High-speed male-female connector system and its connector

Abstract

Two high-speed, male-female electrical connectors can be connected to form a male-female connector assembly that uses less space than existing connector assemblies. The male-female connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a first housing cover including a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature, each of the first engagement features configured to mate with the second engagement feature. The second connector is generally similar to the first connector and is configured to engage the first connector when rotated 180 degrees relative to the first connector.

Description

High-Speed Hermaphroditic Connector System and Connector Thereof This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 123,486 (“the ’486 application”), filed on December 10, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present invention relates to the field of connectors, and more particularly to hermaphroditic connectors and components suitable for use in high data rate applications. Developing telecommunication systems and network architectures are expected to support higher density and higher bandwidth (while meeting signal integrity requirements) electronic chip-to-chip interconnects with increased flexibility and lower cost. Existing copper-based interconnects (such as connectors) sometimes suffer from significant signal loss from printed circuit boards (PCBs) (e.g., when telecommunications signals must travel on a backplane). Accordingly, there is a desire to provide connectors that address the shortcomings of existing interconnects. In one embodiment, one or more hermaphroditic connectors may be provided to address and overcome some of the shortcomings of existing connectors, wherein two such hermaphroditic connectors may be connected to form a hermaphroditic connector assembly. More specifically, a first exemplary hermaphroditic connector of one or more such connectors may include a first housing shroud configured to receive a first plurality of cables. In addition, the first connector may include one or more integral male mating features and female mating features, each male mating feature configured to mate with a corresponding integral female mating feature of a second housing shroud of a second hermaphroditic connector. Further, each female mating feature of the first connector may be configured to mate with a corresponding integral male mating feature of the second housing shroud to connect the first plurality of cables to a second plurality of cables received by the second housing shroud. Thus, a hermaphroditic connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a first housing shroud including a first mating feature and a second mating feature, each first mating feature configured to be capable of mating with the second mating feature. The second connector is generally similar to the first connector, and the second connector is configured to mate with the first connector when rotated 180 degrees relative to the first connector. In one embodiment, each first connector and each second connector further include a plurality of shields that are U-shaped and formed of a conductive alloy, the shields being inserted into a cavity of the first and second housing shrouds, wherein each shield is connected to a shield layer of a cable, and wherein the plurality of shields are configured such that if two shields are rotated 180 degrees relative to each other, each shield is capable of mating with another such shield. In one embodiment, the second connector has a second housing shield including the first mating feature and the second mating feature, each first mating feature configured to mate with the second mating feature, and the male mating features of the first housing shield and the second housing shield may be configured as a T-shaped rib, while the female mating features of the first housing shield and the second housing shield may be configured as a socket of a T-shaped groove. The first housing shield and the second housing shield may further include additional mating features integral to hold the first connector and the second connector together, wherein the additional mating features of the first connector and the second connector may be disposed on a side adjacent and perpendicular to one side of the two mating feature configurations of a respective housing shield. The exemplary first male-female coaxial connector may further include one or more shields, each shield configured to be electrically grounded and further configured to provide electromagnetic protection for high-speed differential telecommunications signals transmitted by the terminals. Each of the one or more shields of the first male-female coaxial connector is also configured to structurally support the terminals. In one embodiment, each of the one or more shields of the first male-female coaxial connector: (i) may be configured as a U-shaped shield; (ii) may include an opening for receiving solder or another connection material that connects a ground structure (e.g., a flat shielding foil) of a cable (e.g., a coaxial cable) to a respective shield to form a ground path; (iii) may include one or more openings, each opening configured to receive a protrusion of a dielectric component to connect the dielectric component to a respective shield; and (iv) may include a main wall that is electromagnetically shielded and electrically grounded and side walls that are electromagnetically shielded and electrically grounded, wherein the side walls of a respective shield include ends configured to electrically connect a ground structure of a cable to the respective shield, and wherein the ends of a respective shield may be configured to extend inwardly toward the ground structure of the cable to provide a surface at which the respective shield is electrically coupled to the ground structure of the cable and to protect the connection of an electrically conductive tail and conductor from unwanted electromagnetic signals. In one embodiment, the first male-female coaxial connector may further include one or more electrically grounded collars, each collar configured to connect to a ground structure of a cable and to an end of a respective shield to form a ground path. Such grounded collars may be a separate component or may be integral with a shield to connect a respective shield to the ground structure of the cable, thereby forming a ground path. In another embodiment, the first male-female coaxial connector may further include one or more electrically grounded ferrules, each ferrule configured to connect to a respective shield of the first connector and to a ground structure (such as a flat shielding foil) of a cable. Each ferrule may also be configured to provide an electromagnetic protection canopy over a connection of a respective conductive electronic tail to a conductor (hereinafter referred to as "conductor") of the cable to reduce unwanted crosstalk and control the impedance of the connection. Each ferrule may include one or more integral depressions and the respective shield may include one or more integral inward protrusions that connect the ferrule to the shield. In yet another embodiment, each of the one or more shields of a first male-female coaxial connector may include two retaining arms, the two retaining arms being configured to contact a double-shielded wire of a cable to form a ground path. Alternatively, each of the one or more shields may include an opening providing access to the termination of the conductor and the tail of the contact. In such an embodiment, a first male-female coaxial connector may further include one or more conductive micro-clamps (such as formed of a conductive plated plastic), each micro-clamp located over an opening of an adjacent shield to reduce or mitigate unwanted crosstalk. Each micro-clamp may be configured to press a double-shielded wire of a cable against an integral sheet of one of the one or more shields to form a ground path. For example, optionally, each micro-clamp may include a latching mechanism to allow access to the respective connection tail and respective conductor. In some embodiments, a micro-clamp can be configured to engage multiple shields. In addition to the shield, each of the one or more male-female coaxial connectors (such as the first male-female coaxial connector) may further include a conductive structure, wherein each conductive structure may include a respective internal conductor at one end and a respective electrically conductive tail at an opposite end, wherein each respective internal conductor may include an end formed to exert a frictional force when the conductor contacts an internal conductor of a second male-female coaxial connector to form a connection for a high-speed signal path. Each of the one or more shields of the first male-female coaxial connector may include an electromagnetically shielded and electrically grounded wall, sidewall, end, or arm, the electromagnetically shielded and electrically grounded wall, sidewall, end, or arm being configured to contact an electromagnetically shielded and electrically grounded wall, sidewall, end, or arm of a shield of the second connector to form an electrically grounded path between the first connector and the second connector and to protect a connection between the first connector and the second connector from unwanted electromagnetic signals. In one embodiment, the foregoing first housing shield may include a plurality of cavities, each cavity configured to hold and support one of the one or more shields and a plurality of terminals, and wherein each cavity may also be configured to provide an open space filled with air acting as a dielectric to reduce potential crosstalk between adjacent terminals. In still other embodiments, each of the one or more shields may include deformable conductive fingers that can electromagnetically shield at least the terminals and are configured to be electrically grounded. In one embodiment, each tail of a conductive structure may be configured to connect to a conductor to be able to transmit high-speed telecommunications signals (such as 112 Gbps or between 112 Gbps and 224 Gbps). Additionally, each tail may be configured with one or more corrugated edges each including one or more teeth, wherein (i) a width of each tail may vary along a connected length where the tail is connected to a conductor to control an impedance of the connection between the tail and the conductor and avoid unwanted electrical crosstalk; (ii) each tail may include one or more peak portions and one or more valley portions that connect the tail to the conductor; (iii) a width of a valley portion may be different from one valley portion to another and a width of a peak portion may vary by 10% or 20% from one peak portion to another; and (iv) each corrugated edge may be circular, rectangular, diamond-shaped, or other shapes to improve the connection of a respective tail to a respective conductor. Further, one or more of the peak portions may be configured to guide a conductor onto a tail. More specifically, one or more of the peak portions may be configured as a hook to guide the conductor onto the tail. It should be noted that the first male-female integrated connector may be connected to the second male-female integrated connector, and the connected first male-female integrated connector and the second male-female integrated connector may include a male-female integrated connector assembly. The brevity and clarity in the illustration and description seek to enable those skilled in the art to effectively manufacture, use, and best practice the invention in view of what is known in the art. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations can be made to the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative and exemplary, rather than restrictive or all-encompassing, and all such modifications to the specific embodiments described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Further, unless otherwise stated, the features disclosed herein may be combined together to form additional combinations not otherwise described or shown for the purpose of brevity. It should also be noted that more than one exemplary embodiment may be described in terms of a method or process. Although a method or process may be described in an exemplary order (i.e., sequentially), it should be understood that such a method or process may also be performed in parallel, concurrently, or synchronously. In addition, the order of the various forming steps within a method or process may be rearranged. An illustrated method or process may terminate upon completion and may also include additional steps not described herein, for example, if known to those skilled in the art. As used herein, the terms "high speed" and "high data rate" may be used interchangeably. As used herein, the term "embodiment" or "exemplary" refers to an example that falls within the scope of the present invention. Figures 1 to 4 illustrate two exemplary hermaphroditic high-density high-bandwidth connectors 1a, 1b (i.e., first and second connectors), which may provide increased flexibility and lower cost among other things when compared to existing connectors. For example (see Figure 5), when connected together, the two connectors 1a, 1b may be referred to as a hermaphroditic connector assembly 1c. As shown, each connector 1a, 1b may include a respective housing shroud 2a, 2b, which can be formed of an insulating material, configured to receive a plurality of electrical or electronic conductive cables 5a, 5b (e.g., twinaxial cables) and connect each cable 5a, 5b to an enclosed and protected internal conductive component. Although each connector 1a, 1b is shown receiving its respective electrical cable 5a, 5b, it should be noted that the connectors 1a, 1b are typically devices independent of the connected cables 5a, 5b. In other words, Figures 1 to 4 show a view of the connectors 1a, 1b in use (i.e., connected to the cables 5a, 5b). In one embodiment, each of the two connectors 1a, 1b may be overmolded onto a respective sheet body structure that may include a plurality of conductors to physically support the plurality of conductors and provide stress relief for the connection of the cables to a housing shroud 2a, 2b. As previously mentioned, each connector 1a, 1b may receive a respective plurality of cables 5a, 5b. For ease of reference, the cable 5a received by the connector 1a may be referred to herein as a "first" plurality of cables, while the cable 5b may be referred to herein as a "second" plurality of cables. In one embodiment, the housing shroud 2a of the connector 1a may be configured to receive the first plurality of cables 5a, and the housing shroud 2b of the connector 1b may be configured to receive the second plurality of cables 5b. For example, each of the connectors 1a, 1b may include one or more respective male and female mating features formed as part of (i.e., integral with) respective housing shields 2a, 2b. A single first and second set of mating features for each of the housing shields 2a, 2b is shown in FIGS. 1-4, it being noted that this is exemplary and more than one set may be employed, as the configuration of the male-female integral housing shield mating features can vary as desired. More particularly, in one embodiment, the housing shield 2a of connector 1a (sometimes referred to as a "first" housing shield) may include a first mating feature 3a that may be configured to mate with a corresponding second mating feature 3b of housing shield 2b (sometimes referred to as a "second" housing shield). Additionally, a second mating feature 3aa of connector 1a may be configured to mate with the first mating feature 3bb of housing shield 2b of connector 1b (see FIG. 6). Thus, as will be appreciated, each of the connectors 1a, 1b can have a first mating feature and a second mating feature configured to respectively engage the second and first mating features of a pair of mating connectors. As will be described in more detail herein, in one embodiment, the corresponding first and second mating features may be configured to mate with each other to connect connector 1a to connector 1b and thereby facilitate the connection of a first plurality of cables 5a received by the first housing shield 2a to a second plurality of cables 5b received by the second housing shield 2b. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the first mating features 3a, 3bb may be configured as "T"-shaped ribs, while the second mating features 3b, 3aa may be configured as "T"-shaped slots. However, it should be understood that the "T"-shaped ribs and "T"-shaped slots are merely illustrative and other shapes may be used to align and connect one connector to another. In one embodiment, to align and connect connectors 1a, 1b, respective "T"-shaped rib first mating features 3a, 3bb may be inserted into respective "T"-shaped slot second mating features 3b, 3aa (and vice versa). Additionally, as will be described in more detail elsewhere herein, the respective ribs and slots also align the respective internal terminals 7a, 7b of the respective connectors 1a, 1b to enable high-speed telecommunications signals (e.g., 112 Gbps) to be transmitted or conducted from cable 5a to cable 5b (and vice versa). It should be understood that for each connector, the first and second mating features may be located on opposite sides of each of the connectors 1a, 1b. That is, although FIGS. 1-4 only show one side of connectors 1a, 1b. For example (see FIG. 6), if both sides were shown, the first and second mating features of each of the connectors 1a, 1b would be seen on opposite sides. Since each of the connectors 1a, 1b has a first mating feature and a second mating feature and two such connectors 1a, 1b can be mated together, such connectors 1a, 1b can both be referred to as hermaphroditic connectors. FIGS. 3 and 4 also show additional mating features 4a, 4b that together form a mating feature set 4ab, and the mating features 4a, 4b can be integral with respective housing shields 2a, 2b and help to align and control the mating of the two connectors 1a, 1b. As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, the two connectors 1a, 1b can be the same but rotated only 180 degrees so that they can mate with each other. As shown, the mating features 4a, 4b are provided laterally so that when the two connectors 1a, 1b are mated together, a fully protected mating interface can be provided. Thus, the mating feature 4a can be fitted into the mating feature 4b. Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary connector 1a is shown. What can be seen from this view is that each exemplary connector 1a can include one or more electrically grounded shields 8a, and the shields 8a can be formed of a desired alloy, often copper-based, wherein each shield 8a is configured to act as an electrical ground to provide a ground path for common-mode energy and is also configured to shield unwanted electromagnetic signals (such as radio frequency (RF) signals) from high-speed differential signals transmitted by corresponding internal terminals 7a within each shield 8a. Additionally, each shield 8a can be further configured to structurally support the respective terminals 7a and chicklets 6a that can be located inside the multiple walls of each shield 8a. Now referring to FIG. 8, a simplified view of multiple respective shields 8a and their respective terminals 7a, each located within one of a plurality of respective openings or cavities 23a, is shown. The openings or cavities 23a are formed by respective walls 24a (such as four walls) of the housing shield 2a. For example, as shown, the housing shield 2a can include multiple cavities 23a, and each cavity 23a is configured to hold and support a respective shield 8a and terminal 7a. In one embodiment, for example, a set of walls 24a can support and align a respective shield 8a and terminal 7a and isolate each of the respective shield 8a and terminal 7a from other shields 8a and conductors from the same connector 1a. Additionally, in one embodiment, each formed cavity 23a can be configured to provide an air region on one or more sides of the shield 8a, and this air region can help to modify the dielectric constant of the connector system to help improve signal integrity. FIG. 9 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the connection of connectors 1a, 1b, showing, among other things, that each respective connector 1a, 1b can be configured with conductive structures 27a that can be the same but in opposite orientations in each connector so as to be dockable together. As can be appreciated, each tail 10a is at one end of the terminal 7a. In multiple embodiments, each respective tail 10a of connector 1a can be connected to a conductor 11a (hereinafter "cable" conductor) of a cable 5a that can transmit a high-speed differential signal, and each respective tail 10b of connector 1b can be connected to a conductor 11b of a cable 5b that can transmit a high-speed differential signal. In addition, when connectors 1a, 1b are connected in this way to form a male-female co-body assembly 1c, a respective terminal 7a of connector 1a can be connected to a respective terminal 7a of connector 1b. Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there are shown enlarged views of an exemplary shield 8a and the components it can protect and support. In one embodiment, each shield 8a of connector 1a can be configured as a U-shaped shield to help support and protect the respective terminals 7a and daughter board 6a. For example, in one embodiment, the terminal 7a can be connected to a respective shield 8a using a molding process. In addition, when a frictional force is applied when the terminal 7a is in physical contact with a conductor (such as terminal 7b) of another connector (such as connector 1b, see FIGS. 9 and 32 to 34) to form a connected high-speed signal path, each terminal 7a can include an end formed in an "elbow" shape (i.e., bent). Each shield 8a can include fingers 9a that can be deformed (flexible) and can help shield at least the terminal 7a when the terminal 7a of one connector (such as connector 1a) is in physical contact with a conductor (such as terminal 7b) of another connector (such as connector 1b; see FIGS. 9 and 32 to 34) to form a connection. The fingers 9a can also be configured as an electrical grounding structure to provide a grounding path (see FIG. 33). For example, in one embodiment, the respective fingers 9a of connector 1a can include a deformable structure configured to contact a corresponding structure of the shield 8a in a mating connector (such as connector 1b) to form (and maintain) an electrical grounding path (see FIGS. 33 and 34). Such a connection can occur when connector 1a is connected to connector 1b to form a male-female co-body assembly 1c (such as see FIGS. 5 and 9). FIG. 10 also shows the tail 10a, which is also shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, to which we now also refer. Figures 12 and 13 show simplified views of the connection of an exemplary set of conductive tails 10a (hereinafter "tails") of the connector 1a to a set of conductors 11a (such as high-speed differential biaxial conductors) of the cable 5a. Figure 12 shows a top view of such a connection, while Figure 13 shows a bottom view of the same connection. In Figures 12 and 13, the shield 8a (which can protect the internal terminals 7a, daughter board 6a, and the connection between the tails 10a and the conductors 11a) is not shown to enable the reader to see the internal features, but it should be noted that a shield 8a is employed in these embodiments (see Figure 14). As shown, the tail 10a can be located at the end of the shield 8a opposite to the terminal 7a. As can also be recognized, the cable 5a includes a shielding layer 13a and a flat screened wire 16, and it will be understood that other configurations of the biaxial cable can be employed and will be discussed later. Although only one shield 8a, one set of terminals 7a, and one cable 5a including the conductors 11a are shown, it should be noted that the respective shields 8a, terminals 7a, and cables 5a / conductors 11a that constitute or are connected to the connector 1a can be shown in a similar manner. Continuing, for example, in one embodiment, when the respective conductors 11a of the exemplary cable 5a are connected to the respective tails 10a of the connector 1a through a welding process, an exemplary cable 5a can form a connection with the connector 1a for transmitting high-speed differential signals. For example, in one embodiment, one conductor 11a can overlap and connect to one tail 10a (and vice versa) to ensure that the high-speed electrical signals (such as 112 Gbps signals, signals between 112 Gbps and 224 Gbps) transmitted on the conductor 11a can continue to be transmitted through the tail 10a and ultimately reach the terminal 7a. As mentioned before, the respective conductive tails 10a of the connector 1a can be an end portion of a conductive structure 27a that also includes an internal terminal 7a (see Figure 9). In addition to connecting the differential high-speed signal conductors 11a to the tails 10a of the connector 1a, a shielding layer 13a of the cable 5a can also be connected to the connector 1a. For example, referring to Figure 14, a shield 8a is shown. The shield 8a can include an opening 12a for receiving solder or another connection material 12ab. The solder or another connection material 12ab connects the shielding layer 13a and the screened wire 16 of a cable 5a (such as a differential high-speed signal cable) to the shield 8a to form a ground path and electrically connect the screened wire 16, the shield 8a, and the shielding layer 13 together. FIG. 14 also shows an example of how an exemplary shield 8a can support a daughter board 6a. In one embodiment, the shield 8a may include one or more openings 14aa, each opening 14aa configured to receive a protrusion 14ab of the daughter board 6a to connect the daughter board 6a to the shield 8a, thereby fixing the daughter board 6a to the shield 8a to provide structural support and stability to the daughter board 6a. FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of an exemplary connection of the tail 10a and the conductor 11a. As shown, the overlapping connected tails 10a and conductor 11a may be located within a main wall 20a of the shield 8a (shown on the bottom side of the conductor 11a in FIG. 15) and two side walls 15a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, each of the two side walls 15a may include respective ends 21a, the ends 21a configured to electrically connect the shield layer 13a of the cable 5a to the shield 8a. Additionally, the ends 21a may be configured to extend inwardly (i.e., bend towards the shield layer 13a of the cable 5a), but this is merely exemplary. The inwardly formed ends 21a of the side walls 15a may provide surfaces (troughs) at which the shield 8a may be electrically coupled (e.g., via solder or a conductive adhesive) to the shield layer 13a of the cable 5a. Such an arrangement allows the two side walls 15a and the main wall 20a to help provide a transition from the common-mode coupling between the conductor 10a and the shield layer 13a to the common-mode coupling between the terminal 7a and the shield 8a, while also providing shielding to reduce potential crosstalk from adjacent terminals. Now referring to FIGS. 16 to 18, embodiments of alternative structures and methods for connecting a shield to a conductor of a cable (e.g., a twinaxial cable) (and vice versa) are shown. As shown in FIG. 16, an electrically conductive grounded ferrule 5ab may be attached (e.g., clamped, soldered, connected using a conductive adhesive) to the shield layer 13a of the cable 5a and the screened wire 16. Thereafter, the inward ends 21a of the side walls 15a of the shield 8a may be connected (e.g., welded or soldered) to the ferrule 5ab to form a ground path connection (see FIG. 17). In FIGS. 16 and 17, the ferrule 5ab is shown as a separate component. However, in yet another embodiment, a ferrule may be formed as an integral part of a shield. For example, in FIG. 18, a ferrule 8ab is shown as an integral part of, for example, the shield 8a. The ferrule 8ab of the shield 8a may be connected (e.g., welded, soldered) to the shield layer 13a of the cable 5a to form a ground path connection. The ferrule 8ab can also engage the screened wire 16. Now referring to FIGS. 19 to 22, embodiments of additional alternative structures and methods for connecting a shield to a cable (e.g., a twinaxial cable) are shown. As shown in FIG. 19, a ground electrical ferrule 5ac can be connected (e.g., clamped, soldered, connected using a conductive adhesive) to a shield layer 13a of a cable 5a. Additionally, in one embodiment, to connect the ferrule 5ac to an exemplary shield 8a to complete a ground path, for example, one or more sets of mating inward protrusions and inward depressions can be employed. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 - 22, the ferrule 5ac can include one or more integral depressions 5ad, and the shield 8a can include one or more integral inward protrusions 5ae. It will be understood that this is merely exemplary (e.g., the protrusions can be outward and integral with the ferrule and the depressions can be outward and integral with the shield). Accordingly, by applying a force to the shield 8a or the ferrule 5ac to force each of one or more protrusions 5ae into at least one of one or more depressions 5ad (and vice versa), the shield 8a can be connected to the ferrule 5ac. Thereafter, additional connection methods (e.g., soldering, laser welding, or mechanical clamping, conductive adhesives, etc.) can be employed to further connect the ferrule 5ac to the shield 8a. For example, compared to the ferrules 5ab, 8ab shown in FIGS. 16 - 18, the ferrule 5ac can have a larger size along its length than the ferrules 5ab, 8ab to contact a conductor 11a over a longer length and larger area of the conductor 11a. By doing so, it is believed that the ferrule 5ac can be more firmly attached to the conductor 11a. Additionally, by configuring the ferrule 5ac to have a longer length (along the axis of the conductor 11a), the ferrule 5ac can extend beyond the end of the conductor 11a (and its shield layer 13a), thereby providing an electromagnetic protection "canopy" over the overlapping connection of the tail 10a and the conductor 11a, which can help reduce unwanted crosstalk and control the impedance of such a connection. It is believed that the addition of the ferrules 5ab, 8ab or the ferrule 5ac can increase the structural rigidity of the termination of a cable 5a to a terminal 7a and can provide a beneficial surface that helps facilitate electrical connection to the shield 8a. It should be understood that when a cable (e.g., cable 5a or 5b) includes a ground structure different from that shown in FIGS. 14 - 22, such a ground structure can also be connected to an exemplary shield (e.g., shield 8a or 8b) of a connector (e.g., connector 1a or 1b) to maintain an electrical ground path. For example, referring now to FIGS. 23 through 25, an exemplary cable 5a having a bilateral shield wire 13ab is shown. In one embodiment, to electrically and physically connect an exemplary shield 8a to the bilateral shield wire 13ab, the shield 8a may include two holding arms 21ab, where the two holding arms 21ab may be configured in a bracket configuration to electrically and physically contact the shield 8a and / or the exposed bilateral shield wire 13ab, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. Although each holding arm 21ab may frictionally contact a bilateral shield wire 13ab to form a ground path connection between the shield 8a of the connector 1a and the cable 5a, such a connection may also include solder, laser welding, or an adhesive coating to further secure the holding arm 21ab to the corresponding bilateral shield wire 13ab. Another embodiment for connecting a cable (such as a coaxial cable) to a terminal is shown in FIGS. 26 through 29. FIGS. 26 and 27 show a top view and a bottom view of an exemplary shield 8a and an exemplary cable 5a having a bilateral shield wire 13ab. In one embodiment, to electrically connect the tail 10a to the conductor 11a of the cable 5a, an exemplary shield 8a may be configured with an opening 8ac. For example, in one embodiment, the opening 8ac may employ a resistance welding process to connect the conductor 11a to the tail 10a. However, the presence of an opening may increase unwanted crosstalk. Accordingly, the inventors provide exemplary structures and techniques that can reduce unwanted crosstalk, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. As shown, a conductive micro-clamp 26ab (such as made of a conductive plated plastic) may be located over the connected tail 10a and conductor 11a (the latter being hidden from this view), and when aligned with another shield 8a, the micro-clamp 26ab blocks the opening 8ac to reduce or mitigate the potential impact of unwanted crosstalk. In FIG. 29, for example, in one embodiment, the micro-clamp 26ab may be configured to press the bilateral shield wire 13ab against an integral sheet 5af of the grounded shield 8a to form a ground path. In one embodiment, the micro-clamp 26ab may include a latching mechanism (not shown) to allow the connected tail 10a and conductor 11a to enter via the opening 8ac if desired. Additionally, for example, the micro-clamp 26ab may be further secured to the connected tail 10a and / or conductor 11a during a thin sheet overmolding process. Referring now to FIG. 30, in one embodiment, each exemplary tail 10a may be configured with one or more corrugated edges including one or more depressions. As shown, the exemplary tail 10a may include a plurality of corrugated edges 16a, each edge 16a having one or more depressions 17a (i.e., trough portions). Accordingly, the width wt of the tail 10a 1 along the connected length Lt of the tail 10a 1 varies (to provide a so-called "skirted" tail). The inventors have found that by varying the length Lt along which the tail 10a is connected 1 the width of, the impedance of the connection between the corresponding tail 10a and the conductor 11a can be better controlled. This helps to provide a more consistent impedance along the signal path and thus helps to improve the signal integrity of the system without widening the distance d between the sidewall 15a of the shield 8a and the tail 10a 1 (which in turn can widen the entire distance between the opposite sidewalls 15a of the shield 8a and thus, disadvantageously, increase the area enclosed by the connector 1a). In addition, varying the width of a tail 10a allows for additional surface area to ensure a reliable connection between the conductor 11a and the tail 10a. For example, although the skirted tail 10a may include narrow-width trough portions 17a (i.e., depressions), the skirted tail 10a also includes peak portions 18a that are wide enough to connect the tail 10a to the conductor 11a (e.g., via welding) to avoid problems associated with variations in the positioning of the conductor 11a within the cable 5a. In summary, it is believed that the skirted tail 10a provides sufficient electrical performance for the connection of a tail 10a and a conductor 11a without sacrificing the size or mechanical integrity of the connection (of the connector 1a). In various embodiments, the minimum width of a trough portion 17a and / or a peak portion 18a can depend on the width (i.e., wire gauge) of a conductor 11a to be connected (e.g., welded) to the tail 10a, where the minimum width is approximately equal to or slightly less than the width of the conductor 11a. Although the tail 10a is shown in the figures as including the same consistent width for each trough portion 17a and the same consistent width for each peak portion 18a (but with different widths for the trough portion 17a and the peak portion 18a), this is merely exemplary. Alternatively, the width of each trough portion 17a can vary from one trough portion 17a to another. Similarly, for a given tail 10a, the width of each peak portion 18a can vary from one peak portion 18a to another. For example, the width of the trough portion and / or peak portion of a given tail can vary along the connected length Lt of a tail 1Increase or decrease from part to part (e.g., the trough part and / or the peak part can be wider the closer they are to a cable). Also, the widths of the respective trough parts and peak parts can have different widths that vary from part to part along the connected length to reduce the impedance of a connection or otherwise optimize the electrical and / or mechanical reliability of the connection. Similarly, although the shape of the edge 16a of the peak part 18a and the trough part 17a is circular in the figure, this is only exemplary. Alternatively, the shape of the edge 16a of the trough part 17a and / or the peak part 18a can be rectangular, diamond-shaped, or other shapes to improve the electrical and / or mechanical performance of the connection between a tail and a conductor. In multiple embodiments, the longitudinal distance d 2 between the tops of the respective peak parts 18a and between the bottoms of the respective trough parts 17a 3 (i.e., the spacing) can be consistent, the same, or can vary along the connected length. For example, a distance d 2 between the tops of the respective peak parts 18a and between the bottoms of the respective trough parts 17a 3 can gradually increase or decrease along the connected length Lt 1 of the tail. Also, a distance d 2 between the tops of the respective peak parts 18a and between the bottoms of the respective trough parts 17a 3 can vary from part to part along the connected length Lt 1 of the tail (from the top of one peak part 18a to the top of another peak part 18a, or from the bottom of one trough part 17a to the bottom of another trough part 17a) (e.g., the trough part and / or the peak part can be wider the closer they are to a cable). Also, the distance d 2 between the respective tops and bottoms of the respective trough and peak parts 3 can vary from one part to another along the connected length Lt 1 of the tail (i.e., the lengths between the respective tops of the peak parts are not similar and / or the lengths between the respective bottoms of the trough parts are not similar) to reduce the impedance of a connection or otherwise optimize the electrical and / or mechanical reliability of the connection. Further, one or more in the peak portion of a tail can be shaped or otherwise configured to guide a conductor on the tail during a connection process. For example, referring to FIG. 31, an exemplary tail 10a is shown including a hook-shaped portion 19a configured to guide the conductor 11a on the surface of the tail 10a to more easily manage the alignment of the tail 10a and the conductor 11a. Additionally, such a hook-shaped portion 19a can also help prevent the conductor 11a from moving during the connection (e.g., welding, overmolding) of the conductor 11a to the tail 10a, thereby resulting in a reliable connection. Although the components (and their connections) of one connector 1a are shown in FIGS. 9 to 31, it should be noted that the connector 1b can have the same features because in most cases the connector 1b will be a copy of the connector 1a but rotated 180 degrees. Accordingly, as described above, the connectors 1a, 1b can be connected together to form a male-female coaxial connector assembly 1c. Now referring to FIGS. 32 to 34, views are shown of an exemplary connection of the terminals 7a of a connector 1a and the terminals 7b of a connector 1b and an exemplary connection of a shield 8a of the connector 1a and a shield 8b of the connector 1b. Although only two respective terminals 7a, 7b and one respective shield 8a, 8b of each respective connector 1a, 1b are shown, it should be noted that one or more (e.g., all) of the respective terminals 7a, 7b and shields 8a, 8b of the connectors 1a, 1b can be connected in a similar manner. In FIG. 32, the shield 8a is not shown to illustrate how the internal terminals 7a can contact each other to form a connected high-speed signal path, while in FIGS. 33 and 34, the shield 8a is shown. In FIG. 34, the shield 8a is shown as transparent, but this is only illustrative to enable the reader to again see how the internal terminals 7a can contact each other to form a connected high-speed signal path. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 34, each of the respective terminals 7a of the connector 1b can be positioned overlappingly on a terminal 7a of the connector 1a (and vice versa) such that the terminals 7a physically and electrically contact to form a connected high-speed signal path. The shown configuration can provide dual contact points and the desired degree of wiping without providing a large stub that is electrically undesirable. As can be seen in FIG. 33, the conductor 11a can be located within two shields 8a that are electromagnetic shielded and electrically grounded and that can physically and electrically contact each other, for example at point 22, to form (and maintain) an electrically grounded path, for example, between the connectors 1a, 1b, where each shield 8a can include a main wall, side walls, ends, and / or arms. For example, the shields 8a are thus configured to help control the impedance of the connection, the coupling between the signal path and the ground path, and to protect the connection from unwanted electromagnetic signals (e.g., crosstalk) from adjacent or nearby conductors. The inventors believe that, for example, the connectors and connector assemblies disclosed herein can employ 75% or less of the space of existing connectors / connector assemblies while enabling the transmission of high-speed differential signals (e.g., 112Gbps PAM4 and potentially 224Gbps PAM4) without sacrificing electrical or mechanical performance (e.g., extremely low crosstalk, tightly impedance controlled, low common-mode conversion) and at a lower cost due to reduced tooling costs and fewer components compared to existing connectors and connector assemblies. Although the benefits, advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that any component that causes or results in such benefits, advantages, or solutions or makes such benefits, advantages, or solutions more apparent should not be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims attached to the invention or obtained from the invention. In addition, the present disclosure illustrates features by way of specific, exemplary embodiments. However, upon reading the present invention, many additional embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to and be contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art and are intended to be covered by the present invention and the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention includes all such additional embodiments, modifications, and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the appended claims as are permitted under applicable law. In addition, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by the context, any combination of the above-described components in all possible variations thereof is covered by the present invention. 1a: Connector 1b: Connector 1c: Connector assembly 2a: Housing shield 2b: Housing shield 3a: First engagement feature 3bb: First engagement feature 3b: Second engagement feature 3aa: Second engagement feature 4a: Engagement feature 4b: Engagement feature 4ab: Engagement feature group 5a: Cable 5b: Cable 5ab: Ferrule 5ac: Ferrule 5ad: Depression 5ae: Protrusion 5af: Plate 6a: Daughter board 7a: Terminal 7b: Terminal 8a: Shield 8b: Shield 8ab: Ferrule 8ac: Opening 9a: Finger 10a: Tail 10b: Tail 11a: Conductor 11b: Conductor 12a: Opening 12ab: Connecting material 13a: Shield layer 13ab: Double-sided shielded wire 14aa: Opening 14ab: Protrusion 15a: Side wall 16: Shielded wire 16a: Edge 17a: Trough portion 18a: Crest portion 19a: Hook portion 20a: Main wall 21a: End 21ab: Holding arm 22: Point 23a: Hole portion 24a: Wall 26ab: Micro clip 27a: Conductive structure d1: Distance d2: Distance d3: Distance Lt1: Length wt1: Width The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited to the figures, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in which: FIG. 1 shows an isometric side view of an exemplary hermaphroditic high-density high-bandwidth connector system in an un-mated state; FIG. 2 shows another isometric side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows another isometric side view of the connector system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows another isometric side view of the connector system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows an isometric side view of the connector system shown in FIG. 1 but in a mated state; FIG. 6 shows two exemplary hermaphroditic high-density high-bandwidth connectors that can be configured to form an exemplary connector assembly; FIG. 7 shows an isometric side cut-away view of an exemplary hermaphroditic connector; FIG. 8 shows a simplified isometric side view of a housing shield of an exemplary hermaphroditic connector; FIG. 9 shows an isometric side cut-away view of the connection of an exemplary hermaphroditic connector; FIGS. 10 and 11 show enlarged isometric side views of an exemplary shield and some components protected and supported by the shield; FIG. 12 shows an isometric side simplified view of an exemplary connection of a tail to a conductor of a cable (e.g., a high-speed (112 gigabits per second (Gbps) to 224 Gbps) differential twinaxial conductor); FIG. 13 shows another isometric side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 shows an example of how a shield can support the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 among other features; FIG. 15 shows an isometric side view of a combination of an embodiment of a tail connected to a conductor of a twinaxial cable and a shield; FIG. 16 shows a simplified isometric side view of an alternative embodiment of a structure for a shield layer that can be used to connect to a twinaxial cable; FIG. 17 shows an isometric side view of the structure shown in FIG. 16, showing an embodiment of a cable and terminal arrangement; FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the shield shown; FIGS. 19 to 22 show additional alternative structures and methods for embodiments for connecting a shield to a cable (e.g., a twinaxial cable); FIGS. 23 to 25 show an exemplary connection of a double-sided shielded wire of an electrical cable to a shield; FIGS. 26 to 29 show embodiments for connecting a cable (e.g., a twinaxial cable) to a shield and a tail; FIG. 30 shows an enlarged view of an exemplary connection of a cable (e.g., a twinaxial cable) to a shield and a tail; FIG. 31 shows an exemplary tail having a portion shaped to direct an electrical conductor of a cable, among other things, on the surface of the tail; and FIGS. 32 to 34 show exemplary views of an exemplary connection of a tail of one connector to a tail of another connector. 1a: Connector 1b: Connector 2a: Housing shield 2b: Housing shield 3a: First engagement feature 3b: Second engagement feature 4ab: Engagement feature set 5a: Cable 6a: Daughter board

Claims

1. A connector system, comprising: A first connector has a housing that, when rotated relative to a second connector that is mated to the first connector, is configured to engage with the second connector. The housing includes a plurality of terminals located among a plurality of conductive shielding elements, each terminal including a tail portion. Each of the plurality of shielding elements includes a U-shaped shielding element integrally formed with the shielding element, the shielding element being configured to engage with a shielding layer of a corresponding cable among a plurality of cables. The shielding element defines a protected area at the overlap connection of the tail portion of the plurality of terminals and the conductor of the corresponding cable among the plurality of cables. The shielding element generally surrounds the shielding layer. The plurality of shielding elements are located in a corresponding cavity among a plurality of cavities in the housing. Each cavity among the plurality of cavities defines an air region on one or more sides of the corresponding shielding element that can affect the dielectric constant of the first connector.

2. The connector system as described in claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of terminals further includes a contact portion having an elbow-shaped end, and each of the plurality of shields further includes a plurality of fingers, wherein the plurality of fingers are configured to provide an electrical grounding structure that provides a grounding path.

3. The connector system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The clamps of the plurality of shielding components are connected to a corresponding cable among the plurality of cables by at least one of clamping, fusion welding or soldering.

4. The connector system as described in claim 1, wherein, The plurality of shielding elements further includes a plurality of sidewalls, the plurality of sidewalls having inwardly formed ends, the ends having surfaces, and a corresponding shielding element among the plurality of shielding elements being electrically bonded to a shielding layer of a corresponding cable among the plurality of cables on the surface.

5. The connector system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of shielding elements further includes a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls having a sub-plate therein, the sub-plate having a protrusion in an opening of a corresponding shielding element among the plurality of shielding elements.

6. The connector system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, It also includes a second connector that is male and female to the first connector, the second connector being configured to engage with the first connector when rotated 180 degrees relative to the first connector; wherein the first connector includes a first engagement feature configured to engage with a second engagement feature corresponding to the second connector; and wherein the first connector further includes a second engagement feature configured to engage with a first engagement feature corresponding to the second connector.

7. A connector comprising: A single, male-female housing; multiple conductive shielding components; A plurality of terminals are located within a plurality of shielding members, each of the plurality of terminals including a tail portion; and a plurality of recesses are located within the male-female housing, wherein the plurality of shielding members are positioned in a corresponding recess among the plurality of recesses, wherein each of the plurality of recesses defines an air region on one or more sides of the corresponding shielding member that can affect the dielectric constant of the connector; wherein each of the plurality of shielding members includes a clamp configured to engage with a corresponding cable among the plurality of cables, the clamp defining a protected region at the overlap connection between the tail portion of the plurality of terminals and the conductor of the corresponding cable among the plurality of cables.

8. The connector as described in claim 7, wherein, Each of the plurality of cavities is defined by the four walls of the androgynous shell, wherein the plurality of cavities are arranged in one or more rows in the androgynous shell to accommodate a sheet body.

9. The connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The clamp defines a protected area at the overlapping connection point between one tail of one of the plurality of terminals and one conductor of one of the plurality of cables.

10. The connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The hoop is integrally formed with one of the corresponding shielding components among the plurality of shielding components. The hoop is connected to a shielding layer of a shielded wire of a corresponding cable among the plurality of cables by clamping, welding or using a conductive adhesive.

11. The connector as described in claim 7, wherein, The plurality of shielding elements are U-shaped, and each of the plurality of shielding elements further includes a plurality of sidewalls, the plurality of sidewalls having inwardly formed ends, the ends having surfaces, and a corresponding shielding element of the plurality of shielding elements being electrically bonded to a shielding layer of a corresponding cable of the plurality of cables on the surface.

12. The connector as described in claim 7, wherein, The hoop includes an integral recess, and one of the plurality of shielding elements includes a protrusion that is integrally inwardly connected to the recess.

13. The connector as described in claim 7, wherein: The tail of each of the plurality of terminals engages with a corresponding conductor of the plurality of cables; and the clamp of a corresponding shield of the plurality of shields extends beyond one end of the corresponding conductor to provide a protective canopy at the overlapping connection of the corresponding tail and the corresponding conductor.

14. The connector as described in claim 7, wherein, Each of the plurality of cables includes a double-sided shielded wire, and each of the plurality of shields includes a retaining arm electrically and physically connected to the double-sided shielded wire, wherein the retaining arm forms a grounding path connection between a corresponding shield and a corresponding cable among the plurality of cables.

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