Abstract: Optical connectors are provided for connecting sets of optical waveguides (110), such as optical fiber ribbons to each other, to printed circuit boards, or to backplanes. The provided connectors include a waveguide alignment member (105) for receiving and aligning a plurality of optical waveguides (110) such that central light rays of light exiting the plurality of optical waveguides propagate along a same incident direction (115) in a same incident plane XY. The optical connectors also include a light redirecting side that comprises a plurality of segments (130) forming a row of segments (130a, 130b, . . . ), each segment corresponding to a different optical waveguide. A first segment (130a) redirects light along a first redirected direction (140a) and a second segment (130b) redirects light along a second redirected direction (140b) different from the first redirected direction. Other segments redirect light to either a first redirected direction or a second redirected direction.

Abstract: Optical connectors are provided for connecting sets of optical waveguides (104), such as optical fiber ribbons to each other, to printed circuit boards, or to backplanes. The provided connectors (100) include a housing (110) that has an attachment area (102) for receiving and permanently attaching a plurality of optical waveguides. Additionally, the provided connectors include a light coupling unit (120) disposed in and configured to move with the housing. The provided connectors also include a second attachment area (108) for receiving and permanently attaching to the plurality of optical waveguides that causes each optical waveguide to be bent between the two attachment areas. The provided connectors utilize expanded beam optics with non-contact optical mating resulting in relaxed mechanical precision requirements. The provided connectors can have low optical loss, are easily scalable to high channel count (optical fibers per connector) and can be compatible with low insertion force blind mating.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative connector housing including a longitudinal bottom wall defining a plurality of contact openings for receiving a plurality of contacts, first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing sides thereof, first and second end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing ends thereof, first and second pairs of latch openings at opposing ends of the bottom wall, and first and second protrusions extending upwardly from the bottom wall and disposed between respective first and second pairs of latch openings. Each latch opening extends through the bottom wall and through a side wall and is configured to allow a latch to eject a mating connector by moving within the opening. Each of the protrusions is configured to engage a corresponding opening in a latch of a mating connector cover or strain relief assembled to the electrical connector.

Abstract: Optical connectors are provided for connecting sets of optical waveguides, such as optical fiber ribbons to each other, to printed circuit boards, or to backplanes. The provided connectors utilize expanded beam optics with non-contact optical mating resulting in relaxed mechanical precision requirements. The provided connectors can have low optical loss, are easily scalable to high channel count (optical fibers per connector) and can be compatible with low insertion force blind mating.

Abstract: A ferrule (10) has a receiving area for receiving and securing an optical waveguide (20) and an optical element (13) for receiving light from an optical waveguide received and secured at the receiving area and changing at least one of a divergence and a propagation direction of the received light. A plurality of registration features (30, 31, 32, 33, 34) are configured to permit a stacking of the ferrule in a stacking direction such that the ferrules in the stack are aligned relative to each other along a length of the ferrule and along a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.

Abstract: An electrical contact terminal includes a base portion for positioning and retaining the electrical contact terminal within a connector housing, an insulation displacement connecting portion extending upwardly from the base portion and comprising a pair of spaced apart arms defining an opening therebetween for receiving and making electrical contact with an electrical conductor, and a contact portion extending downwardly from the base portion and configured to float when the electrical contact terminal is retained and positioned within a connector housing. The contact portion includes a first arm, a second arm, and an arcuate base portion. The first arm extends downwardly and includes a first end attached to the base portion and an opposite second end. The second arm extends downwardly and includes a free first end closer to the base portion and an opposite second end farther from the base portion. The second arm is configured to deflect when making electrical contact with a mating contact pin.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative connector housing. The connector housing includes a longitudinal bottom wall having a plurality of contact openings, first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing sides of the bottom wall, first and second end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing ends of the bottom wall, and first and second pairs of latch openings at opposing ends of the bottom wall. Each latch opening extends through the bottom wall and through a side wall and is configured to allow a latch to eject a mating connector by moving within the opening.

Abstract: A latch for securing and ejecting a mating connector from a connector housing includes a hinge portion configured to pivotably attach the latch to a connector housing, an arm portion extending from a first side of the hinge portion along a first direction, and a pair of discrete spaced apart hinge arms extending from an opposite second side of the hinge portion along a second direction different than the first direction. The hinge arms are configured to eject the mating connector through a pair of corresponding spaced apart latch openings extending through a bottom wall and through side walls of the connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative connector housing including a longitudinal body portion and first and second pairs of opposing end portions. The body portion has a plurality of contact openings extending therein in an insertion direction for supporting a plurality of electrical contact terminals. The first and second pairs of opposing end portions extend from opposing ends of the body portion in the insertion direction. At least one end portion in each pair of opposing end portions includes a ridge extending in the insertion direction for guiding a cover latch along a side surface of the ridge and guiding a strain relief latch along an opposing side surface of the ridge. The ridge has an inclined top surface for resiliently deflecting a cover latch and an inclined side surface for resiliently deflecting a strain relief latch. The ridge has an end portion for latching onto a cover latch and a strain relief latch.

Abstract: A strain relief for an electrical cable includes a longitudinal base portion including curved side portions extending upwardly from opposing longitudinal sides thereof, and first and second opposing strain relief latches extending from opposing lateral sides of the base portion. Each latch includes a curved connecting portion extending from a lateral side of the base portion first curving upwardly and then curving downwardly and terminating at an arm portion that extends downwardly. The arm portion is configured to resiliently deflect outwardly to accommodate secure attachment of the strain relief to an electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engage a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.

Abstract: An electrical termination device includes an electrically conductive shield element, an insulator disposed within the shield element, and one or more electrical contacts supported within and electrically isolated from the shield element by the insulator. The insulator includes one or more insulative spacer bars configured to guide the one or more electrical contacts during their insertion into the insulator. The one or more spacer bars may be configured to enable straight pull injection molding of the insulator. The insulator may be positioned away from the one or more electrical contacts along at least a major portion of the length of the one or more electrical contacts in an impedance controlling relationship. The electrical termination device can be included in an electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engage a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engages a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.

Abstract: A terminal for use in an electronic connector for establishing electrical contact with a conductive surface on a first printed circuit board. The terminal includes a base section configured for electrical connection with a second printed circuit board, and a resilient contact beam having a proximal end coupled to the base section and a free distal end. The contact beam is shaped to provide a contact section between the proximal end and the distal end. The contact section is configured for engaging the conductive surface on the first printed circuit board upon insertion of the first printed circuit board into the housing in a first direction. The free distal end of the contact beam extends substantially in the first direction.

Abstract: A compliant interconnect assembly to electrically connect a first electronic device to a second electronic device comprises a contact set including an electrically insulating flexible film having at least one conductive contact suspended therein. The interconnect assembly also includes a compressible interposer as an electrically insulating elastomer sheet matrix for at least one electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path through the thickness of the elastomer sheet. The electrically conducting elastic column comprises a central pillar of conductive spheroidal particles having a first average particle size. The central pillar has a first end opposite a second end. At least the first end has a particulate cap bonded to it including particles having a second average particle size that is less than the first average particle size.

Abstract: A device for interconnecting the bare ends of two or more optical fibers uses a common receptacle having a fiber clamping element therein and camming surfaces for actuating the element, and at least one plug having a camming finger for engaging one of the camming surfaces. The camming surfaces are located such that, when only one of the camming surfaces is actuated, the clamping element rocks to a side of the pocket opposite the one camming surface and remains in the open state, but when both of the camming surfaces are actuated, the clamping element is forced to the closed state. The plug includes a fiber protector free to slide within the plug housing, substantially enclosing the bare end of the fiber when the plug housing is removed from the receptacle, but retracting when the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle to direct the bare end of the fiber toward said guide tube.

Abstract: A device for interconnecting the bare ends of two or more optical fibers uses a common receptacle having a fiber clamping element therein and camming surfaces for actuating the element, and at least one plug having a camming finger for engaging one of the camming surfaces. The camming surfaces are located such that, when only one of the camming surfaces is actuated, the clamping element rocks to a side of the pocket opposite the one camming surface and remains in the open state, but when both of the camming surfaces are actuated, the clamping element is forced to the closed state. The plug includes a fiber protector free to slide within the plug housing, substantially enclosing the bare end of the fiber when the plug housing is removed from the receptacle, but retracting when the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle to direct the bare end of the fiber toward said guide tube.