Mixed Leadframe Electrical Connectors for PCB Via Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional orthogonal electrical connector assemblies limit the spacing between PCB vias, restricting trace routing on the midplane PCB, as they only allow for connectors with the same number of contact leads and do not facilitate the connection of connector contacts to trace routing on the midplane.
Innovation Solution
The use of mixed leadframe assemblies in electrical connectors, which include standard, jogged, and orthogonal leadframe assemblies, allowing for differential signal pairs arranged along common centerlines with varying spacings, enabling additional spacing between PCB vias for improved trace routing by combining orthogonal and non-orthogonal leadframe assemblies in a single connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional orthogonal connector assemblies use only orthogonal leadframe assemblies, then the connectors can be mounted orthogonally through common vias, but the spacing between PCB vias is limited which restricts trace routing on the midplane PCB
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is segmented into different leadframe assembly types (orthogonal and standard) within the same connector housing. This allows selective use of orthogonal leadframe assemblies for orthogonal mounting requirements while using standard leadframe assemblies to create spacing for trace routing, thereby resolving the contradiction between orthogonal mounting capability and trace routing space.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connector assembly use different leadframe assembly configurations. Areas requiring orthogonal mounting use orthogonal leadframe assemblies, while other areas use standard leadframe assemblies to provide local spacing for trace routing. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to coexist in appropriate locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional orthogonal connector assemblies use only orthogonal leadframe assemblies, then the connectors can share common vias, but the available channels for trace routing on the midplane PCB are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The leadframe assemblies are segmented into orthogonal and standard types. Orthogonal leadframe assemblies enable via sharing for orthogonal mounting, while standard leadframe assemblies create spacing that opens up channels for trace routing. This segmentation allows both via sharing capability and trace routing capability to function simultaneously in different parts of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both orthogonal and standard leadframe assemblies. The orthogonal leadframe assemblies provide via sharing capability for orthogonal mounting, while the standard leadframe assemblies provide spacing for trace routing. This universal design allows the same connector assembly to fulfill multiple functions that were previously mutually exclusive.
3Device complexity
If connectors use the same number of contact leads for orthogonal mounting, then the configuration is simple, but it does not allow for electrical connection of connector contacts to trace routing on the midplane PCB
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into different leadframe assembly types with different numbers and configurations of contact leads. This segmentation allows some contacts to be configured for orthogonal mounting while other contacts are configured to connect to trace routing on the midplane PCB, thereby increasing electrical connection flexibility without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different contacts within the same connector are assigned different functions based on local requirements. Some contacts use orthogonal leadframe assemblies for orthogonal mounting, while other contacts use standard leadframe assemblies for trace routing connections. This local differentiation enables the connector to adapt to different electrical connection requirements without requiring completely different connector designs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are electrical connectors and methods of assembling an electrical connector having "standard" (i.e., with electrical contacts having in-line tails), jogged (i.e., with electrical contacts having jogged tails but not connected orthogonally to another connector through a substrate), and/or "orthogonal" (i.e., with electrical contacts having jogged tails that are used in an orthogonal application) leadframe assemblies in the same connector. This provides the flexibility of using some of the available contacts in an orthogonal application and, at the same time, having remaining contacts available for routing on the midplane PCB.; Though this could be done using only orthogonal leadframe assemblies, the combination of standard leadframe assemblies with orthogonal leadframe assemblies creates additional spacing between the PCB vias, so that signal traces can be more easily routed on the midplane PCB.