Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal includes a base and an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end. A slit formed through the insertion portion and extending from or between the base and between the first end defines a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A substantially central axis extends between opposite ends of the slit so that a segment of the first leg is deformed in one direction away from the axis, while a segment of the second leg is deformed in a direction away from the axis opposite the first leg. The deformed first leg segment and the deformed second leg segment are offset from the center of the slit.

Abstract: An interconnect member is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module to a printed circuit. The interconnect member includes a substrate having a module side and an opposite circuit side. Module contacts are held by the substrate. The module contacts are arranged within an array along the module side of the substrate. The module contacts include module mating interfaces that are configured to be electrically connected to the electronic module. Circuit contacts are held by the substrate. The circuit contacts are arranged within an array along the circuit side of the substrate. The circuit contacts include circuit mating interfaces that are configured to be electrically connected to the printed circuit. Electrical components extend between and electrically connect corresponding module contacts to corresponding circuit contacts to provide electrical paths for electrical signals transmitted between the module and circuit contacts.

Abstract: A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and first and second moveable mating arrays having mating surfaces with terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays so that the mating surfaces of the first and second mating arrays extend along the longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays along different mating directions with respect to select components. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions, wherein the corresponding mating array is spaced apart from the select component in the retracted position and engaged to the select component in the engaged position.

Abstract: An interconnect member is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module to a printed circuit. The interconnect member includes a substrate having a module side and an opposite circuit side. Module contacts are held by the substrate. The module contacts are arranged within an array along the module side of the substrate. The module contacts include module mating interfaces that are configured to be electrically connected to the electronic module. Circuit contacts are held by the substrate. The circuit contacts are arranged within an array along the circuit side of the substrate. The circuit contacts include circuit mating interfaces that are configured to be electrically connected to the printed circuit. Electrical components extend between and electrically connect corresponding module contacts to corresponding circuit contacts to provide electrical paths for electrical signals transmitted between the module and circuit contacts.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.

Abstract: A contact assembly includes a bifurcated contact and a mating contact. The bifurcated contact is elongated along a longitudinal axis with contact tips protruding from a common end of the bifurcated contact. The mating contact has an outer end and a body elongated along a major axis. The body includes a mating surface along a front face of the body. The outer end includes angled lead-in ramps that form transitions from the outer end to the mating surface. The lead-in ramps extend away from one another toward opposite sides of the mating contact. The bifurcated contact and the mating contact engage one another such that the contact tips of the bifurcated contact are directed along corresponding different lead-in ramps of the mating contact.

Abstract: A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and first and second moveable mating arrays having mating surfaces with terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays so that the mating surfaces of the first and second mating arrays extend along the longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays along different mating directions with respect to select components. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays, between retracted and engaged positions, wherein the corresponding mating array is spaced apart from the select component in the retracted position and engaged to the select component in the engaged position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for electrically coupling primary and secondary circuit boards together. The secondary circuit board is held proximate to the primary circuit board and has a first contact array of board contacts thereon. The electrical connector assembly includes a circuit assembly having a second contact array of mating contacts configured to mate with the first contact array and a flexible circuit that electrically couples the second contact array to the primary circuit board. The electrical connector assembly also includes an alignment feature that is configured to engage the secondary circuit board. Also, the electrical connector assembly includes a coupling mechanism that is configured to move the alignment feature and the second contact array between a retracted position, in which the second contact array is located remotely from the first contact array, and an engaged position, in which the first and second contact arrays engage one another.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.

Abstract: A contact assembly includes a bifurcated contact and a mating contact. The bifurcated contact is elongated along a longitudinal axis with contact tips protruding from a common end of the bifurcated contact. The mating contact has an outer end and a body elongated along a major axis. The body includes a mating surface along a front face of the body. The outer end includes angled lead-in ramps that form transitions from the outer end to the mating surface. The lead-in ramps extend away from one another toward opposite sides of the mating contact. The bifurcated contact and the mating contact engage one another such that the contact tips of the bifurcated contact are directed along corresponding different lead-in ramps of the mating contact.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.

Abstract: A power blade is provided for a socket connector that connects a module card to a circuit board. The power blade includes a bus extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of individual electrical contacts extending from the bus such that the electrical contacts are each electrically connected to the bus. The electrical contacts are located adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis. Each of the electrical contacts includes a side mating portion configured to electrically connect to the module card. The side mating portions of the electrical contacts lie in approximately a common plane.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a tool. The electrical connector includes a contact having a compliant jog section disposed between first and second ends of the contact. The tool is required to press-fit the connector to an electrical device without deforming the compliant jog section of the contact.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing including a body fabricated at least partially from a dielectric material. The housing body has an opening therein. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes an intermediate portion and a spring potion each held at least partially within the opening. The spring portion of the electrical contact is engaged by the housing body such that the spring portion is deflected into shorting engagement with the intermediate portion of the electrical contact.

Abstract: A power blade is provided for a socket connector that connects a module card to a circuit board. The power blade includes a bus extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of individual electrical contacts extending from the bus such that the electrical contacts are each electrically connected to the bus. The electrical contacts are located adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis. Each of the electrical contacts includes a side mating portion configured to electrically connect to the module card. The side mating portions of the electrical contacts lie in approximately a common plane.

Abstract: A connector including a housing and a contact is disclosed for electrically connecting a first electrical device to a second electrical device across the contact in such a manner that the contact is broken if the connector is removed from the second electrical device. The contact includes a press-fit connection that may be either a compliant eye-of-the-needle or a cylindrical tail.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.