Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-03
2001-07-31
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
C439S108000, C439S607560
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267604
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an electrical connector of the type having multiple rows and columns of conductive elements for connection with a circuit board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors for interconnecting a circuit board backplane to a daughterboard generally comprise two mating connector halves each having multiple rows and columns of conductive elements or contacts. It is known to provide each column of contacts as a separate module that includes a vertical array of contacts having an overmolded carrier. Multiple modules are installed in a connector housing to form a complete connector. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,236. Generally, all of the modules in such a connector are substantially identical. However, there are times when it would be desirable to have different types of modules in a connector in order to accommodate different electrical characteristics of signals through the connector. A problem results in that additional tooling and handling is required for the different types of modules, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.
The backplane to daughterboard connectors have a high contact density and are required to operate at relatively high electrical speeds. Due to continuing trends toward miniaturization and improved electrical performance by the electronics industry, requirements for greater contact density and higher electrical speeds are constantly being promulgated. These requirements lead to design conflicts, especially when electrical speeds are in the range of approximately 500 megahertz and above, due to the fact that increasing the contact density places the contacts in closer proximity to each other, thereby leading to crosstalk between neighboring contacts in different signal pairs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical connector of simple and economical construction for mounting on a circuit board.
It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical connector having a modular construction.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrical connector having a high contact density which is suitable for use with very high speed electrical signals.
It is yet another object of the invention to improve the electrical performance of a circuit board mountable electrical connector.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a modular electrical connector that can be customized with modules having different electrical characteristics.
These and other objects are accomplished by an electrical connector comprising a housing including a front housing portion having a front wall and a plurality of parallel apertures extending through the front wall. A plurality of circuit boards extend through respective ones of the apertures. Each of the circuit boards has a mating edge, and the mating edges are aligned forwardly of the front wall for connection with a mating electrical connector. The housing includes a separate organizer attached to the front housing portion. The organizer has a plurality of slots that are spaced-apart in correspondence with the plurality of apertures, and the circuit boards have mounting edges that are received in respective ones of the slots.
According to another aspect, the front housing portion includes a top wall extending rearwardly from the front wall, and the top wall has slots that are aligned with respective ones of the apertures.
According to another aspect, each of the circuit boards has a top edge and a notch in the top edge, the top edge is received in a respective one of the slots in the top wall, and the notch receives a corresponding projection within said respective one of the slots in the top wall.
According to another aspect, the front housing portion includes upper and lower shrouds extending forwardly from the front wall, and each of the upper and lower shrouds has a plurality of grooves aligned with respective ones of the apertures.
According to another aspect, one of the front housing portion and the organizer has holes, and the other of the front housing portion and the organizer has posts that are interference fitted in the holes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5066236 (1991-11-01), Broeksteeg
patent: 5500788 (1996-03-01), Longueville et al.
patent: 5522727 (1996-06-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5702258 (1997-12-01), Provencher et al.
patent: 5860816 (1999-01-01), Provencher et al.
patent: 5924899 (1999-07-01), Paagman
patent: 5980321 (1999-11-01), Cohen et al.
patent: 6123554 (2000-09-01), Ortega et al.
Defibaugh George R.
Helster David W.
Mickievicz Scott K.
Sipe Lynn Robert
Luebke Renee
Tyco Electronics Corporation
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