Backplane electrical connector apparatus and method

Abstract

An electrical connector comprising, an electrically insulative housing, the electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face, a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing, a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors, and a forward biasing means extending from the opposed rear face of the electrically insulative housing, wherein a line drawn through a first biasing center of one biasing member of the forward biasing means and a first cable center of one or the plurality of electrical cables does not intersect a second biasing center of a second biasing member of the forward biasing means.

Description

Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01BACKPLANE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND METHODBYJIGNESH SHAHANIRUDH PALAIYAJEAN KARLO WILLIAMS BARNETANDLIAM PARKESATTORNEY REFERENCE: SAMTE-0021-WO-01TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present embodiments relate generally to an electrical connector, with particular embodiments shown for a backplane electrical connector for blind mating.BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical connectors (e.g. electrical) may require manually connecting of one or more connectors by hand. Further, connectors may not accommodate a blind mate with a pin and guide setup. Thus, there is a need to improve blind mate connections, provide sufficient wiping (e.g. 1.5+ mm) between connectors, allow multi-axis floatation, and / or increase backplane density.

[0003] The present invention is directed at overcoming, or at least improving upon, the disadvantages of the prior art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

[0004] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electrical connector illustrating one embodiment of a rack and line card connected thereto.

[0006] Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

[0007] Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the connector of Fig. 2.

[0008] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector of Fig. 3.

[0009] Figure 5 is another perspective view of the connector of Fig. 3.

[0010] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the connector of Fig. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Embodiments may further be understood with reference to the various Figures. With reference to the Figures, an embodiment provides for one or more electrical connectors 20. The connector 20 may be a backplane and / or near chip connector. The connector 20 may allow for a blindmate (e.g. with the pin and guide setup). The connector 20 may float in X-Y-Z directions to allow for blind-mating. The connector 20 may include a biasing means 70 and / or one or more biasing members 71, 72 to bias the mating end (e.g. conductors) forward so as to provide sufficient wipe when a mating connector 14 engages the floating connector 20 (e.g. backplane). In some embodiments, a large wipe may be at least 1.5 mm for the backplane. The connector 20 may allow a low wipe application (e.g. normally used in near chip backplane connectors). Although the connectors 20 are shown as electrical, it should be understood that the connectors 20 may be an optical connector in some embodiments.

[0012] In some applications, the backplane connector 20 may be a high density connector. The connector 20 may increase backplane density by about 62%-89% (without and with guide pin). For example, the density with guidance may be about 6.8 mm squared / dp and / or a max mating force of 0.17 Ibs / dp. The force / density ratio may be about 0.025. The initial mating force may be about 11.74 lbs to about 13.55 lbs in some embodiments. The initial unmating force may beAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01 about 5.61 lbs to about 6.66 lbs in some embodiments. For example, the total insertion force may be about 13.5 lbs per 72 dp. In some embodiments, the electrical connector(s) 20 may include a width of about 12.5 mm, operation at about 224 Gbps, and / or a package size of about 75mm. For example, a 224G backplane product or a single-ended high density connector.

[0013] In some implementations, the one or more connectors 20 may be mounted within a rack 10. The floating of the connector(s) 20 allows the line card 12 carrying one or more mating connectors 14 (e.g. daughtercard) to engage the connector 20 blindly with sufficient wipe. The one or more connectors 20 may float relative to the rack 10 allowing one or more axis tolerance. For example, the connector 20 may allow for X, Y, and Z tolerance. In some embodiments, the Z tolerance may allow for about 12.5 mm of travel, XY tolerance of about + / - 0.6mm, Z axis rotation of about + / - 5 degrees, X axis rotation of about + / - 6 degrees, and / or Y axis rotation of about + / - 8 degrees.

[0014] Referring now to the Figures, Figs. 1-6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector 20 according to an aspect of the present invention. Electrical connector 20 may include a housing 30 (e.g. electrically insulative). The housing 30 (e.g. one or more members) may include a front face or wall 31 with an opposed rear face or wall 32. The front face or wall 31 may define at least a portion of or include a front opening 31 a. One or more side faces or walls 33 of the housing 30 may interconnect the front wall 31 and the rear wall 32. The one or more side walls 33 may define at least a portion of or include one or more cable through openings 33a. The cable through opening 33a may include an axis A. The housing 30 or cable through opening 33a may include an outer periphery 33b defined by at least the side wall(s) 33 alone or in combination with the rear wall 32. Although the cable through opening 33a or outer periphery 33b is shown as being defined by opposing side walls 33, the interconnected side wall 33 (e.g. top, bottom) connecting the opposing side walls 33, and a portion of the rear wall 32Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01(e.g. outer periphery, outer edge), it should be understood that the side wall(s) 33 may define at least a portion of or the entire periphery of the cable through opening 33a. For example, the one or more side walls 33 may define the entire outer periphery 33b of the cable through opening 33a in some embodiments (e.g. without the rear face / wall defining a portion of the outer periphery). In some embodiments, the rear wall may be described as not including or defining the cable through opening, or portions thereof.

[0015] In some implementations, the connector(s) 20 may include one or more cables 40 (e.g. electrical). As shown in the figures, a plurality of cables 40 may be carried by the housing 30 (e.g. insulative). One or the plurality of electrical cables 40 may include a cable center 41 (e.g. first). The one or more cable through openings 33a, side wall(s) 33, and / or housing 30 may receive the plurality of electrical cables 40 therethrough. The one or more electrical cables 40 may be positioned within or at the one or more side walls 33 of the housing 30 transverse to the wiping or Z direction. The plurality of electrical cables 40 may project through or from a face or wall (e.g. side wall(s) 33) of the electrically insulative housing 30 different from the rear face 32. Alternatively stated, the rear face 32 and / or housing 30 may be free from the plurality of electrical cables 40 projecting from the rear face 32 (e.g. backwards). Further, a first plane (e.g. perpendicular or transverse to the axis A) of the side wall or face 33 having the cable through opening 33a and / or cable through opening 33a may be different than a second plane of the rear face 32. As shown in the one embodiment, the first plane of the side wall or face 33 and / or cable through opening 33a may be perpendicular or transverse to the second plane of the rear face 32 of the housing 30.

[0016] In some implementations, the connector(s) 20 may include a plurality of conductors 50 (e.g. electrical, male). The plurality of conductors 50 may be positioned at or adjacent the front face 31 and / or front opening 3 la of the housing 30. Each one of the plurality of cables 40 (e.g.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01 electrical) are individually electrically attached to the respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors 50. As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the plurality of cables 40 may connect to or pass through the housing 30 / wall / face / opening 33a (e.g. side wall 33) at an angle B other than 180 degrees or the opposing direction from the front face 31 or plurality of electrical conductors 50. For example, in some embodiments, the angle B may be at least one of about 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, or 90 degrees from or transverse to the horizontal plane between the front face 31 and rear face 32.

[0017] In some implementations, the connector(s) 20 may include one or more spring loaded floating mechanism(s) 60. The connector(s) 20 and / or spring loaded floating mechanism(s) 60 may include a biasing means 70 (e.g. forward) for urging or biasing the connector 20, or portions thereof, forward or in a direction(s) (e.g. Z direction, wiping direction) out / away from the front face 31 / opening 3 la of the connector. The forward biasing means 70 and / or spring loaded floating mechanism(s) 60 may extend or project from the opposed rear face 32 of the housing 30. The biasing means 70 and / or spring loaded floating mechanism(s) 60 may include one or more biasing members 71, 72. In the one embodiment shown, the one or more biasing members 71, 72 may include one or more first biasing members 71 or floating mechanism 60 spaced from (e.g. by a distance DD) and / or parallel to one or more second biasing members 72 or another floating mechanism 60. Although the parallel first biasing members 71 and second biasing members 72 are shown as being the same (e.g. workload, construction), it should be understood the parallel biasing members may be different in some embodiments. The one or more biasing members 71, 72 / means 70 / floating mechanism(s) 60 may extend along one or more biasing centers 71 A, 72A and / or posts 61 and / or project / extend from the rear wall 32. The first biasing member(s) 71 may include or extend along a first biasing center 71 A and / or post 61 (e.g. first). The second biasing member(s) 72 may include or extend along a second biasing center 72AAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01 and / or post 61 (e.g. second). The first and second biasing centers / axis 71 A, 72A, floating mechanisms 60, and / or posts 61 may be parallel and / or spaced from each other (e.g. by distance DD). As shown in Fig. 2, a line C drawn through the first biasing center 71 A of one biasing member 71 or forward biasing means 70 and the first cable center 41 of one or plurality of electrical cables 40 may not intersect the second biasing center 72A of the second biasing member 72 or another forward biasing means 70.

[0018] In some implementations, one or more biasing members 171, 172, 173 / means 70 may extend along a biasing center 71 A, 72A and / or post 61. One biasing member 71, 72 along a post 61 or biasing center 71A, 72A (e.g. single) may include one or more biasing members 171, 172, 173. Although a single biasing member is contemplated along a single post 61, a plurality of biasing members 171, 172, 173 are shown in the one embodiment along a post 61 or biasing center 71A or 72A. For example, at least one biasing member 171, at least two biasing members 171 and 172, at least three biasing members 171, 172, and 173, at least four biasing members, etc. may be used in some embodiments. As shown in the one embodiment, a plurality of biasing members 171, 172, 173 / means 70 may be in series along the biasing center 71A, 72A and / or post 61. For example, a first biasing member 171 and a second biasing member 172 may be in series or extend along the biasing center 71A or 72A and / or post 61. Although the second biasing member 172 may be different and / or include a larger working load than the first biasing member 171 when the first biasing member 171 and second biasing member 172 extend along the same biasing center, it should be understood that first and second biasing members 171 and 172 may be the same. The first biasing member 171 may be proximal the rear wall 32 and the second biasing member 172 may be distal from the rear wall 32. The second biasing member 172 may be adjacent the rack wall and / or the second and first biasing member 172, 171 may be positioned between the rear wall 32 and the rack wall when assembled to the rack 10. TheAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01 biasing member / means 70 may be a variety of constructions, quantities, shapes, sizes, and positions and still be within the scope of the invention. For example, the biasing members may include a helical compression or coil spring in some embodiments. In the one embodiment shown, the biasing member(s) may be one or more wave disc springs. The first biasing member(s) 171 may be a stacked wave disc spring. The stacked wave disc spring or first baising member may have a working load of about 3 lbs and / or a spring constant of 42 Ib / in in some embodiments. The second biasing member(s) 172 may be a wave disc spring. The wave disc spring or second biasing member may have a working load of about 10 lbs and / or a spring constant of 3333 Ib / in in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the connector 20, biasing means 70, and / or spring loaded floating mechanism 60 may include a third biasing member 173. The third biasing member 173 may extend along the post 61 and / or biasing center 71 A, 72A. The third biasing member 173, if used, may be positioned more distal than the first and second biasing members 171, 172 from the rear wall 32. The third biasing member 173 may be adjacent the second biasing member 172 and / or rack 10 (e.g. wall). The third biasing member 173 may be a wave disc spring. The wave disc spring or third biasing member may have a working load of about 10 lbs and / or a spring constant of 3333 Ib / in in some embodiments. The third biasing member 173, second biasing member 172, and / or first biasing members 171 may be positioned between the rear wall 32 and the rack wall / distal end 61b / second stopping mechanism 63 / stopping screw 64 when assembled to the rack 10.

[0019] In some implementations, the connector(s) 20, one or more biasing members / means 70, and / or spring loaded floating mechanism 60 may include one or more stopping mechanisms 62, 63. The stopping mechanism(s) 62, 63, if used, may be positioned along the post 61 and / or biasing center 71 A, 72A. The stopping mechanism 62, 63 may be one or more stopping washers. The stopping mechanism 62 may be positioned between two biasing members 171 and 172 and / orAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01 more distal than the one or more biasing members. The stopping washer or mechanism 62, 63 may be adjacent the rack wall and / or the stopping washer 62 may be positioned between the second biasing member 172 and the third biasing member 173 when assembled to the rack 10. The stopping mechanism or washer 62, 63, if used, may be positioned between opposing ends 61a (e.g. proximal), 61b (e.g. distal) of the post 61.

[0020] In some implementations, the connector(s) 20, one or more biasing members / means 70, and / or spring loaded floating mechanism(s) 60 may include one or more posts 61. The one or more posts 61 (e.g. cylinders, pins) may extend or project from the rear wall or face 32 of the housing 30. The posts 61 and / or spring loaded floating mechanisms 60 may be the only structure projection from the rear wall (e.g. no cables project from the rear wall). The posts 61 (e.g. at least two) may be parallel and / or spaced from each other (e.g. by a distance DD). The stopping mechanism 62, 63, biasing member(s) (e.g. first 171, second 172, third 173, etc.) and / or means 70 may engage or extend along (e.g. exterior, around, circumscribe) the post(s) 61. Each post 61 (e.g. first, second) may include, extend along, or define the biasing center (e.g. first 71 A, second 72A), or portions thereof. The connector 20 and / or spring loaded floating mechanism 60 may include another or second stopping mechanism or washer 63 and / or stopping screw 64. The second stopping mechanism 63, if used, may be positioned adjacent a distal end 61b of the post 61. The stopping screw 64, if used, may threadably engage the distal end 61b of the post 61. The washer 63 may be positioned between the distal end 61b of the post 61 and the stopping screw 64. The wall of the rack 10 may be positioned between the stopping mechanisms 62 and 63 when the connector 20 is mounted to the wall of the rack 10. The third biasing member 173, if used, may be positioned between the stopping mechanism 62 and the rack wall, second stopping mechanism 63, and / or stopping screw 64, if used. There may be a radial clearance within the opening of the rack wall receiving the post / pin 61.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01

[0021] In some implementations, one or the plurality of cables 40 (e.g. axis, cable center 41) may extend out of or from the housing 30 (e.g. side wall 33) along axis A and / or in a direction D transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the conductors 50, one or more biasing centers 71 A, 72A, post(s) 61, and / or wiping direction Z of the connector 20. Alternatively stated, the axis A of the one or more cable through opening(s) 33a and / or cable center 41 may be transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the conductors 50, one or more biasing centers 71A, 72A, post(s) 61, horizontal plane, and / or wiping direction Z of the connector 20. Although the axis A and cable center 41 are not shown in the same plane in the Figures, in some embodiments, axis A and cable center 41 may be parallel to each other and / or in the same plane as each other.

[0022] In some implementations, the plurality of electrical cables 40 may not be positioned in a plane rearward / backward of the rear wall 32. The rearward plane may be between the rear wall 32 and the stopping washer 62, 63, distal end 61b of the post 61, and / or rack 10. More specifically, the plurality of electrical cables 40 may not be positioned in a plane rearward / backward of the rear wall 32 that is between the rear wall 32 and the stopping washer 62, 63, distal end 61b of the post 61, and / or rack 10 when both the housing 30 is in a first configuration distal from the stopping washer 62 (e.g. in the Z direction, longer distance in the Z direction) and a second configuration proximal to the stopping washer 62 (e.g. in the Z direction, shorter distance in the Z direction) different from the first configuration.

[0023] In some implementations, the cables 40 are not positioned between of the spring loaded floating mechanism 60 (e.g. spring members, posts, biasing centers) and / or in the direction rearward / backward of the rear face 32 of the housing 30. Existing connectors may include a cable outlet / opening in the rear wall 32 of the housing 30, not within the side wall / face 33 (e.g. plane, transverse / perpendicular to the rear wall / plane) of the connector 20 as disclosed in the embodiments herein. By not using the backplane area or rear wall 32 for both cable placementAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021-WQ-01 and guide pins / springs / floating mechanism 60 increases the number of electrical connections that may be used as shown in the embodiments. Simply put, the density is not limited by the spring loaded floating mechanism 60, or portions thereof, projecting from the rear wall 32. As shown in the one embodiment, two spring loaded floating mechanisms 60 project from the rear face 32 with a space / distance / clearance DD therebetween (e.g. between outer extents of the floating mechanisms 60, between outer extent of the parallel biasing members 71 and 72 / means 70, between portions of the floating mechanisms). Because the cables 40 are not positioned between the spring loaded floating mechanisms 60, or portions thereof, and / or extending from the backplane of the rear face 32, the cable(s) 40 (e.g. outer extent / dimension) may be larger in size, shape, and / or quantity (e.g. within the side wall 33, side wall plane) thereby at least increasing density. The backplane density may accordingly not be limited by cable gage size or floating mechanisms 60. More pairs per square inch of panel space may be achieved and still allow for sufficient wipe. For example as shown in the Figures, the plurality of electrical cables 40 may have an outer dimension / extent DI (e.g. longer dimension) that is larger than the distance DD between the at least two spring loaded floating mechanisms 60, or portions thereof (e.g. bias mechanisms, posts, stopping mechanisms). Although the backplane is shown as having the one or more connectors 20, it should be understood that the right and / or left sides of the rack 10 may also include the connector(s) 20.

[0024] In some embodiments, the housing and / or one or more distal free ends of the housing walls of the mating connector 14 carried by the line card 12 may be flared outward to allow for blind mating with the connector 20. In the embodiment shown, each distal end of the walls defining the housing of the mating connector 14 includes the flared distal end 15.

[0025] In use, the floating backplane connector 20 may allow sufficient wiping with another or mating connector 14, blind mating with the mating connector 14, and / or movement X, Y, and ZAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 directions (e.g. with respect to a rack 10). When installed, the connector 20 may be positioned (e.g. in at least the Z direction) at least in the first configuration wherein the biasing means 70 or members are less compressed than when in the second configuration more proximal to the stopping mechanism 62, if used, and / or rack wall / opening. The Z tolerance or length of travel between the first configuration and the second configuration may be about 12.5 mm. This Z axis travel may allow for initial gross alignment. With the plurality of cables 40 connected to the conductor(s) 50, the housing 30 (e.g. two pieces) may be assembled thereabout. The cables 40 may be positioned through the cable through opening 33 a. The biasing means 70 or biasing member(s) and / or stopping mechanism(s) 62, 63, if used, may be positioned on the one or more posts 61. The stopping screw 64 may position at least one of the biasing member(s) 71 or 72 and / or stopping mechanism(s) 63 on the post 61. If the stopping screw 64 is already assembled on the post 61, the user may releasably remove the stopping screw 64 and second stopping mechanism 63, if used, and insert the post(s) 61 (e.g. distal end 61b) into the rack opening. Subsequently, the stopping screw 64 and second stopping washer 63 may be reassembled to position the rack 10 between the biasing means 70 and / or stopping mechanism 62, if used, and the second stopping mechanism 63.

[0026] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing. In various embodiments, the electrically insulative housing may have a front face and an opposed rear face. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In various embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing. In various embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically may attach to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the connector may include a forward biasing means extending from the opposedAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 rear face of the electrically insulative housing. In various embodiments, a line drawn through a first biasing center of one biasing member of the forward biasing means and a first cable center of one or the plurality of electrical cables may not intersect a second biasing center of a second biasing member of the forward biasing means.

[0027] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing. In various embodiments, the housing may have a front opening and an opposed rear wall interconnected by one or more side walls. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In various embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front opening of the insulative housing. In some embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically may attach to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In various embodiments, the connector may include a forward biasing means extending from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing. In some embodiments, the forward biasing means may include a first biasing member and a second biasing member extending along a first biasing center.

[0028] In addition, in some embodiments, the second biasing member may have a larger working load than the first biasing member. In various embodiments, the first biasing member may be proximal the opposed rear wall and the second biasing member is distal the opposed rear wall. In some embodiments, the first biasing member may be a stacked wave disc spring. In various embodiments, the second biasing member may be a wave disc spring. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more side walls may include one or more cable through openings receiving the plurality of electrical cables therethrough. In various embodiments, the electrical connector may include one or more posts extending from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing. In some embodiments, the first biasing member and the secondAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 biasing member engage the one or more posts. In various embodiments, the electrical connector may include a stopping washer positioned along the first biasing center. In some embodiments, the forward biasing means may include a third biasing member extending along the first biasing center. In various embodiments, the stopping washer may be positioned between the second biasing member and the third biasing member. In some embodiments, the plurality of electrical cables may not be positioned in a plane rearward of the opposed rear wall that is between the opposed rear wall and the stopping washer when the housing is in a first configuration distal from the stopping washer and a second configuration proximal to the stopping washer. Om various embodiments, one or the plurality of electrical cables are positioned at the one or more side walls of the housing transverse to a wiping direction of the electrical connector.

[0029] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing having a front opening and an opposed rear wall interconnected by one or more side walls. In various embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front opening of the insulative housing. In various embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually and / or electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the connector may include one or more biasing members extending along one or more biasing centers and / or from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing. In various embodiments, the plurality of electrical cables may extend out of said housing in a direction transverse to the one or more biasing centers and / or wiping direction of the connector.

[0030] In addition, in some embodiments, at least one of the one or more side walls may include one or more cable through openings receiving the plurality of electrical cables therethrough. In various embodiments, at least one of the one or more side walls and / or the opposed rear wall define atAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 least a portion of an outer periphery the one or more cable through openings. In some embodiments, an axis of the one or more cable through openings may be transverse to the one or more biasing centers. In various embodiments, the electrical connector may include one or more posts extending from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing, wherein the one or more biasing members engage the one or more posts. In some embodiments, the electrical connector may include a stopping washer positioned along the one or more biasing centers. In various embodiments, the one or more biasing members may include at least two biasing members extending along one of the one or more biasing centers. In some embodiments, the one or more biasing members may include at least three biasing members extending along one of the one or more biasing centers. In various embodiments, the stopping washer may be positioned between two biasing members of the one or more biasing members.

[0031] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face. In various embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing. In various embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually and / or electrically attach to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the connector may include one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms projecting from the rear face. In various embodiments, the plurality of electrical cables may project from a face of the insulative housing different from the opposed rear face.

[0032] In addition, in some embodiments, a first plane of the face may be different from a second plane of the opposed rear face. In various embodiments, the first plane of the face may be perpendicular to the second plane of the opposed rear face. In some embodiments, the face mayAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 be a side face interconnecting the front face to the opposed rear face. In various embodiments, the one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms may include at least one post having one or more biasing members extending along the at least one post. In some embodiments, the one or more biasing members may be at least one biasing member. In various embodiments, the one or more biasing members may be at least two biasing members. In some embodiments, the one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms may include a stopping mechanism positioned between opposing ends of the at least one post.

[0033] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face. In various embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing. In various embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually and / or electrically attach to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the connector may include one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms projecting from the opposed rear face. In various embodiments, the opposed rear face may be free from the plurality of electrical cables projecting from the housing.

[0034] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing. In various embodiments, the electrically insulative housing may have a front face and an opposed rear face. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In various embodiments , the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing. In some embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables attach (e.g. individually, electrically) to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the connector may include a forward biasing means extending from the opposed rear face of theAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 electrically insulative housing. In various embodiments, the plurality of electrical cables may connect to the electrically insulative housing at an angle other than 180 degrees from the plurality of electrical conductors.

[0035] In addition, in some embodiments, the angle may be at least one of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, or 80 degrees from a horizontal plane between the front face and the opposed rear face.

[0036] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face. In various embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing. In some embodiments, the connector may include a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing. In various embodiments, each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables attach (e.g. individually, electrically) to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the connector may include at least two spring loaded floating mechanisms projecting from the opposed rear face with a distance between each other. In various embodiments, the plurality of electrical cables may include an outer dimension larger than the distance between at least two spring loaded floating mechanisms, or portions thereof.

[0037] While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. ThoseAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0039] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0040] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionallyAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0041] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0042] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more thanAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0043] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0044] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0045] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0046] The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and / or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

Claims

Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01CLAIMS1. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing, the electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; and a forward biasing means extending from the opposed rear face of the electrically insulative housing, wherein a line drawn through a first biasing center of one biasing member of the forward biasing means and a first cable center of one or the plurality of electrical cables does not intersect a second biasing center of a second biasing member of the forward biasing means.

2. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing having a front opening and an opposed rear wall interconnected by one or more side walls; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front opening of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; and a forward biasing means extending from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing, wherein the forward biasing means includes a first biasing member and a second biasing member extending along a first biasing center.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2 wherein the second biasing member has a larger working load than the first biasing member.

4. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-3 wherein the first biasing member is proximal the opposed rear wall and the second biasing member is distal the opposed rear wall.

5. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-4 wherein the first biasing member is a stacked wave disc spring.

6. The electrical connector of any one of claim 2-5 wherein the second biasing member is a wave disc spring.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-017. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-6 wherein at least one of the one or more side walls further comprising one or more cable through openings receiving the plurality of electrical cables therethrough.

8. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-7 further comprising one or more posts extending from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing, wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member engage the one or more posts.

9. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-8 further comprising a stopping washer positioned along the first biasing center.

10. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-9 wherein the forward biasing means includes a third biasing member extending along the first biasing center.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10 wherein the stopping washer is positioned between the second biasing member and the third biasing member.

12. The electrical connector of claim 10 wherein the plurality of electrical cables are not positioned in a plane rearward of the opposed rear wall that is between the opposed rear wall and the stopping washer when the housing is in a first configuration distal from the stopping washer and a second configuration proximal to the stopping washer.

13. The electrical connector of any one of claims 2-12 wherein one or the plurality of electrical cables are positioned at the one or more side walls of the housing transverse to a wiping direction of the electrical connector.

14. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing having a front opening and an opposed rear wall interconnected by one or more side walls; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front opening of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; and one or more biasing members extending along one or more biasing centers and from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing, and wherein the plurality of electrical cables extend out of said housing in a direction transverse to the one or more biasing centers or wiping direction of the connector.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-0115. The electrical connector of claim 14 wherein at least one of the one or more side walls further comprising one or more cable through openings receiving the plurality of electrical cables therethrough.

16. The electrical connector of any one of claims 14-15 wherein at least one of the one or more side walls and / or the opposed rear wall define at least a portion of an outer periphery the one or more cable through openings.

17. The electrical connector of any one of claims 14-16 wherein an axis of the one or more cable through openings is transverse to the one or more biasing centers.

18. The electrical connector of any one of claims 14-17 further comprising one or more posts extending from the opposed rear wall of the electrically insulative housing, wherein the one or more biasing members engage the one or more posts.

19. The electrical connector of any one of claims 14-18 further comprising a stopping washer positioned along the one or more biasing centers.

20. The electrical connector of any one of claims 14-19 wherein the one or more biasing members include at least two biasing members extending along one of the one or more biasing centers.

21. The electrical connector of any one of claims 14-19 wherein the one or more biasing members include at least three biasing members extending along one of the one or more biasing centers.

22. The electrical connector of claim 19 wherein the stopping washer is positioned between two biasing members of the one or more biasing members.

23. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms projecting from the rear face; and wherein the plurality of electrical cables project from a face of the insulative housing different from the opposed rear face.

24. The electrical connector of claim 23 wherein a first plane of the face is different from a second plane of the opposed rear face.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-0125. The electrical connector of any one of claims 23-24 wherein the first plane of the face is perpendicular to the second plane of the opposed rear face.

26. The electrical connector of any one of claims 23-25 wherein the face is a side face interconnecting the front face to the opposed rear face.

27. The electrical connector of any one of claims 23-26 wherein the one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms include at least one post having one or more biasing members extending along the at least one post.

28. The electrical connector of claim 27 wherein the one or more biasing members is at least one biasing member.

29. The electrical connector of claim 27 wherein the one or more biasing members is at least two biasing members.

30. The electrical connector of claim 27 wherein the one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms include a stopping mechanism positioned between opposing ends of the at least one post.

31. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; and one or more spring loaded floating mechanisms projecting from the opposed rear face, and wherein the opposed rear face is free from the plurality of electrical cables projecting from the housing.

32. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing, the electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; a forward biasing means extending from the opposed rear face of the electrically insulative housing; andAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0021 -WO-01 the plurality of electrical cables connect to the electrically insulative housing at an angle other than 180 degrees from the plurality of electrical conductors.

33. The electrical connector of claim 32 wherein the angle is at least one of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, or 80 degrees from a horizontal plane between the front face and the opposed rear face.

34. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically insulative housing having a front face and an opposed rear face; a plurality of electrical cables carried by the insulative housing; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned at the front face of the insulative housing and each respective one of the plurality of electrical cables individually electrically attached to a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors; at least two spring loaded floating mechanisms projecting from the opposed rear face with a distance between each other; and wherein the plurality of electrical cables have an outer dimension larger than the distance between the at least two spring loaded floating mechanisms.

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