High-speed connector

Abstract

A compact connector operable at data rates of up to and more than 200 Gbps includes a component that presses a high speed signal type contact beam to deflect the high speed signal type contact beam to a preloaded state. The component may be attached to a ground type contact beam and / or a low speed signal type contact beam. The contact beams may be preloaded by engaging ends of the contact beams with features within the connector. When the contact beams are deflected to the preloaded state, the component is pressed against the high-speed signal type contact beams, so that the high-speed signal type contact beams are deflected to the preloaded state. The ends on the high speed signal type contact beams do not need to be preloaded and can be shortened relative to conventional designs to reduce stubs on the high speed signal path, which increases the operating frequency of the connector. The component may include a conductive portion connecting a ground-type contact associated with the high-speed signal terminal, thereby improving high-frequency performance without additional components.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 580,489, entitled “HIGH-SPEED CONNECTOR,” filed on September 5, 2023. The contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. background

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly to high-speed electrical connectors having preloaded signal-type contacts with short beam tips.

[0005] Electrical connectors facilitate detachable electrical connections. For example, components that are each electrically coupled to the connector can be coupled to each other via the connector. For example, in a data center, servers and networking equipment can be arranged in racks. Each of these electronic devices may include a connector that is adapted to a connector of a terminated cable. When the connector of the terminated cable is adapted to a connector of the electronic equipment, the cable is connected to the electronic device. Inside each of the electronic devices, the connector may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) along with other components that generate or process signals transmitted through the cable and the adapter connector.

[0006] A connector installed in an electronic device can be configured as a socket connector. Each socket connector can have a port including a signal contact beam interlaced with a ground contact beam. The port can have an opening having multiple rows of signal contact beams and ground contact beams on opposite sides. An adapter connector that can be configured as a plug-in connector can have a component that fits within the opening of the port. The adapter component of the plug-in connector can have multiple rows of contact pads on the opposite surface that are aligned with the signal contact beams and ground contact beams of the port. Such an adapter component can be implemented as a printed circuit board, commonly referred to as a paddle.

[0007] Insertion of the adapter deflects the contact beams arranged at the opening of the port. As the beams are deflected, they exert a spring force on the contact pads on the adapter. The contact beams are shaped so that the amount of force exerted at each contact pad is sufficient to form a reliable electrical connection between the beam and the pad.

[0008] In some connectors, the contact beams can be preloaded. The preloaded contact beams are shaped so that in their resting state, they will extend into the opening of the port. However, the ends of these contact beams are limited to extend into the opening. Otherwise, the adapter inserted into the port may hit the end of the contact beam, thereby preventing the connector and the inserted component from properly fitting, or may damage the connector. In order to limit the end of the contact beam, the connector housing may have a feature located near the opening of the port, sometimes referred to as a preload rack. The ends of the signal type contact beam and the ground type contact beam can be hooked on the rack so that they do not extend into the opening. Hooking the beam on the preload rack requires the contact beam to deflect from its resting state. Therefore, the contact beam will generate force even before the adapter is inserted into the port. When the adapter is inserted, the beam will have additional deflection, which increases the force generated by the contact beam. Relative to a connector without preload, preloading can increase the contact force of each beam, or a smaller component that moves the contact beam a smaller amount can be used to achieve the same amount of contact force. Summary of the invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a connector includes a port having an opening, the port includes a plurality of contact beams arranged in a row, the plurality of contact beams include a plurality of first type contact beams and a plurality of second type contact beams. The connector also includes a component. The component is mechanically coupled to the first type contact beam and the second type contact beam, the component is electrically coupled to the second type contact beam, and the component is insulated from the second type contact beam.

[0010] Optionally, the connector further comprises a housing comprising a plurality of channels aligned with corresponding contact beams of the plurality of contact beams.

[0011] Optionally, each of the contact beams includes a proximal portion, a curved portion, a terminal end, and a distal portion between the curved portion and the terminal end. The distal portions of the plurality of contact beams are disposed in corresponding channels of the plurality of channels, and the curved portions of the plurality of contact beams extend into the opening.

[0012] Optionally, a distal portion of the first type contact beam engages the housing such that the first type contact beam deflects to a preloaded position.

[0013] Optionally, the component causes the second type contact beam to enter a deflected state such that the second type contact beam is deflected to the preloaded position based on the first type contact beam being deflected to the preloaded position.

[0014] Optionally, the plurality of contact beams are a first group of contact beams. The row is a first row. The connector further comprises a second group of contact beams disposed in a second row, the second row having a signal type contact beam and a ground type contact beam. The second group of contact beams comprises a plurality of first type contact beams and a plurality of second type contact beams. The connector further comprises a second component, the second component mechanically coupled to the first type contact beams and the second type contact beams in the second group of contact beams, the second component electrically coupled to the second type contact beams in the second group of contact beams, and the second component is insulated from the second type contact beams in the second group of contact beams.

[0015] Optionally, the housing further comprises a second set of channels aligned with respective ones of the second set of contact beams.

[0016] Optionally, each of the contact beams in the second group of contact beams includes a proximal portion, a curved portion, an end, and a distal portion located between the curved portion and the end. The distal portions of the second group of contact beams are disposed in corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. The curved portions of the second group of contact beams extend into the opening, and the distal portions of the first type of contact beams in the second group of contact beams engage with the housing, so that the first type of contact beams deflect to a preloaded position.

[0017] Optionally, the second component causes a second type of contact beam in the second set of contact beams to enter a deflected state such that the second type of contact beam is deflected to the preloaded position based on the first type of contact beam in the second set of contact beams being deflected to the preloaded position.

[0018] Optionally, the first set of contact beams and the second set of contact beams include adapting portions of a plurality of contacts. The plurality of contacts also include mounting portions arranged in a plurality of rows at a mounting surface of the connector. The mounting surface couples the connector to a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a connector includes a housing having an opening. The connector also includes a contact assembly, which is arranged in the housing, and the contact assembly includes an insulating portion and a plurality of contacts arranged in a row. Each of the plurality of contacts includes a beam having a cantilever portion and a proximal portion mechanically coupled to the insulating portion. The cantilever portion includes a contact portion extending into the opening and a distal portion extending beyond the contact portion. The plurality of contacts include a first type contact and a second type contact, and the first type contact has a longer distal portion compared to the second type contact. The contact assembly also includes a component having an insulating portion. The component is attached to the first type contact, and the insulating portion of the component abuts against the second type contact.

[0020] Optionally, the component further comprises a conductive portion attached to the first type contact.

[0021] Optionally, the conductive and insulating parts of the component are attached.

[0022] Optionally, the insulating portion is a plastic piece that is overmolded onto the conductive portion such that the conductive portion and the plastic piece are attached.

[0023] Optionally, the first type contact is a grounding type contact.

[0024] Optionally, the second type contact is a signal type contact.

[0025] Optionally, the second type contacts are arranged in pairs within the row, wherein each pair of contacts is bounded on both sides by ground-type contacts.

[0026] Optionally, the opening has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The contact assembly is a first contact assembly. The component is a first component. The plurality of contacts are a first group of contacts. The row is a first row, and the first group of contacts in the first row are arranged at the first side of the opening, wherein the first group of contacts is located between the first side of the housing and the first component. The connector also includes a second group of contacts and a second component including an insulating portion, the second group of contacts including a first type of contact and a second type of contact arranged in a second row, the second row being parallel to the first row, the second row being arranged at the second side of the opening. The second component is attached to the first type of contact in the second group of contacts; and the insulating portion of the second component abuts against the second type of contact in the second group of contacts.

[0027] Optionally, the housing includes a first pre-loading rack and a second pre-loading rack, the first pre-loading rack being located at a first side of the opening; and the second pre-loading rack being located in a second row and at a second side of the opening.

[0028] Optionally, the distal portion of the first type of contact in the first row of multiple contacts is engaged to the first preload frame in a deflected state, so that the first type of contact in the first row is in a preloaded state. The distal portion of the first type of contact in the second row of multiple contacts is engaged to the second preload frame in a deflected state, so that the first type of contact in the second row is in a preloaded state.

[0029] Optionally, the second type contacts in the first row are deflected in a first direction and away from the centerline of the opening based on a mechanical connection to the insulating portion of the first component and based on a mechanical connection between the first component and the first type contacts in the first row. The second type contacts in the second row are deflected in a second direction and away from the centerline of the opening based on a mechanical connection to the insulating portion of the second component and based on a mechanical connection between the second component and the first type contacts in the second row, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a connector (the connector includes a housing and a row including a plurality of contact beams, the housing including an opening, the opening including an adapter port, the plurality of contact beams including a first type of contact beam and a second type of contact beam, wherein each of the plurality of contact beams includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a curved portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion) includes: deflecting the plurality of contact beams from a stationary state and positioning the plurality of beams within the housing so that the curved portions of the plurality of contact beams extend into the opening. The method also includes engaging the distal portion of the first type of contact beam with the housing so that the first type of contact beam is maintained in a preloaded state, and the second type of contact beam is maintained in a preloaded state by a component mechanically coupled to the first type of contact beam and the second type of contact beam.

[0031] Optionally, the first type contact beam has a longer distal portion than the second type contact beam, and the distal portion of the second type contact beam is not engaged to the housing when the second type contact beam remains in the preloaded state.

[0032] Optionally, engaging the distal portion of the first type contact beam with the housing includes engaging a distal end of the first type contact beam to a preload frame.

[0033] Optionally, the housing includes a plurality of channels. When the first type of contact beam is in a preloaded state, the end of the first type of contact beam engages the housing in a channel of the plurality of channels. When the second type of contact beam is in a preloaded state, the end of the second type of contact beam is cantilevered in a channel of the plurality of channels.

[0034] The aforementioned features may be used together in any of the aforementioned embodiments alone or in any combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For the sake of clarity, not all components in every figure are labeled. In the accompanying drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector that may include a preload feature as described herein;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector of , wherein the connector housing is cut away to reveal an upper contact assembly and a lower contact assembly;

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a lower contact assembly of , wherein the insulating portion is omitted;

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a partial exploded view of a lower contact assembly of;

[0040] Figure 5A yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional top view of a preload component of a lower contact assembly;

[0041] Figure 5B yes Figure 3 A perspective bottom view of a preload component of a lower contact assembly;

[0042] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the interface port taken along line 6-6;

[0043] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the interface port taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1 , illustrating a distal portion of a first type of contact engaged with a preload shelf of the housing; and

[0044] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector, the cross-sectional view being taken along Figure 6 A plane parallel to the section plane cuts through the insulating housing at a distal portion of the first type contact. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The inventors have recognized and solved the need for both high frequency operation and sufficient adaption force to form a reliable connection in a compact connector. In the connector, the contacts may include beams that can be preloaded to provide the desired adaption force without requiring all beams to have ends that engage with other structures (e.g., preload racks) for preloading. In some examples, the contacts in the connector may be arranged in one or more rows. In each row, the first type of contact may have a longer distal portion compared to the second type of contact. One or more components may be attached to a plurality of first type contacts. The component may have an insulating portion against the second type of contact.

[0046] The component can deflect one or more of the second type contacts to preload. In some examples, the first type contact can be preloaded by engaging its end to a structure such as a preload frame of a connector housing, which holds the first type contact in a deflected state. In some examples, the second type contact can be a high-speed signal type contact. Optionally, the first type contact can be a ground type contact and / or a low-speed signal type contact that is less susceptible to loss of signal integrity than a high-speed signal type contact.

[0047] Using this component to preload high-speed signal type contacts shortens the distal portion of the contact beam. The portion of the contact beam between the contact portion and the end of the beam may affect the integrity of the signal on these contacts, and the contact portion is designed to contact the pad of the adapter component. This portion may form an electrical stub. The decline in signal integrity in the connector caused by the stub may increase with the increase of the length and frequency of the stub. Shortening the length of the stub (for example, by eliminating the portion that may engage with the preload frame at the end) allows the connector to operate at a higher frequency. Using the components described herein, the desired contact force can be achieved by preloading.

[0048] In some examples, the ground-type contact beam is maintained in a deflected state to be preloaded by engaging the end of the ground-type contact beam with the connector housing. In order to preload the signal-type contact beam, a component can mechanically couple the signal-type contact beam to the ground-type contact beam. The component can be attached to the ground-type contact beam by, for example, welding, and the component can be mechanically coupled to the signal-type contact beam. Therefore, when the ground-type contact beam is preloaded by maintaining the end of the ground-type contact beam within the housing, the mechanical coupling of the component to the signal-type contact beam deflects the signal-type contact beam and also causes preloading of the signal-type contact beam.

[0049] Optionally, the component may have a conductive part and an insulating part. The conductive part may be electrically and / or mechanically connected to the first type contact and may serve as a support for the insulating part. The conductive part may, for example, be stamped from a metal sheet and welded to the first type contact. The insulating part may be attached to the conductive part, which may be achieved by a plastic part overmolded on the conductive part.

[0050] In some examples, the conductive portion of the component can be electrically connected to a ground-type contact that separates the high-speed signal-type contact. This configuration can improve signal integrity to replace or supplement the improvement provided by the shorter distal portion of the high-speed signal-type contact. Because the same component can enhance signal integrity in multiple ways, it can provide significant signal integrity improvements in a smaller volume, thereby supporting the miniaturization of connectors.

[0051] The technology described herein can be used for connectors having contact beams, such as receptacle connectors. For example, such connectors can have contact beams positioned according to the OSFP standard. The beams can be shaped to provide an insertion force of 40N or less (e.g., between 30N-40N) and a removal force of 30N or less (e.g., between 20N-30N). The connector can be configured to support data rates of up to 200Gbps per channel using PAM4 modulation.

[0052] Figure 1 An example of such a connector is shown to which one or more of the techniques described herein may be applied. Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of connector 100, which shows port 110 configured to receive an adapter component of a plug-in connector (not shown). In an example where the connector is designed to meet the OSFP standard, the adapter component can be a paddle of a transceiver. The paddle can be removably inserted into an opening 135 (here configured as a slot) of port 110 to form an electrical connection with contacts 210. As shown, contacts 210 are arranged in two rows 212A, 212B on opposite sides of opening 135. Figure 1 In the exemplary connector 100 of , the row 212A of contacts 210 may be referred to as a top row, while the row 212B of contacts 210 may be referred to as a bottom row because the row 212A is farther from the mounting surface 120 than the row 212B.

[0053] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector 100 in which the housing 130 is removed to show contact assemblies 240A and 240B, each of which has a row of contacts 210. The connector 100 includes a mounting surface 120. The mounting surface 120 can help mount the connector 100 on a substrate, such as a printed circuit board (not shown). The ends of the contacts 210 in the connector 100 are exposed at the mounting surface 120. In this example, the exposed mounting portion 230 of the contact 210 is shaped for surface mounting soldering to a printed circuit board (PCB) so as to facilitate, for example, electrical connection to components on the PCB through the connector 100. As shown, the interface port 110 and the mounting surface 120 are located at the orthogonal surface of the housing 130 of the connector 100. The technology described herein can be applied to connectors with contact beams of other configurations. For simplicity of description, the mounting surface 120 can be referred to as the bottom surface or lower surface of the connector 100. However, the connector can be used in any orientation.

[0054] In the example shown, the connector 100 includes one or more contact assemblies in addition to the housing 130. Each contact assembly can accommodate one or more rows of contacts. The contact assembly can be accommodated in the housing 130 so that the contact portion 216 is exposed in the opening 135 and the mounting portion 230 is exposed at the mounting surface 120.

[0055] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, there are two contact assemblies 240A and 240B, and the two contact assemblies 240A and 240B have the same overall configuration. In this example, each contact assembly has a row of contacts 210, which are rows 212A and 212B. The contacts 210 are accommodated in one or more insulating parts, for example, insulating parts 220A and 222A for the contact assembly 240A, and insulating parts 220B and 222B for the contact assembly 240B.

[0056] Each of the contacts 210 has a mating end including a contact portion 216 and a mounting end including a mounting portion 230 , the mating end and the mounting end being connected by an intermediate portion received in an insulating portion of the contact assembly.

[0057] In the example shown, each adapter end in each contact is a beam with a base, where each adapter end in each contact is a beam with a proximal portion 214 protruding from the insulating portion 220A or 2220B. Each adapter end includes a proximal portion 214, a contact portion 216, and a distal portion 218. In the example shown, each contact has a similar proximal portion 214 and contact portion 216. In the example shown, the contact portion 216 of each contact 210 is curved to form a convex surface that can be pressed against a contact pad on the adapter component. The contact portion 216 of each contact 210 can extend into the opening 135, where the contact portion 216 can be pressed against a pad on the adapter component.

[0058] The distal portion 218 of each of the contacts extends beyond the contact portion 216. Figure 2 As can be seen, some of the contacts 210 have longer distal portions than other contacts, so that there is Figure 3 The first type contact 320 and the second type contact 330 are shown, wherein the first type contact 320 has a longer distal portion 218 than the second type contact 330 .

[0059] The difference between the contact assembly 240A and the contact assembly 240B is that the contact assembly 240A is a lower contact assembly that is configured to be assembled in the housing 130, and the contacts in the lower contact assembly are exposed along the lower surface of the opening 135. In contrast, the contact assembly 240B is an upper contact assembly that is configured to be assembled in the housing 130, and the contacts in the upper contact assembly are exposed along the upper surface of the opening 135. For both the contact assemblies 240A and 240B, the contacts include a contact portion 216, where the contact portion 216 is provided by a protruding surface extending into the opening 135. The contact portion 216 on the contact 210 in the lower contact assembly 240A faces upward, while the contact portion 216 on the upper contact assembly 240B faces downward. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the contact portions 216 of the top row 212A of the contact 210 and the contact portions 216 of the bottom row 212B of the contact 210 are mirror images of each other. In this way, the apex of each contact portion 216 in the top row 212A and the apex of each contact portion 216 in the bottom row 212B are the parts closest to each other in the two rows 212A and 212B. Similarly, each of the contact assemblies 240A and 240B includes a component 310 to facilitate preloading. The component 310 biases the contact end into the surface of the bound opening 135. Therefore, the component 310 of the lower lead assembly is located above the contact 210 of the lower contact assembly 240A, and the component 310 of the upper lead assembly is located below the contact 210 of the upper contact assembly 240B.

[0060] Figure 3220A. The contact assembly 240A may include a shield, which is shown here as shields 340, 342, 344 and 346. In this example, the groups 350A and 350B of the contacts 210 on each end of the row 212A are designated for carrying high-speed signals, while the groups 352 of the contacts 210 in the central portion of the row 212A are designated for low-speed signals. In this example, shields 340 and 344 are connected to the first type of contacts 320 in the group 350A at one end of the row, and shields 342 and 346 are connected to the first type of contacts 320 in the group 350B at the other end of the row. In this example, the row 212A of the contact 210 has a second type of contacts 330 in pairs at least in the segment designated for high-speed signals, and the second type of contacts 330 in pairs are bounded by the first type of contacts 320 on each side. Each of the shields 340, 342, 344, and 346 is corrugated and has peaks and valleys. The valleys may be attached to the first type of contacts (e.g., by welding), and the valleys may be located above the paired second type of contacts, but separated from the paired second type of contacts. Although not shown for simplicity, the contact assembly 240B may have a shield at a corresponding position.

[0061] A component 310 that can be used to preload a second type of contact 330 is shown as being engaged with the contact 210 of the contact assembly 240A. In this example, the component 310 is attached to the first type of contact 320, for example, by welding, and abuts against the second type of contact 330. Although each of the contacts 210 can have the same overall configuration, the first type of contact 320 has a longer distal portion 218 compared to the second type of contact 330. The first type of contact 320 can be, for example, a grounding type contact or a low-speed signal type contact, while the second type of contact 330 with a shorter distal portion 218 can be a high-speed signal type contact. The longer distal portion 218 of the grounding type contact 320 facilitates preloading and does not negatively affect signal integrity, which is the same as the extent of the effect of the distal portion 218 with the same length on the high-speed signal type contact. In the example shown, the component 310 is mechanically coupled to the proximal portion 214 of the contact 210.

[0062] Figure 4 yes Figure 3FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a lead assembly of FIG. 1 , showing that component 310 may include multiple parts. Component 310 in this example includes two conductive portions 410 and an insulating portion 420. In this example, each of the conductive portions 410 is aligned with a group 350A or 350B of contacts 210 in contact assembly 240A, wherein contact 330 is designated for high-speed signals. Although Figure 4 The exploded view of FIG. 1 shows the conductive portion 410 and the insulating portion 420 of the component 310, but the component 310 can be fixed in the connector 100 as an integral component. The insulating portion 420 can be attached to one or more conductive portions 410, for example. The insulating portion can be overmolded on the conductive portion, for example, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown.

[0063] The conductive portion 410 of the component 310 can be electrically and / or mechanically connected to only the first type contact 320. This connection can be formed by, for example, welding or soldering. In the example shown, each conductive portion 410 includes a track 450 extending parallel to the row of contacts 210. Track 450 is connected by a crossbar 460. Crossbar 460 can be aligned with the first type contact 320, and the first type contact 320 can be a ground type contact. In this example, crossbar 460 includes flattened portions, which can be attached to corresponding ground type contacts, for example, by welding. In this example, crossbar 460 is U-shaped, wherein the flattened portion is located at the bottom of the U, and track 450 is attached to crossbar 460 at the opposite ends of the U, so that track 450 is offset relative to the ground type contact and signal type contact in the same row. This conductive portion 410 can be formed by stamping and forming a metal sheet.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, the insulating portion 420 can be molded onto one or more conductive portions 410. In this example, the insulating portion 420 is molded onto the track 450 closest to the distal end of the contact 210. The track 450 can provide mechanical integrity to the insulating portion 420 and / or the track 450 can interconnect with the first type of contact 320 to which the crossbar 460 is attached. In the example shown, the insulating portion 420 spans across the entire row 212A (as shown) or 212B of contacts 210. Figure 5A and Figure 5BComponent 310 is shown from an opposite angle. Whether insulating portion 420 spans the entire row or a portion, insulating portion 420 can have sections 510 that align with and abut second type contacts 330 (signal type contacts in this example). These sections 510 are located between crossbars 460 and can be reinforced by tracks 450 of conductive portion 410. Sections 510 can have sufficient mechanical integrity to transmit preload forces to signal type contacts.

[0065] Figure 6 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the interface port 110 taken along line 6-6. The housing 130 includes a plurality of channels 620A and 620B. The mating portion of each of the contacts can be at least partially positioned in a corresponding channel, wherein the first type contact 320 is positioned in channel 620A and the second type contact 330 is positioned in channel 620B. In this example, channel 620A is longer than channel 620B to accommodate the longer distal portion 218 of the first type contact 320.

[0066] The circled 6 shows that the housing 130 includes features for preloading the first type of contact 320. In this example, these features are provided by a preload frame 610, which has at least a section aligned with the first type of contact 320. Similar transverse sections, preload frames 610 span the Figure 6 6B. In this example, the preload rack 610 spans at least the channel 620A that receives the first type of contact 320. In the example shown, the preload rack 610 spans the distal portion of the channel 620A. The elongated ends of the first type of contact 320 can engage the preload rack 610, which can hold the first type of contact 320 in the preloaded position.

[0067] like Figure 6 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the preload frame 610 can span across the row 212A or 212B of the contact 210. In such a configuration, the segments of the preload frame 610 can be aligned with the second type contacts 330 in the row. However, since the second type contacts 330 have shorter ends than the first type contacts 320, the second type contacts 330 may not engage the preload frame 610.

[0068] Figure 7 Shown along Figure 6 FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the interface port 110 taken along line 7 - 7 in FIG. Figure 7The cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 shows the distal portion 218 of the first type contact 320 being held below the preload frame 610. Due to the relatively long distal portion 218 of the first type contact 320 (e.g., a ground type contact) compared to the relatively short distal portion 218 of the second type contact (e.g., a high-speed signal type contact), the distal portion 218 of the first type contact 320 is held below the preload frame 610, while the distal portion 218 of the second type contact 330 is not sufficiently extended to be held below the preload frame 610. More specifically, as described above in conjunction with Figures 3 to 5B As described, the deflection of the first type contact 320 to the preloaded state may cause the component 310 to press against the second type contact 330, thereby deflecting them to the preloaded state. Therefore, the component 310 preloads the second type contact 330 based on the preload of the first type contact 320 and the mechanical connection of the component 310 to both the first type contact 320 and the second type contact 330.

[0069] The component 310 is shown attached to a row of contacts 210 in a position in which the component 310 does not interfere with a mating component inserted into the opening 135. Figure 7 In the example shown, the proximal portion 214 extends from the respective insulating portions 220A and 220B of the contact assembly and bends toward the centerline of the opening 135. The component 310 is attached to a portion of the proximal portion 214 that is offset relative to the contact portion. In this configuration, the adapter component inserted into the opening 135 will first contact the contact portion 216, which will further deflect the beam forming the adapter portion of the contact 210, which in turn will move the component 310 out of the path of the adapter component when the adapter component is inserted into the opening 135.

[0070] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through a plane parallel to the section shown in circle 6. However, in this example, the cross section is between the end of the first type of contact and the end of the second type of contact, so that the distal portion 218 of the first type of contact 320 is shown in the cross section, while the end of the shorter distal portion 218 of the second type of contact 330 is visible. Figure 8 The cross-sectional plane is located proximal to the preload rack 610, and thus the preload rack 610 is not visible in this view.

[0071] A connector using the technology described herein can be assembled according to a method that causes both the first type contact and the second type contact to be preloaded without the second type contact beam being directly engaged to the connector housing. According to this method, one or more rows of contacts can be inserted into a connector housing having an opening (e.g., opening 135) that includes a mating port.

[0072] One or more rows of contacts can be inserted into the housing with the contact portion (e.g., contact portion 216) extending into the opening. The contacts can be formed to have a stationary state in which the end of the beam will also extend into the opening. However, the contacts can be preloaded by deflecting the beam from the stationary state in a direction toward the surface of the housing defining the opening. For example, an assembly tool can be used to deflect the beam when the contacts are inserted into the housing.

[0073] The end can be fixed in this position, e.g. Figure 1 For example, in Figure 1 and Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, the ends of the rows of contacts are not visible because they are located behind the front surface of the housing. In this state, the ends will not interfere with the adapter inserted into the opening, and the beam will be preloaded.

[0074] The contacts may be inserted into the housing in groups, such as one row at a time. Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , for example, one contact assembly may be inserted at a time, or multiple contact assemblies may be held together (eg, Figure 2 as shown) and inserted into the housing together.

[0075] For a connector having a first type of contact beam and a second type of contact beam, different mechanisms can be used to fix the first and second contact beams in their preloaded states. The distal portion of the first type of contact beam can be engaged with the housing so that the first type of contact beam remains in the preloaded state. The second type of contact beam can be maintained in the preloaded state by a component mechanically coupled to the first type of contact beam and the second type of contact beam. For example, component 310 can maintain the second type of contact beam in the preloaded state.

[0076] In some examples, the first type of contact can have a longer distal portion than the second type of contact. These longer distal portions can be engaged with the housing. For example, the distal portion of the first type of contact beam can be engaged to the preload frame.

[0077] In some examples, the housing can have multiple channels. When in the preloaded state, the end of the first type of contact beam can be engaged to the housing within a channel in the multiple channels. In contrast, when the second type of contact beam remains in the preloaded state, the distal portion of the second type of contact beam may not be engaged to the housing. For example, when the second type of contact beam is in the preloaded state, the end of the second type of contact beam is cantilevered within a channel in the multiple channels.

[0078] 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.

[0079] As an example, component 310 is shown as having two parallel tracks 450, with an insulating cover on one track. In other examples, both tracks may have an insulating cover, or there may be only one track.

[0080] A component (e.g., component 310) can preload a high-speed signal type contact and / or a low-speed signal type contact. In some examples, the low-speed signal type contact can be preloaded by engaging its distal portion to the housing. In such an example, an insulating preload component can be mechanically connected to the low-speed signal type contact and the preload component can then cause the high-speed signal type contact to enter a preloaded state.

[0081] As another example, a single component 310 is shown for each row of signal-type contacts. In other examples, two or more such components may be attached to each row.

[0082] As a further example, a contact having a surface mount mounting portion is shown. In other examples, the contact may have a press fit mounting portion or other configuration of mounting portion.

[0083] As another example, the connector is depicted as having two rows of contacts. In other examples, the connector may have more than two rows of terminals, such as four rows.

[0084] As yet another example, a component for assisting in preloading a second type contact is described as a composite structure having an integrally formed conductive portion and an insulating portion. In other examples, a component having only an insulating portion may be used to replace or supplement such a composite component.

[0085] Additionally, a paddle is described as an example of a substrate in a cable connector. Other substrates may be used in place of or in addition to the paddle. For example, the substrate may be formed of other materials or may be formed in other ways, such as by insert molding conductive elements in a tongue of plastic or other insulating material to form one or more components that may serve as a substrate.

[0086] As another example, the first type of contact can differ from the second type of contact in aspects other than the length of its distal portion. For example, the first type of contact can be wider than the second type of contact, or in some examples, the first type of contact can be narrower than the second type of contact. As another example, the proximal portion 214 of the first type of contact can be longer than the proximal portion of the second type of contact, or in some examples the proximal portion 214 of the first type of contact can be shorter than the proximal portion of the second type of contact.

[0087] Such changes, modifications and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, although the advantages of the present invention are pointed out, it should be understood that not every embodiment of the present invention includes every described advantage. Some embodiments may not implement any of the features described herein and in some cases as being advantageous. Therefore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are intended to be examples only.

[0088] In addition, the present invention may also be embodied as a method, examples of which have been provided. The actions performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable manner. Thus, embodiments may be constructed in which the actions are performed in an order different from that shown, which may include performing some actions simultaneously, even though shown as sequential actions in illustrative embodiments.

[0089] In an example, the connector may include a port with an opening. The connector may also include a contact row, the contact row including a plurality of signal type contacts and a plurality of ground type contacts. Each of the plurality of signal type contacts and each of the plurality of ground type contacts may include a beam including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a curved contact portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The distal portion of the plurality of signal type contacts may be shorter than the distal portion of the plurality of ground type contacts.

[0090] Such a connector may optionally include one or more of the following features or characteristics:

[0091] The connector comprises a component, wherein the component comprises an insulating portion and a conductive portion. The conductive portion and the insulating portion of the component are attached.

[0092] The insulating portion is a plastic piece that is overmolded onto the conductive portion such that the plastic piece is attached to the conductive portion.

[0093] The conductive portion includes a plurality of tracks extending parallel to the rows of contacts and a crossbar connecting the tracks.

[0094] An insulating portion is attached to a rail of the plurality of rails.

[0095] The crossbar is connected to a corresponding ground-type contact of the plurality of ground-type contacts.

[0096] The conductive portion of the component is a first conductive portion. The component also includes a second conductive portion. The first conductive portion is attached to a ground-type contact at a first end of the row of multiple ground-type contacts. The second conductive portion is attached to a ground-type contact at a second end of the row opposite to the first end of the multiple ground-type contacts.

[0097] The connector also includes a housing having a preload frame spanning the row of contacts, wherein

[0098] Distal portions of the plurality of ground-type contacts engage the preload frame, placing the plurality of ground-type contacts in a deflected state and causing the plurality of signal-type contacts to be deflected based on mechanical coupling of the plurality of signal-type contacts to the component and based on mechanical coupling between the component and the plurality of ground-type contacts.

[0099] The connector further includes a second set of signal type contacts, wherein the length of the distal portion of the second set of signal type contacts is the same as the length of the distal portion of the plurality of ground type contacts.

[0100] The connector also includes a housing having an opening formed therein. The opening includes a side including a plurality of channels therein, wherein the transverse segment spans at least a first subset of the plurality of channels.

[0101] The distal portion of the first type of contact engages a transverse segment of the channel spanning the first subset,

[0102] And the transverse section is disposed outside the distal tip of the second type contact.

[0103] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to define dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0104] In some embodiments, terms indicating directions are used, such as "upward" and "downward" or front and back. These terms are used to indicate directions based on the orientation of the component shown or the connection with another component, such as the surface of a printed circuit board on which a termination assembly is mounted or the mating surface of a connector. It should be understood that electronic components can be used in any suitable orientation. Therefore, directional terms should be understood as relative, rather than fixed to a coordinate system that is considered to be unchanging, such as the surface of the earth.

[0105] The use of ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", "third", etc. in the claims to modify claim elements does not in itself indicate any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another claim element, nor does it indicate the temporal order of performing method actions, but merely serves as a label to distinguish one claim element with a specific name from another element with the same name (but using an ordinal number), thereby distinguishing the claim elements.

[0106] The indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used in this specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one" unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0107] As used in this 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 of the elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one of 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 in addition to the elements explicitly identified in the list of elements referred to by the phrase "at least one", other elements may optionally be present, whether or not they are related to the explicitly identified elements.

[0108] The phrase "and / or" used in this specification and claims should be understood as "either or both" of the elements so combined, that is, elements that exist together in some cases and separately in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner, that is, "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements explicitly identified by the "and / or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to the elements explicitly identified. Therefore, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open language (such as "comprising"), a reference to "A and / or B" may refer to: in one embodiment, only A (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only B (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0109] As used in this specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" should be interpreted as inclusive, that is, including at least one, but also including more than one of several elements or lists of elements, and optional additional unlisted items. Only terms that clearly indicate the opposite meaning, such as "only one of them" or "exactly one of them", or "consisting of..." used in the claims, refer to the inclusion of exactly one element in several elements or lists of elements. In general, the term "or" used in this article should only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other but not two") when it is preceded by an exclusive term (e.g., "any", "one of them", "only one of them", or "exactly one of them"). "Mainly consisting of...", when used in the claims, should have the usual meaning used in the field of patent law.

[0110] In addition, the words and terms used in this article are for descriptive purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting. "Including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving" and their variations used in this article are intended to cover the items listed thereafter (or their equivalents) and / or additional items.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: a port comprising an opening and a plurality of contact beams arranged in a row, wherein the plurality of contact beams comprises a plurality of first type contact beams and a plurality of second type contact beams; and Components, among which The component is mechanically coupled to the first type contact beam and the second type contact beam; the component is electrically coupled to the second type contact beam; and The component is insulated from the second type contact beam.

2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a housing including a plurality of channels aligned with corresponding ones of the plurality of contact beams.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the plurality of contact beams comprises a proximal portion, a curved portion, a distal end, and a distal portion between the curved portion and the distal end; the distal portions of the plurality of contact beams being disposed in respective ones of the plurality of channels; and The curved portions of the plurality of contact beams extend into the opening.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: A distal portion of the first type contact beam engages the housing such that the first type contact beam is deflected to a preloaded position.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein: The component causes the second type contact beam to enter a deflected state such that the second type contact beam is deflected to a preloaded position based on the first type contact beam being deflected to a preloaded position.

6. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of contact beams are a first group of contact beams; said row being the first row; as well as The connector further comprises: a second group of contact beams disposed in a second row, the second group of contact beams comprising a plurality of first type contact beams and a plurality of second type contact beams; The second component, wherein The second component is mechanically coupled to a first type of contact beam and a second type of contact beam in the second set of contact beams; the second component is electrically coupled to a second type of contact beam in the second set of contact beams; and The second member is insulated from a second type of contact beams in the second set of contact beams.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein: The housing also includes a second set of channels aligned with corresponding ones of the second set of contact beams.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: The contact beams in the second group of contact beams each include a proximal portion, a curved portion, a terminal end, and a distal portion between the curved portion and the terminal end; the distal portions of the second set of contact beams being disposed in respective channels of the plurality of channels; said curved portions of said second set of contact beams extending into said openings; as well as The distal portions of the first type of contact beams in the second set of contact beams engage the housing such that the first type of contact beams are deflected to a preloaded position.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein: The second component causes the second type of contact beams in the second set of contact beams to enter a deflected state such that the second type of contact beams are deflected to a preloaded position based on the first type of contact beams in the second set of contact beams being deflected to a preloaded position.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein: The first set of contact beams and the second set of contact beams include mating portions of a plurality of contacts; The plurality of contacts further include mounting portions arranged in a plurality of rows at a mounting surface of the connector; and The mounting surface is configured to couple the connector to a printed circuit board (PCB).

11. A connector, comprising: a housing, the housing comprising an opening; A contact assembly, the contact assembly is arranged in the housing, and the contact assembly comprises: Insulation part; A plurality of contacts arranged in a row, each of the plurality of contacts comprising a beam having a cantilevered portion, the cantilevered portion comprising: a proximal portion mechanically coupled to and extending from the insulating portion; and a contact portion connected to the proximal portion and extending into the opening, and a distal portion extending beyond the contact portion, in: The plurality of contacts include first type contacts and second type contacts; and The first type of contact has a longer distal portion than the second type of contact; A component comprising an insulating portion, wherein the component is attached to the first type of contact; and The insulating portion of the component abuts against the second type contact.

12. The connector according to claim 11, wherein: The component also includes a conductive portion attached to the first type contact.

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein: The conductive portion and the insulating portion of the component are attached.

14. The connector according to claim 13, wherein: The insulating portion is a plastic piece that is overmolded onto the conductive portion such that the conductive portion and the plastic piece are attached.

15. The connector according to claim 10, wherein: The first type contact is a ground type contact.

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein: The second type contacts are signal type contacts.

17. The connector according to claim 16, wherein: The second type contacts are arranged in pairs within the row, wherein each pair of contacts is bounded on both sides by ground-type contacts.

18. The connector according to claim 11, wherein: The opening has a first side and a second side opposite the first side; The contact component is a first contact component; The component is a first component; The plurality of contacts are a first set of contacts; the row is a first row, and the first set of contacts in the first row are arranged at the first side of the opening, wherein the first set of contacts are located between the first side of the housing and the first component; And the connector also includes: a second group of contacts, the second group of contacts comprising first type contacts and second type contacts arranged in a second row, the second row being parallel to the first row, the second row being arranged at a second side of the opening, and a second component, the second component comprising an insulating portion, wherein the second component is attached to the first type of contacts in the second set of contacts; and The insulating portion of the second component abuts against the second type of contacts in the second set of contacts.

19. The connector according to claim 18, wherein: The housing comprises: a first preload shelf located at the first side of the opening; and A second pre-loading rack is located in the second row and at the second side of the opening.

20. The connector according to claim 19, wherein The distal portion of the first type of contacts in the first row of contacts is engaged to the first preload frame in a deflected state so that the first type of contacts in the first row are in a preloaded state, and The distal portion of the first type of contacts in the second row of contacts is engaged to the second preload shelf in a deflected state such that the first type of contacts in the second row are in a preloaded state.

21. The connector according to claim 20, wherein: the second type contacts in the first row are deflected in a first direction and away from a centerline of the opening based on a mechanical coupling to the insulating portion of the first component and based on a mechanical coupling of the first component to the first type contacts in the first row, and The second type contacts in the second row are deflected in a second direction opposite to the first direction and away from a centerline of the opening based on a mechanical coupling with the insulating portion of the second component and based on a mechanical coupling of the second component to the first type contacts in the second row.

22. A method of assembling a connector, the connector comprising a housing and a row comprising a plurality of contact beams, the housing comprising an opening, the opening comprising an adapter port, the plurality of contact beams comprising a first type of contact beams and a second type of contact beams, wherein: Each of the plurality of contact beams includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a curved portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the method comprising: deflecting the plurality of contact beams from a rest state and positioning the plurality of beams within the housing such that the curved portions of the plurality of contact beams extend into the opening; and The distal portion of the first type contact beam is engaged with the housing so that the first type contact beam is maintained in a preloaded state and the second type contact beam is maintained in a preloaded state by a component mechanically coupled to the first type contact beam and the second type contact beam.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The first type contact beam has a longer distal portion than the second type contact beam; and While the second type contact beam is maintained in the preloaded state, a distal portion of the second type contact beam is not engaged to the housing.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein: Engaging the distal portion of the first type contact beam with the housing includes engaging a distal end of the first type contact beam to a preload frame.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The housing includes a plurality of channels; Engaging the distal portion of the first type contact beam with the housing includes: engaging a distal end of the first type contact beam to the housing within a channel of the plurality of channels; as well as When the second type contact beam is in the preloaded state, a distal end of the second type contact beam is not engaged to the housing within a channel of the plurality of channels.

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