Itt Corporation

Michael A Lin

Edward Rudoy

John W Anhalt

Rene A Mosquera

William J Clark

A connector system is provided that is especially useful for SCEM (small computer expandability module) systems wherein small circuit boards or 'tiles' can be stacked at different positions on a small mother board, wherein each connector includes numerous very small matable contacts that must carry high frequency signals. The contacts of first and second matable connectors each have forward portions (80, FIG. 6) comprising an elongated beam (132) having a straight rear part (140) extending parallel to the mating direction (114) and having a forward part (144) with a sidewardly-projecting protuberance (146). When the connectors are mated, the protuberance of each contact engages the straight rear part of the other contact. Each connector housing includes an insulator with an upstanding support wall (91) having a plurality of grooves (122) spaced along a row of contacts, with each groove surrounding the axis (142) of each contact on three sides, except for the contact protuberance. When the connectors are mated, each support wall is inserted into a slot lying between a pair of support walls of the other connector. Where connectors are required at opposite faces of a circuit board, each contact has a mount portion lying in a plated-through hole of the circuit board, and has substantially identical opposite end portions that each include a beam with a protuberance.

Simplified contact connector system

A connector is provided of the type that has rows of contacts, which minimizes crosstalk between adjacent contacts. An interceptor plate (60, FIG. 2) which is grounded or at another controlled potential, extends along each row of contacts (34), the plate lying close to the row to provide better capacitive coupling between each contact and the plate than between contacts of the same or different rows. The space between each contact leg and an adjacent interceptor plate, contains a dielectric whose dielectric constant varies by no more than four per cent between 1 kHz and 100 MHz. The capacitance between each contact and an adjacent interception plate is at least three times the capacitance between adjacent contacts of a row.

Connector interceptor plate arrangement

A connector is provided of the type that has rows of contacts, which minimizes cross talk between adjacent contacts. An interceptor plate (60, FIG. 2) which is grounded or at another controlled potential, extends along each row of contacts (34), the plate lying close to the row to provide better capacitive coupling between each contact and the plate than between contacts of the same or different rows.

Growing community of inventors

Anaheim, CA, United States of America

Michael A Lin