阅读说明：本技术 具有触头组件的插座连接器 (Receptacle connector with contact assembly ) 是由 M.J.菲利普斯 R.R.亨利 M.E.舍克 于 2017-08-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种插座连接器(104),包括触头组件(136),该触头组件具有保持触头(116)的介电载体(140),触头可由介电载体包覆模制。插座连接器包括保持触头组件的壳体(106),该触头组件具有与配合连接器(105)配合的配合端(108)以及安装至电路板(102)的安装端(110)。壳体具有第一和第二侧壁(122、124)以及第一和第二端壁(126、128)。壳体具有在顶部(118)敞开的卡槽(112)以用于接收插头连接器、以及在底部(120)敞开的触头组件腔(170)以用于接收触头组件。壳体可具有定位肋(172)和/或加强肋(190),其中定位肋从第一和第二侧壁延伸以将触头组件定位在腔中,并且加强肋延伸跨过腔以在远离端壁的位置处连接侧壁。(A receptacle connector (104) includes a contact assembly (136) having a dielectric carrier (140) that holds contacts (116) that may be overmolded by the dielectric carrier. The receptacle connector includes a housing (106) that holds a contact assembly having a mating end (108) that mates with a mating connector (105) and a mounting end (110) that is mounted to a circuit board (102). The housing has first and second side walls (122, 124) and first and second end walls (126, 128). The housing has a card slot (112) open at a top (118) for receiving a plug connector and a contact assembly cavity (170) open at a bottom (120) for receiving a contact assembly. The housing may have positioning ribs (172) extending from the first and second side walls to position the contact assembly in the cavity and/or stiffening ribs (190) extending across the cavity to connect the side walls at a location remote from the end walls.)

1. A receptacle connector (104) configured to mate with a plug connector (105), the receptacle connector comprising:

a contact assembly (136) having a first contact sub-assembly (138A) and a second contact sub-assembly (138B) coupled to the first contact sub-assembly, the first and second contact sub-assemblies having corresponding first and second dielectric carriers (140), the first and second contact sub-assemblies having contacts (116) held by the first and second dielectric carriers, respectively, the contacts being arranged as first and second arrays of contacts (134) aligned in corresponding first and second rows (144, 146), the contact having a contact mating end (130) configured to electrically connect with the plug connector, the contacts have terminating ends (132) configured to electrically connect with a circuit board (102), the contact having an intermediate portion (164) between the contact mating end and the terminating end, the intermediate portion is overmolded by an overmolding body (166) forming respective first and second dielectric carriers; and

a housing (106) holding the contact assembly, the housing having a housing mating end (108) at a top (118) of the housing and a mounting end (110) at a bottom (120) of the housing, the housing mating end (108) configured to mate with the plug connector, the mounting end (110) configured to mount to the circuit board, the housing having first and second sidewalls (122, 124) extending between the top and bottom, the housing having first and second end walls (126, 128) extending between the top and bottom, the housing has a card slot (112) open at the top for receiving the plug connector, wherein the contact mating ends of the contacts are exposed in the card slot for mating electrical connection with the plug connector, the housing having a contact assembly cavity (170) open at the bottom for receiving the contact assembly;

wherein the housing has a positioning rib, the positioning rib comprising:

end wall positioning ribs (172) on the first end wall (126) and the second end wall (128),

sidewall positioning ribs (174) on the first and second sidewalls (122, 124), the sidewall positioning ribs (174) including primary positioning ribs (176) extending from the housing to a first depth in the contact assembly cavity and secondary positioning ribs (178) extending from the housing to a second depth in the contact assembly cavity, the second depth being less than the first depth.

2. The receptacle connector (104) of claim 1, wherein the first and second contact sub-assemblies (138) are identical and inverted 180 ° with respect to each other and coupled together to form the contact assembly (136).

3. The receptacle connector (104) of claim 1, wherein the contact assembly (136) includes at least one securing feature (162) on at least one of the first and second dielectric carriers (140), the housing includes at least one securing feature (184) on at least one of the first and second sidewalls (122, 124), the at least one securing feature (184) of the housing interacting with the at least one securing feature of the contact assembly to secure the contact assembly in the contact assembly cavity (170).

4. The receptacle connector (104) of claim 1, wherein the housing (106) includes a stiffening rib (190) extending across the contact assembly cavity (170) to connect the first side wall (122) to the second side wall (124) at a location remote from the first end wall (126) and remote from the second end wall (128).

5. The receptacle connector (104) of claim 4, wherein the reinforcing rib (190) joins the first and second sidewalls (122, 124) together to resist outward bending of the first and second sidewalls.

6. The receptacle connector (104) of claim 1, wherein the primary positioning rib is located outboard, between the secondary positioning rib and the respective end wall.

Technical Field

The subject matter herein relates generally to receptacle connectors having contact assemblies.

Background

High speed electrical connectors typically send and receive data signals across a mating interface. For example, some known receptacle connectors mount to a circuit board and include a card slot that receives a card edge of the receptacle connector at a mating interface. The receptacle connector has contacts with deflectable spring beams at the mating interface that are spring loaded against the plug connector when the plug connector is loaded into the slot. The contacts are typically loaded or stitched into the housing. However, receptacle connectors having closely centerline spaced contacts are problematic for manufacturing the housing because the walls between the channels holding the contacts are relatively thin, and for holding the contacts in the channels because the thin walls do not have enough material to hold the contacts. Some known receptacle connectors utilize contact assemblies that are loaded into a housing. However, these receptacle connectors have problems with holding the contact assembly in the housing. For example, press-fit features used to retain the contact assembly are stressed under a mating load. Furthermore, the housing tends to bend and open such that there is insufficient retention force to retain the contact assembly in the housing. In addition, the bending changes the shape of the housing, causing the positioning of the housing and the contact beams to become misaligned relative to each other, relative to the plug connector, and/or relative to the circuit board,

there is therefore a need for a receptacle connector that holds and positions a contact assembly for mating with a plug connector and mounting to a circuit board.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, a receptacle connector is provided that is configured to mate with a plug connector and includes a contact assembly having a first contact sub-assembly and a second contact sub-assembly coupled to the first contact sub-assembly. The first and second contact sub-assemblies have corresponding first and second dielectric carriers. The first and second contact sub-assemblies have contacts held by first and second dielectric carriers, respectively. The contacts are arranged in first and second arrays of contacts aligned in corresponding first and second rows. The contact has a mating end configured to electrically connect with a plug connector, a terminating end configured to electrically connect with a circuit board, and an intermediate portion between the mating end and the terminating end that is overmolded by an overmolded body that forms the respective first and second dielectric carriers. The receptacle connector includes a housing holding a contact assembly, the housing having a mating end at a top of the housing configured to mate with the plug connector and a mounting end at a bottom of the housing configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The housing has first and second sidewalls extending between a top and a bottom. The housing has first and second end walls extending between the top and bottom. The housing has a card slot open at the top for receiving a plug connector, wherein the mating ends of the contacts are exposed in the card slot for mating electrical connection with the plug connector. The housing has a contact assembly cavity open at the bottom for receiving the contact assembly.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an electrical connector system showing a plug electrical connector mated with a receptacle connector according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the electrical connector system showing the plug connector ready to mate with the receptacle electrical connector;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a contact assembly for a receptacle connector according to one exemplary embodiment;

figure 4 is a perspective view of the contact assembly in an unassembled state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the contact assembly;

fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a receptacle connector according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 7 and 8 are bottom perspective views of a housing of a receptacle connector according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a portion of a housing according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 10 is a bottom view of the receptacle connector showing the contact assembly loaded in the contact assembly cavity at the bottom of the housing;

fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a receptacle connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an electrical connector system 100 showing components in a mated state according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the electrical connector system 100 showing the components in an unmated state. The electrical connector system 100 includes a circuit board 102 and a receptacle connector 104 mounted to the circuit board 102, the receptacle connector 104 being configured to electrically connect to a plug connector 105 to provide a conductive signal path between the circuit board 102 and the plug connector 105. Receptacle connector 104 may be a high-speed connector that transmits data signals at rates in excess of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps), e.g., in excess of 25 Gbps. The receptacle connector 104 may also be configured to transmit low speed data signals and/or power. The receptacle connector 104 may alternatively be an input-output (I/O) connector.

The receptacle electrical connector 104 includes a housing 106 extending between a mating end 108 and a mounting end 110. The mounting end 110 is terminated to the top surface of the circuit board 102. The mating end 108 defines an interface for connecting to the plug connector 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating end 108 defines a socket or card slot 112 configured to receive the plug connector 105 therein. For example, the mating end of the plug connector 105 may be defined by a card edge 114 (fig. 2) thereof. Card edge 114 may be an edge of a circuit card of plug connector 105 having exposed conductors on one or both sides thereof that are configured to be inserted into card slot 112. In other various embodiments, the card edge 114 may be an edge of a plug housing having exposed conductors on one or both sides thereof that are configured to be inserted into the card slot 112, or the card edge 114 may be another insertable structure configured to be received in the card slot 112 for electrical connection with the receptacle connector 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle connector 104 is a vertical board mount connector such that the card slot 112 is configured to receive the plug connector 105 along a loading direction that is transverse (such as perpendicular) to a top surface of the circuit board 102. In an alternative environment, the receptacle connector 104 may be a right-angle type connector configured to receive the plug connector 105 along a loading direction parallel to the top surface. In another alternative embodiment, the receptacle connector 104 may be terminated to a cable rather than the circuit board 102. Alternatively, the plug connector 105 may be a transceiver-type connector configured to be terminated to one or more cables.

The housing 106 of the receptacle connector 104 holds a plurality of contacts 116 that are at least partially held within the housing 106. The housing 106 extends between a top 118 and an opposite bottom 120. The top 118 defines the mating end 108 of the connector 104 such that the card slot 112 extends into the connector 104 via the top 118. The base 120 may define at least a portion of the mounting end 110 of the connector 104. For example, the bottom 120 abuts or at least faces the top surface of the circuit board 102. The card slot 112 is defined by a first sidewall 122, a second sidewall 124, and first and second end walls 126, 128 that each extend between the sidewalls 122, 124. Side walls 122, 124 and end walls 126, 128 extend from top 118 toward bottom 120 of housing 106. As used herein, relative or spatial terms, such as "front", "rear", "first", "second", "top", and "bottom", "left", "right", are used merely to distinguish between the elements bearing the reference numbers, and do not necessarily require a particular position or orientation in the connector assembly 100, or a particular position or orientation of the receptacle connector 104 relative to gravity or relative to the surrounding environment.

The contacts 116 of the receptacle connector 104 are configured to provide electrically conductive signal paths through the receptacle connector 104. For example, each contact 116 includes a contact beam or spring beam that defines a mating end 130 of the contact 116, the mating end 130 being configured to: the mating ends 130 engage and electrically connect to corresponding conductors (e.g., traces or mating contacts) of the plug connector 105 in the card slot 112 when the plug connector 105 is fully mated to the receptacle connector 104. The mating end 130 engages the mating conductor at a separable mating interface. The mating end 130 is disposed in the card slot 112. The contacts 116 also include terminating ends 132 configured to be terminated to corresponding contact elements (not shown) of the circuit board 102 via through-hole mounting to conductive vias (conductive vias), surface mounting to conductive pads, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminating ends 132 of the contacts 116 are surface mounted to pads on the top surface of the circuit board 102 and may be soldered to pads on the circuit board 102.

In one embodiment, the contacts 116 are organized in at least one contact array 134. The contacts 116 in the respective arrays 134 are arranged side-by-side in a row. In the illustrated embodiment, the contacts 116 are organized in two arrays 134. The only portions of the contacts 116 in the first of the two arrays 134A that are visible in fig. 2 are the terminating ends 130, while the only portions of the contacts 116 in the second of the two arrays 134B that are visible are the mating ends 132. The mating ends 130 of the contacts 116 in the first array 134A extend from the first side wall 122 at least partially into the card slot 112, and the mating ends 130 of the contacts 116 in the second array 134B extend from the second side wall 124 at least partially into the card slot 112. Thus, the mating ends 130 of the first array 134A of contacts 116 are configured to engage one side of the card edge 114 of the plug connector 105, while the mating ends 130 of the second array 134B of contacts 116 are configured to engage an opposite side of the card edge 114. The mating end 130 may be configured to deflect toward and/or into the respective side wall 122, 124 from which the mating end 130 extends to exert a biased retention force on the plug connector 105 to retain mechanical and electrical contact with the corresponding mating conductor. The card edge 114 of the plug connector 115 may be substantially centered within the card slot 115 to balance the mating force of the contacts 116. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 106 includes alignment features to ensure that the plug connector 105 is substantially centered within the card slot 112, which may reduce over-travel of the contacts 116, thereby reducing damage to the contacts 116,

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a contact assembly 136 for the receptacle connector 104 (shown in fig. 1) according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the contact assembly 136 in an unassembled state. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the contact assembly 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact assembly 136 includes first and second contact sub-assemblies 138A, 138B (fig. 5 shows the first contact sub-assembly 138A), the first and second contact sub-assemblies 138A, 138B configured to be coupled to one another to form the contact assembly 136. Each contact sub-assembly 138 includes a dielectric carrier 140 (which may be labeled as a first dielectric carrier 140A and a second dielectric carrier 140B, respectively) that holds a plurality of contacts 116. Alternatively, as in the illustrated embodiment, the contact sub-assemblies 138A, 138B may be identical components that are inverted 180 ° and coupled together. In other embodiments, the contact sub-assemblies 138A, 138B may be similar to one another, but not identical, having some different features, such as securing features for securing these components together and/or to the housing 106 (shown in fig. 1). Alternatively, the contact sub-assemblies 138A, 138B may be male and female connectors having male and female securing features (e.g., posts and openings).

The contacts 116 are distributed in arrays 134A, 134B. For example, the first array 134A is disposed in a first contact sub-assembly 138A and the second array 134B is disposed in a second contact sub-assembly 138B. The mating ends 130 of the contacts 116 in the first array 134A are arranged side-by-side in a first row 144 (fig. 3), and the mating ends 130 of the contacts 116 in the second array 134B are arranged side-by-side in a second row 146 (fig. 3). The first and second rows 144, 146 extend parallel to one another on opposite sides of a central plane 148 of the contact assembly 136 (the central plane 148 is shown as being vertically oriented and extending longitudinally through the contact assembly 136).

Each contact 116 extends continuously between the terminating end 132 and the mating end 130. Adjacent contacts 116 in the same array 134 may extend parallel to each other. The contacts 116 are constructed of a conductive material, such as one or more metals. The contacts 116 may be stamped and formed from a flat sheet of metal into a shape. In one embodiment, at least some of the contacts 116 of the receptacle connector 104 are used to carry high speed data signals and some other contacts 116 are used as ground conductors to provide electrical shielding for the high speed signals and to provide a ground path through the receptacle connector 104. Some of the contacts 116 may be used to provide low speed data signals, power, etc., rather than high speed data signals.

The contacts 116 in each array 134 are evenly spaced along the longitudinal axis of the contact assembly 136. In one embodiment, the contacts 116 are held in place by a dielectric carrier 140. Dielectric carrier 140 extends between a top 152 and a bottom 154. The dielectric carrier 140 has a front 156 and a back 158 between the top 152 and the bottom 154. When the contact assembly 136 is assembled, the rear portions 158 of the dielectric carriers 140 face each other and may abut each other.

The rear 158 of each dielectric carrier 140 may include one or more securing features 160 for securing the plurality of dielectric carriers 140 together when the contact assembly 136 is assembled. The securing features 160 may interact with one another to secure the contact sub-assemblies 138 together. For example, the securing features 160 may be any combination of posts, openings, latches, snaps, clips, fasteners, or other types of securing features. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing features include posts 160A and openings 160B, the openings 160B configured to receive the posts 160A of the other dielectric carrier 140. The posts 160A may be held in the corresponding openings 160B by an interference or friction fit to secure the dielectric carriers 140 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the dielectric carrier 140 includes two posts 160A at one end thereof and two openings 160B at the other end thereof; however, in alternative embodiments, any number and/or arrangement of posts 160A and openings 160B may be used. In some embodiments, the opening 160B may be hexagonal. In other alternative embodiments, rather than having two dielectric carriers 140, the contact assembly 136 has a single dielectric carrier 140 that holds a single array 145 or multiple arrays 134.

The front 156 of the dielectric carrier 140 may face in the opposite direction and may engage the housing 106. The front 156 of one or both of the dielectric carriers 140 may include one or more securing features 162 for securing the contact assembly 136 to the housing 106. The securing features 162 may interact with corresponding securing features of the housing 106 to secure the contact assembly 136 to the housing 106. For example, the securing features 162 may be any combination of clips, latches, snaps, protrusions, openings, or other types of securing features. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing feature 162 is a ramp-shaped catch for interacting with a corresponding latch on the housing 106.

The contacts 116 extend through the dielectric carrier 140 such that the mating ends 130 protrude from the top 152 and the terminating ends 132 protrude from the bottom 154, wherein the dielectric carrier 140 engages and retains the middle portions 164 of the contacts 116 to retain the relative position and orientation of the contacts 116.

The dielectric carrier 140 is formed of a dielectric material, such as plastic or one or more other polymers. Optionally, the dielectric carrier 140 is overmolded around the contacts 116. For example, the dielectric carrier 140 may include an overmolded body 166 molded around the intermediate portion 164 of the contact 116. An overmolded body 166 is formed in place around the contacts 116. The overmolded body 166 may be injection molded around the contacts 116, and the contacts 116 may be held together as part of a leadframe prior to overmolding. Alternatively, the contacts 116 may be loaded or stitched into a pre-formed dielectric carrier 140.

In an exemplary embodiment, the dielectric carrier 140 includes a channel 168 formed in the top portion 152. Channels 168 are formed between each contact 116. The channel 168 is configured to receive a portion of the housing 106 when the contact assembly 136 is loaded into the housing 106. The overmolded body 166 may be secured to a portion of the housing 106 that is received in the channel 168 by an interference fit. For example, the overmolded body 166 may include crush ribs or other securing features in the channel 168 to secure the dielectric carrier 140 to the housing 106.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the receptacle connector 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. When assembled, the contact assembly 136 is received in the housing 106 such that the mating ends 130 of the contacts 116 are exposed in the card slot 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 106 includes a plurality of contact channels 180 in the first and second sidewalls 122, 124. Each contact channel 180 receives a corresponding contact 116. The housing 106 includes separation walls 182 between the contact channels 180. The dividing walls 182 maintain the relative position of the contacts 116. The partition walls 182 retain the contacts 116 in the contact channels 180. The separation walls 182 maintain the contacts 116 parallel to each other and/or parallel to the direction of mating with the plug connector 105 (shown in fig. 1).

In an exemplary embodiment, the mating ends 130 may deflect into the contact channels 180 when the plug connector 105 (fig. 1) is loaded into the card slot 112. When the mating end 130 deflects, the contact 116 is spring loaded against the plug connector 105 due to the internal biasing force exerted by the spring beam of the contact 116. The contacts 116 are spring loaded to form a mechanical and electrical connection with the plug connector 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 106 may include features to center the plug connector 105 within the card slot 112 to prevent over travel of any of the contacts 116 when the mating end 130 deflects past an elastic limit. Centering the plug connector 105 also balances the opposing spring forces of the two rows of contacts 116.

Fig. 7 and 8 are bottom perspective views of the housing 106 of the receptacle connector 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. The housing 106 includes a contact assembly cavity 170 at the bottom 120 that receives the contact assembly 136 (shown in figure 3). The contact assembly cavity 170 is positioned below the card slot 112. Alternatively, the contact assembly cavity 170 may be wider than the card slot 112. The contact channels 180 and the partition walls 182 are shown in fig. 7 and 8.

The housing 106 includes end wall locating ribs 172 on the end walls 126, 128. The end wall positioning ribs 172 longitudinally position and/or center the contact assembly 136 (fig. 3 and 6) in the contact assembly cavity 170. Alternatively, the end wall positioning ribs 172 may be crush ribs configured to deform or crush when the contact assembly 136 is loaded into the contact assembly cavity 170. The contact assembly 136 may be retained in the contact assembly cavity 170 by an interference fit between the end wall positioning ribs 172. For example, the end wall positioning ribs 172 may engage the dielectric carrier 140 with a retention force sufficient to retain the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170.

The housing 106 includes sidewall positioning ribs 174 on the sidewalls 122, 124. The sidewall positioning ribs 174 laterally position and/or center the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170. Alternatively, the sidewall positioning ribs 174 may be crush ribs configured to deform or crush when the contact assembly 136 is loaded into the contact assembly cavity 170. The contact assembly 136 may be retained in the contact assembly cavity 170 by an interference fit between the sidewall positioning ribs 174. For example, the sidewall positioning ribs 174 may engage the dielectric carrier 140 with a retention force (e.g., a force sufficient to retain the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170). Alternatively, rather than securing the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170, the sidewall positioning ribs 174 may be used only for alignment of the contact assembly 136 within the contact assembly cavity 170, and not for retaining or securing the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170. For example, while the sidewall positioning ribs 174 may engage one or both sides of the contact assembly 136, the sidewall positioning ribs 174 may engage the contact assembly 136 with a non-retaining force (e.g., a force insufficient to retain the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170).

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 106 includes different types of sidewall positioning ribs 174. For example, the housing 106 includes primary positioning ribs 176 and secondary positioning ribs 178. The primary positioning ribs 176 are press-fit against the contact assembly 136 to retain the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170 and thereby define the press-fit ribs 176. The press-fit ribs 176 may be crush ribs configured to deform or crush when the contact assembly 136 is loaded into the contact assembly cavity 170. The press-fit ribs 176 exert a retention force on the contact assembly 136 sufficient to retain the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170 (either independently or cumulatively with other press-fit ribs 176 and/or end wall positioning ribs 172). The secondary positioning ribs 178 serve to align the contact assembly 136 within the contact assembly cavity 170 without press-fitting against the contact assembly 136, and may be referred to hereinafter as alignment mating ribs 178. The alignment mating rib 178 has less retention force than the press-fit rib 176. The secondary positioning ribs 178 may engage the contact assemblies 136 to control the alignment or positioning of the contact assemblies 136 (e.g., to maintain the contact assemblies 136 a spaced distance from the corresponding sidewalls 122, 124); however, each of the secondary positioning ribs 178 need not engage the contact assembly 136, as the contact assembly 136, the housing 106, and/or the secondary positioning ribs 178 may be designed with certain tolerances so that the components are not over tightened when assembled.

In the exemplary embodiment, press-fit ribs 176 are disposed closer to end walls 126, 128, and alignment-fit ribs 178 are disposed closer to a longitudinal center of housing 106. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, three press-fit ribs 176 are disposed at each end portion (e.g., outer third) of each side wall 122, 124 proximate the corresponding end wall 126, 128, while two alignment fit ribs 178 are disposed at a central portion (e.g., central third) of each side wall 122, 124. Because the side walls 122, 124 are more rigidly held relative to one another proximate the end walls 126, 128 due to the support provided by the end walls 126, 128, the end portions of the side walls 122, 124 are better suited to holding the contact assembly 136. Accordingly, the primary or press-fit ribs 176 are positioned along the end portions of the side walls 122, 124 proximate the end walls 126, 128. Conversely, secondary or alignment mating ribs 178 are provided at the central portions of the side walls 122, 124 since the side walls 122, 124 are unsupported and thus more vulnerable to damage near the central portions of the side walls 122, 124. Further, if the press-fit ribs 176 are provided at the center portions of the side walls 122, 124, the center portions tend to bow or flex outwardly, which may result in improper positioning of the contact assembly 136 in the housing 106 and/or improper positioning of the housing 106 on the circuit board 102, which may result in misalignment of the contacts 116 with pads on the circuit board 102. However, in alternative embodiments, the side walls 122, 124 may be made more robust, such as thicker, to withstand the retention force of the press-fit ribs 176 in the central portions of the side walls 122, 124, and/or reinforcing ribs may be provided across the contact assembly cavity 170 to provide additional support, as described in more detail below.

The housing 106 includes a retention feature 184, the retention feature 184 interacting with the retention feature 162 (shown in figure 3) of the contact assembly 136 to retain the contact assembly 136 within the contact assembly cavity 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing feature 184 is a latch for engaging a catch defining the securing feature 162; however, in alternative embodiments, other types of securing features 184 may be provided. Securing features 184 are provided on both side walls 122, 124; however, in alternative embodiments, only one sidewall 122, 124 may have a securing feature 184. In other alternative embodiments, the end walls 126, 128 may include a securing feature 184.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 106 includes a stiffener 190, the stiffener 190 extending across the contact assembly cavity 170 to connect the first sidewall 122 to the second sidewall 124 at a location distal from the first end wall 126 and distal from the second end wall 128. The stiffening ribs 190 may be provided at or near the central portion of the side walls 122, 124. The strengthening ribs 190 couple the first and second sidewalls 122, 124 together to resist outward bending of the first and second sidewalls 122, 124. The strengthening ribs 190 support the side walls 122, 124 at multiple locations to resist warping, bending, or buckling of the side walls 122, 124, which may keep the side walls 122, 124 straighter in the longitudinal direction, particularly for longer housings 106. Providing the stiffening ribs 190 may allow the housing 106 to be manufactured from less expensive materials while still achieving the same degree of rigidity.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of a portion of the housing 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. End wall positioning ribs 172 and side wall positioning ribs 174 are shown in fig. 9, including both press-fit ribs 176 and alignment mating ribs 178. The positioning ribs 176, 178 extend into the contact assembly cavity 170 from both the first sidewall 122 and the second sidewall 124 to position the contact assembly 136 (fig. 3) in the contact assembly cavity 170. As described above, both types of positioning ribs 176, 178 are used to position the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170; however, the press-fit locating ribs 176 more tightly engage the contact assemblies 136 than the aligned press-fit locating ribs 178. For example, the press-fit locating ribs 176 are used to locate and secure the contact assembly 136, while the alignment mating locating ribs 178 are used to align the contact assembly 136, such as to center the contact assembly 136 without securing the contact assembly 136 in the cavity 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary or press-fit ribs 176 are positioned closer to the end wall 126 than the secondary or alignment fit ribs 178. For example, press-fit rib 176 is positioned between alignment fit rib 178 and end wall 126. In other various embodiments, the sidewall positioning ribs 174 may include only press fit positioning ribs 176 or may include only alignment fit positioning ribs 178.

In an exemplary embodiment, the primary or press-fit ribs 176 extend from the housing 106 to a first depth 200 in the contact assembly cavity 170, while the secondary or alignment mating ribs 178 extend from the housing 106 to a second depth 202 in the contact assembly cavity 170 that is less than the first depth. The alignment mating ribs 178 on the first sidewall 122 define a first alignment plane 204 and the alignment mating ribs 178 on the second sidewall 124 define a second alignment plane 206. The alignment planes 204, 206 are spaced from the inner surfaces 208, 210 of the sidewalls 122, 124 to define gaps 212, 214, respectively. The alignment mating ribs 178 block the contact assembly 136 from entering the gaps 212, 214, ensuring that the contact assembly 136 does not tend to be too close to the first or second side walls 122, 124, which may place overstress on the contact 116 by bending the contact 116 beyond an overstroke limit or by elastically deforming the contact 116. The first press-fit rib 176 on the first sidewall 122 extends into the contact assembly cavity 170 and beyond the first alignment plane 204. The first press-fit rib 176 on the second sidewall 124 extends into the contact assembly cavity 170 and beyond the second alignment plane 206.

In the exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly cavity 170 has a first width 220 that is defined between the sidewalls 122, 124. The second width 222 is defined between the alignment planes 204, 206 and is narrower than the first width 220. Alternatively, the alignment mating ribs 178 may be aligned with one another on opposite sides of the contact assembly cavity 170, and thus the second width 222 is the width between the outer edges of the alignment mating ribs 178. However, in other embodiments, the alignment mating ribs 178 may be staggered or offset from each other across the contact assembly cavity 170. Third width 224 is defined between press-fit ribs 176 and is narrower than second width 222. Alternatively, the press-fit ribs 176 may be aligned with one another on opposite sides of the contact assembly cavity 170, and thus the third width 224 is the width between the outer edges of the press-fit ribs 176. However, in other embodiments, the press-fit ribs 176 may be staggered or offset from each other across the contact assembly cavity 170, in which case the third width 224 is the width between the planes defined by the outer edges of the press-fit ribs 176.

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the receptacle connector 104 showing the contact assembly 136 loaded in the contact assembly cavity 170 at the bottom 120 of the housing 106. The contact assembly 136 is loaded into the contact assembly cavity 170 until the terminating end 132 of the contact 116 is at the bottom 120. The terminating ends 132 of the first and second contact arrays 134A, 134B extend away from each other in opposite directions. Optionally, the terminating end 132 may be positioned below the sidewalls 122, 124.

End wall locating ribs 172 on the end walls 126, 128 longitudinally locate and center the contact assembly 136 (fig. 3 and 6) in the contact assembly cavity 170. The contact assembly 136 may be retained in the contact assembly cavity 170 by an interference fit with the end wall positioning ribs 172 at the opposite end of the housing 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the end wall positioning ribs 172 engage the dielectric carrier 140.

Sidewall positioning ribs 174 on the sidewalls 122, 124 laterally position and center the contact assembly 136 in the contact assembly cavity 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall positioning ribs 174 engage the dielectric carrier 140. The contact assembly 136 may be retained in the contact assembly cavity 170 by an interference fit with press-fit ribs 176 at opposite sides of the housing 106.

Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 11 shows one of the stiffening ribs 190 between the side walls 122, 124. The strengthening ribs 190 extend across the contact assembly cavity 170 to connect the first sidewall 122 to the second sidewall 124 at a location remote from the first end wall (not shown) and remote from the second end wall 128. The strengthening ribs 190 couple the first and second sidewalls 122, 124 together to resist outward bending of the first and second sidewalls 122, 124.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement ribs 190 are positioned proximate the securing features 184 of the housing 106 to ensure that the side walls 122, 124 do not flex outward in the area of the securing features 184, which could otherwise cause the contact assembly 136 to disengage from the securing features 184. The stiffening ribs 190 are received in the channels 168 in the top 152 of the dielectric carrier 140.

In an exemplary embodiment, the stiffening ribs 190 extend into the card slot 112 above the contact assembly cavity 170. The stiffening ribs 190 may extend above the top 152 of the dielectric carrier 140. The stiffening ribs 190 extend across the card slot 112 above the contact assembly cavity 170. The plug connector 105 (shown in fig. 1) may include a notch or groove to receive a top portion of the strengthening rib 190. Optionally, stiffening ribs 190 may be used to position plug connector 105 in card slot 112. For example, the plug connector 105 may bottom out against the top of the reinforcement ribs 190 to define a fully mated position.

As shown in fig. 11, the contacts 116 include an interface ridge 230 at the mating end 130 that is configured to interface with the plug connector 105. The interface bump 230 is a convex curvature in the contact 116 at the mating end 130. The interface ridge 230 extends beyond the inner surfaces 208, 210 into the card slot 112 to interface with the plug connector 105. The interface ridge 230 defines a mating interface 232 configured to engage the plug connector 105. The distal ends of the contacts 116 (e.g., above the mating interface 232) bend back into the contact channels 180 to prevent jamming (stubbing) by the plug connector 105 when the plug connector 105 is loaded in the card slot 112. The mating ends 130 may be deflected outward, such as into the contact channels 180, when the plug connector 105 is loaded into the card slot 112.