Labinal Components and Systems, Inc.

Trw Limited

Richard J Lindeman

Albert N Hopfer, Iii

Edward M Allard

Saeed U Zafar

Robert J Smith, Ii

Thaddeus M Rachwalski

Apparatus and methods for facilitating insertion and maximizing resiliency, reliability and conductivity of button contacts in button board type circuit interconnectors.

Electrical interconnects

Connectors are provided for propagation of electrical signals in a plurality of closely spaced propagation paths, such as between circuits connected to conductive pads of circuit boards, each circuit presenting a certain characteristic impedance at a pad connected thereto. For example, each connector includes a plurality of resilient and electrically conductive signal-propagating interconnect means having opposite ends engageable with conductive pads on a pair of the circuit boards. The interconnect means are supported by insulating means of a support structure which also provides conductive ground means in adjacent relation to the conductive interconnect means. The conductive ground means are arranged for connection to grounding elements of the circuit boards. The configuration and characteristics of the ground conductor means and the insulating means in relation to each signal-propagating interconnect means are such as to obtain a certain characteristic impedance for matching the characteristic impedances of circuits interconnected by each signal-propagating interconnect means.

Electrical connectors

Various electrical connectors include conductor elements extending through a support body in parallel insulted relation to one another and to adjacent grounds of very low inductance and resistance. The relationship of the conductor elements to the planar grounds is such as to obtain a characteristic impedance which is the same for all signal paths and which is uniform along the length of each conductor element.

Various electrical connectors include conductor elements extending through a support body in parallel insulated relation to one another and to adjacent grounds of very low inductance and resistance. The relationship of the conductor elements to the planar grounds is such as to obtain a characteristic impedance which is the same for all signal paths and which is uniform along the length of each conductor element.

Electrical connectors including a row of conductive interconnect elements in the form of slugs which extend through openings in a block of insulating material and which are associated resilient wadded elements to connect conductive pads of circuit boards. A wall portion of conductive material is positioned in parallel relation to the row or elements to provide a ground plane and an air dielectric is provide along the length of each element to cooperate with the dielectric of the block and obtain a desired characteristic impedance.

An electrical connector includes conductor elements extending through an insulating body in parallel relation to one another and to planar grounds of very low inductance and resistance which are defined by walls of an outer shell and by one or more central ground plates. The relationship of the conductor elements to the planar grounds is such as to obtain a characteristic impedance which is the same for all signal paths and which is uniform along the length of each conductor element.

An electrical connector is disclosed including two complementary insulating members which form a block of substantial thickness, with openings therethrough, elongated conductive slugs in the openings and resilient wadded conductor buttons retained at and contacting each end of each slug and each having a resiliently compressive portion protruding from the block for axial compressive electrically conductive connection to an adjacent component such a circuit board, for connecting components which are to be spaced apart by a substantial dimension.

Low-loss electrical interconnects

This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electric connectors for propagation of a relatively large number of signals between electrical circuits and at very high velocities. The number of signals which can be propagated is quite large in relation to the size of the connectors of the invention and at the same time, the signals can be transmitted at very high velocity and with minimal interference between the signals propagated or from external signal sources. The connectors are also advantageous in that the electrical characteristics of the propagation paths are uniform and they can be readily matched to the characteristics of the circuits which are interconnected so as to minimize standing wave phenomena. The invention also facilitates connection to a plurality of circuit board circuits while providing substantially complete separation of signals propagated to and from the circuits.

This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical connectors for propagation of a relatively large number of signals between electrical circuits and at very high velocities. The number of signals which can be propagated is quite large in relation to the size of the connectors of the invention and at the same time, the signals can be transmitted at very high velocity and with minimal interference between the signals propagated or from external signal sources. The connectors are also advantageous in that the electrical characteristics of the propagation paths are uniform and they can be readily matched to the characteristics of the circuits which are interconnected so as to minimize standing wave phenomena. The invention also facilitates connection to a plurality of circuit board circuits while providing substantially complete separation of signals propagated to and from the circuits.

A connector for use in a standard electronic module assembly comprises an insulator housing a plurality of contacts arranged in close packed relation. The contacts project from one insulator surface for engaging a mating connector or connectors. Continuations of the contacts are arranged for alignment along opposed lateral edges of an opposed insulator surface and are inwardly bent for engagement of circuitry of a centrally located PC board. The board is mounted on a mounting place secured in place between the opposed contacts to provide resistance to insulator bending.

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Wood Dale, IL, United States of America

Richard J Lindeman