Socket connector
By designing the structure of the socket housing, flexible circuit and interposer contact with a cavity in the socket connector, the problem of signal degradation at high speed of the existing socket connector is solved, and a more reliable high-speed electrical connection is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411438703.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-10-17
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-18
AI Technical Summary
Receptacle connectors in existing communication systems are susceptible to performance degradation at high speeds, such as signal degradation due to crosstalk and impedance discontinuity between contacts.
A socket connector is designed including a socket housing having a cavity, with a flexible circuit built into the housing and an interposer contact. The flexible circuit is terminated to the main circuit board by termination, the interposer contact has a detachable interface to cooperate with the pluggable module, and is connected to the flexible circuit through an external mating interface.
Through the design of flexible circuits and interposer contacts, reliable electrical connection under high-speed conditions is achieved, reducing crosstalk and impedance discontinuity between contacts, thereby improving signal quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN119852765A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors. Background Art
[0002] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors, such as socket connectors, to interconnect various components of the system for data communications. Some known communication systems use pluggable modules, such as I / O modules or circuit cards, that are electrically connected to the socket connector. The pluggable module may have a module circuit board or contact array that is inserted into the socket connector during a mating operation. The socket connector may be a card edge connector having an upper row of contacts and a lower row of contacts for mating with a corresponding circuit board.
[0003] Known connectors are not without disadvantages. For example, the contacts of the connector are arranged in rows and held in a housing of a socket connector. At high speeds, the socket connector is susceptible to performance degradation, for example due to crosstalk between the contacts. In addition, due to variations in the interface with the housing and variations in the geometry of the contacts, the contacts are subject to multiple discontinuities along the length of the contacts. Impedance discontinuities result in signal degradation.
[0004] There remains a need for a reliable high speed socket connector. Summary of the invention
[0005] According to the present invention, a socket connector is provided, which includes a socket housing having a cavity. The socket housing has a housing mating end and a housing mounting end. The housing mounting end is configured to be mounted to a main circuit board. The socket housing has a slot at the housing mating end, which is configured to receive the mating end of a pluggable module. The socket housing includes contact recesses arranged in at least one row. The socket connector includes a flexible circuit received in the cavity. The flexible circuit has a mating end and a termination end. The flexible circuit includes a circuit conductor extending between the mating end and the termination end. The circuit conductor is configured to be terminated to the main circuit board at the termination end. The socket connector includes an interposer contact received in a corresponding contact recess. Each interposer contact includes an internal mating interface and an external mating interface. The internal mating interface forms a detachable interface, which is configured to mate with a module contact of the pluggable module. The external mating interface is connected to the mating end of the corresponding flexible circuit conductor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a receptacle connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0007] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a receptacle connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0008] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a socket connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an interposer contact according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an interposer contact according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] Figure 6 is a front perspective, partially cut-away view of a receptacle connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a socket connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a socket connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an interposer contact according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a socket connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 1 is a rear perspective view of the socket connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The socket connector 100 is configured to be mounted to the main circuit board 10 ( Figure 1 ). The socket connector 100 is configured to mate with the pluggable module 50 to electrically connect the pluggable module 50 to the main circuit board 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket connector 100 is a card edge connector. However, in alternative embodiments, the socket connector 100 may be another type of electrical connector, such as a plug connector. In other alternative embodiments, the socket connector 100 may be terminated to a wire or cable instead of the main circuit board 10.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 50 includes a circuit card 60, which is configured to be inserted into the slot 160 of the socket connector 100. In various embodiments, the circuit card 60 can be a paddle card. In other embodiments, the circuit card 60 can be a daughter card or other types of cards. Optionally, the pluggable module 50 can include a plug housing (not shown) that surrounds and holds the pluggable module 50. For example, the pluggable module 50 can be an input / output (I / O) module, such as a transceiver module, in which the module circuit card is surrounded by a housing or body surrounding the circuit card. The pluggable module 50 can include one or more cables or wires electrically connected to the pluggable module 50. The pluggable module 50 can include one or more electrical components, such as a chip, a memory module, a processor, an optical / digital converter, or other types of electrical components mounted to the pluggable module 50. Other types of pluggable modules can be used in alternative embodiments, such as pluggable modules that do not include circuit cards. For example, the pluggable module 50 can include a flexible circuit instead of a rigid circuit card. The pluggable module 50 may include an array of contacts, such as flat stamped contact pads, rather than a circuit card.
[0017] The circuit card 60 includes a first or upper surface 62 and a second or lower surface 64 (e.g., when the circuit card 60 is oriented horizontally). The circuit card 60 includes a card edge 66 at a mating end of the circuit card 60 that is configured to be inserted into a slot 160 of the socket connector 100. The pluggable module 50 includes module contacts 68 ( Figure 1 ), the module contacts 68 are configured to be electrically connected to the socket connector 100 when inserted into the slot 160 of the socket connector 100. For example, the contacts 68 can be circuit pads at the card edge 66 of the circuit card 60, and the circuit card 60 is configured to be electrically connected to the socket connector 100 when inserted into the slot 160 of the socket connector 100. The contacts 68 can be disposed on the upper surface 62 and / or the lower surface 64. In alternative embodiments, the contacts 68 of the pluggable module 50 can be other types of contacts. For example, the contacts 68 can be an array of stamped and formed contacts held by a carrier or housing of the pluggable module 50. In alternative embodiments, the contacts 68 can be circuit traces of a flexible circuit.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit card 60 includes a shoulder 70 and one or both sides of the card edge 66. The shoulder 70 may bottom out against the socket connector 100 when the circuit card 60 is inserted into the slot 160 of the socket connector 100.
[0019] The socket connector 100 includes a socket housing 110 forming a slot 160, one or more flexible circuits 200 held by the socket housing 110, and an interposer contact 400 arranged in the slot 160 to mate with the pluggable module 50. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket connector 100 includes two flexible circuits 200, such as an upper flexible circuit at the top of the socket housing 110 and a lower flexible circuit at the bottom of the socket housing 110. The socket housing 110 includes a cavity 120 that receives the flexible circuit 200 and the interposer contact 400. The slot 160 forms a portion of the cavity 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the interposer contact 400 is arranged in a row on both sides of the slot 160 to mate with both sides of the pluggable module 50. The interposer contact 400 electrically connects the flexible circuit 200 to the module contact 68 of the pluggable module 50. In an exemplary embodiment, the interposer contact 400 has a separable interface configured to mate with the flex circuit 200 and a separable interface configured to mate with the pluggable module 50. In other embodiments, the interposer contact 400 can be permanently attached to the flex circuit 200, such as using solder between the interposer contact 400 and the flex circuit 200.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the socket housing 110 is a multi-piece housing. For example, the socket housing 110 includes a rear housing or outer shell 140 and a front housing or housing plug 150 coupled to the outer shell 140. The housing plug 150 extends in front of the outer shell 140. The housing plug 150 is received in the outer shell 140. The outer shell 140 surrounds a portion of the housing plug 150. The housing plug 150 holds the interposer contact 400. The housing plug 150 and / or the outer shell 140 can hold the flexible circuit 200. For example, the flexible circuit 200 can be located between the outer shell 140 and the housing plug 150. The cavity 120 is formed by the housing plug 150 and / or the outer shell 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing plug 150 includes a slot 160 for receiving the pluggable module 50. As the card edge 66 of the pluggable module 50 is loaded into the slot 160, the housing plug 150 guides the pluggable module 50 to engage with the interposer contact 400. The interposer contacts 400 are configured to electrically connect to the contacts 68 of the pluggable module 50 when the card edge 66 is inserted into the slot 160. The interposer contacts 400 are configured to electrically connect to the flexible circuit 200, such as to the circuit conductors 202 of the flexible circuit. The circuit conductors 202 may include traces, pads, vias, etc. routed along one or more layers of the flexible circuit 200. The flexible circuit 200 is configured to be terminated to the main circuit board 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a ball grid array (BGA) of solder balls 204 is electrically connected to corresponding circuit conductors 202 and is positioned to be terminated to the main circuit board 10.
[0021] Figure 3is an exploded view of the socket connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 A portion of the socket housing 110 and the flexible circuit 200 (e.g., the upper flexible circuit and the lower flexible circuit) are shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket connector 100 includes a flexible circuit support 300 for supporting the flexible circuit 200. The flexible circuit support 300 ensures reliable electrical connection between the flexible circuit 200 and the interposer contact 400 and between the interposer contact 400 and the pluggable module 50.
[0022] The socket housing 110 is made of a dielectric material, such as a plastic material. The socket housing 110 may be a molded component. The socket housing 110 extends between a front portion 112 and a rear portion 114. The socket housing 110 includes an upper wall 116 and a lower wall 118 extending between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 114. A cavity 120 extends between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 114. The cavity 120 is located between the upper wall 116 and the lower wall 118. The cavity 120 receives the flexible circuit support 300 and the flexible circuit 200. For example, the flexible circuit support 300 and the flexible circuit 200 may be received in a flexible circuit recess 126 of the cavity 120. The flexible circuit recess 126 may be positioned near the rear portion 114. For example, the flexible circuit recess 126 may extend through a base wall 128 of the socket housing 110 at the rear portion 114. The housing insert 150 may be received in a front portion of the cavity 120 , such as at a front end of the outer housing 140 .
[0023] The socket housing 110 includes a mounting base 130 at the rear 114, which is configured to be mounted to the main circuit board 10. The mounting base 130 may include one or more mounting blocks 132 at the rear 114. The mounting base 130 may include a locating pin extending from the rear 114. The locating pin is configured to be received in an opening in the main circuit board 10 to position the socket connector 100 relative to the main circuit board 10, for example, relative to the board contacts on the main circuit board 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting base 130 can hold a soldering tab (not shown) extending from the base wall 128 for mounting to the main circuit board 10. The soldering tab is configured to be soldered to the main circuit board 10 to mechanically secure the socket connector 100 to the main circuit board 10. The soldering tab can provide strain relief for the solder ball 204. Other types of fixing features can be used in alternative embodiments, such as threaded fasteners, clips, latches, or other types of fixing features.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the socket housing 110 includes a connection post 134 at the rear portion 114 for mechanically connecting the flexible circuit 200 to the socket housing 110. The connection post 134 is used to position the flexible circuit 200 relative to the socket housing 110 (e.g., from side to side and / or from top to bottom). The connection post 134 is used to secure the flexible circuit 200 to the socket housing 110. In alternative embodiments, other types of positioning and / or securing features may be used to connect the flexible circuit 200 to the socket housing 110.
[0025] The housing plug 150 is made of a dielectric material, such as a plastic material. The housing plug 150 can be a molded component. Alternatively, the housing plug 150 can be made of a different material than the socket housing 110. The housing plug 150 extends between a front portion 152 and a rear portion 154. The housing plug 150 includes a support wall 156 extending between the front portion 152 and the rear portion 154. The housing plug 150 includes a slot 160, which can be defined by (multiple) support walls 156. The support wall 156 includes an inner surface 162 and an outer surface 164. The inner surface 162 faces the slot 160. The flexible circuit 200 can extend along the outer surface 164 and be coupled to the outer surface 164.
[0026] The housing insert 150 includes contact recesses 166 in the support wall 156. Each contact recess 166 receives a corresponding interposer contact 400. The contact recesses 166 are separated from each other to electrically isolate the interposer contacts 400 from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact recesses 166 are located near the front 152. The contact recesses 166 position the interposer contacts 400 for mating with the circuit conductors of the pluggable module 50 and the flexible circuit 200.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit support 300 is received in the cavity 120 and is used to support the flexible circuit 200 in the socket housing 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible circuit support 300 is coupled to the flexible circuit 200. However, in alternative embodiments, the flexible circuit support 300 may be coupled to the outer housing 140 and / or the housing insert 150. The flexible circuit support 300 is used to press the flexible circuit 200 inwardly to ensure electrical connection with the interposer contacts 400.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit support 300 is a stamped and formed component. The flexible circuit support 300 includes a carrier 310 and a plurality of support elements 320. The support elements 320 extend from the carrier 310, such as extending in front of the carrier 310. The carrier 310 is disposed at the rear of the flexible circuit support 300. The carrier 310 holds the support elements 320 relative to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the support elements 320 include spring fingers 322 that can move independently of each other. For example, the spring fingers 322 can be cantilevered from the carrier 310. In an exemplary embodiment, the spring fingers 322 extend parallel to each other. The spring fingers 322 can be oriented parallel to the loading direction for loading the pluggable module 50 into the slot 160. Each support element 320 extends to a distal end 324. Optionally, the front of the support element 320 can be curved to dock with the flexible circuit 200.
[0029] The flexible circuit 200 is a flexible electronic circuit that can conform or bend into a desired shape during use. The flexible circuit 200 includes a flexible plastic substrate 210. The substrate 210 can be a polyimide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polyester film. The circuit conductor 202 is formed on one or more layers of the substrate 210. For example, the circuit conductor 202 can be a trace, a pad, a through hole, or other circuit component printed on a layer of the substrate 210. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit 200 includes one or more ground planes to provide shielding for the signal lines of the flexible circuit 200. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible circuit 200 can be a flexible flat cable. The substrate 210 includes a front edge 212 and a rear edge 214. The substrate 210 includes an inner side 216 and an outer side 218. The inner side 216 is configured to interface with the interposer contact 400 and the main circuit board 10.
[0030] The flexible circuit 200 extends between a mating end 220 and a terminating end 230. The mating end 220 is configured to mate to an interposer contact 400. In various embodiments, the mating end 220 mates to the interposer contact 400 at a separable interface. In other embodiments, the interposer contact 400 may be permanently attached to the flexible circuit 200, such as using solder between the interposer contact 400 and the flexible circuit 200. The flexible circuit support 300 is used to support the mating end 220 for mating with the interposer contact 400. For example, the support element 320 may be pressed against the flexible circuit 200 at the mating end 220. The terminating end 230 is configured to terminate to the main circuit board 10. The circuit conductor 202 extends between the mating end 220 and the terminating end 230 to electrically connect the interposer contact 400 and the main circuit board 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit 200 includes a transition portion 240 between the mating end 220 and the terminating end 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition portion 240 transitions through a right angle bend such that the mating end 220 is oriented perpendicular to the terminating end 230. Alternatively, the mating end 220 may be generally planar and the terminating end 230 may be generally planar.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit 200 includes a reinforcement member 232 at the termination end 230. The reinforcement member 232 is rigid. The reinforcement member 232 can be planar. The termination end 230 is coupled to the reinforcement member 232 to maintain the shape of the termination end 230, for example, for connection to the main circuit board 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the solder ball 204 is disposed at the termination end 230 along the inner side 216. The solder ball 204 electrically connects the corresponding circuit conductor 202 to a pad or contact on the main circuit board 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement member 232 can be heat-fused to the termination end 230. The reinforcement member 232 is configured to be coupled to the socket housing 110, for example, to the connecting column 134.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit conductor 202 includes a mating portion 222 on the inner side 216 of the substrate 210 at the mating end 220. The mating portion 222 is configured to mate directly to the interposer contact 400. The circuit conductor 202 may include a signal conductor and / or a ground conductor and / or a power conductor. The signal conductor forms a signal line that allows data communication through the flexible circuit 200. When used, the ground conductor provides shielding for the signal conductor. The ground conductor is configured to be electrically connected to one or more ground planes, such as using a through hole through the substrate 210. When used, the power conductor allows power transmission through the flexible circuit 200.
[0033] Figure 4is a perspective view of an interposer contact 400 according to an exemplary embodiment. The interposer contact 400 includes a contact body 410, which includes an internal mating interface 412 for mating with the pluggable module 50 and an external mating interface 414 for mating with the flexible circuit 200. The contact body 410 is conductive to electrically connect the conductors of the flexible circuit 200 and the pluggable module 50. The contact body 410 can be a stamped metal element. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal mating interface 412 is a separable interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the external mating interface 414 is a separable interface.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the interposer contact 400 includes a contact support 420 that holds the contact body 410. The contact support 420 is used to position the interposer contact 400 in the contact recess of the socket housing 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact support 420 includes a dielectric body 422 surrounding a portion of the contact body 410. The contact support 420 can be an overmolded body overmolded on the contact body 410. The contact support 420 extends between the inner end 424 and the outer end 426. The contact support 420 includes a side 430 between the inner end 424 and the outer end 426. The side 430 can be planar and parallel to each other. The inner end 424 and the outer end 426 can be planar and parallel to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal mating interface 412 of the contact body 410 extends from the inner end 424 for mating with the pluggable module 50. The external mating interface 414 extends from the outer end 426 for mating with circuit conductors of the flexible circuit 200 .
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact support 420 includes support tabs 428 at the front and rear edges of the contact support 420. The support tabs 428 are configured to engage the socket housing 110 to position the interposer contacts 400 in the contact recesses. In alternative embodiments, the interposer contacts 400 may be supported by the flexible circuit 200 rather than using the support tabs 428. For example, the interposer contacts 400 may be soldered to the flexible circuit 200 and cantilevered from the flexible circuit 200 into the recesses.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact body 410 follows a curved path between the internal mating interface 412 and the external mating interface 414. For example, the internal mating interface 412 is offset from the external mating interface 414. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal mating interface 412 is displaced rearwardly and the external mating interface 414 is displaced forwardly. However, in alternative embodiments, the internal mating interface 412 is displaced forwardly and the external mating interface 414 is displaced rearwardly. In other alternative embodiments, the contact body 410 is straight so that the internal mating interface 412 and the external mating interface 414 are aligned, such as both are approximately centered.
[0037] Figure 5 4 is a perspective view of an interposer contact 400 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact body 410 passes straight through the contact support 420. For example, the inner mating interface 412 and the outer mating interface 414 are aligned. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner mating interface 412 and the outer mating interface 414 are centered between the front edge and the rear edge of the contact support 420.
[0038] Figure 6 is a front perspective partial cut-away view of a receptacle connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a socket connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 The pluggable module 50 is shown mated with the socket connector 100. During mating, the pluggable module 50 is inserted into the slot 160 along the loading direction 80. The flexible circuit 200 and the interposer contact 400 are mated to the pluggable module 50 in the mating directions 82, 84. The mating directions 82, 84 may be generally perpendicular to the loading direction 80. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit support 300 is used to press the flexible circuit 200 and the interposer contact 400 in the mating directions 82, 84 to form a reliable electrical connection between the interposer contact 400 and the flexible circuit 200 / pluggable module 50.
[0039] When assembled, the housing insert 150 is located in the cavity 120 of the outer housing 140. The flexible circuit support 300 and the flexible circuit 200 are located in the flexible circuit recess 126, such as between the housing insert 150 and the outer housing 140. The interposer contact 400 is received in the corresponding contact recess 166 of the socket housing 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing insert 150 includes the contact recess 166. The contact recess 166 is used to position the interposer contact 400 relative to each other to mate with the pluggable module 50 and the flexible circuit 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing insert 150 includes a shoulder 168 in the contact recess 166. The shoulder 168 is used to engage with the support tab 428 to position the interposer contact 400 in the contact recess 166. In an exemplary embodiment, the interposer contact 400 floats within the contact recess 166. For example, the interposer contact 400 may be movable within the contact recess 166, such as movable in a vertical mating direction. For example, when the pluggable module 50 is inserted into the slot 160, the interposer contact 400 may be pressed outward by the pluggable module 50. In various embodiments, when the support tab 428 rests against the shoulder 168, the inner end 424 of the contact support 420 is located in the slot 160 to dock with the pluggable module 50. When the pluggable module 50 is loaded into the slot 160, the pluggable module 50 forces the interposer contact outward and lifts the support tab 428 away from the shoulder 168. When the pluggable module 50 is loaded into the slot 160, the inner end 424 may be substantially flush with the inner surface 162 of the corresponding support wall 156. The internal mating interface 412 of the contact body 410 docks with the module contact 68 of the pluggable module 50.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the mating end 220 of each flexible circuit 200 is located in the flexible circuit recess 126 for connecting to the interposer contact 400 and the pluggable module 50. For example, the mating end 220 is aligned with the interposer contact 400 outside the interposer contact 400. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the support element 320 is positioned outside the flexible circuit 200. The support element 320 of the flexible circuit supports the corresponding flexible circuit 200 to press the circuit conductor 202 of the flexible circuit 200 into mating engagement with the interposer contact 400, such as at the mating interface 414. For example, the support element 320 extends along the outer side 218 of the corresponding substrate 210 to engage the substrate 210 opposite the circuit conductor 202. The support element 320 of the upper flexible circuit support 300 is located between the mating end 220 of the upper flexible circuit 200 and the upper wall 116 of the socket housing 110. Similarly, the support element 320 of the lower flexible circuit support 300 is located between the mating end 220 of the lower flexible circuit 200 and the lower wall 118 of the receptacle housing 110. The distal end 324 is configured to interface with the flexible circuit 200 to press the flexible circuit 200 inwardly toward the interposer contact 400. In an exemplary embodiment, the support element 320 presses the interposer contact 400 inwardly toward the pluggable module 50. The support element 320 presses the internal mating interface 414 against the module contact 68 of the pluggable module 50. For example, the spring fingers 322 are spring biased against the flexible circuit 200 to press the circuit conductors 202 into mating engagement with the interposer contact 400 and press the interposer contact 400 into mating engagement with the module contact 68 of the pluggable module 50.
[0041] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a socket connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 A pluggable module 50 is shown mated with a socket connector 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the interposer contact 400 is a stamped and formed contact. The interposer contact 400 includes a contact body 410; however, the interposer contact does not include a contact support 420. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the contact body 410 is not overmolded. The interposer contact 400 includes an internal mating interface 412 for mating with the pluggable module 50 and an external mating interface 414 for mating with the flexible circuit 200. The internal mating interface 412 and the external mating interface 414 have a curved profile to mate with the pluggable module 50 and the flexible circuit 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact body 410 includes a support tab 428 that is stamped together with the contact body 410. In alternative embodiments, the interposer contact 400 may have other shapes.
[0042] Fig. 94 is a cross-sectional view of an interposer contact 400 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the interposer contact 400 is a stamped and formed contact. The interposer contact 400 includes a plurality of mating tabs 416 at an external mating interface 414. The mating tabs 416 are configured to mate with the flexible circuit 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating tabs 416 are located at the front and rear ends of the contact body 410. However, in alternative embodiments, other positions are also feasible. In alternative embodiments, the interposer contact 400 may have other shapes.
Claims
1. A socket connector (100), comprising: A socket housing (110) having a cavity (120), the socket housing having a housing mating end (220) and a housing mounting end, the housing mounting end being configured to be mounted to a main circuit board (10), the socket housing having a slot (160) at the housing mating end, the slot being configured to receive the mating end of a pluggable module (50), the socket housing including contact recesses (166) arranged in at least one row; a flexible circuit (200) received in the cavity, the flexible circuit having a mating end and a terminating end (230), the flexible circuit including a circuit conductor (202) extending between the mating end and the terminating end, the circuit conductor being configured to be connected to the main circuit board at the terminating end; and The interposer contacts (400) are received in corresponding contact recesses, each of the interposer contacts including an internal mating interface (412) and an external mating interface (414), wherein the internal mating interface forms a detachable interface, the detachable interface being constructed to mate with the module contact (68) of the pluggable module, and the external mating interface being connected to the mating end of the corresponding circuit conductor.
2. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The interposer contact (400) is movable within the contact recess (166) to mate with the pluggable module (50) and the flexible circuit (200).
3. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The interposer contacts (400) are separate and discrete from the module contacts (68) and the circuit conductors (202) of the pluggable module (50).
4. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: Each interposer contact (400) includes a contact body (410) and a contact support (420) that holds the contact body, the contact support including a dielectric body (422) surrounding a portion of the contact body, the contact support extending between an inner end (424) and an outer end (426), the contact body including an internal mating interface (412) and an external mating interface (414), the internal mating interface extending from the inner end to mate with the pluggable module (50), and the external mating interface extending from the outer end to mate with a corresponding circuit conductor (202).
5. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1 further includes a flexible circuit (200) support member to support the flexible circuit in the socket housing (110), the flexible circuit support member (300) including a carrier (310) and a support element (320) extending from the carrier, the support element engaging the flexible circuit to support the mating end (220) of the flexible circuit.
6. The socket connector (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The support elements (320) are independently movable relative to each other to engage the flexible circuit (200).
7. The socket connector (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The carrier (310) includes a connecting rod connecting each of the supporting elements (320) to each other at the carrier.
8. The socket connector (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The support element (320) includes spring fingers (322) that are spring biased against the flexible circuit (200) to press the circuit conductors (202) into mating engagement with the interposer contacts (400) and to press the interposer contacts into mating engagement with the module contacts (68) of the pluggable module (50).
9. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The socket housing (110) includes an upper wall (116) above the slot (160) and a lower wall (118) below the slot, the upper wall including a plurality of contact recesses (166), the lower wall including a plurality of contact recesses, the flexible circuit (200) being an upper flexible circuit coupled to the upper wall, the interposer contact (400) being an upper interposer contact, the upper interposer contact being received in the contact recess in the upper wall to contact the upper flexible circuit and the upper surface (62) of the pluggable module (50). ), the socket connector also including a lower flexible circuit, the lower flexible circuit being connected to the lower wall and having a circuit conductor (202) configured to be terminated to the main circuit board (10), the socket connector also including a lower interposer contact, the lower interposer contact being received in a corresponding contact recess in the lower wall, each lower interposer contact being connected to a corresponding circuit conductor of the lower flexible circuit and being configured to mate with a module contact on a lower surface (64) of the pluggable module.
10. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The socket housing (110) includes a rear housing and a housing insert (150), wherein the rear housing forms the cavity (120), the housing insert is received in the cavity of the rear housing and extends in front of the rear housing, and a flexible circuit recess (126) is formed between the rear housing and the housing insert, and the flexible circuit is received in the flexible circuit recess.
11. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The contacts extend generally perpendicular to a loading direction of the pluggable module (50) into the slot (160).
12. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: Each contact recess (166) includes a shoulder (70), and each interposer contact (400) includes a support tab (428) that engages the shoulder to position the interposer contact in the contact recess, wherein the interposer contact is configured to float in the contact recess when mated with the pluggable module (50) such that the support tab is configured to be lifted away from the shoulder when the interposer contact is mated with the pluggable module.
13. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The interposer contact (400) includes a ground contact and a signal contact, and the shape of the ground contact is different from that of the signal contact.
14. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible circuit (200) includes a reinforcement at the terminating end (230) that rigidly holds the flexible circuit relative to the housing at the terminating end.
15. The socket connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible circuit (200) includes a ball grid array of solder balls (204) at the terminating end (230), the solder balls (204) being configured to be soldered to the main circuit board (10).