Compact high-speed electrical connector and electronic system thereof

Abstract

To provide a compact high-speed electrical connector and an electronic system thereof.SOLUTION: The invention provides a compact high-speed electrical connector 200 and an electronic system connector 100 thereof. The compact high-speed electrical connector 200 comprises first, second and third mating interfaces configured to receive one or more add-in cards 110, and a mounting interface configured to be mounted on a third substrate 130. The first, second and third mating interfaces extend in columns parallel to each other and perpendicular to a mating direction. The first, second, and third mating interfaces offset from each other in the mating direction. The mounting interface extends in the mating direction. Such a configuration enables direct interconnections between three components that support hybrid functions such as high-speed signals, power and / or side bands, while satisfying a limited space provided by the electronic system 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202322577414.8, filed on September 21, 2023. This application also claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202311227305.1, filed on September 21, 2023. The contents of these Chinese patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to electrical and electronic systems used to interconnect electronic assemblies, such as electrical and electronic systems that include electrical connectors. [Background technology]

[0003] background

[0003] In electronic systems, electrical connectors are used to connect circuitry on one printed circuit board (PCB) to circuitry on another PCB. In some systems, it may be easier and more cost effective to manufacture most of the system's circuitry on separate electronic assemblies, such as PCBs, which can be joined together with electrical connectors. A common example of this is a memory card that plugs into an electrical connector on a personal computer motherboard.

[0004]

[0004] In servers and other high performance computers, multiple memory cards may be connected to the same motherboard. The memory cards may contain solid state memory and function as solid state drives. In some systems, for example, the memory cards may be aligned perpendicular to the motherboard and parallel to the edge of the motherboard. Such a configuration is described in the industry standard SFF-TA-1016.

[0005]

[0005] Card edge connectors are configured to support this configuration because they may be mounted to a PCB and mated with an add-in card, such as a memory card. The card edge connector may have a mating interface with a slot sized to receive an edge of the add-in card. Conductors having mating contacts at one end and tails at the other end may pass through the connector from the slot to the mounting interface. At the mounting interface, the tails may be attached to the PCB. At the mating interface, the mating contacts may be exposed at the slot and electrically contact pads on the edge of the add-in card inserted into the slot. A conventional card edge connector has two rows of mating contact portions, one on each side of the slot. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] overview Aspects of the present disclosure relate to miniature, high speed electrical connectors and associated electronic systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector that may include a first side with first interfaces extending in a first row, a second side facing away from the first side with second interfaces extending in a second row parallel to the first row and a third interface extending in a third row parallel to the first row, and a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the third side including a fourth interface extending in a mating direction perpendicular to the first row.

[0008]

[0008] Optionally, the first interface, the second interface and the third interface are configured to engage corresponding interfaces of one or more components, and the fourth interface is configured to be mounted to a substrate.

[0009]

[0009] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a first plurality of conductive elements connecting a first portion of the first interface to the fourth interface and a second plurality of conductive elements connecting a second portion of the first interface to the third interface.

[0010]

[0010] Optionally, the electrical connector includes a first subassembly including a first plurality of conductive elements extending from the first interface to the fourth interface and a first subassembly housing holding the first plurality of conductive elements.

[0011]

[0011] Optionally, the electrical connector includes a second subassembly including a third plurality of conductive elements extending from the second interface to the fourth interface and a second subassembly housing holding the third plurality of conductive elements.

[0012]

[0012] Optionally, the first subassembly housing and the second subassembly housing are insulating, and the first subassembly and the second subassembly are stacked in a third direction perpendicular to both the first row and the mating direction.

[0013]

[0013] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a pair of first subassemblies, with the second subassembly disposed between the pair of first subassemblies.

[0014]

[0014] Optionally, the electrical connector includes a third subassembly having a second plurality of conductive elements and a third subassembly housing that holds the second plurality of conductive elements, wherein a pair of the first subassembly and the third subassembly are arranged in a first row.

[0015] Optionally, a distance between the first interface and the second interface is greater than a distance between the first interface and the third interface.

[0016]

[0016] Optionally, the second interface is closer to the fourth interface than the third interface, and the second interface is offset from the third interface in the mating direction.

[0017]

[0017] Optionally, the first interface is configured to receive a card edge, and the second interface and the third interface are configured to connect to a cable.

[0018]

[0018] Optionally, a first plurality of conductive elements are configured to transmit low speed signals and / or power, a second plurality of conductive elements are configured to transmit high speed signals, and a third plurality of conductive elements are configured to transmit low speed signals and / or power.

[0019]

[0019] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a housing having a first side, a second side facing away from the first side, and a third side connecting the first side and the second side, a plurality of first conductive elements each having a first end disposed on the first side and configured to engage with a corresponding component, a second end disposed on the third side and configured to be mounted on a board, a plurality of second conductive elements each having a third end disposed on the second side and configured to engage with a corresponding component, and a fourth end disposed on the third side and configured to be mounted on a board, and a plurality of third conductive elements each having a fifth end disposed on the first side and a sixth end disposed on the second side, each of the fifth end and the sixth end configured to engage with a corresponding component.

[0020]

[0020] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a subassembly housing that holds at least a first subset of the plurality of third conductive elements, the subassembly housing comprising a plurality of openings.

[0021]

[0021] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a first shielding member, wherein the plurality of third conductive elements comprises a first subset of the third conductive elements arranged in a first row and a second subset of the third conductive elements arranged in a second row, the first shielding member being positioned between the first subset and the second subset.

[0022]

[0022] Optionally, the first shield member includes a plurality of protrusions extending through the plurality of openings and configured to electrically contact at least one third conductive element of the plurality of third conductive elements.

[0023]

[0023] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a second shielding member, the first subset being disposed between the first shielding member and the second shielding member.

[0024] Optionally, the second shield member includes a plurality of extensions extending beyond the subassembly housing in a mating direction perpendicular to the first and second rows.

[0025]

[0025] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a shield comprising a first shield member and a second shield member, wherein a plurality of third conductive elements are disposed between the first shield member and the second shield member.

[0026]

[0026] Optionally, the plurality of first conductive elements comprise a first conductor and a plurality of second conductors, a first end of the first conductor comprising a plurality of mating portions, and a second end of the first conductor comprising a plurality of tail portions.

[0027] Optionally, an intermediate portion of the first conductor is wider than an intermediate portion of the plurality of second conductors.

[0028] Optionally, the first conductor is positioned closer to an intersection of the first side and the third side than the plurality of second conductors.

[0029]

[0029] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a first side having a first interface, the first interface having a first portion and a second portion aligned in a straight line, a second side facing away from the first side and having a second interface and a third interface, a third side extending between the first side and the second side, the third side having a fourth interface, a first subassembly including a first housing holding a plurality of first conductive elements extending from the first portion of the first interface to the fourth interface, a second subassembly including a second housing holding a plurality of second conductive elements extending from the second interface to the fourth interface, and a third subassembly including a third housing holding a plurality of third conductive elements extending from the second portion of the first interface to the third interface.

[0030] Optionally, the third subassembly is separated from the fourth interface by the second subassembly.

[0031]

[0031] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a pair of first subassemblies, each first subassembly comprising a subset of the plurality of first conductive elements, and a slot between the pair of first subassemblies, wherein the plurality of second conductive elements extend at least partially through the slot to the second interface.

[0032] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises an outer housing configured to hold the first subassembly, the second subassembly, and the third subassembly.

[0033]

[0033] Optionally, each of the plurality of first conductive elements has a mating end disposed at the first interface and a tail end disposed at the fourth interface, the tail end being configured to be mounted to the first substrate, and each of the plurality of second conductive elements has a mating end disposed at the second interface and a tail end disposed at the fourth interface, the tail end being configured to be mounted to the first substrate.

[0034]

[0034] Optionally, the first interface includes a slot configured to receive the second substrate such that the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected to each other via the plurality of first conductive elements.

[0035]

[0035] Optionally, the second interface includes a slot configured to receive a cable connector connected to the third substrate such that the second substrate and the third substrate are electrically connected to each other via a plurality of second conductive elements.

[0036]

[0036] Optionally, the electrical connector comprises a latch member disposed adjacent to the second interface and configured to secure the cable connector to the second interface.

[0037] Some embodiments relate to a cable assembly comprising a substrate having a first edge, a first plurality of pads disposed along the first edge and extending in a first direction, a second edge offset from the first edge in the first direction, and a second plurality of pads disposed along the second edge and extending in the first direction, and a plurality of cables terminated to the substrate.

[0038] Optionally, a plurality of cables are connected to the first plurality of pads and the second plurality of pads through the substrate.

[0039]

[0039] Optionally, the cable assembly comprises a housing that at least partially holds the substrate, the housing comprising an engagement mechanism configured to engage with the latch.

[0040]

[0040] Some embodiments relate to an electronic system. The electronic system may include a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate, and an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising a housing, a first interface through the housing disposed on a first side of the electrical connector and electrically connected to the first substrate, a second interface through the housing disposed on a second side facing away from the first side of the electrical connector and electrically connected to the second substrate, a third interface through the housing disposed on the second side of the electrical connector, and a fourth interface through the housing disposed on the third side of the electrical connector, the third side extending between the first side and the second side, and the fourth interface electrically connected to the third substrate.

[0041]

[0041] Optionally, the second substrate is electrically connected to the second interface by a cable assembly having a cable connector, the second interface configured to receive the cable connector.

[0042] Optionally, the second substrate is further electrically connected to a third interface.

[0043]

[0043] Optionally, the electrical connector further comprises a latch pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the third interface, the latch configured to secure the cable connector to the electrical connector when the latch is placed in a latched position.

[0044]

[0044] Optionally, the fourth interface is a mounting interface, and the electrical connector is mounted to the third substrate at the mounting interface.

[0045] Optionally, electrical connectors are configured to electrically connect the first substrate with the second substrate and the third substrate, and to electrically connect the second substrate with the third substrate.

[0046]

[0046] Optionally, the electrical connector is configured to transmit low speed signals and / or power from the first interface through a first conductive element mounted on the third substrate and a second conductive element connected to both the cable assembly and the third substrate, and to transmit high speed signals through a third conductive element connected from the first interface to the cable assembly.

[0047]

[0047] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a first mating interface, a second mating interface, and a third mating interface extending parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, and a mounting interface extending in a mating direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0048]

[0048] Optionally, the mating orientation can include a first mating orientation and a second mating orientation that face opposite each other. A portion of the first mating interface, the second mating interface, and the third mating interface can face the first mating orientation, and another portion of the first mating interface, the second mating interface, and the third mating interface can face the second mating orientation.

[0049]

[0049] Optionally, the first mating interface may face a first mating direction, and the second mating interface and the third mating interface may face a second mating direction.

[0050]

[0050] Optionally, the second mating interface may be closer to the mounting interface than the third mating interface, and the second mating interface may be offset from the third mating interface in the second mating direction.

[0051]

[0051] Optionally, the distance from the second mating interface to the first mating interface may not be equal to the distance from the third mating interface to the first mating interface.

[0052]

[0052] Optionally, the electrical connector may further comprise a plurality of first conductive elements, a plurality of second conductive elements, and a plurality of third conductive elements. The plurality of first conductive elements may extend from the first mating interface to the mounting interface. The plurality of second conductive elements may extend from the second mating interface to the mounting interface. The plurality of third conductive elements may extend from the first mating interface to the third mating interface.

[0053]

[0053] Optionally, the electrical connector may further comprise a first subassembly housing that holds a plurality of first conductive elements and a second subassembly housing that holds a plurality of second conductive elements. The first subassembly housing and the second subassembly housing may be insulating. The first subassembly housing and the second subassembly housing may be stacked in a transverse direction perpendicular to both the mating direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0054]

[0054] Optionally, the electrical connector may include a plurality of first subassembly housings, and the second subassembly housing may be interposed between the plurality of first subassembly housings.

[0055]

[0055] Optionally, a plurality of first subassembly housings may be formed surrounding the second slot. A plurality of second conductive elements may be bent into the second slot to form a second mating interface.

[0056]

[0056] Optionally, a sidewall of the second slot may include a plurality of second conductive element channels, and the plurality of second conductive elements may extend through a corresponding plurality of second conductive element channels.

[0057]

[0057] Optionally, the electrical connector may further include a front insulating housing. A first slot may be provided on a side of the front insulating housing facing the first mating direction. The first conductive elements and the third conductive elements may be bent into the first slot to form a first mating interface. An entire edge formed by stacking the first sub-assembly housing and the second sub-assembly housing may be inserted into the front insulating housing from the side facing the second mating direction.

[0058]

[0058] Optionally, the electrical connector may further include a rear insulating housing. The front insulating housing and the rear insulating housing may be arranged in a mating direction. A third slot may be provided on a side of the rear insulating housing facing the second mating direction. A plurality of third conductive elements may be bent into the third slot to form a third mating interface. The plurality of third conductive elements may be mounted in the front insulating housing and the rear insulating housing.

[0059] Optionally, a rear insulating housing may abut longitudinally against the first subassembly housing.

[0060]

[0060] Optionally, the first subassembly housing may extend beyond the rear insulating housing in the second mating direction. The first subassembly housing may have a notch on a side facing the rear insulating housing. An end of the rear insulating housing provided at the third mating interface may extend into the notch.

[0061]

[0061] Optionally, the electrical connector may include a plurality of first subassembly housings spaced apart transversely to form a gap. A rear insulating housing may be engaged with the gap.

[0062]

[0062] Optionally, the plurality of third conductive elements may comprise a differential pair of signal conductive elements and ground conductive elements distributed among the differential pair of signal conductive elements.

[0063]

[0063] Optionally, the electrical connector may further comprise a shield electrically connected to the ground conductive element. The shield may be disposed on a side of the differential pair of signal conductive elements in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0064]

[0064] Optionally, the third conductive elements may be arranged in at least one row parallel to the longitudinal direction. Each of the at least one row may have a corresponding shield. The shield may include an inner shield and an outer shield. For each row, the outer shield, the third conductive elements, and the inner shield may be arranged in order transversely toward the interior of the electrical connector.

[0065]

[0065] Optionally, the inner shield may abut against each of the intermediate portions of the ground conductive elements of the corresponding row in the extension direction of the ground conductive elements, and the outer shield may abut against each of the ground conductive elements of the corresponding row on two sides of the intermediate portion in the extension direction.

[0066]

[0066] Optionally, the inner shield may have a cantilever bent toward the ground conductive element of the corresponding row, and the cantilever may abut against the ground conductive element of the corresponding row.

[0067]

[0067] Optionally, the outer shield may have pleated portions that bulge toward the ground conductive elements of the corresponding row, and the pleated portions may abut the ground conductive elements of the corresponding row.

[0068]

[0068] Optionally, protrusions may be disposed on the surface of the pleated portion that abuts the ground conductive elements of the corresponding row.

[0069]

[0069] Optionally, the inner shield may include inner shield extensions that protrude toward and align with the two ends of the differential pair of signal conductive elements of the corresponding row, and the outer shield may include outer shield extensions that protrude toward and align with the two ends of the differential pair of signal conductive elements of the corresponding row.

[0070]

[0070] Optionally, the inner shield extension may be shorter than the outer shield extension in the extension direction of the differential pair of signal conductive elements.

[0071]

[0071] Optionally, the third conductive element in each of the at least one row may be carried by an insulating member. The insulating member may be provided with holes in one-to-one correspondence with the ground conductive elements of the corresponding row.

[0072]

[0072] Optionally, an inner shield and an outer shield may be attached to the insulating members of the corresponding rows. The ground conductive element may have a middle portion that corresponds to the hole and is wider than the other portions.

[0073]

[0073] Optionally, the plurality of first conductive elements may include a power conductive element and a sideband conductive element, the plurality of second conductive elements may include a sideband conductive element, and the plurality of third conductive elements may include a high speed signal conductive element.

[0074]

[0074] Optionally, the first mating interface may include a longitudinally disposed first interface segment and a second interface segment, the plurality of first conductive elements may extend from the first interface segment to the mounting interface, and the plurality of third conductive elements may extend from the second interface segment to the third mating interface.

[0075]

[0075] Optionally, the plurality of first conductive elements may extend to the mounting interface and have first tail ends arranged in a first row. The plurality of second conductive elements may extend to the mounting interface and have second tail ends arranged in a second row. The first row and the second row may be parallel to the mating direction. The first row and the second row may be arranged side by side in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0076]

[0076] Optionally, the first tail end in the first row and the second tail end in the second row may be staggered in the extension direction of the rows.

[0077]

[0077] Optionally, the center distance between an initial first tail end in a first row adjacent the first mating interface and an initial second tail end in a second row adjacent the first mating interface may be less than the center distance between adjacent first tail ends in the first row, such that the first tail end and the second tail end are configured to connect to an edge of the substrate.

[0078]

[0078] Some embodiments relate to an electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a first mating interface and a second mating interface facing opposite each other in a mating direction, a mounting interface extending in the mating direction, a first subassembly holding a plurality of first conductive elements insulated from each other, the plurality of first conductive elements extending from the first mating interface to the mounting interface, and a second subassembly holding a plurality of second conductive elements insulated from each other, the plurality of second conductive elements extending from the second mating interface to the mounting interface. The first subassembly and the second subassembly may be stacked on each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0079]

[0079] Optionally, the first mating interface and the second mating interface may extend in a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0080]

[0080] Optionally, each of the plurality of first conductive elements may have a first mating end and a first tail end at two ends. The first mating ends of the plurality of first conductive elements may be arranged in a first row parallel to the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and the mating direction. Each of the plurality of second conductive elements may have a second mating end and a second tail end at two ends. The second mating ends of the plurality of second conductive elements may be arranged in a second row parallel to the longitudinal direction. The first tail ends of the plurality of first conductive elements may be arranged in a first row, and the second tail ends of the plurality of second conductive elements may be arranged in a second row. The second row and the first row may be parallel to the mating direction. The first row and the second row may be arranged side by side in the transverse direction.

[0081]

[0081] Optionally, the first tail end in the first row and the second tail end in the second row may be staggered in the extension direction of the rows.

[0082]

[0082] Optionally, the center distance between an initial first tail end in a first row adjacent the first mating interface and an initial second tail end in a second row adjacent the first mating interface may be less than the center distance between adjacent first tail ends in the first row, such that the first tail end and the second tail end are configured to connect to an edge of the substrate.

[0083]

[0083] Optionally, the electrical connector may comprise a plurality of first subassemblies, and the second subassembly may be inserted between the plurality of first subassemblies.

[0084]

[0084] Optionally, a plurality of the first subassemblies may be formed surrounding the second slot, and a plurality of the second conductive elements may be bent into the second slot to form a second mating interface.

[0085]

[0085] Optionally, the electrical connector may further comprise a front insulating housing provided with a first slot, wherein the plurality of first conductive elements and the plurality of third conductive elements are bent into the first slot to form a first mating interface. An entire edge formed by stacking the first subassembly and the second subassembly may be inserted into the front insulating housing from a side facing away from the first slot.

[0086]

[0086] Optionally, the electrical connector may further include a third mating interface facing opposite the first mating interface in the mating direction, and a plurality of third conductive elements extending from the first mating interface to the third mating interface.

[0087]

[0087] Optionally, the electrical connector may further include a rear insulating housing. The front insulating housing and the rear insulating housing may be arranged in a mating direction. A third slot may be provided on a side of the rear insulating housing facing back toward the front insulating housing in the mating direction. A plurality of third conductive elements may be mounted in the front insulating housing and the rear insulating housing, and the plurality of third conductive elements may be bent into the third slot to form a third mating interface.

[0088]

[0088] Optionally, the electrical connector may further comprise an outer housing. The front insulating housing, the rear insulating housing, the first subassembly, and the second subassembly may be mounted within the outer housing.

[0089]

[0089] Some embodiments relate to an electronic system. The electronic system may include a first substrate, a second substrate, a third substrate, and an electrical connector. The first substrate, the second substrate, and the third substrate may be interconnected by the electrical connector such that the first substrate is electrically connected to the second substrate, the second substrate is electrically connected to the third substrate, and the first substrate is electrically connected to the third substrate.

[0090]

[0090] Optionally, the electrical connector may include a first mating interface, a second mating interface, a third mating interface, and a mounting interface. The first mating interface may be disposed opposite the second mating interface and the third mating interface in the mating direction. The first substrate may be connected to the first mating interface. The second substrate may be connected to the second mating interface and the third mating interface. The mounting interfaces may be parallel to the mating direction, and the third substrate is connected to the mounting interface.

[0091]

[0091] Optionally, the first mating interface includes a longitudinally disposed first interface segment and a second interface segment, the first interface segment may be electrically connected to the mounting interface, and the second interface segment may be electrically connected to the third mating interface.

[0092]

[0092] Optionally, the second substrate may be connected to the electrical connector via a cable connector assembly.

[0093]

[0093] Optionally, the electrical connector may be one of the electrical connectors described above.

[0094]

[0094] The techniques described herein may be used alone or in any suitable combination. The above summary is provided by way of example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0095] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0095] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each of the same or nearly identical components shown in various drawings may be represented by a similar numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every drawing. The drawings are as follows: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0096] [Figure 1A]

[0096] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded side view of an electronic system according to some embodiments. [Figure 1B]

[0097] 1B is a top view of a portion of the electronic system of FIG. 1A showing electrical connectors mounted to the peripheral region of the substrate with pads along the edges. [Figure 2A]

[0098] FIG. 1B is a front side perspective view of the electrical connector of the electronic system of FIG. [Figure 2B]

[0099] FIG. 2B is a rear side perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A]

[0100] FIG. 2B is a partially exploded view of the electrical connector of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3B]

[0101] FIG. 3B is a front side perspective view of the first and second subassemblies of the electrical connector of FIG. 3A assembled together. [Figure 4]

[0102] FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 2A with the outer housing hidden. [Figure 5A]

[0103] 5 is a rear side perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 5B]

[0104] FIG. 5B is a rear perspective side cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6]

[0105] 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a first subassembly of the electrical connector of FIG. 2A according to some embodiments. [Figure 7]

[0106] 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a second subassembly of the electrical connector of FIG. 2A according to some embodiments. [Figure 8A]

[0107] 2B is a schematic diagram showing a method for manufacturing a third subassembly of the electrical connector of FIG. 2A. [Figure 8B]

[0108] FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the third subassembly of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9]

[0109] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a third substrate of the electronic system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 10]

[0110] FIG. 1B is a front, partially exploded side view of the electronic system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 11]

[0111] FIG. 11 is a rear side view of the electronic system of FIG. 10. [Figure 12]

[0112] FIG. 11 is a side view of the electronic system of FIG. [Figure 13]

[0113] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the area of ​​the electronic system of FIG. 10 circled in FIG. 12. [Figure 14]

[0114] 14 is a partial enlarged view of the area depicted in FIG. 13 of the electronic system of FIG. 10 with components hidden. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged view of the area depicted in FIG. 13 of the electronic system of FIG. 10 with components hidden. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged view of the area depicted in FIG. 13 of the electronic system of FIG. 10 with components hidden. [Figure 17] FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged view of the area depicted in FIG. 13 of the electronic system of FIG. 10 with components hidden. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0097]

[0115] The above attached drawings include the following reference numbers:

[0098]

[0116] 100 electronic system; 110, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d add-in card; 111 first substrate; 120 second substrate; 130 third substrate; 131 peripheral area; 132, 132a first contact area; 133, 133a second contact area; 140 first cable connector; 141 first interface; 142 second interface; 143 first cable interface; 144 engagement mechanism; 150 second cable connector; 151 second cable interface; 152 second cable connector interface; 160 board connector; 200, 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d electrical connector; 210 first mating interface; 211 first interface segment; 212 second interface segment; 220 second mating interface; 230 third mating interface;240 mounting interface;310 first conductive element;310a forward first conductive element;311 first mating end;312 first tail end;313 power conductive element;314 conductive element;320 second conductive element;320a forward second conductive element;321 second mating end;322 second tail end;330 third conductive element;331 third mating end;332 fourth mating end;333 differential pair of signal conductive elements;334 ground conductive element;334a middle portion;410 first subassembly housing;411 second slot;412 second conductive element channel;413 notch;414 gap;420 second subassembly housing;440 forward insulating housing;441 first slot;442 first conductive element channel;450 rear insulating housing;451 third slot;452 third conductive element channel;453 protrusion;460 first subassembly;470 second subassembly;480 third subassembly;481 insulating member;482 hole;500 shield;510 inner shield;511 cantilever beam;512 inner shield extension;520 outer shield;521 pleated portion;522 protrusion;523 outer shield extension;610 outer housing;611 pivot shaft;620 clamp member;630 latch;631 hook;632 operating portion;633 Pivoting part. ;

[0099] Detailed Description

[0117] The present inventors have recognized and appreciated a connector design that allows for high performance electronic system architectures while limiting the space occupied to allow components that provide enhanced functionality to be included within a computing system. Such a connector may, for example, provide direct interconnection between at least three components and support reliable high speed signal connections, power connections, and / or hybrid connections including routing of sideband signals.

[0100]

[0118] As electronic systems become more advanced, more data channels and / or processing capabilities may be added. For example, the amount and density of circuitry on the midplane, backplane, or motherboard of an electronic system may increase. In some embodiments, add-in cards (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)) may be large in size, while the midplane, backplane, or motherboard may be constrained in size (e.g., to fit into a standardized server cabinet or other package). Examples of such electronic systems include Internet servers and routers that support multiple high-speed data rate channels. Data transmission rates per channel in such electronic systems may be up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gb / s) or more. In some cases, the data rates may be as high as 150 Gb / s, for example. According to aspects of the present disclosure, a connector is configured to support multiple such high-speed data channels while meeting the physical and / or dimensional constraints of such systems.

[0101]

[0119] Such techniques are described herein using connectors that may provide interconnections between an SSD and a cable connector connected to a system board, between an SSD and a midplane, and between a midplane and a cable connector connected to a system board, respectively, but may also be applied in connecting other components.

[0102]

[0120] According to aspects of the disclosure, an electrical connector may include a mounting interface and a plurality of mating interfaces. The mounting interface may be mounted to a substrate. Examples of substrates include a midplane, a backplane, or a motherboard. The plurality of mating interfaces may electrically connect to a plurality of substrates. Optionally, the substrate may be directly connected to the mating interface or may be connected to the mating interface via a mating electrical connector configured to mate with the electrical connector. Optionally, some of the substrates may be directly connected to some of the mating interfaces and others may be connected to the mating interface via a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector may include a conductive element. The conductive element may extend between interfaces configured to connect to each other, thereby forming a transmission lane between the corresponding interfaces.

[0103]

[0121] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a card edge connector connected to a peripheral region of a substrate may be configured to connect several substrates. For example, several substrates may be orthogonally connected directly to the peripheral region of the substrate via electrical connectors. Such a configuration allows multiple orthogonal card edge connectors to be arranged side-by-side along the peripheral region of the substrate, thereby saving space on the substrate and providing expandability to the electronic system. Some substrates may be directly connected to the peripheral region of the substrate via electrical connectors, and may include add-in cards such as SSDs. Additional substrates may be connected, for example, via cable electrical connectors mated with the electrical connectors to achieve interconnection with the substrates. Such a configuration allows these additional substrates to be located remotely with respect to the substrate on which the electrical connector is mounted.

[0104]

[0122] According to aspects of the disclosure, a first mating interface of the electrical connector may face outward from a substrate on which the connector is mounted. A second mating interface and a third mating interface of the electrical connector may face inward from a substrate on which the connector is mounted. The second mating interface and the third mating interface may be offset from one another in the mating direction. This configuration allows the electrical connector to have a low profile and fit into limited spaces.

[0105]

[0123] In some embodiments, the first and third mating interfaces may be electrically connected directly to the mounting interface, and the third mating interface may be electrically connected directly to the first mating interface. Such a configuration allows direct interconnection of high speed lanes via the first and third mating interfaces, and power and sideband lanes may be directly connected via the mounting interface and the first and / or third mating interfaces. For example, when the connector is mounted to a midplane, such a configuration may eliminate the need to transmit high speed signals through the midplane, and therefore may improve signal integrity.

[0106]

[0124] In some embodiments, a shield may be provided around the high-speed lane. The shield may selectively electrically contact a ground structure of the electrical connector. In some embodiments, the high-speed lane may be configured to include a ground conductive element and a differential pair of signal conductive elements separated by the ground conductive element. The shield may selectively electrically contact the ground conductive element. In some embodiments, the shield may include an inner shield and an outer shield on opposite sides of the high-speed lane. For each differential pair of signal conductive elements, the inner shield and the outer shield may cooperate with the ground conductive element to insulate the differential pair of signal conductive elements from the differential pair of adjacent signal conductive elements to form a shield frame. As a result, crosstalk may be reduced and high frequency signal integrity may be improved. Furthermore, corresponding to the differential pair of signal conductive elements, the shield may have a length extending along the length of the conductive elements to enhance shielding effect.

[0107]

[0125] In some embodiments, the conductive elements forming the transmission lanes between the two interfaces may have different structures that may depend on the positions and orientations of the two interfaces electrically connected to each other by the respective conductive elements. In some embodiments, the conductive elements for forming the transmission lanes between the mating interface and the mounting interface may be substantially L-shaped, and the L-shaped conductive elements may have different lengths in the direction of extension of the conductive elements. In some embodiments, the conductive elements for forming the transmission lanes between the different mating interfaces may be substantially straight, and the straight conductive elements may have similar lengths. The straight conductive elements may be configured as a differential pair of signal conductive elements. Such a configuration may allow the signal conductive elements in each differential pair to have similar resistances and similar propagation delays.

[0108]

[0126] In some embodiments, the electrical connector may be comprised of multiple types of subassemblies. For example, the conductive elements electrically connecting with the two interfaces may be formed on the same subassembly. In some embodiments, the electrical connector may include a first mating interface, a second mating interface, a third mating interface, and a mounting interface. The first mating interface, the second mating interface, and the third mating interface may extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction. The mounting interface may extend in a mating direction. The first subassembly may include a plurality of first conductive elements extending from the first mating interface to the mounting interface. The second subassembly may include a plurality of second conductive elements extending from the second mating interface to the mounting interface. The third subassembly may include a plurality of third conductive elements extending from the first mating interface to the third mating interface. In some embodiments, the first conductive elements and the second conductive elements may include sideband conductive elements and / or power conductive elements. The third conductive element may include a high speed signal conductive element. In some embodiments, the first subassembly and the second subassembly may be stacked together in their transverse directions perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the mating direction. The third subassembly may be disposed longitudinally alongside the stacked first and second subassemblies. In some embodiments, the electrical connector may include an insulating housing having a space for receiving the subassembly. Mating ends of the conductive elements may extend into the space to form a mating interface. In some embodiments, the electrical connector may include a pair of first subassemblies spaced apart transversely to form a gap therebetween. A second subassembly may be disposed in the gap. The first subassembly may surround and form a slot. Mating ends of a plurality of second conductive elements on the second subassembly may be bent into the slot to form a second mating interface.

[0109]

[0127] 1A illustrates an exemplary electronic system 100 that may be part of a data center network device, such as a switch, a router, and a server. The electronic system 100 may include a first board 111, a second board 120, and a third board 130. The first board 111 may be included in an add-in card 110. The add-in card 110 may include, for example, one or more of a module card and a non-volatile memory chip. The non-volatile memory chip may be a solid-state disk (SSD). The second board 120 (a portion of which is shown) may be a motherboard of the data center network device and may include circuitry and patterned conductors on one or more levels of the board. The third board 130 (a portion of which is shown) may be a midplane of the data center network device.

[0110]

[0128] The electronic system 100 may include an electrical connector 200 that interconnects three substrates. The electrical connector 200 may be mounted in a peripheral area of ​​the third substrate 130. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1A, the electrical connector 200 may be referred to as an "orthogonal" electrical connector because the first substrate 111 of the connected add-in card 110 has a circuit surface or substrate surface that is oriented orthogonally to the circuit surface(s) of the third substrate 130. The second substrate 120 may be connected to the electrical connector 200 via a cable connector assembly. The cable connector assembly may include a first cable connector 140 mated to the electrical connector 200, a second cable connector 150 mated to the second substrate 120, and a cable (not shown) connected between the first cable connector 140 and the second cable connector 150. As a result, the second substrate 120 may be located remotely with respect to the third substrate 130. The first cable connector 140 and the add-in card 110 may be connected to opposite sides of the electrical connector 200 to avoid mutual interference.

[0111]

[0129] An exemplary electronic system 100 in which multiple such electrical connectors according to embodiments may be used is shown in FIG. 1B. The electrical connector 200 in FIG. 1A and various accompanying figures described below may be any one of electrical connectors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d. However, it should be noted that the electrical connectors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d may have different configurations and functions from each other, but the electrical connectors may be similar with respect to the improvements provided by the present disclosure. The electrical connectors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d may be disposed along the edge of the third substrate 130 within the peripheral region 131 of the substrate 130. The add-in cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d may be connected to the sides of the electrical connectors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d, respectively. The add-in cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d may be arranged side-by-side. The opposite sides of the electrical connectors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d may be connected to corresponding second boards (not shown) via cable connector assemblies, respectively. In some embodiments, the third board 130, the add-in cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d, the electrical connectors 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d, and the first cable connectors (not shown) may be assembled in a support frame or housing to fit into one standard unit (1U) of an information technology (IT) equipment rack (approximately 1.75 inches in height for a 19-inch or 23-inch wide equipment rack).

[0112]

[0130] In some embodiments, the electrical connector 200 may conform to an industry standard or specification, such as the Small Form Factor (SFF) specification. For example, the electrical connector 200 may accept a card conforming to the SFF-TA-1007 specification. The specification may specify the number, arrangement, and spacing of contact pads on the add-in card that electrically connect to the contacts of the multi-row connector. In some embodiments, the center-to-center spacing between contact pads on the add-in card 110 may be essentially or exactly 0.6 millimeters (mm), although other spacings may be used in other embodiments. In the SFF-TA-1007 specification, there may be 56 to 84 (or about 56 to about 84) contact pads divided between two sides of the add-in card. In some embodiments, there may be more contact pads on the card to which the connector must provide a mating end.

[0113]

[0131] Also, according to some embodiments, the specifications may specify spacing between add-in cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d that may be used to flow air between the cards. In some embodiments, there may be fans on the third substrate 130 that move air between the add-in cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d. In some embodiments, there may be multiple spacings between the specified add-in cards. The fans may be oriented to blow air, for example, from right to left or from left to right in FIGS. 1A and 1B. There may be different spacings for different levels of power drawn by different add-in cards (e.g., at least 9.5 mm center-to-center spacing up to 25 watts, at least 18 mm center-to-center spacing up to 40 watts).

[0114]

[0132] The inventors further recognize and appreciate that it may be beneficial to adapt the connector to cards of different types (e.g., versions of add-in cards 110 having fewer or more contact pads that connect to the mating end of electrical connector 200 when card 110 is plugged into electrical connector 200). Additionally, it may be beneficial if the length of the electrical connector does not exceed the maximum length of a conventional version of the electrical connector (the length perpendicular to the edge of third substrate 130 on which electrical connector 200 is mounted), since electrical connector 200 may be secured to the same peripheral area of ​​third substrate 130 as a conventional version of the electrical connector.

[0115]

[0133] 2A-2B show a configuration of an electrical connector 200 provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at different angles. As shown in FIG. 2A-2B, the electrical connector 200 may include a first mating interface 210, a second mating interface 220, a third mating interface 230, and a mounting interface 240. For clarity and conciseness, the drawings show a longitudinal direction X1-X2, a transverse direction Y1-Y2, and a mating direction Z1-Z2. Any two of the longitudinal direction X1-X2, the transverse direction Y1-Y2, and the mating direction Z1-Z2 may be perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal direction X1-X2 may generally refer to the height direction of the electrical connector. The mating direction Z1-Z2 may generally refer to the length direction of the electrical connector. The transverse direction Y1-Y2 may generally refer to the width direction of the electrical connector. The dimension in the width direction may also be referred to as the thickness of the electrical connector 200. The longitudinal direction X1-X2 may include a first longitudinal direction X1 and a second longitudinal direction X2 that face in opposite directions. The mating direction Z1-Z2 may include a first mating direction Z1 and a second mating direction Z2 that face in opposite directions.

[0116]

[0134] The first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may extend in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. For example, the first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may each be an elongated strip extending in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. It should be noted that the first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may each be an independent mating interface, rather than three segments of a single mating interface. The first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may be parallel to each other. Any two of the first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may not be located on the same plane. The first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may each be used for electrical connection with different circuits. Optionally, the different circuits may be disposed on different substrates. Optionally, the different circuits may also be disposed on the same substrate. Depending on the architecture of the electronic system, the substrates may be directly inserted into the corresponding mating interfaces or may be connected to the corresponding mating interfaces by mated electrical connectors.

[0117]

[0135] The mounting interface 240 may extend in the mating direction Z1-Z2. The mounting interface 240 may be in the form of an elongated strip extending in the mating direction Z1-Z2. The mounting interface 240 may face the third substrate 130 to be mounted, which may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The mating direction Z1-Z2 is perpendicular to the edge of the third substrate 130 to which the electrical connector 200 is mounted. The mating direction Z1-Z2 and the longitudinal direction X1-X2 together may define a plane perpendicular to the edge of the third substrate 130 to which the electrical connector 200 is mounted, which plane is parallel to the add-in card 110. The area of ​​the mounting interface 240 may be positively correlated to the area of ​​the footprint formed by the electrical connector 200 on the third substrate 130. It may be desirable for the mounting interface 240 to be constrained in a vertical dimension such that the electrical connector 200 cannot occupy an intermediate region of the third substrate 130 surrounded by the peripheral region 131. The mounting interface 240 may be connected to the third substrate 130 by any suitable means, such as soldering, such that the electrical connector 200 is electrically connected with the third substrate 130.

[0118]

[0136] The electrical connector 200 may have an economical design. In some embodiments, the electrical connector 200 may be implemented using subassemblies. Each subassembly may include a plurality of conductive elements. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the electrical connector 200 may further include a first subassembly 460, a second subassembly 470, and a third subassembly 480.

[0119]

[0137] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 6, the first subassembly 460 may hold a plurality of first conductive elements 310. Any two adjacent first conductive elements 310 may be spaced apart so as to be insulated from each other. The first conductive elements 310 may be made of a conductive material such as metal. Each first conductive element 310 may typically be an elongated one-piece member. The plurality of first conductive elements 310 may extend from the first mating interface 210 to the mounting interface 240. In FIG. 3A, the first mating interface, the second mating interface, the third mating interface, and the mounting interface are previously indicated by 210, 220, 230, and 240, but these interfaces may be formed after the first subassembly 460, the second subassembly 470, and the third subassembly 480 are mounted on the front insulating housing 440 and the rear insulating housing 450. A, B, C, and D on the outer housing 610 respectively indicate the positions of the first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, the third mating interface 230, and the mounting interface 240 after the above-mentioned three types of subassemblies and the two insulating housings are assembled to the outer housing 610. Each first conductive element 310 may include a first mating end 311 and a first tail end 312. The first mating end 311 and the first tail end 312 may be respectively disposed at two ends of the first conductive element 310. The first mating end 311 may extend to the first mating interface 210. The first board 111 of the add-in card 110 (see FIG. 1A) may be connected to the first mating interface 210, for example, the first board 111 may be inserted into the first mating interface 210. Contact pads on the first substrate 111 may correspondingly make electrical contact with the first mating end 311. The first tail end 312 may extend to the mounting interface 240. The first tail end 312 may be mounted to the third substrate 130 by techniques such as surface mount technology (SMT) and / or through hole mounting technology (THT), thereby providing electrical connection to the circuitry of the third substrate 130.Depending on the mounting technology, the first tail ends 312 may be configured as through-hole pins, SMT tails, press-mount tails, etc. Conductive through-holes are provided in the third substrate 130. The layout pattern of the conductive through-holes may correspond to the layout pattern of the first tail ends 312 of the connected electrical connector 200. The sidewalls of the conductive through-holes may be plated with a metal conductive layer. The first tail ends 312 may be inserted into corresponding conductive through-holes to make electrical contact with the metal conductive layer. The metal conductive layers of these conductive through-holes may be electrically connected to different conductive traces in the third substrate 130 to form a desired circuit. In this manner, the first substrate 111 and the third substrate 130 may be interconnected by the first conductive elements 310.

[0120]

[0138] In some embodiments, the first conductive element 310 may include a power conductive element 313, as shown in FIGS. 6, 14, and 17. In some embodiments, the power conductive element 313 may have a middle portion that is wider than the middle portions of the other first conductive elements 310. The power conductive element 313 may have end portions, one of which may include a plurality of first mating ends 311 and another of which may include a plurality of first tail ends 312. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the power conductive element 313 may be located closer to a corner of the electrical connector between two adjacent sides of the electrical connector than the other first conductive elements 310, as seen in FIGS. 6, 14, and 17. In some embodiments where the third substrate 130 serves as a midplane, the third substrate 130 may typically be connected to a power supply module or power distribution unit such that the power conductive element 313 may be used to transfer power between the third substrate 130 and the add-in card 110. Optionally, the first conductive element 310 may comprise conductive elements 314 for forming a sideband lane. A sideband lane refers to a communication lane for transmitting auxiliary information and / or control signals. A sideband lane typically does not directly transmit primary data, but is responsible for additional signals that support and manage data transmission. The control signals may include one or more of control commands, status information, error detection and correction, etc. The auxiliary information may include one or more of checksums, flow control, clock synchronization, etc. The auxiliary information may help manage data integrity, reliability, and synchronization. Optionally, various configurations and functions of the device may be further managed by the sideband lane. For example, a host system may send management commands to the device via the sideband lane to change configuration parameters, inquire about device status, identify device information, etc. As a result, the conductive element 314 and the path for signal transmission connected thereto may adaptively adopt materials and / or structures that support only low-speed signals, which may reduce manufacturing costs.In some embodiments, conductive elements 314 may transmit low frequency signals (e.g., with frequencies less than 500 MHz), low data rate signals (e.g., less than 100 Mb / s), logic control signals, or any other suitable signals.

[0121]

[0139] The first conductive elements 310 may extend between the first mating interface 210 and the mounting interface 240 perpendicular to each other, and the first conductive elements 310 may be substantially L-shaped. The first conductive elements 310 may be divided into two groups, and the two groups may be spaced apart in the transverse direction Y1-Y2. Each group of the first conductive elements 310 may be held together by the first subassembly housing 410 to form the first subassembly 460. The first mating ends 311 of each group of the first conductive elements 310 may be arranged in a first row parallel to the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The two rows of the first mating ends 311 may face each other inside the first mating interface 210 and be in electrical contact with contact pads on two sides of the first substrate 111, respectively. The first tail ends 312 of each group of first conductive elements 310 may be arranged in a first row parallel to the mating direction Z1-Z2. Optionally, the first tail ends 312 of two groups of first conductive elements 310 may be arranged in two rows that may be substantially aligned in the mating direction Z1-Z2 to prevent the peripheral region 131 of the third substrate 130 from being too wide in dimension. In some embodiments, the first tail ends 312 of two groups of first conductive elements 310 may be arranged in one row.

[0122]

[0140] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 7, the second subassembly 470 may hold a plurality of second conductive elements 320. Any two adjacent second conductive elements 320 may be spaced apart so as to be insulated from each other. The second conductive elements 320 may be made of a conductive material such as metal. Each second conductive element 320 may typically be an elongated one-piece member. The plurality of second conductive elements 320 may extend from the second mating interface 220 to the mounting interface 240. For example, each second conductive element 320 may include a second mating end 321 and a second tail end 322. The second mating end 321 and the second tail end 322 may be disposed at both ends of the second conductive element 320, respectively. The second mating end 321 may extend to the second mating interface 220. The first cable connector 140 connected to the second board 120 (as shown in FIG. 1A ) may be mated with the second mating interface 220. The second tail end 322 may extend to the mounting interface 240. The second tail end 322 may be mounted to the third board 130 by a technique such as surface mount technology (SMT) and / or through hole mounting technology (THT), as shown in FIG. 1A , thereby realizing an electrical connection to the circuit of the third board 130. Depending on the mounting technique, the second tail end 322 may be configured as a through hole pin, an SMT tail, a press mount tail, or the like. Optionally, the third board 130 may be provided with conductive through holes. The arrangement pattern of the conductive through holes may correspond to the arrangement pattern of the second tail ends 322 of the connected electrical connector 200. Optionally, the sidewalls of the conductive through holes may be plated with a metal conductive layer. The second tail ends 322 may be inserted into corresponding conductive through-holes to make electrical contact with the metal conductive layers. The metal conductive layers of these conductive through-holes may be electrically connected to different conductive traces in the third substrate 130 to form a desired circuit. In this manner, the second substrate 120 and the third substrate 130 may be interconnected by the second conductive elements 320.

[0123]

[0141] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 14, and FIG. 16, the second conductive element 320 may comprise a conductive element for forming a sideband lane. The role of the sideband lane has been clearly explained above and will not be repeated here. The second conductive element 320 may extend between the second mating interface 220 and the mounting interface 240 perpendicular to each other. The second conductive element 320 may be substantially L-shaped. The second conductive element 320 may be divided into two groups, and the two groups may be spaced apart in the transverse direction Y1-Y2. Each group of the second conductive elements 320 may be held together by the second subassembly housing 420 to form the second subassembly 470. The second mating end 321 of each group of the second conductive elements 320 may be arranged in a second row parallel to the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The two rows of the second mating ends 321 may face each other inside the second mating interface 220 and may be in electrical contact with contact pads on two sides of the first cable connector 140, respectively. The second tail ends 322 of each group of the second conductive elements 320 may be arranged in a second row parallel to the mating direction Z1-Z2. Optionally, the second tail ends 322 of the two groups of the second conductive elements 320 may be arranged in two rows that may be substantially aligned in the mating direction Z1-Z2 to prevent the dimension of the peripheral region 131 of the third substrate 130 from becoming too wide. In some embodiments, the second tail ends 322 of the two groups of the second conductive elements 320 may be arranged in one row.

[0124]

[0142] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A-5B, the first row of the first tail ends 312 and the second row of the second tail ends 322 may be parallel to the mating direction Z1-Z2. The first row and the second row may be arranged side by side in the transverse direction Y1-Y2. Thus, the vertical dimension of the mounting interface 240 may be determined by the longer of the first row and the second row. This does not significantly increase the vertical dimension of the footprint occupied by the improved electrical connector 200 in the peripheral region 131 of the third substrate 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tail ends 312 in the first row are more numerous than the second tail ends 322 in the second row, so that the length of the first row is longer than the length of the second row, and the vertical dimension of the mounting interface 240 is determined by the length of the first row. In the illustrated embodiment, the second subassembly 470 is arranged between the first subassemblies 460. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A-5B, the first tail end 312 in the first row is adjacent to the second tail end 322 in the second row, and the two adjacent columns are offset in the column extension direction (i.e., the mating direction Z1-Z2). Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the first contact area 132 for receiving the first tail end 312 and the second contact area 133 for receiving the second tail end 322 in the third substrate 130 may have a larger center distance. In this way, even if the first contact area 132 and the second contact area 133 have a relatively large diameter, a relatively large gap remains between the adjacent contact areas. In other embodiments in which the first tail end 312 and the second tail end 322 are connected to the third substrate 130 by other means, the increased gap between the adjacent tail ends may also be advantageous in connecting the electrical connector 200 to the third substrate 130.

[0125]

[0143] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6-7, the plurality of first conductive elements 310 may include a front first conductive element 310a. The front first conductive element 310a may be adjacent to the first mating interface 210. The plurality of second conductive elements 320 may include a front second conductive element 320a. The front second conductive element 320a may be adjacent to the first mating interface 210. The front first conductive element 310a may be inserted into an initial first contact area 132a (as shown in FIG. 9) of the first contact area 132. The front second conductive element 320a may be inserted into an initial second contact area 133a (as shown in FIG. 9) of the second contact area 133. A center distance between the front first conductive element 310a and the front second conductive element 320a may be less than a center distance between adjacent first tail ends 312 in the first row. The center distance between adjacent first tail ends 312 in the first row is substantially the same as the center distance between adjacent second tail ends 322 in the second row. By starting both the first row of first tail ends 312 and the second row of second tail ends 322 close to the first mating interface 210, the first tail ends 312 and the second tail ends 322 can be connected to the peripheral region 131 of the third substrate 130 such that sufficient space is available in the layout within the third substrate 130. In some embodiments, the front first conductive element 310a and the front second conductive element 320a can be misaligned such that the first row of first tail ends 312 can be generally offset relative to the second row of second tail ends 322 in the column extension direction (i.e., the mating direction Z1-Z2). In other embodiments, the front first conductive element 310a and the front second conductive element 320a may be aligned in the extension direction of the row.

[0126]

[0144] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 8A-8B, the third subassembly 480 may hold a plurality of third conductive elements 330. Any two adjacent third conductive elements 330 may be spaced apart so as to be insulated from each other. The third conductive elements 330 may be made of a conductive material such as metal. Each third conductive element 330 may typically be an elongated one-piece member. The plurality of third conductive elements 330 may extend from the first mating interface 210 to the third mating interface 230. For example, each third conductive element 330 may include a third mating end 331 and a fourth mating end 332. The third mating end 331 and the fourth mating end 332 may be disposed at two ends of the third conductive element 330, respectively. The third mating end 331 may extend to the first mating interface 210. The third mating end 331 electrically contacts a corresponding contact pad on the first substrate 111. The fourth mating end 332 may extend to the third mating interface 230. The second substrate 120 may also be connected to the third mating interface 230 via a cable connector assembly. In this manner, the third conductive element 330 may transmit high-speed data and / or high-frequency signals directly between the second substrate 120 and the first substrate 111 without going through the third substrate 130. In this manner, the first substrate 111 and the second substrate 120 may be directly interconnected by the third conductive element 330. The add-in card 110 may be a storage module such as an SSD that uses flash memory chips rather than traditional mechanical disks, and therefore has high data access speeds and response performance. This makes it ideal for applications that require high-speed reading and writing of data, such as operating systems, applications, and multimedia files. It may quickly transmit data and communicate with a computer system or other devices via a variety of interfaces and protocols, such as SATA, PCIe, etc. The plurality of third conductive elements 330 may include high speed signal conductive elements, such as a differential pair.The differential signal pair may be configured to carry high data rate signals (e.g., signals carrying data rates of over 25 Gb / s with PAM4 encoding) or high frequency signals (e.g., over 56 or 112 Gb / s) according to some implementations. High speed data transmission between the second board 120 as a system motherboard and the add-in card 110 such as an SSD may improve signal integrity and provide high data access speed and system response performance.

[0127]

[0145] In some embodiments, the first mating interface 210 and the third mating interface 230 may face opposite each other in the mating direction Z1-Z2, and the third conductive elements 330 may extend between the first mating interface 210 and the third mating interface 230 along a substantially straight line, as shown in FIG. 15. The third conductive elements 330 may have approximately the same length. Thus, in the transmission of high-speed data and / or high-frequency signals using multiple differential pairs of signal conductive elements, imbalance of electrical characteristics within and between each differential pair may be reduced. The imbalance may cause delays in longer conductive elements relative to shorter conductive elements. The multiple third conductive elements 330 may be divided into two groups, and the two groups may be spaced apart in the transverse direction Y1-Y2. In some embodiments, each group of the third conductive elements 330 may be arranged in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. Each group of the third conductive elements 330 may be held together by an insulating member 481 to form a third subassembly 480. The third mating end 331 of each group of the third conductive elements 330 may be aligned with the first mating end 311 of the first conductive element 310 in a first row. The two rows of the third mating ends 331 may face each other inside the first mating interface 210 and each electrically contact the contact pads on two sides of the first substrate 111. The fourth mating end 332 of each group of the third conductive elements 330 may be arranged in a third row, the third row being parallel to the first row. The two rows of the fourth mating ends 332 may face each other inside the third mating interface 230 and each electrically contact the contact pads of the cable connector. Optionally, the two groups of the third conductive elements 330 may be aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. Optionally, the two groups of third conductive elements 330 may be staggered in the longitudinal direction X1-X2 to increase the spacing between the third conductive elements 330, thereby reducing crosstalk. In some embodiments, only one group of third conductive elements 330 may be provided.

[0128]

[0146] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 4, the first mating interface 210 may include a first interface segment 211 and a second interface segment 212. The first interface segment 211 and the second interface segment 212 may be arranged in a longitudinal direction X1-X2. The first interface segment 211 may be electrically connected to the mounting interface 240, and the second interface segment 212 may be electrically connected to the third mating interface 230. In this manner, the first mating end 311 of the first conductive element 310 may extend to the first interface segment 211. The third mating end 331 of the third conductive element 330 may extend to the second interface segment 212. An independent circuit on the first substrate 111 may be connected to the first interface segment 211 and the second interface segment 212, respectively. The first mating interface 210 may be divided into two segments, but there may be no clear boundary between them in appearance. In some embodiments, a dividing rib may be provided on the inside of the first mating interface 210 so that the first and second interface segments 211, 212 may be clearly distinguished from one another. In this case, it may be beneficial to provide a notch in the portion of the first substrate 111 that is inserted into the first mating interface 210 to accommodate the dividing rib. Alternatively, it may be possible to space the first interface segment 211 from the second interface segment 212 in the longitudinal direction X1-X2 to provide a visual distinction. In some embodiments, the first and second interface segments 211, 212 may be configured to mate with the portion of the first substrate 111 that is inserted into the first mating interface 210.

[0129]

[0147] In some embodiments, the second substrate 120 may be directly connected to the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1A, the second substrate 120 may be connected to the electrical connector 200 via a cable connector assembly. For example, the cable connector assembly may include a first cable connector 140, a second cable connector 150, a cable (not shown) connected between the first cable connector 140 and the second cable connector 150, and a board connector 160. The first cable connector 140 may include a first interface 141, a second interface 142, and a first cable interface 143. The first interface 141 may be connected to the second mating interface 220. The second interface 142 may be connected to the third mating interface 230. The first cable interface 143 may be electrically connected to the first interface 141 and the second interface 142. The second cable connector 150 may include a second cable interface 151 and a second cable connector interface 152. The second cable interface 151 may be electrically connected to the first cable interface 143 via a cable. The second cable connector interface 152 may be connected to a board connector 160. The board connector 160 may be fixed to and electrically connected to the second substrate 120. With this configuration, the second substrate 120 realizes a remote connection with the electrical connector 200. Depending on the structure of the first cable connector 140, the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 may be spaced apart in the mating direction Z1-Z2.

[0130]

[0148] The electrical connector 200 described herein may be simultaneously connected to at least three boards via the first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, the third mating interface 230, and the mounting interface 240, thereby realizing interconnection of multiple boards. As shown in FIG. 1A, when the electrical connector 200 is applied to the electronic system 100, the number of electrical connectors of the electronic system 100 may be reduced, and the space utilization rate of the electronic system 100 may be increased.

[0131]

[0149] As shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B, a portion of the first mating interface 210, the second mating interface 220, and the third mating interface 230 may be oriented in the first mating direction Z1, and the other portions may be oriented in the second mating direction Z2. Thus, the longitudinal height of the electrical connector 200 may be reduced. Furthermore, the first board 111 and the second board 120 may be disposed on two opposite sides of the electrical connector 200 in the mating direction Z1-Z2, respectively, so that the electronic system 100 may be assembled in a support frame or housing to fit into one standard unit (1U) of an information technology (IT) equipment rack without being concentrated on the same side. In some embodiments, the first mating interface 210 may be oriented in the first mating direction Z1. The second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 may be oriented in the second mating direction Z2. In this manner, the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 may be connected to the first interface 141 and the second interface 142 of the first cable connector 140, respectively. In this manner, the first cable connector 140 may be connected to both the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230. In some embodiments, the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 may be disposed in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. In some embodiments, the second mating interface 220 may be closer to the mounting interface 240 compared to the third mating interface 230, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 10-FIG. 11. Because the second conductive element 320 extends from the second mating interface 220 to the mounting interface 240, the length of the second conductive element 320 is relatively short, and as a result, the dimensions of the second subassembly 470 that holds the second conductive element 320 can be significantly smaller, thereby allowing the dimensions of the electrical connector 200 to be reduced.

[0132]

[0150] In some embodiments, the distance from the second mating interface 220 to the first mating interface 210 may not be equal to the distance from the third mating interface 230 to the first mating interface 210. In some embodiments, the second mating interface 220 may be offset in the second mating direction Z2 from the third mating interface 230. Alternatively or additionally, the third mating interface 230 may be offset in the second mating direction Z2 from the second mating interface 220. The second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 may be disposed in different planes. For example, the third mating interface 230 may be disposed between the second mating interface 220 and the first mating interface 210. In this manner, in addition to being configured in the structure of the first cable connector 140, the longitudinal height of the electrical connector 200 may be further reduced. The mating interface typically comprises a mating end of the conductive element and an insulator surrounding the mating end. To allow sufficient mechanical strength, the insulator may have a sufficient thickness, which increases the dimensions of the mating interface. By providing the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 on different planes, the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 may have an overlapping area in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The third mating interface 230 may extend to a corresponding portion of the second mating interface 220, thereby reducing the longitudinal height of the electrical connector 200. In addition, the electrical connector 200 may further have a dummy-proof feature to prevent mis-connection. In some embodiments, the second mating interface 220 may be offset from the third mating interface 230 in the second mating direction Z2. Because the second conductive element 320 extending between the second mating interface 220 and the mounting interface 240 is L-shaped, the second conductive element 320 can have a portion that is disposed in the mating direction Z1-Z2, resulting in an increased vertical dimension of the second subassembly 470.The plurality of first conductive elements 310 are also L-shaped, resulting in a large vertical dimension of the first subassembly 460. In some embodiments, stacking the first subassembly 460 and the second subassembly 470 together can improve space utilization of the electrical connector 200. The third conductive element 330 can be shortened to allow for the considerations discussed above, such that the vertical dimension of the portion between the first mating interface 210 and the second mating interface 220 can be larger than the vertical dimension of the portion between the first mating interface 210 and the third mating interface 230.

[0133]

[0151] 3A, 6-7, and 8A-8B, the plurality of first conductive elements 310 may be held by a first subassembly housing 410 to form a first subassembly 460. The plurality of second conductive elements 320 may be held by a second subassembly housing 420 to form a second subassembly 470. The plurality of third conductive elements 330 may be held by an insulating member 481 to form a third subassembly 480.

[0134]

[0152] In some embodiments, the first subassembly housing 410, the second subassembly housing 420, and the insulating member 481 may be insulating. The first subassembly housing 410, the second subassembly housing 420, and / or the insulating member 481 may be molded of an insulating material, such as plastic. Various types of plastic may be used, such as, but not limited to, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), heat resistant nylon or poly-p-phenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). In some embodiments, the plastic may be a thermoset plastic. In some embodiments, the insulating plastic may include an insulating reinforcing material, such as fiberglass. The first subassembly 460, the second subassembly 470, and the third subassembly 480 may be fabricated using a similar process, which is described below with the first subassembly 460 as an example. The first conductive elements 310 shown on the left side of FIG. 6 are electrically isolated from one another, but may be joined to form an integral member before the first subassembly housing 410 is molded on the first conductive elements 310. In some embodiments, the first conductive elements 310 on the left side of FIG. 6 may be joined at their edges by a lead frame (not shown) around the periphery of the first conductive elements 310 before the first subassembly housing 410 is molded, so that the first conductive elements 310 are integral. The lead frame may be made of the same material as the first conductive elements 310. In some embodiments, the integral member may be pressed or cut from a metal plate. Metals for the integral member include, but are not limited to, copper or copper alloys such as phosphor bronze, chrome plated copper, or beryllium copper, or aluminum, chrome plated aluminum, aluminum alloys, and the like. In some embodiments, the first subassembly housing 410 is then molded on the appropriate portion of this integral member by an injection molding process. During or after the molding process, the lead frame may be cut and / or removed to electrically isolate the plurality of first conductive elements 310 from one another.Thus, the first subassembly housing 410 may serve to support and retain the first conductive elements 310 and to electrically insulate the first conductive elements 310 from one another.

[0135]

[0153] In some embodiments, the number of first subassembly housings 410 may be the same as the number of rows of the first conductive elements 310. Each first subassembly housing 410 may hold one column of the first conductive elements 310. In some embodiments, the number of second subassembly housings 420 may be the same as the number of rows of the second conductive elements 320. Each second subassembly housing 420 may hold one column of the second conductive elements 320. The first subassembly housings 410 and the second subassembly housings 420 may be stacked in the transverse direction Y1-Y2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 5A-5B, there are two first subassembly housings 410. The second subassembly housing 420 may be inserted between the first subassembly housings 410. A gap 414 may be provided between the first subassembly housings 410, and the gap 414 may pass through the first subassembly housing 410 in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The second subassembly housing 420 may be disposed in the gap 414. In the transverse direction Y1-Y2, the first subassembly housing 410 may be closer to the outside of the electrical connector 200, and the second subassembly housing 420 may be closer to the inside of the electrical connector 200. In this manner, the first subassembly housing 410 may serve to position the second subassembly housing 420.

[0136]

[0154] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the plurality of first subassembly housings 410 may be formed around the second slot 411. The second slot 411 may extend in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The plurality of second conductive elements 320 may be bent into the second slot 411. For example, the second mating ends 321 of the plurality of second conductive elements 320 may be bent into the second slot 411 to form the second mating interface 220. In this manner, the first interface 141 of the first cable connector 140 may be inserted into the second mating interface 220. The first interface 141 may be inserted into the second mating interface 220 so as to be electrically connected to the second mating end 321.

[0137]

[0155] 5A-5B, the sidewall of the second slot 411 may include a plurality of second conductive element channels 412. The plurality of second conductive elements 320 may extend through the plurality of second conductive element channels 412 in a one-to-one correspondence. The second conductive element channels 412 may serve to position the second mating ends 321 of the second conductive elements 320 such that the second conductive elements 320 may be constrained in a desired position so that they are electrically isolated from one another.

[0138]

[0156] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 4, and 5A-5B, the electrical connector 200 may include a front insulating housing 440. The front insulating housing 440 may be molded of an insulating material, such as plastic. Various types of plastics may be used, such as, but not limited to, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), heat-resistant nylon or poly-p-phenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). In some embodiments, the plastic may be a thermosetting plastic. In some embodiments, the insulating plastic may include an insulating reinforcing material, such as fiberglass. The front insulating housing 440 may generally be a one-piece member. A first slot 441 may be provided on a side of the front insulating housing 440 facing the first mating direction Z1. The first conductive elements 310 and the third conductive elements 330 may be bent into the first slot 441. For example, the first mating end 311 of the plurality of first conductive elements 310 and the third mating end 331 of the plurality of third conductive elements 330 may be bent into the first slot 441 to form the first mating interface 210. The first substrate 111 may be inserted into the first mating interface 210 and thus electrically connected to the first mating end 311 and the third mating end 331.

[0139]

[0157] The entire edge formed by stacking the first subassembly housing 410 and the second subassembly housing 420 can be inserted into the front insulating housing 440 from the side facing the second mating direction Z2. In this manner, the first subassembly housing 410 and the second subassembly housing 420 can be fixed relatively to each other by the front insulating housing 440.

[0140]

[0158] 4, a sidewall of the first slot 441 may include a plurality of first conductive element channels 442. The plurality of first conductive elements 310 and the plurality of third conductive elements 330 may extend through the plurality of first conductive element channels 442 in a one-to-one correspondence. The first conductive element channels 442 may serve to position the first mating end 311 of the first conductive element 310 and the third mating end 331 of the third conductive element 330 such that the first conductive element 310 and the third conductive element 330 may be constrained in a desired position such that they are electrically isolated from one another.

[0141]

[0159] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 4, and 5A-5B, the electrical connector 200 may include a rear insulating housing 450. The rear insulating housing 450 may be molded of an insulating material, such as plastic. Various types of plastics may be used, such as, but not limited to, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), heat-resistant nylon or poly-p-phenylene oxide (PPO), or polypropylene (PP). In some embodiments, the plastic may be a thermosetting plastic. In some embodiments, the insulating plastic may include an insulating reinforcing material, such as fiberglass. The rear insulating housing 450 may generally be a one-piece member. The front insulating housing 440 and the rear insulating housing 450 may be disposed in the mating direction Z1-Z2. A third slot 451 may be provided on a side of the rear insulating housing 450 facing the second mating direction Z2. The plurality of third conductive elements 330 may be bent into the third slot 451. For example, the fourth mating end 332 of the plurality of third conductive elements 330 may be bent into the third slot 451 to form the third mating interface 230. In this manner, the second interface 142 of the first cable connector 140 may be plugged into the third mating interface 230. The second interface 142 may be inserted into the third mating interface 230 and thus electrically connected to the fourth mating end 332. The plurality of third conductive elements 330 may be mounted within a front insulating housing 440 and a rear insulating housing 450.

[0142]

[0160] 5A-5B, the sidewall of the third slot 451 may include a plurality of third conductive element channels 452. The plurality of third conductive elements 330 may extend through the plurality of third conductive element channels 452 in a one-to-one correspondence. The third conductive element channels 452 may serve to position the fourth mating ends 332 of the third conductive elements 330 such that the third conductive elements 330 may be constrained in a desired position so that they are electrically isolated from one another.

[0143]

[0161] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5A-FIG. 5B, the rear insulating housing 450 may abut against the first subassembly housing 410 in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The rear insulating housing 450 may include a protrusion 453 on a side surface that abuts against the first subassembly housing 410. The protrusion 453 may be inserted into the gap 414 between the first subassembly housings 410. The rear insulating housing 450 may abut against the front insulating housing 440 in the mating direction Z1-Z2. In addition to being positioned by abutment, both the rear insulating housing 450 and the front insulating housing 440 may be fixed to the insulating member 481 of the third subassembly 480. In this manner, the rear insulating housing 450 can be fixed in multiple directions. Additionally or alternatively, the rear insulating housing 450, the front insulating housing 440, and the stacked first subassembly housing 410 and the second subassembly housing 420 may also be fixed together by an outer housing 610. The outer housing 610 may be made of a stronger material, such as metal. The outer housing 610 may be manufactured, for example, by die casting, molding, or machining. The outer housing 610 may provide suitable mechanical support and protection for the front insulating housing 440, the rear insulating housing 450, the first subassembly 460, the second subassembly 470, and the third subassembly 480. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A, the electrical connector 200 may further include a pair of clamp members 620. The pair of clamp members 620 may be provided at two ends of the front insulating housing 440 facing opposite each other in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. The two legs of each clamp member 620 may be fixed to the front insulating housing 440 and the outer housing 610, respectively, so that the outer housing 610 and the front insulating housing 440 may be fixed.

[0144]

[0162] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 4, and 5A-5B, the first subassembly housing 410 may extend beyond the rear insulating housing 450 in the second mating direction Z2. Each first subassembly housing 410 may have a notch 413 on a side facing the rear insulating housing 450. The opening of the notch 413 may face the rear insulating housing 450. An end of the rear insulating housing 450 provided at the third mating interface 230 may protrude into the notch 413. In this manner, the space in the first subassembly housing 410 may also be utilized to accommodate the third mating interface 230. In some embodiments, the third mating interface 230 may overlap the second mating interface 220 in the longitudinal direction X1-X2, thereby reducing the longitudinal dimension of the electrical connector 200. Thus, the third mating interface 230 may have a long length in the longitudinal direction X1-X2. In some embodiments, there may be more space to implement the fourth mating end 332 of the third conductive element 330.

[0145]

[0163] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the plurality of third conductive elements 330 may include a differential pair of signal conductive elements 333 and a ground conductive element 334. The ground conductive element 334 may be distributed between the differential pairs 333 of the signal conductive elements. In this manner, two adjacent differential pairs 333 of the signal conductive elements are shielded from each other by the ground conductive element 334. The electrical connector 200 may have improved anti-crosstalk and common mode suppression performance in terms of providing high-speed interconnection.

[0146]

[0164] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the electrical connector 200 may further include a shield 500. The shield 500 may be electrically connected to a ground structure, such as the ground conductive element 334. The shield 500 may have any suitable configuration, including, but not limited to, a shield strip or a shield frame. The shield 500 may be disposed on a side of the differential pair of signal conductive elements 333 in the transverse direction Y1-Y2. The shield 500 may be formed from a metallic material using, for example, a molding process or a stamping process. The shield 500 and the ground conductive element 334 may cooperate to shield the differential pair of signal conductive elements 333. In this manner, signal transmission speeds may be increased and signal integrity at higher frequencies may be improved. The electrical connector 200 may have better electrical characteristics and the electronic system 100 may have more data channels and / or processing capabilities.

[0147]

[0165] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the plurality of third conductive elements 330 may be arranged in at least one row parallel to the longitudinal direction X1-X2. Each row of the third conductive elements 330 may have a respective shield 500. Each shield 500 may include an inner shield 510 and an outer shield 520. For each row, the outer shield 520, the third conductive elements 330, and the inner shield 510 may be arranged in the transverse direction Y1-Y2 in that order. In the transverse direction Y1-Y2, the outer shield 520 may be closer to the outside of the electrical connector 200 than the inner shield 510. In this manner, the inner shield 510, the outer shield 520, and the ground conductive element 334 may form a shielding frame for the differential pair 333 of signal conductive elements. Such a configuration may improve shielding and therefore reduce crosstalk and improve signal integrity at high frequencies. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the inner shield 510 and the outer shield 520 may be attached to the insulating member 481 for each row. As shown in FIG. 8A, the arrows indicate the assembly process of the third subassembly 480. First, the third conductive element 330 and the insulating member 481 may be formed as an integral member, for example, by an injection molding process. In this way, the third subassembly 480 is realized. Then, the inner shield 510 and the outer shield 520 may be attached to two sides of the insulating member 481, respectively. After the inner shield 510, the outer shield 520, and the third subassembly 480 are assembled, they may be inserted into the front insulating housing 440 and the rear insulating housing 450.

[0148]

[0166] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the third mating end 331 and the fourth mating end 332 at the two ends of the third conductive element 330 are bent toward the inside of the first mating interface 210 and the third mating interface 230, respectively, so that the inner shield 510 is shorter than the outer shield 520 in the length direction of the third conductive element 330 to avoid a short circuit between the inner shield 510 and the third conductive element 330. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, in the extension direction of the ground conductive element 334, each inner shield 510 may abut against the middle portion 334a of each ground conductive element 334 in the corresponding row. Each outer shield 520 may abut against each ground conductive element 334 in the corresponding row on two sides of the middle portion 334a. When a corresponding substrate is inserted into the first mating interface 210 and the third mating interface 230, respectively, the third mating end 331 and the fourth mating end 332 tend to bend outward. The resilience of the mating ends at both ends of the ground conductive element 334 may be increased by the outer shield 520 abutting the ground conductive element 334 on two sides of the middle portion 334a. The substrates inserted into the first mating interface 210 and the third mating interface 230, respectively, may be firmly clamped.

[0149]

[0167] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, each inner shield 510 may have a cantilever 511 bent toward the ground conductive element 334 in the corresponding row. The number of the cantilever 511 may be the same as the number of the ground conductive elements 334 in the corresponding row. The cantilever 511 may abut the ground conductive element 334 in the corresponding row. For example, a plurality of holes 482 may be provided in the insulating member 481 that holds the plurality of third conductive elements 330. The cantilever 511 may pass through the holes 482 and abut the ground conductive element 334, respectively. The cantilever 511 may be elastic and enable a reliable electrical contact between the inner shield 510 and the ground conductive element 334. Additionally or alternatively, the cantilever 511 may support a portion of the inner shield 510 other than the cantilever so as to be spaced apart from the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive element such that the inner shield 510 and the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive element are electrically insulated. In some embodiments, as described in FIG. 8A, each ground conductive element 334 may have an intermediate portion 334a. The intermediate portion 334a may correspond to the hole 482 (shown in FIG. 8B) in the insulating member 481. The intermediate portion 334a may be wider than other portions of the ground conductive element 334. This configuration may increase the contact area between the ground conductive element 334 and the cantilever beam 511 of the inner shield 510, thereby reducing the requirement for positional accuracy between the two, and may make it easier to abut the cantilever beam 511 of the inner shield 510 against the ground conductive element 334.

[0150]

[0168] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, each outer shield 520 may have a pleat portion 521 that bulges toward the ground conductive elements 334 in the corresponding row. The pleat portion 521 may abut against the ground conductive elements 334 in the corresponding row. In the extension direction of the ground conductive elements 334, the pleat portion 521 may be disposed on two sides of the cantilever beam 511. Each ground conductive element 334 has two pleat portions 521 that are electrically connected to each other. Compared with the cantilever beam 511, the pleat portion 521 has a relatively weak elasticity. By providing two pleat portions 521 for each ground conductive element 334, each ground conductive element 334 may be reliably electrically connected to the outer shield 520. The pleated portion 521 allows the portions of the outer shield 520 other than the pleated portion 521 to be spaced apart from the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements so that the outer shield 520 and the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements are electrically insulated.

[0151]

[0169] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the pleated portions 521 may be provided with protrusions 522 on their surfaces that abut the ground conductive elements 334 in the corresponding rows. There may be multiple protrusions 522 on each pleated portion 521. Multiple contact points may be formed between each pleated portion 521 and the corresponding ground conductive element 334 instead of surface contact. Electrical contact may be reliably formed between the outer shield 520 and each ground conductive element 334. The number of protrusions 522 on different pleated portions 521 may be the same or different. The protrusions 522 may be in the shape of any other suitable shape, such as circular, rectangular, etc. The protrusions 522 may protrude from the pleated portions 521 toward the ground conductive elements 334 in the corresponding rows. By providing the protrusions 522, the pleated portions 521 may contact the ground conductive elements 334 in the corresponding rows in a concentrated manner, thereby reducing the contact area. The machining tolerances of the parts can result in higher assembly tolerances due to the way the multiple contact points meet.

[0152]

[0170] 8A-8B, a portion of the inner shield 510 aligned with the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements of the corresponding row may protrude toward two ends of the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements to form inner shield extensions 512. In this way, the length of the inner shield 510 is increased in the extension direction of the ground conductive elements 334, and the inner shield 510 may be more effective in shielding the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements of the corresponding row.

[0153]

[0171] 8A-8B, a portion of the outer shield 520 aligned with the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements of the corresponding row may protrude toward two ends of the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements to form an outer shield extension 523. In this way, the length of the outer shield 520 is increased in the extension direction of the ground conductive elements 334, and the outer shield 520 may be more effective in shielding the differential pair 333 of the signal conductive elements of the corresponding row.

[0154]

[0172] 8A-8B, the inner shield extension 512 may be shorter than the outer shield extension 523 in the extension direction of the differential pair of signal conductive elements 333. In this way, when the first substrate 111 is connected to the first mating interface 210 and / or when the first interface 141 of the first cable connector 140 is connected to the third mating interface 230, the contact pads of the first substrate 111 and / or the contact pads of the first interface 141 may not be in electrical contact with the inner shield extension 512.

[0155]

[0173] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 12-13, the electrical connector 200 may further include a latch 630. The latch 630 may be pivotally connected to the outer housing 610 between a latched position and an unlatched position. For example, the latch 630 may have a pivot portion 633. A pivot shaft 611 may be provided on the outer housing 610. The pivot portion 633 may be pivotally connected to the pivot shaft 611. One of the pivot portion 633 and the pivot shaft 611 may be a pivot hole, and the other may be a pivot pin. After the second mating interface 220 and the third mating interface 230 are respectively connected to the first interface 141 and the second interface 142 of the first cable connector 140, the latch 630 may be pivoted to the latched position so that the latch 630 may be locked to the first cable connector 140. In this manner, the first cable connector 140 may be fixed to the electrical connector 200. For example, the latch 630 may be provided with a hook 631. When the latch 630 is pivoted to a latched position, the hook 631 may hook the engagement feature 144 on the first cable connector 140. When the latch 630 is pivoted to an unlatched position, the hook 631 may be disengaged from the engagement feature 144. In this manner, the electrical connector 200 may be disengaged from the first cable connector 140.

[0156]

[0174] To facilitate pivoting of the latch 630, the latch 630 may include an operating portion 632. The operating portion 632 may be located opposite the pivot portion 633. The operating portion 632 may have any suitable structure, such as a handle. Controlling the operating portion 632 may enhance the user experience. The operating portion 632 may be provided with anti-slip structures, such as bulges and / or indentations.

[0157]

[0175] Although some aspects of some embodiments have been described, it should be understood that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, 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. While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0158]

[0176] While many of the inventive aspects have been described above in connection with right angle connectors as an example, it should be understood that the aspects of the present disclosure are not so limited. Any one of the inventive features, whether alone or in combination with one or more other inventive features, may also be used in other types of electrical connectors, such as card edge connectors, backplane connectors, daughter card connectors, stacking connectors, mezzanine connectors, I / O connectors, chip sockets, Gen Z connectors, etc.

[0159]

[0177] Additionally, while many of the inventive aspects have been described above in connection with orthogonal connectors, it should be understood that the aspects of the present disclosure are not so limited, and any one of the inventive features, whether alone or in combination with one or more other inventive features, may also be used in other types of electrical connectors, such as coplanar connectors, vertical connectors, or right-angle connectors.

[0160]

[0178] Moreover, while some advantages of the invention may have been illustrated, it should be understood that not all embodiments of the invention include all of the described advantages. Some embodiments may not embody a feature described as being advantageous. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

[0161]

[0179] The described techniques may also be embodied as a method, at least one example of which is provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable manner. Thus, although acts are shown in an example embodiment as sequential, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different from that shown, which may include performing some acts simultaneously.

[0162]

[0180] Definitions, and all definitions used, should be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of defined terms.

[0163]

[0181] In describing the present disclosure, it should be understood that orientations or positional relationships indicated by directional terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "transverse direction," "vertical direction," "perpendicular," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," and the like, are shown with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate and simplify the description of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that a specified device or element must be particularly disposed, structured, or operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure. The directional terms "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself.

[0164]

[0182] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "on," "above," "on an upper surface of," and "upper" may be used herein to describe the spatial relationship between one or more components or features and other components or features illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatially relative terms include not only the orientation of the components illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but also different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the components in the accompanying drawings are completely upside down, a component that is "above other components or features" or "on other components or features" also includes the component being "below other components or features" or "under other components or features." Thus, the exemplary term "above" may encompass both the orientations of "above" and "below." Additionally, these components or features may be otherwise oriented (eg, rotated 90 degrees or at other angles) and this disclosure is intended to include all such cases.

[0165]

[0183] It should be noted that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, the singular term includes the plural term unless otherwise specified. In addition, when the terms "including and / or comprising" are used herein, it should be understood that they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0166]

[0184] Numerical values ​​and ranges may be described herein and in the claims as approximate or exact values ​​or ranges. For example, in some cases, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" may be used in reference to values. Such references are intended to encompass the referenced value as well as reasonable variations of that value, plus and minus. For example, the phrase "between about 10 and about 20" is intended to mean "exactly 10 and exactly 20" in some embodiments, and "between 10 ± d1 and 20 ± d2" in some embodiments. The amount of variation in the values ​​d1, d2 may be less than 5% of the value in some embodiments, less than 10% of the value, and even less than 20% of the value in some embodiments. In embodiments where a large range of values ​​is given, e.g., a range including more than one order of magnitude, the amount of variation in the values ​​d1, d2 can be as much as 50%. For example, if the usable range is from 2 to 200, "approximately 80" can encompass values ​​from 40 to 120, and the range can be as large as 1 to 300. When only the exact value is intended, the term "exactly" is used (e.g., "between exactly 2 and exactly 200"). The term "essentially" is used to indicate that the values ​​are the same or within ±3% of a target value or condition.

[0167]

[0185] As used in the specification and claims, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are to be understood to mean "at least one," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0168]

[0186] As used herein and in the claims, the phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are present in some cases conjointly and in other cases disjointly. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Optionally, other elements may be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B," when used with open-ended language such as "comprising," can refer in one embodiment to only A (optionally including elements other than B), in another embodiment to only B (optionally including elements other than A), in yet another embodiment to both A and B (optionally including other elements), etc.

[0169]

[0187] As used in this specification and the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items of a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be construed as inclusive, i.e., including at least one, including more than one, of a plurality of elements or a list of elements, and optionally further unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to be different, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of," or when used in the claims, "consisting of," refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a plurality of elements or a list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall be construed as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other but not both") only when it precedes exclusive terminology, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0170]

[0188] As used herein and in the claims, the phrase "at least one" in connection with a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed in the list of elements, and not excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than those specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to the specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") can refer in one embodiment to at least one, optionally more than one, A (and optionally including elements other than B), in the absence of B; in another embodiment to at least one, optionally more than one, B (and optionally including elements other than A), in the absence of A; in yet another embodiment to at least one, optionally more than one, A, and at least one, optionally more than one, B (and optionally including other elements), etc.

[0171]

[0189] In the claims, as in the specification above, all transitional terms such as "comprising, including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and the like, are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units need not be limited to the steps or units expressly recited, but rather may include other steps or units that are not expressly recited or that are inherent to those processes, methods, products, or devices. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are intended to be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0172]

[0190] The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless specifically stated to that effect. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

[0173]

[0191] In the claims, as in the specification above, the use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc. does not, in and of itself, imply any priority, precedence, or ordering of one claim element over another claim element, or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but is merely used as a marker to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from other elements having the same name (apart from the use of ordinal terms). [Explanation of symbols]

[0174] 100 Electronic Systems 110, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d Add-in Cards 111 First substrate 120 Second Board 130 Third Board 131 Surrounding Areas 132, 132a first contact area 133, 133a second contact area 140 First Cable Connector 141 First Interface 142 Second Interface 143 First Cable Interface 144 Engagement mechanism 150 Second Cable Connector 151 Second Cable Interface 152 Second Cable Connector Interface 160 Board Connector 200, 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d Electrical Connectors 210 first mating interface 211 First Interface Segment 212 Second Interface Segment 220 Second Mating Interface 230 Third Mating Interface 240 Implementation Interface 310 First conductive element 310a: Front first conductive element 311 first mating end 312 First tail end 313 Power Conductive Elements 314 Conductive Elements 320 Second conductive element 320a: front second conductive element 321 Second mating end 322 Second tail end 330 Third conductive element 331 Third mating end 332 Fourth mating end 333 Differential Pair of Signal Conductive Elements 334 Grounding Conductive Elements 334a middle part 410 first subassembly housing 411 Second Slot 412 second conductive element channel 413 Notch 414 Gap 420 Second Subassembly Housing 440 Front insulation housing 441 1st Slot 442 first conductive element channel 450 Rear insulation housing 451 3rd Slot 452 third conductive element channel 453 Protrusion 460 First Subassembly 470 Second Subassembly 480 3rd Subassembly 481 Insulating materials 482 holes 500 Shield 510 Inner Shield 511 Cantilever beam 512 Inner Shield Extension 520 Outer Shield 521 Pleated part 522 Protrusion 523 Outer Shield Extension 610 Outer Housing 611 Pivot axis 620 Clamping parts 630 Latch 631 Hook 632 Operation part 633 Pivoting part X1-X2 Longitudinal direction Y1-Y2 transverse direction Z1-Z2 Mating direction

Claims

1. a first side having a first interface extending in a first row; facing away from the first side, a second interface extending in a second row parallel to the first row; a third interface extending in a third row parallel to the first row; A second aspect comprising: a third side perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the third side including a fourth interface extending in a mating direction perpendicular to the first row; An electrical connector comprising:

2. the first interface, the second interface, and the third interface are configured to mate with corresponding interfaces of one or more components; The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the fourth interface is configured to be mounted to a substrate.

3. a first plurality of conductive elements connecting a first portion of the first interface to the fourth interface; a second plurality of conductive elements connecting a second portion of the first interface to the third interface; and The electrical connector of claim 1 , comprising:

4. the first plurality of conductive elements extending from the first interface to the fourth interface; a first subassembly housing that holds the first plurality of conductive elements; 4. The electrical connector of claim 3, further comprising a first subassembly comprising:

5. a third plurality of conductive elements extending from the second interface to the fourth interface; and a second subassembly housing that holds the third plurality of conductive elements; and 5. The electrical connector of claim 4, further comprising a second subassembly comprising:

6. the first subassembly housing and the second subassembly housing are insulating; 6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the first subassembly and the second subassembly are stacked in a third direction perpendicular to both the first row and the mating direction.

7. A pair of first subassemblies, a pair of first subassemblies, the second subassembly being disposed between the pair of first subassemblies; The electrical connector of claim 5 further comprising:

8. a third subassembly comprising the second plurality of conductive elements and a third subassembly housing holding the second plurality of conductive elements, a third subassembly, the pair of first subassemblies and the third subassembly being arranged in the first row; The electrical connector of claim 7 further comprising:

9. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein a distance between the first interface and the second interface is greater than a distance between the first interface and the third interface.

10. the second interface is closer to the fourth interface than to the third interface; The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the second interface is offset from the third interface in the mating direction.

11. the first interface is configured to receive a card edge; The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the second interface and the third interface are configured to connect to a cable.

12. the first plurality of conductive elements are configured to transmit low speed signals and / or power; the second plurality of conductive elements are configured to transmit high speed signals; The electrical connector of claim 5 , wherein the third plurality of conductive elements are configured to transmit low speed signals and / or power.

13. A housing, A first aspect; a second side facing opposite the first side; and a third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface; a housing comprising: a plurality of first conductive elements, each of the first conductive elements having a first end disposed on the first side and configured to engage a corresponding component, and a second end disposed on the third side and configured to be mounted to a substrate; a plurality of second conductive elements each including a third end disposed on the second side and configured to engage a corresponding component, and a fourth end disposed on the third side and configured to be mounted to a substrate; a plurality of third conductive elements each including a fifth end disposed on the first side and a sixth end disposed on the second side, each of the fifth end and the sixth end configured to engage a corresponding component; An electrical connector comprising:

14. a subassembly housing that holds at least a first subset of the plurality of third conductive elements, the subassembly housing comprising a plurality of openings; The electrical connector of claim 13 further comprising:

15. A first shield member, the plurality of third conductive elements comprising the first subset of third conductive elements arranged in a first row and a second subset of third conductive elements arranged in a second row; the first shielding member is disposed between the first subset and the second subset; The electrical connector of claim 14 further comprising:

16. 16. The electrical connector of claim 15, wherein the first shield member includes a plurality of protrusions configured to extend through the plurality of openings and make electrical contact with at least one third conductive element of the plurality of third conductive elements.

17. A second shield member, a second shielding member, the first subset being disposed between the first shielding member and the second shielding member; The electrical connector of claim 15 further comprising:

18. 20. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein the second shield member comprises a plurality of extensions that extend beyond the subassembly housing in a mating direction perpendicular to the first and second rows.

19. A shield comprising a first shielding member and a second shielding member, the plurality of third conductive elements are disposed between the first shield member and the second shield member; The electrical connector of claim 13 further comprising:

20. the plurality of first conductive elements comprises a first conductor and a plurality of second conductors; 14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the first end of the first conductor comprises a plurality of mating portions and the second end of the first conductor comprises a plurality of tail portions.

21. 21. The electrical connector of claim 20, wherein an intermediate portion of the first conductor is wider than an intermediate portion of the plurality of second conductors.

22. 21. The electrical connector of claim 20, wherein the first conductor is disposed closer to an intersection of the first side and the third side than the plurality of second conductors.

23. a first side comprising a first interface, the first interface comprising aligned first and second portions; a second side facing opposite the first side and including a second interface and a third interface; a third side extending between the first side and the second side, the third side comprising a fourth interface; and a first subassembly including a first housing carrying a plurality of first conductive elements extending from the first portion of the first interface to the fourth interface; a second subassembly including a second housing carrying a plurality of second conductive elements extending from the second interface to the fourth interface; a third subassembly including a third housing carrying a plurality of third conductive elements extending from the second portion of the first interface to the third interface; and An electrical connector comprising:

24. 24. The electrical connector of claim 23, wherein the third subassembly is separated from the fourth interface by the second subassembly.

25. a pair of first subassemblies, each first subassembly comprising a subset of the plurality of first conductive elements; a slot between the pair of first subassemblies, a slot, the plurality of second conductive elements extending at least partially through the slot to the second interface; and 24. The electrical connector of claim 23 comprising:

26. an outer housing configured to hold the first subassembly, the second subassembly, and the third subassembly; 24. The electrical connector of claim 23, further comprising:

27. each of the plurality of first conductive elements includes a mating end disposed at the first interface and a tail end disposed at the fourth interface, the tail end configured to be mounted to a first substrate; 24. The electrical connector of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of second conductive elements includes a mating end disposed at the second interface and a tail end disposed at the fourth interface, the tail end configured to be mounted to the first substrate.

28. 28. The electrical connector of claim 27, wherein the first interface comprises a slot configured to receive the second substrate such that the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected to each other via the plurality of first conductive elements.

29. 28. The electrical connector of claim 27, wherein the second interface comprises a slot configured to receive a cable connector connected to the third substrate such that the second substrate and the third substrate are electrically connected to one another via the plurality of second conductive elements.

30. a latch member disposed adjacent the second interface and configured to secure the cable connector to the second interface; 30. The electrical connector of claim 29, further comprising:

31. A substrate, A first edge; and a first plurality of pads disposed along the first edge and extending in a first direction; a second edge offset from the first edge in the first direction; and a second plurality of pads disposed along the second edge and extending in the first direction; A substrate comprising: a plurality of cables terminated to the substrate; A cable assembly comprising:

32. 32. The cable assembly of claim 31, wherein the plurality of cables are connected to the first plurality of pads and the second plurality of pads through the substrate.

33. a housing for at least partially holding the substrate, the housing including an engagement mechanism configured to engage a latch; 32. The cable assembly of claim 31 further comprising:

34. a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate; 1. An electrical connector comprising: Housing and a first interface through the housing, the first interface being disposed on a first side of the electrical connector and electrically connected to the first board; a second interface through the housing, the second interface being disposed on a second side of the electrical connector opposite the first side and electrically connected to the second board; a third interface disposed on the second side of the electrical connector through the housing; and a fourth interface through the housing disposed on a third side of the electrical connector, the third side extending between the first side and the second side, the fourth interface being electrically connected to the third board; and An electrical connector comprising: An electronic system comprising:

35. 35. The electronic system of claim 34, wherein the second substrate is electrically connected to the second interface by a cable assembly having a cable connector, the second interface configured to receive the cable connector.

36. 36. The electronic system of claim 35, wherein the second substrate is further electrically connected to the third interface.

37. 36. The electronic system of claim 35, wherein the electrical connector further comprises a latch pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the third interface, the latch configured to secure the cable connector to the electrical connector when the latch is disposed in a latched position.

38. 35. The electronic system of claim 34, wherein the fourth interface is a mounting interface, and the electrical connector is mounted to the third substrate at the mounting interface.

39. The electrical connector comprises: electrically connecting the first substrate to the second substrate and the third substrate; The second substrate is electrically connected to the third substrate.

35. The electronic system of claim 34 configured to:

40. The electrical connector comprises: transmitting low speed signals and / or power from the first interface through a first conductive element mounted on the third substrate and a second conductive element connected to both the cable assembly and the third substrate; Transmitting a high speed signal from the first interface through a third conductive element connected to the cable assembly.

36. The electronic system of claim 35 configured to:

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