Differential signal electrical connector
AssigneeTeradyne, Inc.
InventorPhilip T. Stokoe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high speed, high density electrical connector. The disclosed embodiments are principally configured for carrying differential signals, though other configurations are discussed. For differential signals, the signal conductors are arranged in pairs and shield strips run parallel to each pair. The connector is manufactured with wafer assemblies. Separate signal and shield wafers are formed. The signal wafers interlock to position signal conductors in pairs and then the shield waters are attached. A cap is placed on the signal wafer assembly to protect contact elements.
Claims20
An electrical connector assembled from a plurality of modules aligned in parallel, each module comprising:
- a) an insulative housing;
- b) a plurality of signal conductors,
- i) each signal conductor having a mating contact portion and a contact tail and an intermediate portion therebetween,
- ii) with the intermediate portion disposed in the housing;
- and
- iii) the plurality of signal conductors are grouped in pairs
- c) a plurality of shield strips attached to the insulative housing,
- i) each shield strip having a contact portion and a contact tail extending from the housing;
- and
- ii) each shield strip disposed adjacent the intermediate portions of a pair of signal conductors.
An electrical connector assembled from a plurality of modules, each module comprising:
- a) a first wafer, comprising an insulative portion with a plurality of projections;
- and a plurality of signal conductors each embedded in a projection of the insulative portion;
- b) a second wafer, comprising an insulative portion with a plurality of projections;
- and a plurality of signal conductors each embedded in a projection of the insulative portions;
- c) wherein the first and second wafers interlock to position the signal conductors embedded in the projections of the first wafer and the signal conductors embedded in the projections of the second wafer in a plane;
- and
- d) wherein the module additionally comprises a shield member parallel to the plane.
An electrical connector comprising assembled from a plurality of modules, comprising:
- a) an insulative cap;
- b) a plurality of modules attached to the cap, each module comprising:
- i) a plurality of signal conductor having a mating contact portion and a contact tail and an intermediate portion therebetween,
- with the intermediate portion disposed in the housing;
- and
- the plurality of signal conductors are grouped in pairs
- ii) a plurality of shield strips attached to the insulative housing,
- each shield strip having a contact portion and a contact tail extending from the housing;
- and
- each shield strip disposed adjacent the intermediate portions of a pair of signal conductors;
- c) wherein the mating contact portions are inside the cap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.