connector

Abstract

This connector can accommodate larger misalignments and transmit higher frequency signals. [Solution] A connector (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) comprising contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) and elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730), wherein the connector (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) define the contact direction (D), and in the deformed state, the elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) exert a force that biases the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) in the contact direction (D).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 138,167, filed on April 24, 2023. The entire contents of the application are incorporated herein by reference and constitute a part of this disclosure.

[0002] This disclosure relates to connectors, particularly electrical connectors.

Background Art

[0003] It is known to provide electrical connectors with contacts. This disclosure will be described in detail based on this background.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this summary is to facilitate the understanding of this disclosure. Therefore, this summary presents the concepts and features of this disclosure in a more simplified form and with more relaxed terms than the following detailed description, and should not be construed as limiting other parts of this disclosure.

[0005] Broadly speaking, this disclosure teaches a connector comprising a contact support and an elastic deformation element, and the elastic deformation element exerts a force on the contact support in the contact direction defined by the connector in the deformed state. By using the elastic deformation element to assist in positioning the contact support, the connector can accommodate larger misalignments without requiring a large range of movement for the connector contacts themselves. This enables the use of shorter connector contacts and the transmission of higher-frequency signals through the connector.

[0006] More broadly, this disclosure further teaches a connector comprising a housing, a contact support, and an elastic deformation element, wherein the elastic deformation element restrains the movement of the contact support from a position where the contact support intersects a reference plane defined by the housing. By using the elastic deformation element to resist the movement of the contact support from the reference plane, the connector can accommodate larger misalignments without requiring a large range of motion in the connector contacts themselves. This enables the use of shorter connector contacts and allows for the transmission of higher frequency signals through the connector.

[0007] This disclosure also relates to multiple contacts having a pitch of less than 0.35 mm (preferably less than 0.3 mm, most preferably less than 0.25 mm or less than 0.2 mm) and / or 2.1 Tbps / 1 cm 3 Ultra (preferably 2.7 Tbps / 1cm) 3 Most preferably 3.2 Tbps / 1cm 3 Ultra-high or 6.4 Tbps / 1cm 3 We will teach a structure having a bandwidth per unit volume of (infinitely).

[0008] The pitch should preferably be understood as the pitch between at least two contacts of the plurality of contacts, preferably as the pitch between two adjacent signal contacts (i.e., the signal-to-signal pitch), and most preferably as the pitch between signal contacts of a differential signal pair. However, the pitch between a signal contact and a ground contact (signal-to-ground pitch) or the pitch between any other contacts may also be understood as the pitch.

[0009] The bandwidth per unit volume mentioned can be further increased, for example, depending on the number of contacts per column or set and per row (as defined below for "column," "set," and "row").

[0010] In this explanation, wherever the term "contact" is used, it preferably refers to an electrical contact.

[0011] The features and advantages mentioned for "connectors," "assemblies," or "assemblages" can also be understood as features and advantages applicable to "structures," and vice versa. "Connectors," "assemblies," or "assemblages" and "structures" can even describe the exact same subject; therefore, the terms "connectors," "assemblies," "assemblages," and "structures" are arbitrarily interchangeable. However, connectors, assemblies, or assemblys can also include structures, and vice versa.

[0012] A preferred application of the present invention is differential signal transmission. Therefore, it is preferable that at least two of the contacts define at least one differential signal pair. Preferably, the signal transmission according to the present invention can be performed at at least 100 Gbps per differential signal pair, most preferably at least 200 Gbps. According to the present invention, a high-speed cable assembly (preferably a high-speed copper cable assembly) can be provided.

[0013] Preferably, pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) can be used for signal transmission according to the present invention, and can conform to standards such as PAM2 (also known as Non-return-to-zero, NRZ) to PAM4, PAM5, PAM6, PAM7, PAM8, or even PAM16. However, any other modulation or signal transmission technique is also applicable.

[0014] Preferably, the connector, assembly, bundle, or structure can be used for direct mating on a packaging substrate such as a printed circuit board, the surface of an integrated circuit die, or the surface of a package substrate. However, the present invention can also be used for any other contact application, particularly planar arrangements on a surface, preferably without requiring external force (such as a compression plate) for mating the contacts with their respective mating contacts. Most preferably, the present invention can be used in co-packaged copper (CPC) applications.

[0015] For example, the present invention can be used in a data center for high-speed data transmission between two integrated circuits or between an integrated circuit and an I / O connector on the front panel of a rack (this type of connection is sometimes called a "cable-connected host"). Overall, the present invention is particularly advantageous for directly transmitting data at high data rates to or from a package / integrated circuit. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above applications.

[0016] Preferably, according to the present invention, signals can be transmitted differentially via a twin-axis cable, as described below.

[0017] Other purposes, advantages, and embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1A] The connector of the first embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. [Figure 1B] The connector of the first embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] The connector of the second embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. [Figure 3] The connector of the third embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. [Figure 4] The connector of the fourth embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. [Figure 5A] The connector of the fifth embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. [Figure 5B] Shows the connector of the fifth embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] Shows the connector of the sixth embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] Shows the connector of the sixth embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] Shows the connector of the seventh embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] Shows the connector of the seventh embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7C] Shows the connector of the seventh embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] Shows the details of the connector of the eighth embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] Shows the details of the connector of the eighth embodiment according to the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The various embodiments of the present disclosure and the various embodiments of the claimed invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description, particularly the accompanying drawings, with respect to both structure and operation.

[0020] Before describing the embodiments shown in the figures, the various embodiments of the present disclosure will first be described from a general perspective.

[0021] The present disclosure teaches a connector, for example, an electrical connector.

[0022] A connector may comprise a plurality of (first) contacts. Similarly, a connector may comprise at least one contact support, for example, a contact support that supports the plurality of (first) contacts or a plurality of contact supports that individually support a subset of each of the plurality of (first) contacts. Hereinafter, the term “contact” is used to refer to any of the plurality of (first) contacts. (An explanation of the term “any” is given in the last paragraph of this specification.) A contact may be made of a (substantially) conductive material, such as copper. Similarly, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the weight and / or volume of a contact may be made of a conductive material. A contact support may include an electrical insulating material that electrically insulates the contact from the other contacts of the plurality of (first) contacts (with respect to the portion of the contact embedded in the contact support). For example, a contact support may include an electrical insulating material that electrically insulates each individual contact of the plurality of (first) contacts (with respect to the portion of the contact embedded in the contact support) from each individual other contact of the plurality of (first) contacts. In this disclosure, the term “conductive material” is used to refer to 10 5 It can be understood as a material exhibiting a volume resistivity of less than Ω·cm. In this disclosure, the term "electrical insulating material" is defined as 10 9It can be understood as a material exhibiting a volume resistivity greater than Ω·cm. With respect to the portion of the contact not embedded in the contact support, for example, a portion of the contact protruding from the contact support, the contact can be electrically insulated from other contacts of the (first) multiple contacts by an air gap. The contact support can be made of (substantially) electrically insulating material, such as plastic material. Similarly, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the weight and / or volume of the contact support can be made of electrically insulating material. The contact support can include an alignment structure. The alignment structure can include at least one plane, for example, an outward-facing surface. Similarly, the alignment structure can be the end of an (outward-facing) plane. The alignment structure can include (at least) three protrusions. The plane / protrusions can constitute the outward-facing / outermost element of the contact support and / or connector.

[0023] The connector may include at least one elastically deformable element. The elastically deformable element may be an elastomer element, elastomer strip, elastomer tube, elastomer cylinder, elastomer block, elastomer ellipsoid, metal strip, spring, spiral spring, disc spring, leaf spring, leaf spring, cantilever spring, spring arm, or elastically deformable plate.

[0024] The connector can define a contact direction. The elastic deformation element can exert a force (directly or indirectly) that biases the contact support in the contact direction when deformed. The contact direction can be toward the (nearest) outside of the connector. The contact direction can be toward the distal tip of the contact from the elastic deformation element. Similarly, the contact direction can be toward the alignment structure from the elastic deformation element. Similarly, the contact direction can be perpendicular to the virtual plane defined by the (first) plurality of contacts and / or alignment structure from the elastic deformation element. With respect to a minimum-dimension virtual rectangular parallelepiped surrounding the connector (optionally excluding at least one signal transmission component described below), the contact direction can be perpendicular to the first side of the virtual rectangular parallelepiped from the second side of the virtual rectangular parallelepiped opposite to the first side of the virtual rectangular parallelepiped closest to the (first) plurality of contacts. Furthermore, the contact direction can be perpendicular to the reference plane (disclosed below) from the elastic deformation element. The connector can be configured to engage with a device (on the connector receiving side). The contact direction can be the direction of the connector's shortest movement that distinguishes the unengaged state from the fully engaged state, or the partially engaged state from the fully engaged state.

[0025] The connector may include a housing. The housing may be a one-piece housing or a multi-component housing, i.e., a housing comprising at least two housing components (collectively constituting the housing). Any two (or more) of the at least two housing components may be configured (e.g., in terms of shape and / or material) to snap engage and / or tightly mate. The housing and / or any housing components may be made of a conductive material, e.g., tinplate; an electrical insulating material, e.g., plastic; or a combination of at least one conductive material and at least one electrical insulating material.

[0026] The connector may comprise at least one clamp. The clamp may be (elastically) secured to the housing, for example, via an elastic (fixed) material. The clamp may be made of a (non-elastic) rigid material. The clamp may have a shape that allows it to latch onto the (connector-receiving) device with deformation of the clamp, such as by sliding the clamp against the housing. Similarly, the clamp may be made of an elastic material. The clamp may have a shape that allows it to deform relative to the housing, for example. The engagement of the connector with the (connector-receiving) device may result in deformation of the elastic material. The restoring force exerted by the elastic material (in response to deformation) may act to position and / or hold the connector, in particular the housing and / or contact support, in a desired position relative to the (connector-receiving) device. For example, the restoring force may act to position and / or hold the alignment structure of the contact support in contact with the alignment surface (of the (connector-receiving) device) by contributing to an (opposing) force that results in elastic deformation of the elastic deformation element. Similarly, the restoring force can contribute to the elastic deformation of the contact (distal tip) and / or the force that results in the contact between the contact (distal tip) and the alignment surface (of the device (receiving the connector)). The potential energy (stored by the elastic material in response to deformation) can act to hold the connector in place (of the device (receiving the connector)). For example, a connector, in particular a clamp, can be configured such that the device (receiving the connector) must invest energy (by the user) to remove the connector from the device (receiving the connector). As already mentioned above, a connector, in particular a clamp, can be configured to latch (elastically) into the device (receiving the connector). A connector, in particular a clamp, can be provided with a retaining structure, e.g., an opening and / or projection. Similarly, the device (receiving the connector) can be provided with a related, e.g., corresponding retaining structure, e.g., an opening and / or projection.The retaining structure of the connector / clamp can be configured to engage with, for example, latch with, an associated retaining structure of the (connector-receiving) device, and can be latched in such a way that, for example, moving the clamp relative to the housing and / or the (connector-receiving) device (the movement of which increases the potential energy stored in the clamp, elastic retaining material and / or elsewhere in the connector) is required to release the clamp (and connector) from the (connector-receiving) device.

[0027] The connector can be configured such that the engagement between the connector and the (receiving) device results in deformation of the elastic deformation element. The engagement between the connector and the (receiving) device can result in the movement of any individual contact support inward of the connector, for example, by the individual contact support contacting the (receiving) device. The movement of any individual contact support inward of the connector can contribute (directly and / or indirectly) to the deformation of the elastic deformation element, for example, by generating a contributing force. Similarly, the engagement between the connector and the (receiving) device can facilitate and / or result in the movement of any other individual contact support outward of the connector. For example, the engagement between the connector and the (receiving) device can result in movement of any individual contact support in a direction that biases (at least a portion of) the elastic deformation element toward the outside of the connector, for example, toward contact. The (receiving) device can restrain individual contact supports from moving toward the outside of the connector (beyond a certain distance). The restraining force from the (receiving) device can contribute to the deformation of the elastic deformation element, for example, through the contact supports. The restraining force can constitute one of at least two opposing forces that cause elastic deformation of the elastic deformation element.

[0028] The elastic deformation element can be fixed to a connector, e.g., a housing, clamp, and / or (the first surface of the contact support). Any individual part of at least one elastic deformation element can be fixed to the connector independently of any of the others, and can move and / or deform independently of any of the others. The elastic deformation element can be located between the contact support (first surface) and the (internal) surface of the connector, e.g., the contact support (first surface) and the (internal) surface of the housing. The elastic deformation element can abut the contact support (first surface) and the (internal) surface of the connector, e.g., the (internal) surface of the housing. The elastic deformation element can extend from a first wall of the housing or clamp to a second (opposite) wall of the housing or clamp. For example, the first end of the elastic deformation element can be attached to the first wall of the housing or clamp, and the second (opposite) end of the elastic deformation element can be attached to the second (opposite) wall of the housing or clamp. The first and / or second walls can be the outer walls of the housing / clamp. The longitudinal axis of the elastic deformation element can be perpendicular (or less than 10° or less than 5°) to the length of the contact (the side of the virtual rectangular parallelepiped that defines it). The contact support may have notches that engage (to fit) with a portion of the surface of the elastic deformation element.

[0029] The elastic deformation element can contact a first surface of the contact support. The first surface can be located on a first side of the contact support. The alignment structure can constitute / be located on a second side of the contact support. The first and second sides can constitute (generally) opposite sides of the contact support. A first force applied to the alignment structure in the direction of the contact support can generate a second force that deforms the elastic deformation element, for example, through the first surface that contacts the elastic deformation element.

[0030] The contact support can be elastically supported relative to the housing. For example, the contact support can be elastically supported relative to the housing such that the contact support is elastically held in a first position. In the first position, the contact support can abut against the elastic deformation element without (substantially) deforming the elastic deformation element. The first position can be a stationary position (of the contact support) where no external force from the connector is acting on the contact support (directly or indirectly). The first position can be a position taken by the contact support in a disengaged state between the connector and the (connector-receiving) device. Further characterization of the first position is disclosed below.

[0031] A connector may comprise at least one signal transmission component. The signal transmission component may be a passive signal transmission component, for example, a signal transmission component capable of passively transmitting electrical signals at frequencies below 200 GHz. The signal transmission component may comprise at least one conductive (signal transmission) element, for example, at least one wire or trace. The signal transmission component may comprise a shielded signal line, for example, a shielded conductor. Similarly, the signal transmission component may comprise an unshielded signal line, for example, an unshielded conductor. The signal transmission component may be a wire, cable, or flexible printed circuit board.

[0032] The signal transmission component may be an insulated wire. The insulated wire may have a core (solid (single core) or strand (twisted wire)) of a conductive material, such as copper, and at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% (of the entire circumference) of the total length of the core may be covered with an electrical insulating material, such as a plastic material. In this disclosure, the term “covered” can be understood to mean that, for each point along the applicable length of the covered element, a virtual plane passing through each point perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the covered element at each point intersects with the cross section of the covered element, and the cross section of the covered element defines a closed path (360°) around the covered element.

[0033] As already mentioned above, the signal transmission component can be a flexible printed circuit board. Similarly, the signal transmission component can be a flexible substrate (made of an electrically insulating material) having at least one conductive trace (made of a conductive material).

[0034] The signal transmission component may be a twisted pair cable. The twisted pair cable may comprise a first insulated wire and a second insulated wire. The first insulated wire may be the insulated wire described above. The second insulated wire may be the insulated wire described above. The first and second insulated wires may constitute a twisted pair of the twisted pair cable. The twisted pair cable may be a twisted pair cable capable of transmitting signals at frequencies above 1 GHz, above 5 GHz, above 10 GHz, or above 50 GHz via the first and second insulated wires.

[0035] The signal transmission component can be a coaxial cable, for example, a coaxial cable comprising a reference conductor (shield conductor), signal conductors, and an electrical insulating material (e.g., plastic material) between the signal conductors and the reference conductor. The reference conductor can constitute the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and the signal conductors can constitute the inner conductor of the coaxial cable. For simplicity, the signal conductor can be called the "core". The signal conductor can be a (solid or stranded) core of a conductive material, such as copper, and at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the total length of the core (all around) is covered with an electrical insulating material. The reference conductor can be made of a conductive material, such as copper, and can cover at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the total length (all around) of the electrical insulating material covering the core. The reference conductor can electromagnetically shield at least 80% or at least 90% of the length of the signal conductor. The coaxial cable can have a (plastic) sheath that covers at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the total length of the reference conductor. Coaxial cables can transmit signals at frequencies above 1 GHz, above 5 GHz, above 10 GHz, or above 50 GHz via a signal conductor.

[0036] The signal transmission component can be a twin-axis cable, for example, a twin-axis cable comprising a reference conductor, a first signal conductor, a second signal conductor, and an electrical insulating material (e.g., plastic material). For simplicity, the first signal conductor can be called the "first core," and the second signal conductor can be called the "second core." The reference conductor can constitute the outer conductor of the twin-axis cable, the first signal conductor can constitute the first inner conductor of the twin-axis cable, and the second signal conductor can constitute the second inner conductor of the twin-axis cable. The first and / or second cores can be conductive materials, for example, copper (solid or stranded) cores. The electrical insulating material can cover (the entire circumference) (individually) at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the total length of the first and / or second cores. In this way, the electrical insulating material can electrically insulate the covered portion of the second core from the covered portion of the first core. The reference conductor can electromagnetically shield at least 80% or at least 90% of the length of the first and / or second cores. The reference conductor can be made of a conductive material, such as copper, and can cover (the overall collective perimeter) at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the total length of the electrical insulating material covering the first and / or second cores, and / or form a single tube covering it. In this way, the electrical insulating material can electrically insulate the reference conductor from the second core (the covered portion thereof) and / or from the first core (the covered portion thereof). The twin-axis cable may have a (plastic) sheath covering at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the total length of the reference conductor. The twin-axis cable can transmit signals over the first and second signal conductors at frequencies above 1 GHz, above 5 GHz, above 10 GHz, or above 50 GHz.

[0037] Generally, a connector, assembly, bundle, or structure may comprise one or more twin-axis cables, the conductors of which are connected to the multiple contacts. The diameter of the twin-axis cable conductors may be less than 102 μm. For example, a twin-axis cable may have a conductor size smaller than that defined by American Wire Gauge (AWG) 38, preferably AWG39, AWG40, AWG41, AWG42, or even smaller. However, other cable types and sizes may also be used within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The signal transmission component can be fixed to the housing, for example, so that the (first / second) core of the signal transmission component is electrically insulated from the housing, or so that each conductive trace of the signal transmission component is electrically insulated from the housing. The signal transmission component can elastically support the contact support (relative to the housing). For example, the first part of the signal transmission component can be rigidly fixed to the housing, the second part of the signal transmission component can be rigidly fixed to the contact support, and the intermediate part of the signal transmission component between the first and second parts functions as a spring. Similarly, the first part of the signal transmission component can be elastically fixed to the housing by an elastic material such as rubber, silicone rubber, or (thermoplastic) elastomer, the second part of the signal transmission component can be rigidly fixed to the contact support, and the intermediate part of the signal transmission component between the first and second parts functions as rigidity or a spring. In the disengaged state of the connector, the signal transmission component can elastically support the contact support in a first position. Similarly, the signal transmission component can elastically support the contact support such that, in the disengaged state of the connector, the contact support abuts against the elastic deformation element without (substantially) deforming the elastic deformation element.

[0039] The contacts can be elongated. The length of the contacts can be at least 5 times, at least 10 times, or at least 15 times the width of the contacts. The width of the contacts can be at least 2 times, at least 5 times, or at least 10 times the thickness of the contacts. Similarly, the width of the contacts can be at least 0.25 times, at least 0.5 times, or at least 1.0 times the thickness of the contacts (and less than 0.5 times, less than 1.0 times, less than 2 times, or less than 5 times the thickness of the contacts). The length of the contacts can be the length of the longest side of a hypothetical rectangular parallelepiped with the smallest dimensions surrounding the contacts. Similarly, the length of the contacts can be the length of the side of a hypothetical rectangular parallelepiped that is most closely parallel to the (main) direction of signal propagation through the contacts. Similarly, the length of the contacts can be the length of the side of a hypothetical rectangular parallelepiped that is most closely parallel to the hypothetical line from the first part of the contact that is in contact with the conductor, for example, by welding or soldering, to the second part of the most distal contact from the first part. The thickness of the contacts can be the length of the shortest side of a hypothetical rectangular parallelepiped. Similarly, the thickness of a contact may be the length of a side of a virtual cuboid perpendicular to the plane intersecting each of the (first) multiple contacts, for example, the plane of the common layer (described below). The width of a contact may be the length of a side of a virtual cuboid perpendicular to the side defining the length of the contact and perpendicular to the side defining the thickness. A contact may have the shape of a cuboid. A contact may have the shape satisfying at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the virtual cuboid. The length of a contact may be less than 20 mm, less than 15 mm, less than 10 mm, less than 5 mm, or less than 2 mm. The width of a contact may be less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm. The thickness of a contact may be less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm. The teachings in this paragraph apply to contacts in an unbent state, without being limited to the unbent state.

[0040] The thickness or height of a connector, assembly, bundle, or structure (particularly related to a mated connector) is preferably a maximum of 5.5 mm, most preferably a maximum of 4.0 mm. The thickness / height can vary depending on the number of rows of contacts and the associated number of differential signal pairs (for example, a height of less than 4.0 mm can be achieved for 16 differential signal pairs, and a height of less than 5.2 mm can be achieved for 32 differential signal pairs).

[0041] As described above, the connector may have a (first) set of contacts. The (first) set of contacts may have at least 10, at least 20, or at least 40 contacts. Similarly, the (first) set of contacts may have 100 or fewer, 50 or fewer, or 20 or fewer contacts. The (first) set of contacts may have a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact. The second contact may be located between the first and third contacts. For example, the second contact may be located such that at least one virtual line from the first contact to the third contact intersects with the second contact. Similarly, the second contact may be located such that all virtual lines from the first contact to the third contact intersect with the second contact. The (first) set of contacts may have a fourth contact. The fourth contact may be located between the first and third contacts. For example, the fourth contact may be located such that at least one virtual line from the first contact to the third contact intersects with the fourth contact. Similarly, the fourth contact can be positioned such that all virtual lines from the first contact to the third contact intersect with the fourth contact. As described above, each of the first, second, third, and fourth contacts can be electrically isolated from each other, for example by an air gap and / or an electrical insulating material (interposed between each contact). Similarly, the second and fourth contacts can be electrically isolated from each other, for example by an air gap and / or an electrical insulating material (interposed between each contact), while the first and third contacts are electrically connected, for example by a reference conductor.The air gap can be at least 0.01 mm, at least 0.02 mm, at least 0.05 mm, or at least 0.1 mm.

[0042] Any individual core and / or any individual conductive trace of at least one signal transmission component can be electrically connected to any one of the (first) plurality of contacts, for example, by welding or soldering (directly) at a location within the contact support. Similarly, any reference conductor of any of the at least one signal transmission component can be electrically connected to at least one of the (first) plurality of contacts, for example, by welding or soldering (directly) at a location within the contact support, or outside, near, and / or adjacent to the contact support. For example, a reference conductor (of one signal transmission component) can be electrically connected to the first contact and / or the third contact. A signal conductor (of one signal transmission component) can be electrically connected to the second contact and / or the fourth contact. A (first) signal conductor (of one signal transmission component) can be electrically connected to the second contact. A (second) signal conductor (of one signal transmission component) can be electrically connected to the fourth contact.

[0043] The (first) multiple contacts can be provided with a pitch of less than 5 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.2 mm, less than 0.1 mm, less than 0.05 mm, or less than 0.02 mm. The distance from the first contact to the second contact can be less than 5 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.2 mm, less than 0.1 mm, less than 0.05 mm, or less than 0.02 mm. The distance can be the (minimum) distance from the longitudinal axis of the center of the smallest-dimension virtual rectangular parallelepiped surrounding the first contact to the longitudinal axis of the center of the smallest-dimension virtual rectangular parallelepiped surrounding the second contact.

[0044] As described above, the (first / second / third / fourth) contacts can protrude from the contact support (for example, in a certain direction and length) so that, for example, in the disengaged state of the connector and the (receiving) device, the contact (its distal tip) intersects with or touches the (virtual) plane defined by the alignment structure. Similarly, the contacts can protrude from the contact support (for example, in a certain direction and length) so that, for example, in the engaged state of the connector and the (receiving) device, the contact (its distal tip) can abut against the alignment surface (of the (receiving) device). The contacts can protrude from the contact support so that, for example, in the engaged state of the connector and the (receiving) device, the contact (its distal tip) can elastically deform (relative to the disengaged state) and / or exert a contact force (as a result of elastic deformation) against the alignment surface (of the (receiving) device). A portion of the (first / second / third / fourth) contacts may protrude from the contact support, for example, by less than 5 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, or less than 0.5 mm (in terms of protrusion length). The protrusion length may be parallel to the length of the contact, or parallel to, for example, the longest side of a hypothetical rectangular parallelepiped of the minimum dimensions surrounding each (each, individual) contact.

[0045] At least one signal transmission component can be grouped into a set of one, two, three, four, or more signal transmission components. At least one signal transmission component can be grouped into a set of one, two, three, four, or more parallel contacts, i.e., a parallel row of one, two, three, four, or more contacts, such that the contacts (welded or soldered to the respective core / conductor / trace of each signal transmission component, or otherwise electrically in contact with them) are grouped into a set of one, two, three, four, or more parallel contacts, i.e., a parallel row of one, two, three, four, or more contacts. The distance from the distal tip of a contact belonging to one set / row to the distal tip of a contact belonging to another set / row can be at least 10 or at least 20 times the pitch of the contacts belonging to one or the other set / row. Similarly, the distance from the distal tip of a contact belonging to one set / row to the distal tip of a contact belonging to another set / row can be at least 10 or at least 20 times the (minimum) distance from the central longitudinal axis of the minimum-dimension virtual rectangular parallelepiped surrounding the contacts of one set / row to the central longitudinal axis of the minimum-dimension virtual rectangular parallelepiped surrounding the adjacent contacts of one set / row. Any individual contact support can support one, two, three, four, or more parallel rows of contacts. For example, in a connector with four parallel rows of contacts, a first (individual) contact support can support two parallel rows of contacts, and a second (individual) contact support can support two other parallel rows of contacts. Similarly, in a connector with two parallel rows of contacts, for example, a first (individual) contact support can support one parallel row of contacts, and a second (individual) contact support can support another parallel row of contacts. Similarly, in a connector having, for example, four parallel rows of contacts, a (single) contact support can support all four parallel rows of contacts.

[0046] Each row of contacts or conductors preferably comprises at least one of the sets. Each set preferably defines at least one differential signal pair.

[0047] As already mentioned, multiple contacts can comprise multiple differential signal pairs. The center-to-center distance between at least two adjacent differential signal pairs (preferably adjacent differential signal pairs in the same row) can be less than 1.1 mm, preferably up to 1.0 mm, most preferably up to 0.9 mm, up to 0.8 mm, or up to 0.7 mm.

[0048] As already mentioned, at least one differential signal pair can be made with two of the plurality of contacts. Preferably, the assembly or structure comprises at least four differential signal pairs, most preferably at least eight differential signal pairs, at least twelve differential signal pairs, at least sixteen differential signal pairs, at least twenty differential signal pairs, at least twenty-four differential signal pairs, at least twenty-eight differential signal pairs, or at least thirty-two differential signal pairs.

[0049] Multiple contacts can be distributed across multiple columns. The “columns” can be equivalent to the “sets” (and therefore the features and benefits described for “sets” can also apply to “columns” and vice versa), but they can also describe other types of subquantities of multiple contacts.

[0050] Preferably, each column or set comprises exactly one differential signal pair, for example in a GSSG (ground, signal, signal, ground) configuration. However, each column or set may also comprise one or more differential signal pairs, for example two, three, four, five, six or more, in any configuration.

[0051] The distance between two adjacent columns or sets can be greater than the maximum contact pitch of each column, for example, at least 1.5 times greater, at least 2 times greater, at least 2.5 times greater, at least 3 times greater, or at least 3.5 times greater.

[0052] Multiple contacts can be distributed across multiple rows. Each row preferably comprises at least one of the columns, preferably one or more columns, for example, two, three, four, five, six or more columns. The distance between two adjacent rows can be greater than the maximum contact pitch of each row. The distance between two adjacent rows can be up to 2.5 mm, preferably up to 2.0 mm, most preferably up to 1.5 mm, for example, up to 1.4 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.9 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.5 mm or less.

[0053] Therefore, most preferably, the contacts can be distributed across multiple columns and rows, for example, so that each row has multiple differential signal pairs.

[0054] At least one of the signal transmission components can be bundled together in a parallel and / or (approximately) planar arrangement, for example, by cable clips. For example, for any individual set / row of a set / row of signal transmission components, the signal transmission components belonging to each individual set / row can be bundled together in a parallel and / or (approximately) planar arrangement, for example, by cable clips. The bundled signal transmission components can be fixed to the housing at the position of the cable clips. The cable clips can be made of a conductive material, for example, copper. The cable clips can be bonded to the bundled signal transmission components by thermoplastic resin. The cable clips can have multiple voids. The thermoplastic resin can fill any of the multiple voids.

[0055] The connector may comprise at least one (plate-like or strip-like) reinforcing material, such as a metal reinforcing material. For example, the connector may comprise a reinforcing material for any individual set / row of bundled signal transmission components. The reinforcing material may be fixed, for example, soldered, to any of at least one of the signal transmission components. For example, the reinforcing material may be fixed to any individual of the bundled signal transmission components. The longitudinal axis of the reinforcing material may be perpendicular (from less than 20°, less than 10°, or less than 5°) to the longitudinal axis of the individual signal transmission component fixed to the reinforcing material. Similarly, the longitudinal axis of the reinforcing material may be perpendicular (from less than 20°, less than 10°, or less than 5°) to the length of the contact (the side of the imaginary cuboid defining it). The (minimum) thickness of the reinforcing material, for example, the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the reinforcing material, may be greater than the thickness of the contact, and may be at least twice, at least three times, or at least four times.

[0056] The housing may comprise at least one first guide structure. The housing may be configured to engage with a known device (to mate). The device (connector receptacle) may comprise at least one first corresponding guide structure. The first guide structure (together with the first corresponding guide structure) may function to achieve a first degree of alignment (in one, two, or three dimensions) between the housing and the device (connector receptacle), for example, in a fully engaged state between the connector and the device (connector receptacle). The first guide structure and / or the first corresponding guide structure may comprise at least one taper that limits the engaging motion of the housing with respect to the device (connector receptacle), for example, by gradually restricting the engaging motion to a narrower range as the degree of engagement (engaged vs. disengaged) increases.

[0057] The connector may comprise at least one second guide structure. The second guide structure may be a component of the contact support. Similarly, the second guide structure may be rigidly fixed to the contact support. The device (the connector receiver) may comprise at least one second corresponding guide structure. The second guide structure (together with the second corresponding guide structure) may function to achieve a second degree of alignment (in one, two, or three dimensions) between the second guide structure and the device (the connector receiver), for example, in a fully engaged state between the connector and the device (the connector receiver). The second degree of alignment may be a more precise degree of alignment than the first degree of alignment. For example, the second degree of alignment can limit the range of motion of the second guide structure relative to the device (connector receiving side) (in each of the 1, 2, or 3 dimensions, for example, in directions perpendicular to (less than 20°, less than 10°, or less than 5°) with respect to the length of the contact (the edges of the virtual cuboid defining it)) to 70%, 50%, 20%, or 10% or less of the range of motion of the second guide structure relative to the device (connector receiving side) defined by the first degree of alignment. The second degree of alignment can limit the range of motion of the second guide structure relative to the device (connector receiving side) (in each of the 1, 2, or 3 dimensions, for example, in directions perpendicular to (less than 20°, less than 10°, or less than 5°) with respect to the length of the contact (the edges of the virtual cuboid defining it)) to 0.2 mm or less, 0.1 mm or less, 0.05 mm or less, 0.02 mm or less, 0.01 mm or less, or 0.005 mm or less. The second guide structure and / or the second corresponding guide structure may include at least one taper that limits the engagement operation of the second guide structure with respect to the device (connector receiving side), for example, by gradually restricting the engagement operation to a narrower range as the degree of engagement (engaged state versus disengaged state) increases.

[0058] A connector can define a reference plane. For example, the housing can define a reference plane. The reference plane can be coplanar with the alignment surface that abuts (and positions) the contact support in the context of use, for example, in the engaged state of the connector and the (connector-receiving) device. For example, the reference plane can be coplanar with the alignment surface that abuts the alignment structure of the contact support (in the engaged state of the connector and the (connector-receiving) device). As already mentioned above, the alignment surface can be a surface of the (connector-receiving) device separate from the connector. The connector can be configured to connect usefully to a known device, and the housing and / or clamp can engage with the device so that the alignment surface (of the engaged device) is in a specific position relative to the housing and / or clamp. The reference plane can be parallel to or coplanar (offset) with at least one (outward-facing / outermost) plane of the housing. Similarly, the reference plane can be parallel to or coplanar (offset) with a plane defined by at least three (outward-facing / outermost) points of the housing. The reference plane does not need to coincide with the surface of the housing or any other element.

[0059] The first position can be a position where the contact support does not intersect the reference plane and / or is 500 μm or less, 200 μm or less, 100 μm or less, 50 μm or less, or 20 μm or less from the reference plane. At the first position, the (minimum) distance from the contact support to the reference plane can be 500 μm or less, 200 μm or less, 100 μm or less, 50 μm or less, or 20 μm or less. Alternatively, the first position can be a position where the contact support intersects the reference plane. At the first position, the contact support can intersect the reference plane such that a portion of the contact support extends across the reference plane (on each side) by at least 20 μm, at least 50 μm, at least 100 μm, at least 200 μm, or at least 500 μm. At the first position, as already described above, the contact support can contact the elastic deformation element without (substantially) deforming the elastic deformation element.

[0060] An elastic deformation element can restrict the movement of the contact support from a first position (in at least one direction). For example, the elastic deformation element can be positioned such that movement of the contact support from a first position (in at least one direction) causes the elastic deformation element to elastically deform (therefore restricting the movement). In particular, the elastic deformation element can restrict the movement of the contact support from a first position toward the (center) interior of the housing and / or perpendicular to the reference plane (less than 15°, less than 10°, or less than 5° from it). Movement of the contact support from a first position to a second position, for example to a second position further from the (nearest) exterior of the housing than to the first position, can result in elastic deformation of the elastic deformation element. Similarly, the elastic deformation element can restrict the movement of the contact support from a first position to a second position. The minimum distance from the contact support to the exterior of the housing at the second position can be greater than the minimum distance from the contact support to the exterior of the housing at the first position. The second position can be the position the contact support takes when the connector and the (connector receiving) device are engaged. Similarly, the second position may be the position in which the alignment structure aligns with the reference plane and / or contacts the alignment surface (of the device (on the connector receiving side)). The alignment structure can be aligned with the reference plane in the sense that the (virtual) plane defined by the alignment structure is coplanar with the reference plane. The (virtual) plane may be coplanar with the plane of the alignment structure and / or contact (at least three points on the surface) of the alignment structure. For example, the alignment structure can be aligned with the reference plane in the sense that the plane of the alignment structure is coplanar with the reference plane. Similarly, the alignment structure can be aligned with the reference plane in the sense that the edges of the plane of the alignment structure are coplanar with the reference plane. The alignment structure can be aligned with the reference plane in the sense that the reference plane contacts (at least three points on the surface) of the alignment structure, for example, (at least) three ridges (on the surface). The first / second position may be the position of the contact support relative to the housing.In this disclosure, movement of the contact support relative to the housing, for example, movement relative to a first / second position, may include movement of the contact support relative to the housing and / or movement of the housing relative to the contact support.

[0061] This disclosure teaches an assembly. The assembly may include a connector, for example, the (electrical) connector described above. Similarly, the assembly may include a device, for example, the (connector receiving) device described above.

[0062] The device may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB), an integrated circuit (IC), and / or a package. The device may be encapsulated within a package. The device may comprise a plane, such as the surface of a printed circuit board, the surface of a die of an integrated circuit, or the surface of a package substrate of a package. The plane may constitute an alignment surface. The plane may comprise a contact area.

[0063] The device (the connector receiving side) may include a socket. The socket may be configured to engage with a portion of the housing, for example, with at least one first guide structure. The socket may be mounted on the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), integrated circuit (IC), or package. Similarly, the socket may constitute and / or be formed within the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), integrated circuit (IC), or package. The housing may engage with the socket such that the alignment surface (of the device (the connector receiving side)) is at a specific position relative to the housing, for example, coplanar with a reference plane.

[0064] The device may include a second plurality of (conductive) contacts, for example, a plurality of contacts arranged planarly on a surface. For example, the second plurality of contacts may consist of a plurality of contact pads and / or (signal, clock and / or ground) traces located on the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), the surface of an integrated circuit die, or the surface of a package substrate. The second plurality of contacts may be located within and / or constitute a contact area.

[0065] The (connector) housing can abut against a plane (of the device), for example, so that in the engaged state of the connector and the device, the reference plane is coplanar with the plane and / or the alignment structure of the contact support abuts against the plane. Similarly, the assembly can be configured such that, for example, in the engaged state of the connector and the device, the (connector) housing abuts against the structure of the device so that the reference plane is coplanar with the plane and / or the alignment structure of the contact support abuts against the plane.

[0066] The first contact can abut a contact area, for example, in the engaged state of the connector and the device. Similarly, the assembly can be configured such that, for example in the engaged state of the connector and the device, each individual contact of the first plurality of contacts can contact one individual contact of the second plurality of contacts. As already described above, the elastic deformation element can exert force on the contact support in the contact direction (directly or indirectly), for example in the engaged state of the connector and the device. The connector can be configured such that a force on the contact support in the contact direction acts on the contact, causing the contact (its distal tip) to elastically deform relative to the contact area, and / or (as a result of the elastic deformation) to increase the contact force between the contact and the contact area.

[0067] The assembly may include components that contact the connector, for example, by pushing the connector toward the device. More generally, the components may be positioned to apply a force to the connector that biases the housing (of the connector) toward the socket (attached to the device). The force may act to hold the housing and socket in a fully engaged state. The components may be fixed to the device, for example by screws or adhesive. Similarly, the components may have a mass of at least 50g, at least 100g, or at least 200g. For example, the components may be a battery, a fan, a transformer, or a heatsink, for example, a heatsink having a cooling surface that contacts the surface of the device.

[0068] Having described various embodiments of this disclosure from a general perspective, we will now clarify the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0069] Figures 1A and 1B schematically show, for example, the connector 100 of the first embodiment according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0070] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the connector 100 engages with the device 190 and comprises an elastic material 102, a housing 110, two contact supports 120, 120', two elastic deformation elements 130, 130', a set of two signal transmission components 140, 140', a plurality of contacts 150, 150', and a clamp 160. The connector 100 defines a contact direction D. Each of the elastic deformation elements 130, 130' has the form of a metal strip. The device 190 comprises a printed circuit board 192 having a surface 193. The device 190 comprises a socket 196 mounted on the surface 193 and engaging to mate with a portion of the housing 110. The elastic material 102 elastically supports the contact supports 120, 120' relative to the housing 110 via the signal transmission components 140, 140'. The housing 110 defines a reference plane 112 that is coplanar with the surface 193 when the housing 110 and the socket 196 are fully engaged. As reflected in Figures 1A and 1B, the reference plane 112 does not need to coincide with the surface or other elements of the housing 110. Each contact support 120, 120' comprises its respective alignment structure 122, 122' that abuts against the surface 193 of the printed circuit board 192, and the surface 193 serves as the alignment surface of the device 190. The engagement of the connector 100 and the device 190 results in deformation of the elastic deformation elements 130, 130' when the contact supports 120, 120' move to the second position shown in Figure 1A. The deformation of the elastic deformation elements 130, 130' biases the contact supports 120, 120' in the contact direction D.

[0071] Figure 1B shows the connector 100 of Figure 1A in the unengaged state. The restoring force of the elastic deformation elements 130, 130' returns the contact supports 120, 120' to a first position where the contact supports 120, 120' intersect the reference plane 112, and the contact supports extend across the reference plane 112 by a distance d of at least 20 μm.

[0072] Figure 2 schematically shows, for example, the connector 200 of the second embodiment according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the connector 200 engages with the device 290 and comprises an elastic material 202, a housing 210, two contact supports 220, 220', two elastic deformation elements 230, 230', a set of two signal transmission components 240, 240', a plurality of contacts 250, 250', and a clamp 260. The connector 200 defines a contact direction D. Each of the elastic deformation elements 230, 230' has the form of a metal strip. The signal transmission components 240, 240' are formed as traces on a flexible substrate. The device 290 comprises a printed circuit board 292 having a surface 293. The device 290 comprises a socket 296 mounted on the surface 293 and engaging to mate with a portion of the housing 210. The elastic material 202 elastically supports the contact supports 220, 220' with respect to the housing 210 via the signal transmission components 240, 240'. The housing 210 defines a reference plane 212 that is coplanar with the surface 293 when the housing 210 and the socket 296 are fully engaged. The contact supports 220, 220' each have their respective alignment structures 222, 222' that abut the surface 293 of the printed circuit board 292, and the surface 293 functions as the alignment surface of the device 290. The engagement of the connector 200 and the device 290 results in deformation of the elastic deformation elements 230, 230', which bias the contact supports 220, 220' in the contact direction D, and thus bend the contacts 250, 250', increasing the contact force between the contacts 250, 250' and the surface 293.

[0074] Figure 3 schematically shows, for example, the connector 300 of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, as described above.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the connector 300 engages with the device 390 and comprises a housing 310, a set of two elastic deformation elements 330, 330', two signal transmission components 340, 340', and a clamp 360. The connector 300 defines a contact direction D. The device 390 comprises an integrated circuit 391, a printed circuit board 392, a heat sink 395, and a socket 396. The integrated circuit 391 and the socket 396 are mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 392. The socket 396 engages to mate with the housing 310. The heat sink 395 is mounted on the surface of the integrated circuit 391 and pushes the clamp 360 toward the housing 310 and the socket 396. By pushing the clamp 360 toward the housing 310 and socket 396, the elastic deformation elements 330 and 330' are pressed toward their respective (invisible) contact supports inside the housing 310, and the deformation of the elastic deformation elements 330 and 330' biases the contact supports toward the contact direction D.

[0076] Figure 4 schematically shows, for example, the connector 400 of the fourth embodiment according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0077] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the connector 400 engages with the device 490 and comprises, as shown in cross-section, an elastic material 402, a housing 410, a contact support 420, an elastic deformation element 430, and a signal transmission component 440. The elastic material 402 elastically supports the contact support 420 against the housing 410 via the signal transmission component 440. The elastic deformation element 430 comprises a solid elastomer cylinder positioned in contact between the inner surface of the housing 410 and the contact support 420. The connector 400 defines a contact direction D. The device 490 comprises an integrated circuit 491, a printed circuit board 492, a heat sink 495, and a socket 496. The integrated circuit 491 and the socket 496 are mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 492. The socket 496 engages to mate with the housing 410. The heat sink 495 is mounted on the surface of the integrated circuit 491 and pushes the housing 410 toward the socket 496. By pushing the housing 410 toward the socket 496, the elastic deformation elements 430 are pressed toward each contact support 420, and the deformation of the elastic deformation elements 430 biases the contact support in the contact direction D.

[0078] Figures 5A and 5B schematically show, for example, the connector 500 of the fifth embodiment according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0079] In the embodiments shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the connector 500 engages with the device 590 and comprises an elastic material 502, a housing 510, a contact support 520, an elastic deformation element 530, a signal transmission component 540, a plurality of contacts 550, and a clamp 560. The elastic deformation element 530 comprises a solid elastomer cylinder positioned in contact between the inner surface of the housing 510 and the contact support 420. The connector 500 defines a contact direction D. The device 590 comprises a printed circuit board 592 having a surface 593. The device 590 comprises a socket 596 mounted on the surface 593 and engaging to mate with a portion of the housing 510. The elastic material 502 elastically supports the contact support 520 relative to the housing 510 via the signal transmission component 540. The housing 510 defines a reference plane 512 that is coplanar with the surface 593 when the housing 510 and the socket 596 are fully engaged. The contact support 520 abuts against the surface 593 of the printed circuit board 592, and the surface 593 functions as the alignment surface of the device 590. As reflected in Figures 5A and 5B, the engagement of the connector 500 and the device 590 results in deformation of the elastic deformation element 530, which biases the contact support 520 in the contact direction D, and therefore bends the contact 550, increasing the contact force between the contact 550 and the surface 593.

[0080] Figure 6 schematically shows, for example, the connector 600 of the sixth embodiment according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0081] In the embodiments shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the connector 600 engages with the device 690 and comprises two contact supports 620, 620', two elastic deformation elements 630, 630', a set of two signal transmission components 640, 640', a plurality of contacts 650, 650', and a clamp 660. The connector 600 defines a contact direction D. Each of the elastic deformation elements 630, 630' has the form of a metal strip extending through and supported by the opposing walls of the clamp 660. The device 690 comprises a printed circuit board 692 having a contact area 694. The device 690 comprises a socket 696 mounted on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 692. The housing of the connector 600 (not shown) defines a reference plane that is coplanar with the upper surface of the printed circuit board 692 when the housing and socket 696 are fully engaged. Each of the contact supports 620, 620' is provided with alignment structures 622, 622' that abut the upper surface of the printed circuit board 692, and their upper surfaces function as alignment surfaces of the device 690. The engagement of the connector 600 and the device 690 results in deformation of the elastic deformation elements 630, 630', and this deformation biases the contact supports 620, 620' in the contact direction D.

[0082] Figures 7A to 7C schematically show, for example, the connector 700 of the seventh embodiment according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0083] In the embodiments shown in Figures 7A to 7C, the connector 700 engages with the device 790 and comprises an elastic material 702, a housing 710, a support structure 714, a contact support 720, an elastic deformation element 730, a signal transmission component 740, a plurality of contacts 750, and a clamp 760. The connector 700 defines a contact direction D. The support structure 714 provides an internal surface into which the elastic deformation element 730 abuts. The elastic deformation element 730 comprises a solid elastomer cylinder positioned in abutment between the support structure 714 and the contact support 720. The device 790 comprises a surface 793 and a printed circuit board 792 including a contact area 794 on the surface 793. The device 790 comprises a socket 796 mounted on the surface 793 and engaging to mate with a portion of the housing 710. The elastic material 702 elastically supports the contact support 720 against the housing 710 via the signal transmission component 740. The housing 710 defines a reference plane 712 that is coplanar with the surface 793 when the housing 710 and the socket 796 are fully engaged. The contact support 720 includes an alignment structure 722 that abuts against the surface 793 of the printed circuit board 792, and the surface 793 functions as the alignment surface of the device 790.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7B, the support structure 714 extends through the opposing walls of the clamp 760 and is supported by those opposing walls. The clamp 760 includes a retaining structure 762 that engages with the corresponding retaining structure 797 of the socket 796.

[0085] As reflected in Figures 7A to 7C, the engagement of the connector 700 and the device 790 results in deformation of the elastic deformation element 730, which biases the contact support 720 in the contact direction D. Specifically, the housing 710 fully engages with the socket 796, and the contact support 720 (together with the contact 750) contacts the printed circuit board 792. At this time, the clamp 760 is further bent (reflected by the curvature 754 in Figure 7B) to engage with the corresponding retaining structure 797, pushing the support structure 714 toward the printed circuit board 792, and the elastic deformation element 930 is sandwiched between the support structure 714 and the contact support 720.

[0086] Figures 8A and 8B schematically show details of the connector of the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, as described above, for example.

[0087] More specifically, Figure 8A, which can be used in embodiments of Figures 1, 5, 6, and 7 in particular, shows an assembly 880 comprising a contact support 820, a plurality of contacts 850, and a plurality of signal transmission components 840. In addition to the contact support 820, contacts 850, and signal transmission components 840, the assembly 880 comprises a cable clip 804 bonded to the signal transmission components 840 by thermoplastic resin, a reinforcing member 806, and two guides 808. The contacts 850 are arranged in rows 852 of parallel contacts.

[0088] Figure 8B schematically shows a simplified cross-section along the line 8B-8B in Figure 8A. As shown in Figure 8B, each of the signal transmission components 840 is a twin-axis cable comprising a first signal conductor 844, a second signal conductor 846, reference conductors 842, 842' that shield the signal conductors 844, 846, and an insulator 843 that insulates the signal conductors 844, 846 from each other and from the reference conductor 842. The two reference conductors 842 are soldered to their respective guides 808 and their respective contacts 850 by solder 848. The other two reference conductors 842' are soldered to their respective guides 808 and their respective contacts 850 by solder 848.

[0089] In this disclosure, the verb "~can do" is used to indicate voluntary / non-compulsory behavior. In other words, "~can do" means that it is possible, but not necessary. In this disclosure, the verb "to prepare" can be understood to mean "to include." Therefore, the verb "to prepare" does not exclude the existence of other elements / actions. In this disclosure, relational terms such as "first," "second," "above," "below," and equivalents may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions.

[0090] In this disclosure, the term “any” can be understood as expressing any number of each element, for example, one, at least one, at least two, each or all of each element. Similarly, the term “any” can be understood as expressing any set of each element, for example, one or more sets of each element, where each set may comprise one, at least one, at least two, each or all of each element. Each set does not have to comprise the same number of elements.

[0091] In this disclosure, the expression “at least one” is used to specify any (integer) number or range of (integer) numbers (which are technically reasonable in a given context). Thus, the expression “at least one” can be understood, in particular, as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 100. Similarly, the expression “at least one” can be understood, in particular, as “one or more,” “two or more,” or “five or more.”

[0092] In this disclosure, expressions in parentheses may be understood as optional. As used in this disclosure, quotation marks may be used to emphasize that expressions within quotation marks may also be understood figuratively. As used in this disclosure, quotation marks may be used to identify specific expressions being discussed.

[0093] In this disclosure, many features are described as optional, for example, through the use of the verb "can" or the use of parentheses. For the sake of brevity and readability, this disclosure does not explicitly enumerate all possible combinations and / or permutations that can be obtained by selecting from the set of optional features. However, this disclosure should be interpreted as explicitly disclosing all such combinations / permutations. For example, a system described as having three optional features can be implemented in seven different ways: using only one of the three possible features, using any two of the three possible features, or using all three possible features.

[0094] While various embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the structure, operation, and form of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that each feature of the present invention can be combined in any configuration unless it is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that such combination would not be obviously meaningful, even if it is disclosed only in combination with other features of the present invention. Similarly, the use of singular and plural forms is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Unless the opposite is explicitly stated, the plural can be replaced with the singular and vice versa.

Claims

1. Contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) and A connector (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) comprising elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730), The aforementioned connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) define a contact direction (D), In the deformed state, the elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) exert a force that biases the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) in the contact direction (D). connector.

2. Further equipped with housings (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710), The contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) are characterized by being elastically supported by the housing (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710). The connectors described in claim 1 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

3. Housings (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710) and It further comprises signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840), The signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are fixed to the housing (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710), In the disengaged state of the connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700), the signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are characterized in that they elastically support the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820). The connectors described in claim 1 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

4. In the disengaged state of the connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700), the signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are connected to the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 62 The contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) is supported such that the elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) are in contact with the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) The connectors described in claim 3 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

5. The signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are characterized by being elastically fixed to the housing (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710). The connector according to claim 3 or 4 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

6. The device further comprises a first contact protruding from the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), The first contact is electrically connected to the conductors (842, 842', 844, 846) of the signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840), The protruding length of the first contact is characterized by being less than a length selected from the group consisting of 5 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, and 0.5 mm. The connector according to any one of claims 3 to 5 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

7. The device further comprises a first contact protruding from the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), The protruding length of the first contact is characterized by being less than a length selected from the group consisting of 5 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, and 0.5 mm. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

8. A first contact protruding from the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), The device further comprises a second contact protruding from the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), The first contact is electrically insulated from the second contact. The distance from the central longitudinal axis of the first contact to the central longitudinal axis of the second contact is less than a distance selected from the group consisting of 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, and 0.2 mm. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

9. The protruding length of the first contact is less than a length selected from the group consisting of 5 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, and 0.5 mm, and / or The protruding length of the second contact is characterized by being less than a length selected from the group consisting of 5 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, and 0.5 mm. The connectors described in claim 8 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

10. Connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) and An assembly comprising devices (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 790), The aforementioned devices (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 790) It has a planar surface (193, 293, 593, 793) with contact areas (694, 794), The aforementioned connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) are, Contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) and Elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) and It comprises a first contact protruding from the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), The aforementioned connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) define a contact direction (D), In the deformed state, the elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) exert a force that biases the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) in the contact direction (D). The first contact is characterized by contacting the contact area (694, 794). assembly.

11. Further equipped with housings (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710), The contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) are characterized by being elastically supported by the housing (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710). The assembly according to claim 10.

12. The protruding length of the first contact is characterized by being less than a length selected from the group consisting of 5 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, and 0.5 mm. The assembly according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) are provided with second contacts protruding from the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), The first contact is electrically insulated from the second contact. The distance from the central longitudinal axis of the first contact to the central longitudinal axis of the second contact is less than a distance selected from the group consisting of 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, and 0.2 mm. The assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. Housings (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710) and Contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) and A connector (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) comprising elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730), The aforementioned connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) define reference planes (112, 212, 512, 712), When the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) is in the first position, the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) intersects the reference plane (112, 212, 512, 712), The elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) are characterized in that they suppress the movement of the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) from the first position. connector.

15. It further includes signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840), The signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are fixed to the housing (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710), In the disengaged state of the connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700), the signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are characterized in that they elastically support the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820). The connectors according to claim 14 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

16. In the disengaged state of the connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700), the signal transmission components (140, 140', 240, 240', 340, 340', 440, 540, 640, 640', 740, 840) are connected to the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 62 The contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) is supported such that the elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) are in contact with the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) The connectors according to claim 15 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

17. The contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) comprises an alignment structure (122, 122', 622, 622'), When the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) are in the second position, the alignment structures (122, 122', 622, 622') are aligned with the reference planes (112, 212, 512, 712), The movement of the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) to the second position is characterized in that it results in elastic deformation of the elastic deformation element (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730). A connector according to any one of claims 14 to 16 (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700).

18. Connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) and An assembly comprising devices (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 790), The aforementioned devices (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 790) It has a planar surface (193, 293, 593, 793) with contact areas (694, 794), The aforementioned connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) are, Housings (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710) and Contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) and A first contact protruding from the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820), It comprises elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730), The aforementioned connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) define reference planes (112, 212, 512, 712), When the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) is in the first position, the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) intersects the reference plane (112, 212, 512, 712), The elastic deformation elements (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730) suppress the movement of the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) from the first position. The connectors (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) are characterized in that the reference surfaces (112, 212, 512, 712) are on the same plane as the planar surfaces (193, 293, 593, 793), and the first contacts are connected to the device (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 790) such that they abut the contact areas (694, 794). assembly.

19. The contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) are characterized by being elastically supported by the housing (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710). The assembly according to claim 18.

20. The contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) comprises an alignment structure (122, 122', 622, 622'), When the contact supports (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) are in the second position, the alignment structures (122, 122', 622, 622') are aligned with the reference planes (112, 212, 512, 712), The movement of the contact support (120, 120', 220, 220', 420, 520, 620, 620', 720, 820) to the second position is characterized in that it results in elastic deformation of the elastic deformation element (130, 130', 230, 230', 330, 330', 430, 530, 630, 630', 730). The assembly according to claim 18 or 19.

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