U.S. patent application number 16/663614 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for stacked receptacle connector assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GMBH. Invention is credited to Eric David Briant, Christopher David Ritter, Linda Ellen Shields.
Application Number | 20210126392 16/663614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004440585 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210126392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Briant; Eric David ; et
al. |
April 29, 2021 |
STACKED RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A stacked receptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle
cage configured to be mounted to a circuit board, a lower
communication connector assembly received in the receptacle cage,
and an upper communication connector assembly stacked in the
receptacle cage above the lower communication connector assembly.
The receptacle cage has a divider between an upper and lower module
channels receiving upper and lower pluggable modules. The lower
communication connector assembly includes a lower communication
connector. The upper communication connector assembly includes a
paddle card, an upper communication connector mounted to the paddle
card, and a cable assembly having cables electrically connected to
the paddle card and extending from the paddle card.
Inventors: |
Briant; Eric David;
(Dillsburg, PA) ; Ritter; Christopher David;
(Hummelstown, PA) ; Shields; Linda Ellen;
(Mechanicsburg, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GMBH |
Schaffhausen |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004440585 |
Appl. No.: |
16/663614 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 12/716 20130101;
H01R 12/78 20130101; H01R 13/514 20130101; H01R 12/721 20130101;
H04L 25/0298 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 12/78 20060101
H01R012/78; H01R 12/71 20060101 H01R012/71; H01R 13/514 20060101
H01R013/514; H01R 12/72 20060101 H01R012/72; H04L 25/02 20060101
H04L025/02 |
Claims
1. A stacked receptacle connector assembly comprising: a receptacle
cage configured to be mounted to a circuit board, the receptacle
cage having walls defining a cavity, the receptacle cage extending
between a front and a rear, the receptacle cage having a divider in
the cavity between an upper module channel configured to receive an
upper pluggable module and a lower module channel configured to
receive a lower pluggable module; a lower communication connector
assembly received in the receptacle cage, the lower communication
connector assembly including a lower communication connector, the
lower communication connector is received in the cavity at the rear
aligned with the lower module channel, the lower communication
connector has a lower housing having a lower card slot, the lower
housing holding lower contacts within the lower card slot for
electrical connection with the lower pluggable module; and an upper
communication connector assembly stacked in the receptacle cage
above the lower communication connector assembly, the upper
communication connector assembly including a paddle card, an upper
communication connector mounted to the paddle card, and a cable
assembly having cables electrically connected to the paddle card
and extending from the paddle card, the paddle card being received
in the cavity at the rear such that the upper communication
connector is aligned with the upper module channel for mating with
the upper pluggable module, the upper communication connector
having an upper housing having an upper card slot, the upper
housing holding upper contacts within the upper card slot for
electrical connection with the upper pluggable module, the upper
contacts being coupled to the paddle card, the cables extending
rearward from the receptacle cage remote from the receptacle
cage.
2. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the upper communication connector is identical to the lower
communication connector.
3. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the lower communication connector is a surface mount connector
mounted to the circuit board and the upper communication connector
is a surface mount connector mounted to the paddle card.
4. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the paddle card is received in the cavity at the rear of the
receptacle cage.
5. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the paddle card is aligned with the divider of the receptacle
cage.
6. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the paddle card is located above the lower communication connector
and oriented parallel to the circuit board.
7. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the receptacle cage includes a paddle card support, the paddle card
engaging the paddle card support to hold the paddle card in the
cavity of the receptacle cage.
8. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the lower communication connector includes a top and a bottom, the
bottom of the lower communication connector being mounted to the
circuit board, the top of the lower communication connector facing
the paddle card, the upper communication connector including a top
and a bottom, the bottom of the upper communication connector being
mounted to the paddle card, the top of the upper communication
connector facing a top wall of the walls of the receptacle
cage.
9. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the paddle card includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the
upper surface facing the upper communication connector, the lower
surface facing the lower communication connector.
10. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the cables are terminated directly to the paddle card.
11. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the cables of the cable assembly are arranged in an upper cable set
and a lower cable set, the cables of the upper cable set being
terminated directly to an upper surface of the paddle card, the
cables of the lower cable set being terminated directly to a lower
surface of the paddle card.
12. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the cable assembly includes an electrical connector at an end of
the cable assembly remote from the paddle card.
13. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the cable assembly includes an electrical connector at an end of
the cable assembly, the electrical connector being mounted to the
paddle card with the cables of the cable assembly extending from
the electrical connector away from the paddle card.
14. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the paddle card includes mounting tabs, the receptacle cage
including slots in the walls receiving the mounting tabs to
position the paddle card in the cavity of the receptacle cage.
15. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein
the paddle card passes through a rear wall of the walls of the
receptacle cage, the cable assembly being electrically connected to
the paddle card rearward of the rear wall.
16. A stacked receptacle connector assembly comprising: a
receptacle cage configured to be mounted to a circuit board, the
receptacle cage having walls defining a cavity, the receptacle cage
extending between a front and a rear, the receptacle cage having a
divider in the cavity between an upper module channel configured to
receive an upper pluggable module and a lower module channel
configured to receive a lower pluggable module; a lower
communication connector assembly received in the receptacle cage,
the lower communication connector assembly including a lower
communication connector, the lower communication connector is
received in the cavity at the rear aligned with the lower module
channel for mating with the lower pluggable module; and an upper
communication connector assembly stacked in the receptacle cage
above the lower communication connector assembly, the upper
communication connector assembly including an upper communication
connector configured to be mounted to a paddle card separate from
the circuit board, the upper communication connector is received in
the cavity at the rear aligned with the upper module channel for
mating with the upper pluggable module, the upper communication
connector being identical to the lower communication connector.
17. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 16, wherein
the lower communication connector has a lower housing having a
lower card slot, the lower housing holding lower contacts within
the lower card slot for electrical connection with the lower
pluggable module, the lower contacts being coupled to the circuit
board, and wherein the upper communication connector has an upper
housing having an upper card slot, the upper housing holding upper
contacts within the upper card slot for electrical connection with
the upper pluggable module, the upper contacts being coupled to the
paddle card.
18. The stacked receptacle connector assembly of claim 16, wherein
the upper communication connector assembly includes the paddle
card, the upper communication connector mounted to the paddle card,
and a cable assembly having cables electrically connected to the
paddle card and extending rearward from and remote from the
receptacle cage.
19. A communication system comprising: a circuit board having a
mounting area; and a stacked receptacle connector assembly mounted
to the mounting area of the circuit board, the stacked receptacle
connector assembly comprising a receptacle cage, a lower
communication connector assembly received in the receptacle cage,
and an upper communication connector assembly stacked in the
receptacle cage above the lower communication connector assembly;
the receptacle cage having walls defining a cavity, the receptacle
cage extending between a front and a rear, the receptacle cage
including a top and a bottom, the bottom being mounted to the
mounting area of the circuit board, the receptacle cage having a
divider in the cavity between an upper module channel configured to
receive an upper pluggable module and a lower module channel
configured to receive a lower pluggable module; the lower
communication connector assembly includes a lower communication
connector mounted to the circuit board at the mounting area, the
lower communication connector is received in the cavity at the rear
aligned with the lower module channel, the lower communication
connector has a lower housing having a lower card slot, the lower
housing holding lower contacts within the lower card slot for
electrical connection with the lower pluggable module; and the
upper communication connector assembly includes a paddle card
separate and discrete from the circuit board, an upper
communication connector mounted to the paddle card, and a cable
assembly having cables electrically connected to the paddle card
and extending from the paddle card, the paddle card being received
in the cavity at the rear such that the upper communication
connector is aligned with the upper module channel for mating with
the upper pluggable module, the upper communication connector
having an upper housing having an upper card slot, the upper
housing holding upper contacts within the upper card slot for
electrical connection with the upper pluggable module, the upper
contacts being coupled to the paddle card, the cables extending
rearward from the receptacle cage remote from the receptacle
cage.
20. The communication system of claim 19, the cable assembly being
electrically connected to the circuit board remote from the
mounting area and remote from the receptacle cage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter herein relates generally to stacked
receptacle connector assemblies.
[0002] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors
to interconnect various components of the system for data
communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable
modules, such as I/O modules, that are electrically connected to
the communication connector. Conventional communication systems
have performance problems, particularly when transmitting at high
data rates. Known communication systems provide electrical
shielding, such as in the form of a receptacle cage surrounding a
communication connector and the pluggable module to provide
electrical shielding. However, assembly of such communication
systems is problematic. For example, the communication connector
typical of a stacked receptacle cage includes two sets of contacts,
an upper contact set and a lower contact set, both terminated to
the circuit board. The upper contact set mates with the upper
pluggable module and the lower contact set mates with the lower
pluggable module. However, the upper contact set uses long contacts
that are susceptible to damage during termination to the circuit
board and experience signal degradation due to the long signal
paths. Additionally, the contacts of the upper set are shaped
differently than the contacts of the lower set, leading to
additional design and manufacturing costs.
[0003] A need remains for a communication system that may be
assembled in a cost effective and reliable manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In an embodiment, a stacked receptacle connector assembly is
provided including a receptacle cage configured to be mounted to a
circuit board, a lower communication connector assembly received in
the receptacle cage, and an upper communication connector assembly
stacked in the receptacle cage above the lower communication
connector assembly. The receptacle cage has walls defining a
cavity. The receptacle cage extends between a front and a rear. The
receptacle cage has a divider in the cavity between an upper module
channel configured to receive an upper pluggable module and a lower
module channel configured to receive a lower pluggable module. The
lower communication connector assembly includes a lower
communication connector The lower communication connector is
received in the cavity at the rear aligned with the lower module
channel. The lower communication connector has a lower housing
having a lower card slot holding lower contacts within the lower
card slot for electrical connection with the lower pluggable
module. The upper communication connector assembly includes a
paddle card, an upper communication connector mounted to the paddle
card, and a cable assembly having cables electrically connected to
the paddle card and extending from the paddle card. The paddle card
is received in the cavity at the rear such that the upper
communication connector is aligned with the upper module channel
for mating with the upper pluggable module. The upper communication
connector has an upper housing having an upper card slot holding
upper contacts within the upper card slot for electrical connection
with the upper pluggable module. The upper contacts are coupled to
the paddle card and the cables extend rearward from the receptacle
cage remote from the receptacle cage.
[0005] In an embodiment, a stacked receptacle connector assembly is
provided including a receptacle cage configured to be mounted to a
circuit board, a lower communication connector assembly received in
the receptacle cage, and an upper communication connector assembly
stacked in the receptacle cage above the lower communication
connector assembly. The receptacle cage has walls defining a
cavity. The receptacle cage extends between a front and a rear. The
receptacle cage has a divider in the cavity between an upper module
channel configured to receive an upper pluggable module and a lower
module channel configured to receive a lower pluggable module. The
lower communication connector assembly includes a lower
communication connector. The lower communication connector is
received in the cavity at the rear aligned with the lower module
channel for mating with the lower pluggable module. The upper
communication connector assembly includes an upper communication
connector configured to be mounted to a paddle card separate from
the circuit board. The upper communication connector is received in
the cavity at the rear aligned with the upper module channel for
mating with the upper pluggable module. The upper communication
connector is identical to the lower communication connector.
[0006] In an embodiment, a communication system is provided
including a circuit board having a mounting area and a stacked
receptacle connector assembly mounted to the mounting area of the
circuit board. The stacked receptacle connector assembly includes a
receptacle cage, a lower communication connector assembly received
in the receptacle cage, and an upper communication connector
assembly stacked in the receptacle cage above the lower
communication connector assembly. The receptacle cage has walls
defining a cavity. The receptacle cage extends between a front and
a rear. The receptacle cage includes a top and a bottom. The bottom
is mounted to the mounting area of the circuit board. The
receptacle cage has a divider in the cavity between an upper module
channel configured to receive an upper pluggable module and a lower
module channel configured to receive a lower pluggable module. The
lower communication connector assembly includes a lower
communication connector. The lower communication connector is
received in the cavity at the rear aligned with the lower module
channel. The lower communication connector has a lower housing
having a lower card slot. The lower housing holds lower contacts
within the lower card slot for electrical connection with the lower
pluggable module. The upper communication connector assembly
includes a paddle card separate and discrete from the circuit
board, an upper communication connector mounted to the paddle card,
and a cable assembly having cables electrically connected to the
paddle card and extending from the paddle card. The paddle card is
received in the cavity at the rear such that the upper
communication connector is aligned with the upper module channel
for mating with the upper pluggable module. The upper communication
connector has an upper housing having an upper card slot holding
upper contacts within the upper card slot for electrical connection
with the upper pluggable module. The upper contacts are coupled to
the paddle card. The cables extend rearward from the receptacle
cage remote from the receptacle cage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system
formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the communication
system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pluggable module of the
communication system in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective, partial sectional view of the
communication system showing an upper communication connector
assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective, partial sectional view of the
communication system in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system
100 formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a
rear perspective view of the communication system 100 formed in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The communication system
100 includes a circuit board 102 and a stacked receptacle connector
assembly 104 mounted to the circuit board 102. Pluggable modules
106 are configured to be electrically connected to the stacked
receptacle connector assembly 104. The stacked receptacle connector
assembly 104 includes a cable assembly 304 configured to be coupled
to another electrical component and/or the circuit board 102. The
pluggable modules 106 are electrically connected to the circuit
board 102 and the cable assembly 304 through the receptacle
connector assembly 104.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the stacked receptacle connector
assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110, a lower communication
connector assembly 200 (also shown in FIG. 4), and an upper
communication connector assembly 300 (also shown in FIG. 4). The
lower communication connector assembly 200 includes a lower
communication connector 210 (also shown in FIG. 4). The upper
communication connector assembly 300 includes an upper
communication connector 310 (also shown in FIG. 4). In an exemplary
embodiment, the upper communication connector assembly 300 includes
a paddle card 302, the upper communication connector 310 mounted to
the paddle card 302, and the cable assembly 304 electrically
connected to the paddle card 302. The upper communication connector
310 is connected to the cable assembly 304 by the paddle card 302.
The paddle card 302 includes a substrate, such as a circuit board,
used to provide an electrical connection between the cable assembly
304 and the upper communication connector 310. The cable assembly
304 allows electrical connection to another component, or to the
circuit board, remote from the receptacle cage 110 via cables
rather than through traces on the circuit board 102. The upper
communication connector assembly 300 enhances signal integrity
performance compared to communication systems that connect an upper
communication connector directly to the circuit board by reducing
lengths of contacts and circuit board traces.
[0014] The lower and upper communication connectors 210, 310 are
received in the receptacle cage 110. The receptacle cage 110
encloses and provides electrical shielding for the communication
connectors 210, 310. The pluggable modules 106 are loaded into the
receptacle cage 110 and are at least partially surrounded by the
receptacle cage 110. The receptacle cage 110 includes a plurality
of walls 114 that define module channels for receipt of
corresponding pluggable modules 106. The walls 114 may be solid
sheets, perforated walls to allow airflow therethrough, walls with
cutouts, such as for a heatsink or heat spreader to pass
therethrough, or walls defined by rails or beams with relatively
large openings, such as for airflow therethrough.
[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110
constitutes a stacked cage member having an upper module channel
116 and a lower module channel 118. The receptacle cage 110 has
module ports that open to the module channels 116, 118 that receive
the pluggable modules 106. Any number of module channels may be
provided in various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the
receptacle cage 110 includes the upper and lower module channels
116, 118 arranged in a single column, however, the receptacle cage
110 may include multiple columns of ganged module channels 116, 118
in alternative embodiments (for example, 2.times.2, 3.times.2,
4.times.2, 4.times.3, etc.). The receptacle connector assembly 104
is configured to mate with the pluggable modules 106 in both
stacked module channels 116, 118.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the walls 114 of the receptacle
cage 110 include a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, side walls 134,
and a rear wall 136 at a rear 137 of the receptacle cage 110. The
bottom wall 132 may rest on the circuit board 102. However, in
alternative embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be provided
without the bottom wall 132. The receptacle cage 110 extends to a
front 138 opposite the rear wall 136. The module ports are provided
at the front 138. The walls 114 define a cavity 140. For example,
the cavity 140 may be defined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall
132, the side walls 134, and the rear wall 136. Other walls 114 may
separate or divide the cavity 140 into the various module channels
116, 118. For example, the walls 114 include a divider 142 between
the upper and lower module channels 116, 118. The divider 142 forms
a space between the upper and lower module channels 116, 118, such
as for airflow, for routing light pipes, or for other purposes. In
other various embodiments, the walls 114 may include vertical
separator panels between ganged module channels 116 and/or 118.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may
include one or more gaskets 144 at the front 138 for providing
electrical shielding for the module channels 116, 118. For example,
the gaskets 144 may be configured to electrically connect with the
pluggable modules 106 received in the corresponding module channels
116, 118. The gaskets 144 are configured to engage a panel (not
shown) to electrically connect the receptacle cage 110 to the
panel.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector
assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for
dissipating heat from the pluggable modules 106. For example, the
heat sink may be coupled to the top wall 130 for engaging the upper
pluggable module 106 received in the upper module channel 116. The
heat sink may extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to
directly engage the pluggable module 106. Other types of heat sinks
may be provided in alternative embodiments.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication connectors
210, 310 are received in the cavity 140, such as proximate to the
rear wall 136. The lower communication connector 210 is aligned
with the lower module channel 118 and used to electrically connect
with the lower pluggable module 106. The upper communication
connector 310 is aligned with the upper module channel 116 and used
to electrically connect with the upper pluggable module 106.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable modules 106 are
loaded into the receptacle cage 110 through the front 138 to mate
with the communication connectors 210, 310. The shielding walls 114
of the receptacle cage 110 provide electrical shielding around the
communication connectors 210, 310 and the pluggable modules 106,
such as around the mating interfaces between the communication
connectors 210, 310 and the pluggable modules 106. The lower
communication connector 210 is coupled to the circuit board 102.
For example, the communication connector 210 may be a surface mount
connector surface mounted to the circuit board 102. In alternative
embodiments, the communication connector 210 may be press-fit to
the circuit board 102. The upper communication connector 310 is
coupled to the paddle card 302. For example, the communication
connector 310 may be a surface mount connector surface mounted to
the paddle card 302. In alternative embodiments, the communication
connector 310 may be press-fit to the paddle card 302.
[0021] The receptacle cage 110 is mounted to the circuit board 102
at a mounting location 108 over the communication connector 210.
The upper communication connector assembly 300 is electrically
connected to the circuit board 102 at a remote location, remote
from the mounting location 108. For example, the cable assembly 304
extends from the paddle card 302 to an electrical connector 306.
The electrical connector 306 is configured to be mated to an
electrical connector 308. The electrical connector 308 may be a
surface mount connector, such as a card edge connector, and the
electrical connector 306 may be a plug connector, such as a paddle
card connector. Other types of connectors may be used in
alternative embodiments. In other various embodiments, the cable
assembly 304 may be terminated directly to the circuit board 102 at
the remote location. The cable assembly 304 may be electrically
connected to another component rather than the circuit board 102 in
alternative embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pluggable module 106 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 106
may be an I/O module, such as a transceiver module. In an exemplary
embodiment, the pluggable module 106 has a pluggable body 180,
which may be defined by one or more shells. The pluggable body 180
may be thermally conductive and/or may be electrically conductive,
such as to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. The
pluggable body 180 includes a mating end 182 at a rear of the
pluggable body 180 and an opposite front end 184. The mating end
182 is configured to be inserted into the corresponding module
channel 116 or 118 (shown in FIG. 1). The front end 184 may be a
cable end having a cable extending therefrom to another component
within the system. The pluggable module 106 includes a module
circuit board 188 that is configured to be communicatively coupled
to the corresponding communication connector 210, 310 (both shown
in FIG. 3). The module circuit board 188 may have conductors,
traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers, switches, inputs,
outputs, and the like associated with the module circuit board 188
to form various circuits.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective, partial sectional view of the
communication system 100 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates the stacked receptacle connector
assembly 104 including the receptacle cage 110 mounted to the
circuit board 102, the lower communication connector assembly 200
received in the receptacle cage 110, and the upper communication
connector assembly 300 stacked in the receptacle cage 110 above the
lower communication connector assembly 200.
[0024] The receptacle cage 110 includes the walls 114 defining the
cavity 140. The receptacle cage 110 receives the lower and upper
communication connectors 210, 310 in the cavity 140 at the rear
137. The receptacle cage 110 includes the divider 142 in the cavity
140 between the upper module channel 116 and the lower module
channel 118.
[0025] The lower communication connector assembly 200 includes the
lower communication connector 210, which is mounted to the circuit
board 102. The lower communication connector 210 includes a housing
220 holding a contact module 222 including a contact holder 224 and
contacts 226 held by the contact holder 224. The contact holder 224
is coupled to the housing 220 to position the contacts 226 in the
housing 220. The contacts 226 may be arranged in multiple rows
within the housing 220, such as an upper row and a lower row (not
shown). The contacts 226 in the upper row are configured to engage
the traces or pads on upper surface of the module circuit board 188
(shown in FIG. 3) and the contacts 226 in the lower row are
configured to engage the traces or pads on the lower surface of the
module circuit board 188.
[0026] The housing 220 extends between a front 230 and a rear 232.
The housing 220 has a top 234 and a bottom 236. The housing 220 has
a cavity 238 open at the bottom 236 and/or the rear 232 to receive
the contact module 222. The housing 220 includes a first side 240
and a second side 242. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 220
is manufactured from a dielectric material. For example, the
housing 220 may be molded from a plastic material. The housing 220
includes an extension 244 at the front 230 having a card slot 246
(shown in phantom) configured to receive the module circuit board
188. The contacts 226 are arranged in the card slot 246 in an upper
row and a lower row for mating with the module circuit board 188 of
the pluggable module 106.
[0027] The contacts 226 transition between the front 230 and the
bottom 236 to electrically connect the pluggable module 106 with
the circuit board 102. The contacts 226 transition from the card
slot 246 to the bottom 236 for termination to the circuit board
102. In various embodiments, the contacts 226 may be surface
mounted to the circuit board 102. For example, the contacts 226 may
include solder tails configured to be surface mounted to the
circuit board 102. In alternative embodiments, the contacts 226 may
include compliant pins configured to be press-fit into the circuit
board 102. In an alternative embodiment, rather than terminating
directly to the main circuit board 102, the contacts 226 may be
terminated to a paddle card, similar to the upper paddle card 302.
Other types of communication connectors and contacts may be used in
alternative embodiments, such as a cable connector.
[0028] The upper communication connector assembly 300 includes the
paddle card 302, the upper communication connector 310 mounted to
the paddle card 302, and the cable assembly 304. In an exemplary
embodiment, the upper communication connector 310 is identical to
the lower communication connector 210. For example, both
communication connectors 210, 310 are surface mount connectors,
such as surface mount card edge connectors.
[0029] The paddle card 302 is received in the cavity 140 at the
rear 137 of the receptacle cage 110, such as generally aligned with
the divider 142. For example, the paddle card 302 may pass through
the rear wall 136 (shown in FIG. 2) of the receptacle cage 110. In
an exemplary embodiment, the paddle card 302 is located above the
lower communication connector 210 and oriented parallel to the
circuit board 102. The paddle card 302 includes an upper surface
312 and a lower surface 314. The upper communication connector 310
is mounted to the upper surface 312. The lower surface 314 faces
the lower communication connector 210. The paddle card 302 includes
a front 316 and a rear 318. The paddle card 302 includes side edges
317 between the front 316 and the rear 318. The side edges 317 may
be coupled to the side walls 134. For example, the paddle card 302
may include mounting tabs 319 extending from the side edges 317
that are coupled to the side walls 134, such as being received in
slots 135 in the side walls 134 to position the paddle card 302
within the cavity 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper
communication connector 310 is mounted to the paddle card 302 at
the front 316. The cable assembly 304 is electrically connected to
the paddle card 302 at the rear 318. In the illustrated embodiment,
the paddle card 302 is located below the upper communication
connector 310. However, in alternative embodiments, the paddle card
302 is located above the upper communication connector 310, such as
mounted to the top wall 130.
[0030] The upper communication connector 310 includes a housing 320
holding a contact module 322 including a contact holder 324 and
contacts 326 held by the contact holder 324. The contact holder 324
is coupled to the housing 320 to position the contacts 326 in the
housing 320. The contacts 326 may be arranged in multiple rows
within the housing 320, such as an upper row and a lower row (not
shown). The contacts 326 in the upper row are configured to engage
the traces or pads on upper surface of the module circuit board 188
(shown in FIG. 3) and the contacts 326 in the lower row are
configured to engage the traces or pads on the lower surface of the
module circuit board 188.
[0031] The housing 320 extends between a front 330 and a rear 332.
The housing 320 has a top 334 and a bottom 336. The housing 320 has
a cavity 338 open at the bottom 336 and/or the rear 332 to receive
the contact module 322. The housing 320 includes a first side 340
and a second side 342. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 320
is manufactured from a dielectric material. For example, the
housing 320 may be molded from a plastic material. The housing 320
includes an extension 344 at the front 330 having a card slot 346
(shown in phantom) configured to receive the module circuit board
188. The contacts 326 are arranged in the card slot 346 in an upper
row and a lower row for mating with the module circuit board 188 of
the pluggable module 106.
[0032] The contacts 326 transition between the front 330 and the
bottom 336 to electrically connect the pluggable module 106 with
the paddle card 302. The contacts 326 transition from the card slot
346 to the bottom 336 for termination to the paddle card 302. In
various embodiments, the contacts 326 may be surface mounted to the
paddle card 302. For example, the contacts 326 may include solder
tails configured to be surface mounted to the paddle card 302. In
alternative embodiments, the contacts 326 may include compliant
pins configured to be press-fit into the paddle card 302.
[0033] The cable assembly 304 includes cables 360 each extending
between a first end 362 and a second end 364. The cables 360 have
signal conductors transmitting data between the first end 362 and
the second end 364. The cables 360 may be shielded cables.
Optionally, the cables 360 may be dual axial cables 360 each have a
pair of signal conductors, which may have a cable shield for the
pair of signal conductors.
[0034] In various embodiments, the cables 360 are terminated
directly to the paddle card 302. For example, the cables 360 may be
soldered to contact pads on the paddle card 302. The contact pads
are terminated to corresponding contacts 326 to electrically
connect the cables 360 and the contacts 326 of the upper
communication connector 310 via the paddle card 302. The cables 360
may extend through the rear wall 136 into the cavity 140 for
termination to the paddle card 302. Optionally, a portion of the
paddle card 302 may extend rearward of the rear wall 136 of the
receptacle cage 110 (for example, located outside of the cavity
140). The cable assembly 304 may be electrically connected to the
paddle card 302 rearward of the rear wall 136. In alternative
embodiments, the cables 360 may be terminated directly to the
contacts 326 rather than using the paddle card 302.
[0035] In other various embodiments, the cable assembly 304 may
include contacts (not shown) terminated to ends of the conductors
of the cables 360, such contacts being terminated directly to the
paddle card 302. The contacts may include spring beams, solder
tails, press-fit compliant beams, and the like. In other various
embodiments, the cable assembly 304 may include an electrical
connector (not shown) at the first end configured to be
electrically connected to the paddle card 302, such as a paddle
card connector, a press-fit connector, a surface mount connector,
and the like. Optionally, the cables 360 of the cable assembly 304
are arranged in an upper cable set 366 and a lower cable set 368.
The cables 360 of the upper cable set 366 are terminated directly
to the upper surface 312 of the paddle card 302. The cables 360 of
the lower cable set 368 are terminated directly to the lower
surface 314 of the paddle card 302.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the cable assembly 304 includes
the electrical connector 306 at the second end. The cables 360 are
terminated to the electrical connector 306. In various embodiments,
the electrical connector 306 is a plug connector. The electrical
connector 306 is terminated to the mating electrical connector 308
remote from the receptacle cage 110. For example, the mating
electrical connector 308 is mounted to the circuit board 102 remote
from the receptacle cage 110. The mating electrical connector 308
may be a surface mount connector, such as a card edge connector. In
various embodiments, the mating electrical connector 308 is a
receptacle connector and the electrical connector 306 is a plug
connector. The mating electrical connector 308 may be a component
of another electrical component or device rather than being mounted
to the circuit board 102. In various embodiments, the cables 360
may be electrically connected to multiple electrical connectors
306.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective, partial sectional view of the
communication system 100 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates the stacked receptacle connector
assembly 104 with the upper communication connector assembly 300
having an electrical connector 380 at the first end of the cable
assembly 304 coupled to the paddle card 302 rather than the cables
360 being terminated directly to the paddle card 302. The stacked
receptacle connector assembly 104 includes the receptacle cage 110
mounted to the circuit board 102, the lower communication connector
assembly 200 received in the receptacle cage 110 and mounted to the
circuit board 102, and the upper communication connector assembly
300 stacked in the receptacle cage 110 above the lower
communication connector assembly 200.
[0038] The upper communication connector assembly 300 includes the
paddle card 302, the upper communication connector 310 mounted to
the paddle card 302, and the cable assembly 304 electrically
connected to the paddle card 302 by the electrical connector 380.
In an exemplary embodiment, the upper communication connector 310
is identical to the lower communication connector 210. The paddle
card 302 is received in the cavity 140 at the rear 137 of the
receptacle cage 110, such as generally aligned with the divider
142. The electrical connector 380 is coupled to the paddle card 302
at the rear 318. For example, the electrical connector 380 may be a
card edge connector coupled to the edge of the paddle card 302 at
the rear 318. However, other types of electrical connectors may be
used in alternative embodiments, such as a surface mount connector,
a press-fit connector, and the like.
[0039] The cable assembly 304 includes the cables 360 extending
from the electrical connector 380. The first ends 362 of the cables
360 may be terminated to the electrical connector 380, such as to
contacts (not shown) of the electrical connector 380. The second
ends 364 of the cables 360 extend remote from the electrical
connector 380, such as to another electrical connector mounted to
the circuit board 102 (for example, the electrical connector 306
shown in FIG. 4), or to another electrical connector separate from
the circuit board 102. In other various embodiments, the second
ends 364 of the cables 360 may be terminated directly to the
circuit board 102, such as being soldered to the circuit board 102.
In other various embodiments, contacts (not shown) may be
terminated to the second ends 364 of the cables 360.
[0040] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions,
types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the
number and positions of the various components described herein are
intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no
means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing
the above description. The scope of the invention should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective
terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following
claims, the terms "second," "second," and "third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the
phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void of
further structure.
* * * * *