Electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a plurality of connectors configured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions of a same mating connector along a same mating direction. The plurality of connectors is arranged side-by-side along a lateral direction to form a row of the connectors. Each of the connectors includes a housing including opposing top and bottom channels formed in respective top and bottom major surfaces of the housing. The top and bottom channels are aligned so as to form opposing substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels of the row of the connectors. For at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors in the plurality of connectors, the connectors include engaging features that prevent the adjacent connectors from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction. The electrical connector assembly further includes a bracket removably assembled to the row of the connectors.

Description

PA103459W002ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector.BACKGROUND

[0002] An electrical connector assembly is generally used to connect a cable or a cable assembly from one device (e.g., a server, a network switching system, a client device, etc.) to another device (e.g., another server) for various applications, such as data processing, data transmission, and data reception.SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors is configured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions of a same mating connector along a same mating direction and arranged side-by-side along a lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the mating direction to form a row of the connectors. Each of the connectors includes a housing. The housing includes a mating end for mating with a corresponding mating portion of the mating connector along the mating direction and an opposite cable end for receiving an electric cable. Each of the connectors further includes a circuit board at least partially disposed in the housing. The circuit board includes a plurality of conductive front pads disposed proximate the mating end of the housing, and a plurality of conductive rear pads disposed between the front pads and the cable end of the housing. The rear pads are electrically connected to the front pads. Each of the connectors further includes the electric cable at least partially disposed in the cable end of the housing and terminated at the rear pads. The housing of each of the connectors further includes opposing top and bottom channels formed in respective top and bottom major surfaces of the housing. The top and bottom channels extend along the lateral direction. The top and bottom channels are aligned so as to form opposing substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels of the row of the connectors. For at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors in the plurality of connectors, the connectors include engaging features that engage each other to prevent the adjacent connectors from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction. The electrical connector assembly further includes a bracket removably assembled to the row of the connectors. The bracket includes opposing top and bottom portions disposed in the respective continuous top and bottom channels of the row of the connectors. The bracket further includes opposing side portions disposed in side channels formed in opposing respective sides of opposing endmost connectors in the row of the connectors.

[0004] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides an electrical connector. The electrical connector is configured to be assembled side-by-side with at least one other connector along a lateral direction of the connector to form an assembled plurality of connectors. The assembled plurality of connectors isconfigured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions of a same mating connector along a same mating direction orthogonal to the lateral direction. The electrical connector includes a circuit board. The circuit board includes a plurality of conductive front pads disposed proximate a front end of the circuit board, and a plurality of conductive rear pads disposed between the front pads and an opposite rear end of the circuit board. The electrical connector further includes an electric cable. The electric cable includes a plurality of wires terminated at the rear pads. The electrical connector further includes a housing. The housing is molded around at least a portion of the electric cable terminated at the rear pads and at least a portion of the circuit board of the connector including the rear pads. The front end and pads of the circuit board project forwardly from the housing. The housing includes a channel formed on an exterior of the housing and extending continuously along opposing major top and bottom sides and one of opposing lateral minor sides of the housing. The housing further includes a first engaging feature formed in the channel in the one of the opposing lateral minor sides of the housing. The housing further includes a second engaging feature formed on the other one of the opposing lateral minor sides of the housing. When the connector is assembled side-by-side with another connector that includes opposing top and bottom channels formed in respective major top and bottom sides of the another connector to form the assembled plurality of connectors, the second engaging feature of the housing engages a corresponding engaging feature of the another connector to prevent the two connectors from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to the mating and lateral directions. Further, when the connector is assembled side-by-side with the another connector that includes the opposing top and bottom channels formed in the respective major top and bottom sides of the another connector to form the assembled plurality of connectors, the assembled plurality of connectors is configured to be assembled to a single-piece bracket disposed in the top and bottom channel portions of the channel of the connector and top and bottom channels of the another connector. The first engaging feature of the connector engages a corresponding engaging feature of the bracket for securing the single-piece bracket to the assembled plurality of connectors.

[0005] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labelled with the same number.

[0007] FIGS. 1 A, IB, and 1C are different schematic perspective views of an electrical connector assembly and a mating connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are different schematic perspective views of a connector of the electrical connector assembly and a housing portion of the mating connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a circuit board, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0010] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the electrical connector assembly mated with the mating connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0012] In the following disclosure, the following definitions are adopted.

[0013] As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably.

[0014] As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term “generally,” unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match (e.g., within + / - 20 % for quantifiable properties).

[0015] The term “substantially,” unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0016] As used herein, all numbers should be considered modified by the term “about.” The term “about,” unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 5% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0017] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used as identifiers. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting of this disclosure. The terms “first” and “second” when used in conjunction with a feature or an element can be interchanged throughout the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0018] As used herein, when a first material is termed as “similar” to a second material, at least 90 weight % of the first and second materials are identical and any variation between the first and second materials comprises less than about 10 weight % of each of the first and second materials.

[0019] As used herein, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.”

[0020] As used herein, the term “between about,” unless otherwise specifically defined, generally refers to an inclusive or a closed range. For example, if a parameter X is between about A and B, then A < X < B.

[0021] An electrical connector assembly is generally used to connect a cable or a cable assembly from one device (e.g., a server, a network switching system, a client device, etc.) to another device (e.g., another server) for various applications, such as data processing, data transmission, and data reception.

[0022] However, different combinations of different configurations of connectors may be required in different applications. Therefore, there may exist a need for a modular electrical connector assembly.

[0023] The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors is configured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions of a same mating connector along a same mating direction and arranged side-by-side along a lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the mating direction to form a row of the connectors. Each of the connectors includes a housing. The housing includes a mating end for mating with a corresponding mating portion of the mating connector along the mating direction and an opposite cable end for receiving an electric cable. Each of the connectors further includes a circuit board at least partially disposed in the housing. The circuit board includes a plurality of conductive front pads disposed proximate the mating end of the housing, and a plurality of conductive rear pads disposed between the front pads and the cable end of the housing. The rear pads are electrically connected to the front pads. Each of the connectors further includes the electric cable at least partially disposed in the cable end of the housing and terminated at the rear pads. The housing of each of the connectors further includes opposing top and bottom channels formed in respective top and bottom major surfaces of the housing. The top and bottom channels extend along the lateral direction. The top and bottom channels are aligned so as to form opposing substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels of the row of the connectors. For at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors in the plurality of connectors, the connectors include engaging features that engage each other to prevent the adjacent connectors from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction. The electrical connector assembly further includes a bracket removably assembled to the row of the connectors. The bracket includes opposing top and bottom portions disposed in the respective continuous top and bottom channels of the row of the connectors. Thebracket further includes opposing side portions disposed in side channels formed in opposing respective sides of opposing endmost connectors in the row of the connectors.

[0024] Therefore, the electrical connector assembly of the present disclosure may have a modular design which may enable combining different connectors into multiple configurations for different applications. Specifically, desired connectors may be selected and assembled via the substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels, the engaging features, and the bracket removably assembled to the selected connectors. The engaging features may engage the adjacent connectors to prevent the adjacent connectors from sliding relative to each other. The engaging features may also facilitate alignment of the row of the connectors.

[0025] Further, the electrical connector assembly may reduce a need for manufacturing different electrical connector assemblies for different applications. Further, the electrical connector assembly may reduce a need for replacement of a combined connector assembly specifically manufactured for an application. This may also minimize the repair and maintenance cost. Furthermore, the electrical connector assembly may also enable standalone use of the connectors in various applications, i.e., different connectors of the electrical connector assembly may be individually used or used in different combinations, as per desired application attributes.

[0026] Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1A, IB, and 1C illustrate different schematic perspective views of an electrical connector assembly 100 and a mating connector 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1 A illustrates a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector assembly 100 and the mating connector 200, FIG. IB illustrates an exploded bottom perspective view of the electrical connector assembly 100 and the mating connector 200, and FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded top perspective view of the electrical connector assembly 100 and the mating connector 200.

[0027] The electrical connector assembly 100 defines mutually orthogonal x, y, and z-axes. The x-axis is defined along a width of the electrical connector assembly 100, while the y-axis is defined along a length of the electrical connector assembly 100. The z-axis is defined along a thickness of the electrical connector assembly 100.

[0028] The electrical connector assembly 100 includes a plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. The connector 100a may be interchangeably referred to as “the electrical connector 100a” herein. In some embodiments, the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes at least three connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. The electrical connector 100a is configured to be assembled side-by-side with at least one other connector 100b, 100c along a lateral direction of the connector 100a to form the assembled plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. The lateral direction extends substantially along the x-axis.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c are arranged side-by-side along the lateral direction to form a row 110 (shown in FIG. 1 A) of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0030] In some embodiments, at least one of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is a power connector. For example, the connector 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is a power connector.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least one of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is a signal connector. For example, the connectors 100a, 100b in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c may be the signal connectors.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least one of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) connector. In some embodiments, each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) connector.

[0033] In some embodiments, each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c complies with a small form factor (SFF)-technology affiliate (TA)-1033 standard.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least two of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c, in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c have different widths along the lateral direction (i.e., substantially along the x-axis). For example, the connectors 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c have different widths along the lateral direction.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is configured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions 200a, 200b, 200c of the same mating connector 200 along a same mating direction. In other words, the assembled plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is configured to simultaneously mate with the plurality of corresponding mating portions 200a, 200b, 200c of the same mating connector 200 along the same mating direction. The mating direction is substantially along the y-axis. The mating direction is substantially orthogonal to the lateral direction.

[0036] In some embodiments, adjacent mating portions in the plurality of mating portions 200a, 200b, 200c of the mating connector 200 are separated from each other by a wall 201a, 201b of the mating connector 200. For example, the adjacent mating portions 200a, 200b in the plurality of mating portions 200a, 200b, 200c of the mating connector 200 are separated from each other by the wall 201a of the mating connector 200 and the adjacent mating portions 200b, 200c in the plurality of mating portions 200a, 200b, 200c of the mating connector 200 are separated from each other by the wall 201b of the mating connector 200.

[0037] In some embodiments, the mating connector 200 includes a unitary housing. In some embodiments, the mating portions 200a, 200b, 200c of the mating connector 200 include corresponding housing portions 210a, 210b, 210c of the unitary housing.

[0038] In some embodiments, adjacent housing portions in the housing portions 210a, 210b, 210c of the unitary housing of the mating connector 200 are separated from each other by the wall 201a, 201b of the unitary housing. In some embodiments, the adjacent housing portions 210a, 210b in the housing portions 210a, 210b, 210c of the unitary housing of the mating connector 200 are separated from each other by the wall 20 la of the unitary housing and the adjacent housing portions 210b, 210c in the housing portions 210a, 210b, 210c of the unitary housing of the mating connector 200 are separated from each other by the wall 201b of the unitary housing.

[0039] The connectorlOOa includes a housing 10. In some embodiments, each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the housing 10. The housing 10 includes a mating end 11 (shown in FIG. IB) for mating with the corresponding mating portion 200a, 200b, 200c of the mating connector 200 along the mating direction (i.e., substantially along the y-axis) and an opposite cable end 12 (shown in FIG. 1A) for receiving an electric cable 20. In some embodiments, the housing 10 of the each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is unitary having a unitary construction.

[0040] In some embodiments, only one of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes a latching member 50 removably assembled to the housing 10 of the connector 100a, 100b, 100c and configured to latch to the mating connector 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 A, the connector 100a includes a latching member 50 removably assembled to the housing 10 of the connector 100a and configured to latch to the mating connector 200.

[0041] In some other embodiments, each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is configured to have the latching member 50 removably assembled to the housing 10 of the connector 100a, 100b, 100c and configured to latch to the mating connector 200.

[0042] It is to be noted that the mating connector 200 in the present disclosure is shown for illustration purposes only. Further, features of the mating connector 200, such as the mating portions 200b, 200c, the housing portions 210a, 210b, 210c, and the walls 201a, 201b are shown for illustration purposes. The mating connector 200 may include any suitable connector having similar or different features, as per desired application attributes.

[0043] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different schematic perspective views of the connector 100c and the housing portion 200c of the mating connector 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C illustrates a schematic perspective view of the connectors 100a, 100c and the mating connector 200, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c include only two connectors. For example, the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the connectors 100a, 100b, the connectors 100b, 100c, or the connectors 100a, 100c.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a circuit board 30, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C to 3, the connectorlOOa includes the circuit board 30. In some embodiments, each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the circuit board 30. The circuit board 30 is at least partially disposed in the housing 10.

[0047] The circuit board 30 includes a plurality of conductive front pads 31. The plurality of conductive front pads 31 is disposed proximate the mating end 11 of the housing 10. The circuit board 30 includes a plurality of conductive rear pads 32 (shown in FIG. 3) disposed between the front pads 31 and the cable end 12 of the housing 10. The plurality of conductive front pads 31 is disposed proximate a front end 34 of the circuit board 30, and the plurality of conductive rear pads 32 is disposed between the front pads 31 and an opposite rear end 35 (shown in FIG. 3) of the circuit board 30. The rear pads 32 are electrically connected to the front pads 31.

[0048] The connectorlOOa includes the electric cable 20. In some embodiments, each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the electric cable 20. The electric cable 20 is at least partially disposed in the cable end 12 of the housing 10 and terminated at the rear pads 32. In some embodiments, the electric cable 20 includes a plurality of wires 21. The plurality of wires 21 are terminated at the rear pads 32. The plurality of wires 21 may be interchangeably referred to as “the plurality of conductive wires 21” herein. In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive wires 21 includes at least one ground wire 21a, at least one signal wire 21b, and at least one power wire 21c.

[0049] In some embodiments, the housing 10 is molded around at least a portion 22 of the electric cable 20 terminated at the rear pads 32 and at least a portion 33 of the circuit board 30 of the connector 100a. In some embodiments, the housing 10 of each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c is molded around at least the portion 22 of the electric cable 20 terminated at the rear pads 32 and at least the portion 33 of the circuit board 30 of the connector 100a, 100b, 100c. The portion 33 of the circuit board 30 includes the rear pads 32. The front end and pads 34, 31 of the circuit board 30 project forwardly from the housing 10.

[0050] Further, the housing 10 includes a channel 13a, 117, 14a formed on an exterior of the housing 10 and extending continuously along an opposing major top and bottom sides 15, 16 and one of opposing lateral minor sides 119, 121 of the housing 10.

[0051] For example, the connector 100a includes the channel 13a, 117, 14a formed on the exterior of the housing 10 and extending continuously along the opposing major top and bottom sides 15, 16 and the lateral minor side 119 of the housing 10. The lateral minor sides 119, 121 may be interchangeably referred to as “the sides 119, 121” herein.

[0052] Further, the connector 100c includes channel 13c, 118, 14c formed on the exterior of the housing 10 and extending continuously along the opposing major top and bottom sides 15, 16 and a lateral minor side 120 of the housing 10. The lateral minor side 120 may be interchangeably referred to as “the side 120” herein.

[0053] The channel 13a may be interchangeably referred to as “the top channel 13a” herein. The channel 14a may be interchangeably referred to as “the bottom channel 14a” herein. The major top side 15 may be interchangeably referred to as “the top major surface 15” herein. The major bottom side 16 may be interchangeably referred to as “the bottom major surface 16” herein. The channel 117 may be interchangeably referred to as “the side channel 117” herein. The channel 118 may be interchangeably referred to as “the side channel 118” herein.

[0054] In some embodiments, the housing 10 of each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the opposing top and bottom channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c. The top and bottom channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c are formed in the respective top and bottom major surfaces 15, 16 of the housing 10 and extend along the lateral direction (i.e., substantially along the x-axis).

[0055] In some embodiments, the channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c of the housing 10 of each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c are closer to the cable end 12, and farther from the mating end 11, of the housing 10. In some embodiments, the channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c of the housing 10 of each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c are closer to the rear pads 32, and farther from the front pads 31, of the circuit board 30 of the connector 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0056] In some embodiments, each of the channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c of the housing 10 of each of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c, has a length L along the lateral direction, a width W along the mating direction, and a depth H along the thickness direction, orthogonal to the lateral and mating directions, of the housing 10. The width W is less than the length L and greater than the depth H, i.e., L > W > H.

[0057] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of the electrical connector assembly 100 mated with the mating connector 200 and a bracket 40 of the electrical connector assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective top view of the electrical connector assembly 100 mated with the mating connector 200 and the bracket 40, and FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective bottom view of the electrical connector assembly 100 mated with the mating connector 200 and the bracket 40.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C to 4A-4B, the top and bottom channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c are aligned so as to form the opposing substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels 115, 116 of the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0059] Further, the housing 10 includes a first engaging feature 130a, 130b (shown in FIG. 1C) formed in the channel 13a, 117, 14a in the one of the opposing lateral minor sides 119, 121 (shown in FIG. 1C) of the housing 10. For example, the housing 10 of the connector 100a includes the first engaging feature 130a, 130b formed in the channel 13a, 117, 14a inthe lateral minor side 119 of the housing 10. The first engaging feature 130a, 130b may be interchangeably referred to as “the pair of second securing features 130a, 130b” herein.

[0060] Further, the housing 10 includes a second engaging feature 18 (shown in FIG. IB) formed on the other one of the opposing lateral minor sides 119, 121 of the housing 10. For example, the housing 10 of the connector 100a includes the second engaging feature 18 formed on the lateral minor side 121 of the housing 10. The second engaging feature 18 may be interchangeably referred to as “the engaging feature 18” or “the elongated protrusion 18” herein.

[0061] In some embodiments, for at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c, the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c include engaging features 17, 18 that engage each other to prevent the adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction (i.e., substantially along the y-axis). The engaging feature 17 may be interchangeably referred to as “the elongated recess 17” herein.

[0062] In some embodiments, the engaging features 17, 18 of the at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c in the plurality of connectors 100a, 100b, 100c further prevent the adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c from sliding relative to each other along the thickness direction (i.e., substantially along the z-axis).

[0063] In some embodiments, when the connector 100a is assembled side-by-side with the another connector, for example the connector 100c, that includes the opposing top and bottom channels 13c, 14c formed in the respective major top and bottom sides 15, 16 of the another connector 100c to form the assembled plurality of connectors 100a, 100c, the second engaging feature 18 of the housing 10 engages the corresponding engaging feature 17 of the another connector 100c to prevent the two connectors 100a, 100c from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction and the thickness direction.

[0064] In some embodiments, the engaging features 17, 18 of one of the adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the elongated recess 17 elongated and oriented along the mating direction, and the engaging feature 17, 18 of the other one of the adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c includes the elongated protrusion 18 elongated and oriented along the mating direction. In some embodiments, the elongated protrusion 18 fits tightly into the elongated recess 17. For example, referring to FIGS. IB and 1C, the engaging feature 17 of the connector 100c includes the elongated recess 17 elongated and oriented along the mating direction, and the engaging feature 18 of the adjacent connector 100b includes the elongated protrusion 18 elongated and oriented along the mating direction.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C to 4A-4B, the electrical connector assembly 100 further includes the bracket 40 removably assembled to the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. In some embodiments, the bracket 40 has a unitary construction. In some embodiments, the bracket 40 includes one or more of a metal and a plastic. In some embodiments, the bracket 40 is stamped in one piece from a metal sheet. In some embodiments, the bracket 40 is a single piece extending continuously between opposing longitudinal free ends 45a, 45b of the bracket 40. The bracket 40 may be interchangeably referred to as “the singlepiece bracket 40” herein.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 2C and 4 A, in some embodiments, the bracket 40 has a length LI along the lateral direction and a width W1 along the mating direction. The length LI is greater than the width Wl, i.e., Ll > Wl.

[0067] Referring again to 1A-1C to 4A-4B, the bracket 40 includes opposing top and bottom portions 41, 42 disposed in the respective continuous top and bottom channels 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c of the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. Further, the bracket 40 includes opposing side portions 43, 44 disposed in the side channels 117, 118 formed in the opposing respective sides 119, 120 of opposing endmost connectors 100a, 100c in the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0068] In some embodiments, the opposing top and bottom portions 41, 42 are configured to flex about one of the opposing side portions 43, 44. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 A-1C, the opposing top and bottom portions 41, 42 are configured to flex about the side portion 44.

[0069] In some embodiments, the opposing side portions 43, 44 of the bracket 40 join the corresponding longitudinal free ends 45a, 45b of the opposing top and bottom portions 41, 42. In some embodiments, the one of the opposing side portions 43, 44 of the bracket 40 includes the opposing longitudinal ends 45a, 45b of the bracket 40. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, the side portion 43 of the bracket 40 includes the opposing longitudinal ends 45a, 45b of the bracket 40.

[0070] In some embodiments, one of the opposing side portions 43, 44 of the bracket 40 includes a first securing feature 46 engaging a second securing feature 125 in the side channel 117, 118 of the corresponding side 119, 120 of the corresponding endmost connector 100a, 100c in the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 A- 1C, the side portion 44 of the bracket 40 includes the first securing feature 46 engaging the second securing feature 125 in the side channel 118 of the corresponding side 120 of the corresponding endmost connector 100c in the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0071] The first securing feature 46 may be interchangeably referred to as “the through opening 46” herein. The first securing feature 46 includes a through opening 46. The second securing feature 125 may be interchangeably referred to as “the protrusion 125” herein. The second securing feature 125 includes a protrusion 125. The protrusion 125 fits tightly into the through opening 46.

[0072] Further, in some embodiments, one of the opposing side portions 43, 44 of the bracket 40 includes a pair of first securing features 47a, 47b engaging the pair of second securing features 130a, 130b in the side channel 117, 118 of the corresponding side 119, 120 of the corresponding endmost connector 100a, 100c in the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c. For example, the side portion 43 of the bracket 40 includes the pair of first securing features 47a, 47b engaging the pair of second securing features 130a, 130b in the side channel 117 of the corresponding side 119 of the corresponding endmost connector 100a in the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0073] The first securing features 47a, 47b may be interchangeably referred to as “the pair of spaced apart through openings 47a, 47b” or “the engaging features 47a, 47b” herein. The second securing features 130a, 130b may be interchangeably referred to as “the spaced apart protmsions 130a, 130b” herein.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first securing features 47a, 47b include the pair of the spaced apart through openings 47a, 47b. In some embodiments, the second securing features 130a, 130b include the pair of the spaced apart protmsions 130a, 130b. The protrusions 130a, 130b fit tightly into the through openings 47a, 47b.

[0075] In some embodiments, when the connector 100a is assembled side-by-side with the another connector, for example the connector 100c, that includes the opposing top and bottom channels 13c, 14c formed in the respective major top and bottom sides 15, 16 of the another connector 100c to form the assembled plurality of connectors 100a, 100c, the assembled plurality of connectors 100a, 100c is configured to be assembled to the single-piece bracket 40 disposed in the top and bottom channel portions of the channel 13a, 117, 14a of the connector 100a and top and bottom channels 13c, 14c of the another connector 100c.

[0076] The first engaging feature 130a, 130b of the connector 100a engages the corresponding engaging feature 47a, 47b of the bracket 40 for securing the single-piece bracket 40 to the assembled plurality of connectors 100a, 100c.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C to FIGS. 4A-4B, the electrical connector assembly 100 may have a modular design which may enable combining different connectors (e.g., the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c) into multiple configurations for different applications. Specifically, desired connectors (e.g., the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c or / and the connectors 100b, 100c) may be selected and assembled via the substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels 115, 116, the engaging features 17, 18, and the bracket 40 removably assembled to the selected connectors. The engaging features 17, 18 may engage the adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c to prevent the adjacent connectors 100a, 100b, 100c from sliding relative to each other. The engaging features 17, 18 may also facilitate alignment of the row 110 of the connectors 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0078] Further, the electrical connector assembly 100 may reduce a need for manufacturing different electrical connector assemblies 100 for different applications. Further, the electrical connector assembly 100 may reduce a need for replacement of a combined connector assembly specifically manufactured for an application. This may also minimize the repair and maintenance cost. Furthermore, the electrical connector assembly 100 may also enable standalone use of the connectors in various applications, i.e., different connectors 100a, 100b, 100c of the electrical connector assembly 100 may be individually used or used in different combinations, as per desired application attributes.

[0079] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

[0080] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:a plurality of connectors configured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions of a same mating connector along a same mating direction and arranged side-by-side along a lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the mating direction to form a row of the connectors, each of the connectors comprising:a housing comprising a mating end for mating with a corresponding mating portion of the mating connector along the mating direction and an opposite cable end for receiving an electric cable;a circuit board at least partially disposed in the housing and comprising a plurality of conductive front pads disposed proximate the mating end of the housing, and a plurality of conductive rear pads disposed between the front pads and the cable end of the housing, the rear pads electrically connected to the front pads; andthe electric cable at least partially disposed in the cable end of the housing and terminated at the rear pads, the housing of each of the connectors comprising opposing top and bottom channels formed in respective top and bottom major surfaces of the housing and extending along the lateral direction, the top and bottom channels aligned so as to form opposing substantially aligned respective continuous top and continuous bottom channels of the row of the connectors, and wherein for at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors in the plurality of connectors, the connectors comprise engaging features that engage each other to prevent the adjacent connectors from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction; anda bracket removably assembled to the row of the connectors and comprising:opposing top and bottom portions disposed in the respective continuous top and bottom channels of the row of the connectors; andopposing side portions disposed inside channels formed in opposing respective sides of opposing endmost connectors in the row of the connectors.

2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the connectors in the plurality of connectors is a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) connector.

3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least two of the connectors in the plurality of connectors have different widths along the lateral direction.

4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein adjacent mating portions in the plurality of mating portions of the mating connector are separated from each other by a wall of the mating connector.

5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the mating connector comprises a unitary housing, and wherein the mating portions of the mating connector comprise corresponding housing portions of the unitary housing.

6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein adjacent housing portions in the housing portions of the unitary housing of the mating connector are separated from each other by a wall of the unitary housing.

7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing of each of the connectors is unitary having a unitary construction.

8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing of each of the connectors is molded around at least a portion of the electric cable terminated at the rear pads and at least a portion of the circuit board of the connector that comprises the rear pads, such that the front pads project forwardly from the housing.

9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the channels of the housing of each of the connectors, has a length L along the lateral direction, a width W along the mating direction, and a depth H along a thickness direction (z-axis), orthogonal to the lateral and mating directions, of the housing, L > W > H.

10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging features of the at least one pair of laterally adjacent connectors in the plurality of connectors further prevent the adjacent connectors from sliding relative to each other along a thickness direction orthogonal to the lateral and mating direction.

11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging feature of one of the adjacent connectors comprises an elongated recess elongated and oriented along the mating direction, and the engaging feature of the other one of the adjacent connectors comprises an elongated protrusion elongated and oriented along the mating direction, and wherein the elongated protrusion fits tightly into the elongated recess.

12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the opposing side portions of the bracket comprises a first securing feature engaging a second securing feature in the side channel of the corresponding side of the corresponding endmost connector in the row of the connectors.

13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the first securing features comprise a pair of spaced apart through openings, wherein the second securing features comprise a pair of spaced apart protrusions, and wherein the protrusions fit tightly into the through openings.

14. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein only one of the connectors in the plurality of connectors comprises a latching member removably assembled to the housing of the connector and configured to latch to the mating connector.

15. An electrical connector configured to be assembled side-by-side with at least one other connector along a lateral direction of the electrical connector to form an assembled plurality of connectors configured to simultaneously mate with a plurality of corresponding mating portions of a same mating connector along a same mating direction orthogonal to the lateral direction, the electrical connector comprising:a circuit board comprising a plurality of conductive front pads disposed proximate a front end of the circuit board, and a plurality of conductive rear pads disposed between the front pads and an opposite rear end of the circuit board;an electric cable comprising a plurality of wires terminated at the rear pads; anda housing molded around at least a portion of the electric cable terminated at the rear pads and at least a portion of the circuit board of the connector comprising the rear pads, such that the front end and pads of the circuit board project forwardly from the housing, the housing comprising:a channel formed on an exterior of the housing and extending continuously along opposing major top and bottom sides and one of opposing lateral minor sides of the housing; a first engaging feature formed in the channel in the one of the opposing lateral minor sides of the housing; anda second engaging feature formed on the other one of the opposing lateral minor sides of the housing,such that when the connector is assembled side-by-side with another connector that comprises opposing top and bottom channels formed in respective major top and bottom sides of the another connector to form the assembled plurality of connectors:the second engaging feature of the housing engages a corresponding engaging feature of the another connector to prevent the two connectors from sliding relative to each other along the mating direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to the mating and lateral directions; and the assembled plurality of connectors is configured to be assembled to a single-piece bracket disposed in the top and bottom channel portions of the channel of the connector and top and bottom channels of the another connector, wherein the first engaging feature of the connector engages a corresponding engaging feature of the bracket for securing the single-piece bracket to the assembled plurality of connectors.

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