Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080220629 | Electrical connector assembly with alignment pin - An electrical connector for connection to an electrical component assembly along a connection axis is provided. The electrical connector includes a body holding a first array of electrical contacts. The first array of electrical contacts are configured to electrically connect to a second array of electrical contacts of the electrical component assembly. An alignment pin extends outwardly from the body. The alignment pin is configured to be received within an alignment opening of the electrical component assembly for aligning the electrical component assembly with the body. The alignment pin includes at least one slot configured to receive an edge portion of the electrical component assembly that at least partially defines the alignment opening thereof. | 09-11-2008 |
20080293301 | Electrical connector with anti-twist shield - A shielded electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a receptacle therein. A shield is mounted on the housing. The shield has a protrusion formed thereon that is received in the receptacle. The protrusion engages a surface on the housing to minimize relative motion between the shield and the housing. The shield includes a shroud and the protrusion is located on the shroud. The receptacle is located proximate a mating end of the housing. The shield includes a mounting tab for mounting the connector to a panel. | 11-27-2008 |
20090034217 | Panel mount connector - A connector for mounting to a panel is provided that includes a housing that has a front edge configured to be located proximate an opening in the panel. The connector also includes a tab that extends from the front edge of the housing where the tab is oriented to engage an outer surface of the panel. A spring member also extends from the front edge of the housing and is positioned to engage an inner surface of the panel. The spring member is flexible toward and away from the tab. | 02-05-2009 |
20090137157 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING SIGNAL AND POWER CONTACTS - An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a tongue including an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposite side surfaces. A plurality of signal contacts are held by the housing and are exposed along the upper surface. At least one power contact is held by the housing and is exposed along one of the opposite side surfaces. Optionally, the tongue and signal contacts define an eSATA mating interface configured for mating with a plug of a serial cable defining an eSATA plug interface. | 05-28-2009 |
20100022135 | RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS - A receptacle assembly for an electrical connector is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts and a shield. The housing includes a mating end and a mounting end that are orthogonal to each other. The mating end of the housing is elongated along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The electrical contacts are held by the housing and extend between a mating end presented at the mating end of the housing and a mounting end configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The shield has a mating interface elongated along a longitudinal axis. The shield is configured to receive the electrical connector. The housing and the contacts are located within the shield. The longitudinal axes of the housing and the mating interface are orthogonal to the circuit board. | 01-28-2010 |
20100029105 | CONTACT ORGANIZER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - A connector system includes a connector assembly and a contact organizer. The connector assembly includes a mounting end and a plurality of contacts protruding from the mounting end. The contact organizer includes a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of channels extending between the top and bottom sides. The contact organizer is movable with respect to the connector assembly between a supporting position and a seated position. When the contact organizer is in the supporting position, the contacts at least partially extend through the channels. When the contact organizer is moved to the supporting position, the contact organizer is moved toward the mounting end of the connector assembly until the top side of the contact organizer engages the mounting end. | 02-04-2010 |
20100081298 | ASSEMBLY FOR INTERCONNECTING CIRCUIT BOARDS - An electrical connector assembly that is configured to electrically couple first and second circuit boards is provided. The connector assembly includes an electrical connector that is configured to be coupled to the first circuit board. The connector includes a board mating face and an array of connector contacts. The connector contacts are configured to engage the board contacts. The connector also includes a guide assembly that is configured to be coupled to the first and second circuit boards. The guide assembly includes a guide channel and a cam member that slidably engages the guide channel such that the second circuit board is moved during a loading stage along a longitudinal direction until the board contacts are substantially aligned with the array of connector contacts. The second circuit board is also moved during a shifting stage in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. | 04-01-2010 |
20100093208 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM HAVING AN ELEVATED UPPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - A connector system includes an upper electrical connector having a housing that defines an open bottomed cavity defining a cavity envelope and that defines a mating interface for a mating connector. The upper electrical connector further has contacts mounted to the housing and extending along the mating interface. The connector system includes a first lower electrical connector mountable to a circuit board that has a first outer envelope adapted for fitting in the cavity envelope, and a second lower electrical connector mountable to a circuit board that has a second outer envelope adapted for fitting in the cavity envelope. The upper electrical connector is separately mountable to the circuit board over each of the first lower electrical connector and the second lower electrical connector. Optionally, the upper electrical connector may be mountable over only one of the first lower electrical connector and the second lower electrical connector at a time | 04-15-2010 |
20100303415 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS - A connector assembly that includes a base frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends. The connector assembly also includes a moveable side that is supported by the base frame and extends in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The moveable side includes a mating array of terminals. The connector assembly also includes a flex connection that is communicatively coupled to the mating array. The flex connection and the mating array are configured to transmit data signals. The connector assembly also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame and is operatively coupled to the moveable side. The coupling mechanism is configured to be actuated to move the moveable side between retracted and engaged positions along a mating direction. | 12-02-2010 |
20100311255 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING AT LEAST ONE HOLE WITH SURFACE MOUNT PROJECTIONS - An electrical connector for electrically coupling an electronic module and an electrical component. The connector includes a connector body that has first and second mating surfaces. The connector body includes interconnects that extend through the connector body between the first and second mating surfaces for electrically coupling the module and the component. The connector body has a hole extending therethrough along a central axis. The hole is configured to receive a guide pin from one of the module and the component. The connector also includes surface mount projections that are coupled to the connector body and extend toward the central axis of the hole. The projections engage and flex against the guide pin when the guide pin is inserted into the hole. The projections form an interference fit with the guide pin to hold the connector body in a mounted position. | 12-09-2010 |
20110124231 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A SEPARABLE MATING INTERFACE - An electrical connector assembly includes a connector having a connector housing and contacts held by the connector housing, where the contacts defining a separable mating interface for mating with a mating component. An actuator engages the contacts and is movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position. The contacts are deflected relative to the connector housing when the actuator is moved to the actuated position. An actuation device is configured to move the actuator between the actuated position and the unactuated position. | 05-26-2011 |
20110151685 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR COUPLING CIRCUIT BOARDS - A connector assembly includes a housing, a connector interface body, an elongated shaft, and a cam. The housing has an opening extending into the front face and an elongated channel oriented along the longitudinal axis. The cam is within the opening of the housing and includes a passageway through which a shaft of the housing extends. Rotation of the shaft rotates the cam to engage and drive the connector interface body away from the housing. The cam includes a collar protruding from the cam and extending along a periphery of the passageway. The collar has a clearance dimension along a first direction that is smaller than a gap between the retention features of the housing and an interference dimension along a transverse direction that is larger than the gap. The cam is retained in the housing when the collar engages retention features of the housing across the interference dimension. | 06-23-2011 |
20110151687 | INTERCONNECT ASSEMBLY HAVING A SEPARABLE MATING INTERFACE - An interconnect assembly for interconnecting first and second electrical components includes a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces and a first array of contacts on the first surface for engaging corresponding elements on the first electrical component. The first array of contacts defines a compressible interface that mates with the first electrical component. The first array of contacts includes signal contacts transferring data signals across the compressible interface and the first array of contacts includes a combination of power contacts that jointly convey power across the compressible interface. The interconnect assembly also includes a second array of contacts on the second surface for engaging corresponding elements on the second electrical component. The second array of contacts having signal contacts electrically connected to the signal contact of the first array of contacts and power contacts electrically connected to the power contacts of the second array of contacts. | 06-23-2011 |
20110170827 | CONNECTORS AND ASSEMBLIES HAVING A PLURALITY OF MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS - A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and first and second moveable mating arrays having mating surfaces with terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays so that the mating surfaces of the first and second mating arrays extend along the longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays along different mating directions with respect to select components. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays, between retracted and engaged positions, wherein the corresponding mating array is spaced apart from the select component in the retracted position and engaged to the select component in the engaged position. | 07-14-2011 |
20110170828 | CONNECTORS AND ASSEMBLIES HAVING A PLURALITY OF MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS - A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and moveable first and second mating arrays comprising respective mating surfaces having terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays and moves the first and second mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions. The first and second mating arrays are spaced apart from a select component when in the corresponding retracted position. The first and second mating arrays are communicatively coupled to the select component when in the corresponding engaged position. The coupling mechanism initiates movement of the first mating array from the retracted position toward the engaged position while the second mating array remains stationary with respect to the base frame. | 07-14-2011 |
20110171848 | LINEARLY ACTUATED CONNECTOR MATING INTERFACE - A connector assembly includes a housing, a connector interface, and an actuator. The housing extends from a front end to a back end and includes an elongated channel extending through the housing along an actuation axis disposed between the front and back ends. The connector interface is joined with the front end of the housing and is configured to be electrically joined with a circuit board when the connector interface is moved away from the front end and mates with the circuit board. The actuator is disposed within the channel of the housing and includes a ramp angled toward the front end of the housing. The connector interface mates with the circuit board by moving the actuator along the actuation axis to engage the ramp with the connector interface and move the connector interface toward the circuit board. | 07-14-2011 |
20110250773 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A FLOATING MATING ARRAY - A connector assembly includes a housing, a mating array, and a self-alignment subassembly. The housing is joined to a first circuit board and includes a header portion that moves in a mating direction toward a second circuit board. The mating array is joined to the header portion and includes a terminal. The mating array is moveable in the mating direction to couple the terminal with a mating terminal of the second circuit board. The self-alignment subassembly is disposed between the header portion and the mating array. The self-alignment subassembly applies a floating force on the mating array that permits alignment of the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal while the mating array is moved in directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the mating direction. The self-alignment subassembly also applies a loading force on the mating array in the mating direction that couples the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal. | 10-13-2011 |
20110306251 | CONNECTOR WITH A LATERALLY MOVING CONTACT - A connector includes a housing, a contact, an angled interface, and a resilient member. The contact is disposed in the housing and includes a mating end and an interface end. The angled interface includes a sliding surface that is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The resilient member is coupled with the contact and the housing and is configured to apply a force to the contact in a direction that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. The mating end of the contact engages a conductive element of a mating connector and the interface end of the contact slides along the sliding surface of the angled interface when the contact is moved in a mating direction toward the conductive element. The angled interface translates movement of the contact in the mating direction into lateral movement across the conductive element. | 12-15-2011 |
20120114286 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING MATING SIDES MOVED BY FLUIDIC COUPLING MECHANISMS - A connector assembly having a connector body that includes a support structure and a mating side and has an adjustable cavity therebetween. The mating side has a mating array of terminals thereon that is configured to face a communication component. The mating side is moveable relative to the support structure. The connector assembly also includes an elastic container having a reservoir that holds a working fluid. The elastic container is positioned within the adjustable cavity between the support structure and the mating side. The elastic container changes between first and second shapes to move the mating side toward and away from the communication component. | 05-10-2012 |
20120115345 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS AND POWER CONNECTORS - A connector assembly that includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends. The connector assembly also includes a moveable mating side that is supported by the base frame and extends in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis. The mating side has a mating array of terminals configured to communicate data signals. The connector assembly also includes a power connector that is configured to establish an electrical connection. The power connector is coupled to the mating side. Also, the connector assembly includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame and is operatively coupled to the mating side. The coupling mechanism is configured to be actuated to move the mating side between retracted and engaged positions in a mating direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. | 05-10-2012 |
20120120607 | FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT ASSEMBLIES WITH STACKED FLEX INTERCONNECTS AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING THE SAME - A flexible circuit assembly including a pair of mating panels. Each of the mating panels has an engagement face and a power contact. The circuit assembly also includes adjacent first and second flex interconnects that mechanically and electrically couple the mating panels. The first and second flex interconnects extend alongside each other and have respective interior surfaces. The first and second flex interconnects are stacked with respect to each other such that the interior surfaces face each other and define a heat-dissipating interspace therebetween. The circuit assembly also includes a plurality of power conductors that extend through the first and second flex interconnects between the mating panels. The power conductors are electrically parallel to one another between the power contacts. At least one of the power conductors extends proximate to the interior surface of one of the first and second flex interconnects. | 05-17-2012 |
20120202370 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS CONFIGURED TO DISSIPATE THERMAL ENERGY THEREFROM - A connector assembly that includes a communication connector comprising a base frame and a moveable side that is supported by the base frame. The moveable side has a mating array of terminals thereon and is configured to move with respect to the base frame between retracted and engaged positions to engage a communication component. The connector assembly also includes a flexible circuit including a flex interconnect that has opposite exterior surfaces. The flexible circuit is coupled to the moveable side. The connector assembly also includes a plurality of heat-dissipation elements that are attached to the flex interconnect and project away from one of the exterior surfaces. The heat-dissipation elements are configured to conduct thermal energy from the flex interconnect and transfer the thermal energy to an ambient environment. | 08-09-2012 |
20120258612 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A CABLE - A connector assembly includes a connector housing configured to be coupled to a primary circuit board. A connector is held within the connector housing. The connector has a connector circuit board having a mating surface and a cable surface. The mating surface has mating contacts configured to be mated to corresponding mating contacts of a secondary circuit board. The cable surface has cable contacts. Cables extend between a first end and a second end. The first end of each cable is coupled to corresponding cable contacts of the connector circuit board. The second end of each cable is configured to be coupled to a cable contact on the primary circuit board or a second connector assembly on the primary circuit board. | 10-11-2012 |
20140242841 | GROUNDING STRUCTURES FOR CONTACT MODULES OF CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES - A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a wafer, a first ground frame extending along a first side of the wafer and a second ground frame extending along a second side of the wafer. The wafer has a dielectric body holding a plurality of signal contacts. The first ground frame has beams extending from a front of the first ground frame. The second ground frame has shields at least partially surrounding corresponding mating portions of the signal contacts. Each first ground frame is mechanically and electrically connected to an adjacent second ground frame of an adjacent contact module. Each second ground frame is mechanically and electrically connected to an adjacent first ground frame of an adjacent contact module. | 08-28-2014 |