally, the channel-shaped shielding members 101-104 include first shielding tail contact ends 101B-104B and second shielding tail contact ends 101BB-104BB. Again, regarding the channel-shaped shielding member 101, the first shielding tail contact end 101B extends from the other end of the first sidewall 120, and the second shielding tail contact end 101BB extends from the other end of the second sidewall 121.

[0064] Figure 3G Various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Figure 3A Some tail contacts of the sheet body assembly 50A are shown. As shown, the intermediate tail contact 381 of the shielding cover 350 is located adjacent to or close to the signal tail contact ends 401B and 402B of the signal conductors 401 and 402. Additionally, the side tail contacts 361 and 362 of the shielding cover 350 are located adjacent to or close to the shielding tail contact ends 101B and 101BB of the channel-shaped shielding member 101. Figure 3GIt is also shown how the bottom surface 310 of the conductive pad 300 contacts the edge 111 of the top surface of the channel shield 101 and the edge of the top surface of other channel shields 101 to form an electrical connection between the conductive pad 300 and the channel shield 101.

[0065] Figure 3G The shielding tongue 130 of the channel shield 101 is also shown. Each of the other channel shields 102-104 of the sheet body assembly 50A also includes a similar shielding tongue. Additionally, each of the channel shields of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 includes a shielding tongue. The shielding tongue 130 extends from the rear wall 123 of the channel shield 101 toward the center of the channel shield 101. The shielding tongue 130 includes a tongue bend 131, and the rear wall 123 of the channel shield 101 bends toward the center of the channel shield 101 at the tongue bend 131. The end of the shielding tongue 130 approaches but does not contact the signal tail contacts 401B, 402B. In any case, the shielding tongue 130 of the channel shield 101 extends relative to the rear wall 123 toward the signal tail contacts 401B, 402B. The end surface 132 of the shielding tongue 130 does not extend to the mounting end surface 401C of the signal tail contact 401B. Similarly, the end surface 132 of the shielding tongue 130 does not extend to the mounting end surface 402C of the signal tail contact 402B.

[0066] Figure 4A Show Figure 1A The connector assembly 10 shown is located at the bottom. The housing 20 and retaining clips 22 and 24 are located from... Figure 4A The surface interface shield 40 is omitted in the view, thus it is visible. The surface interface shield 40 can be formed from a plated plastic material. For example, the surface interface shield 40 can be formed from LCP, PE, PTFE, or other plastic materials, and in some cases, it includes additives that better bond one or more plated metals. The surface interface shield 40 can be formed using any suitable additive or subtractive manufacturing technique, including molding, injection molding, printing, and other techniques. The outer surface of the surface interface shield 40 can be plated with one or more plated metals for conductivity, and the surface interface shield 40 can be embodied as a plated plastic component. The surface can be etched in some cases and can be metallized or plated in a plating solution, barrel plated, plated by PVD, plated by chemical plating, electroplating, sputtering, ion plating, or other plating techniques, or a combination thereof. The surface of the surface interface shield 40 can be metallized or plated with copper, nickel, tin, silver, other other plated metals, or a combination of these plated metals.

[0067] Surface interface shield 40 provides additional shielding at the surface mating interface 14 of connector 10. Surface interface shield 40 includes a plurality of openings or apertures, and the tail end of the channel-shaped shield of each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 extends through said openings or apertures, such as... Figure 4A As shown. The channel-shaped shield of each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 contacts the outer surface of the surface interface shield 40, and the channel-shaped shield in the connector 10 is electrically connected to the surface interface shield 40. Thus, the surface interface shield 40 electrically connects all the channel-shaped shields of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 together at the surface mating interface 14 of the connector 10.

[0068] Figure 4B Show Figure 4A A view of the portion indicated by BB. As shown, the signal tail contacts 401B and 402B of the signal conductors 401 and 402 of the sheet body assembly 50A extend through an opening 41 in the surface interface shield 40. Each signal tail contact of the signal conductors of the other sheet body assemblies 50 in the connector 10 also extends through other openings in the surface interface shield 40. In the example shown, the signal tail contacts 401B and 402B, as well as the signal tail contacts of the other signal conductors in the connector 10, are all formed with SMT J-shaped tips.

[0069] The shielding tail contact of the channel-shaped shield in each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 also extends through an opening in the surface interface shield 40. For example, the channel-shaped shield 101 of sheet body assembly 50A includes shielding tail contacts 101B and 101BB. Shielding tail contacts 101B and 101BB extend through an opening 41 in the surface interface shield 40. The outer surface of the channel-shaped shield 101 contacts the inner surface of the surface interface shield 40 within the opening 41 on at least a portion of the channel-shaped shield 101. The shielding tail contact of each of the channel-shaped shields in the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 in connector 10 extends through an opening in the surface interface shield 40. Additionally, the outer surfaces of other channel-shaped shields 101 in connector 10 contact the inner surfaces of other openings in the surface interface shield 40. Thus, the surface interface shield 40 electrically connects all the channel-shaped shields in the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 in the connector 10 at the surface interface 14 of the connector 10.

[0070] The side tail contacts and intermediate tail contacts of the shielding cover of each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 in connector 10 also extend through the openings in the surface interface shielding 40. For example, the shielding cover 350 of sheet body assembly 50A includes side tail contacts 361, 362 and intermediate tail contact 381 (see also...). Figure 3GSide tail contacts 361, 362 and intermediate tail contact 381 extend through openings 42 in the surface interface shield 40. The outer surface of the shield cover 350 contacts the inner surface of the surface interface shield 40 within the openings 42 on at least a portion of the shield cover 350. Additionally, the outer surfaces of other shield covers in the connector 10 contact the inner surfaces of other openings in the surface interface shield 40. Thus, the surface interface shield 40 electrically connects all the shield covers of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 in the connector 10 at the surface interface 14 of the connector 10. The tail contacts of the shield covers of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 help reduce crosstalk between the signal tail contacts of the signal conductors of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50.

[0071] Figure 4C Shown in Figure 4B The view shows the portion indicated by CC. As shown, signal tail contacts 401B and 402B extend through an opening 41 in the surface interface shield 40. Shield tail contacts 101B and 101BB also extend through the opening 41. Side tail contacts 361 and 362 and intermediate tail contact 381 of the shield cover 350 extend through the opening 42 in the surface interface shield 40. The intermediate tail contact 381 of the shield cover 350 is located adjacent to or immediately adjacent to the signal tail contacts 401B and 402B. Additionally, the side tail contacts 361 and 362 of the shield cover 350 are located adjacent to or immediately adjacent to the shield tail contacts 101B and 101BB of the channel shield 101.

[0072] As measured from front to back along connector 10, the length L of the intermediate tail contact 381 is the same as the distance measured from the front surface of signal tail contact 402B to the rear surface of signal tail contact 401B. In several other examples, the length L of the intermediate tail contact 381 may be greater than the distance between the outer surfaces of the two signal tail contacts 401B, 402B, but the length L is preferably not shorter than that distance. The size of the intermediate tail contact 381 can be tailored or tuned to reduce crosstalk interference at the surface mating interface 14 of connector 10.

[0073] As measured from left to right along connector 10, the width W of the shielded tail contacts 101B and 101BB is the same as the distance measured from the left surface of signal tail contacts 401B and 402B to the right surface of signal tail contacts 401B and 402B. In other examples, the width W of the shielded tail contacts 101B and 101BB can be greater than the dimensions shown, but preferably not shorter than the dimensions shown. The dimensions of the shielded tail contacts 101B and 101BB can be adjusted or modified to reduce crosstalk interference at the surface mating interface 14 of connector 10.

[0074] Figure 4D The surface interface shield 40 of connector 10 is shown separately. In particular, Figure 4D The top side of the surface interface shield 40 is shown, and the top side is connected to the surface interface shield 40. Figures 4A to 4C The side shown is the opposite.

[0075] As described above, the surface interface shield 40 includes a plurality of openings extending through the surface interface shield 40. Example openings 41 and 42 are each marked in... Figure 4D In the middle, the surface interface shield 40 includes a row of openings for each of the plurality of sheet body assemblies 50 in the connector 10.

[0076] The terms top, bottom, side, front, back, right, and left are not intended to provide an absolute frame of reference. Rather, these terms are relative and intended to identify certain characteristics in relation to each other, as the orientation of the structures described herein can vary. The terms comprising, including, and having are synonyms, used in an open-ended manner, and do not exclude additional elements, features, actions, operations, etc. Furthermore, the terms are used in their inclusive sense rather than their exclusive sense; therefore, when used to connect a list of elements, the term may refer to one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

[0077] Unless otherwise stated, combination languages, such as at least one of X, Y, and Z, or any one of X, X, or Z, are generally used to identify one, any combination of two, or all three (or more if identifying a larger group), such as X and only X, Y and only Y, Z and only Z, X and Y, X and Z, and combinations of Y and Z, and all of X, Y, and Z. Unless specified, such combination languages ​​are generally not intended to identify or require the inclusion of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms about and substantially, associated with a particular range, percentage, or related measure of deviation, describe at least some manufacturing tolerances between a theoretically designed and manufactured product or component, such as those specified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Y14.5 and related international standardization organizations The geometric dimensions and tolerance standards described in the standard. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, although no explicit references are made to terms such as approximation, approximation, or related terms, or even to the use of theoretical terms such as geometric perpendicularity, orthogonality, highest point, collinearity, coplanarity, etc., such manufacturing tolerances must still be taken into account.

[0078] The embodiments described above are merely examples of implementations to provide a clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above embodiments without substantially departing from the concept and principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, components and features described for one embodiment can be included in another embodiment. All such modifications and variations are herein included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising: One plug connects to the interface; One surface mating interface; as well as A sheet body assembly between the plug mating interface and the surface mating interface, the sheet body assembly comprising: A thin-film insert; A channel-shaped shielding component; Multiple signal conductors extending within the channel-shaped shield; A conductive pad located above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield; and A shielding cover located above the conductive pad.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The conductive pad includes a conductive elastomeric pad and provides a conductive shield above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The conductive pad is located between the opening edge of the shielding cover and the channel-shaped shielding.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The sheet assembly further includes a second channel-shaped shield; and The conductive pad is located above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield and above the second opening edge of the second channel-shaped shield.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The channel-shaped shielding component includes multiple shielding tail contact ends; The shielding cover includes multiple side tail contact portions and a middle tail contact portion; The plurality of signal conductors includes a plurality of signal tail contacts; and The signal tail contact ends of the plurality of signal conductors are located at the surface mating interface between the plurality of shielding tail contact ends of the channel-shaped shield and adjacent to the middle tail contact portion of the shielding cover.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The channel-shaped shielding component further includes a shielding tongue; and At the surface mating interface, the signal tail contacts of the plurality of signal conductors are located between the plurality of shielding tail contacts of the channel-shaped shield in the front-back direction of the connector assembly, and between the middle tail contact of the shielding cover and the shielding tongue of the channel-shaped shield in the left-right direction of the connector assembly.

7. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising: A surface interface shield located at the surface mating interface of the connector assembly.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The surface interface shielding component includes a plated plastic component.

9. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein, At the surface interface, the channel-shaped shield and the plurality of signal conductors extend through an opening in the surface interface shield.

10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein, At the surface mating interface, the channel-shaped shielding member contacts the inner surface of the opening in the surface interface shielding member.

11. The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein, At the surface interface, the shielding cover extends through a second opening in the surface interface shield; and The shielding cover contacts the inner surface of the second opening in the surface interface shielding.

12. A sheet body assembly, comprising: A thin-film insert; A channel-shaped shielding component; Multiple signal conductors extending within the channel-shaped shield; A conductive pad located above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield; as well as A shielding cover located above the conductive pad.

13. The sheet body assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The conductive pad includes a conductive elastomeric pad and provides a conductive shield above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield.

14. The sheet body assembly according to claim 13, wherein, The conductive pad is located between the opening edge of the shielding cover and the channel-shaped shielding.

15. The sheet body assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The sheet assembly further includes a second channel-shaped shield; and The conductive pad is located above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield and above the second opening edge of the second channel-shaped shield.

16. The sheet body assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The channel-shaped shielding component includes multiple shielding tail contact ends; The shielding cover includes multiple side tail contact portions and a middle tail contact portion; The plurality of signal conductors includes a plurality of signal tail contacts; and The signal tail contact ends of the plurality of signal conductors are located between the plurality of shielding tail contact ends of the channel-shaped shield and adjacent to the middle tail contact portion of the shielding cover.

17. The sheet body assembly according to claim 16, wherein, The channel-shaped shielding component further includes a shielding tongue; and At the surface mating interface, the signal tail contact ends of the plurality of signal conductors are located between the plurality of shielding tail contact ends of the channel-shaped shield in the front-back direction of the sheet body assembly, and between the middle tail contact portion of the shielding cover and the shielding tongue plate of the channel-shaped shield in the left-right direction of the sheet body assembly.

18. A connector assembly, comprising: A thin sheet assembly includes: A thin-film insert; A channel-shaped shielding component; Multiple signal conductors extending within the channel-shaped shield; A conductive pad located above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield; and A shielding cover located above the conductive pad; and A surface interface shield.

19. The connector assembly of claim 18, wherein, The conductive pad includes a conductive elastomeric pad and provides a conductive shielding above the opening edge of the channel-shaped shield; and The conductive pad is located between the opening edge of the shielding cover and the channel-shaped shielding.

20. The connector assembly of claim 18, wherein, The surface interface shielding component includes a plated plastic component; The trench-shaped shield and the plurality of signal conductors extend through an opening in the surface interface shield; and The channel-shaped shielding member contacts the inner surface of the opening in the surface interface shielding member.

Images