Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector housing and a plurality of identical leadframe assemblies received in the connector housing. Each of the leadframe assemblies may define a leadframe mating sequence. The leadframe assemblies may be arranged relative to one another to define a connector mating sequence that differs from the leadframe mating sequence. Each leadframe assembly may define a leadframe mounting footprint. The leadframe assemblies may be arranged relative to one another such that the leadframe mounting footprints are staggered, i.e., offset relative to one another.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector housing and a plurality of identical leadframe assemblies received in the connector housing. Each of the leadframe assemblies may define a leadframe mating sequence. The leadframe assemblies may be arranged relative to one another to define a connector mating sequence that differs from the leadframe mating sequence. Each leadframe assembly may define a leadframe mounting footprint. The leadframe assemblies may be arranged relative to one another such that the leadframe mounting footprints are staggered, i.e., offset relative to one another.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed with a connector housing and a leadframe assembly received in the connector housing. The leadframe assembly may include a dielectric leadframe housing and first and second electrically-conductive contacts extending through the leadframe housing. Each of the contacts may define a respective broadside and a respective mating end. The leadframe housing may define a hinge between the mating ends of the first and second contacts. The leadframe housing may be folded along the hinge such that the broadside of the first contact is positioned along the broadside of the second contact.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a connector system includes a first electrical connector for mounting on a first substrate. The first electrical connector has a housing, and a contact mounted on the housing. The connector system also includes a second electrical connector for mounting on a second substrate. The second electrical connector includes a housing having a projection formed thereon, and a contact mounted on the housing. The second electrical connector is capable of mating with the first electrical connector so that the contact of the first electrical connector electrically contacts the contact of the second electrical connector and the projection contacts the first substrate so that at least a portion of the weight of the second electrical connector and the second substrate is transmitted to the first substrate by way of the projection.

Abstract: An electrical connector system is disclosed and may include a header connector and a receptacle connector. The contacts in the header connector may be edge-coupled to limit the level of cross-talk between adjacent signal contacts. For example, a differential signal in a first signal pair may produce a high-field in the gap between the contacts that form the signal pair, and a low-field near a second, adjacent signal pair. The contacts in the receptacle connector may be broadside-coupled and configured to receive the contacts from the header connector while minimizing signal skew. For example, the overall length of the contacts within a differential signal pair may be the same. The contacts in the connector system may include differential signal pairs, single-ended contacts, and/or ground contacts. The connector system may be devoid of any electrical shielding between the signal contacts.

Abstract: A first connector on a first side of a midplane circuit board may be offset from a second connector on a second side of the midplane circuit board. The first and second connectors may be substantially identical connectors, each with straight mounting contacts, to create an electrical interconnection therebetween without using a common signal via. Each side of the midplane may have the same footprint. Accordingly, substantially identical connectors may be used on both sides of the midplane circuit board.

Abstract: A connector may include lead frame assemblies that each includes contacts arranged in a column. Differential signal pairs may be formed from contacts of adjacent lead frame assemblies. A contact of such differential signal pairs may be staggered along the lead frame assembly with respect to the other contact of the pair. Additionally, adjacent lead frame assemblies may be structurally identical but one of the lead frame assemblies may be rotated 1800 with respect to the adjacent lead frame assembly. A connector may include contacts that may be front loaded so that, after the connector is connected to a substrate, individual contacts may be removed without removing the connector from the substrate. The connectors may be capable of being rotated 90° relative to one another such that they may be connected to opposite sides of a substrate such as a midplane.

Abstract: A high-density orthogonal connector is disclosed and may include electrical contacts that are configured to receive contacts from an orthogonal header connector while minimizing signal skew and signal reflection. The electrical contacts in the connector may define contact pairs (e.g., differential signal pairs). Each contact pair may include a lead portion and a mating interface that extends from the lead portion. The lead portions of the contact pair may define a first plane. One contact of the contact pair defines a first mating interface defining a second plane and the other contact in the contact pair defines a second mating interface defining a third plane. The second plane and the third plane may be both substantially parallel to and offset from the first plane in opposite directions. The contact pair may be configured such that the overall length of each contact within the pair may be substantially the same.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises two signal contacts, each having an L-shaped body portion, a first contact arm connected to a first end of the L-shaped body portion, and a second contact arm also connected to the first end of the L-shaped body portion. For each signal contact, the first contact arm and the second contact arm define a plug contact receiving space therebetween, and the L-shaped body extends from a first end to a second end opposite the first end. The signal contacts are positioned so that an edge of each of the L-shaped bodies is proximate and opposite the edge of the other signal contact, thereby electrically edge coupling the contacts. The edges of the L-shaped bodies may extend along the entire length of the bodies and along the contact arms, thereby providing electrical edge coupling throughout the length of the contact.

Abstract: An connector assembly comprises a first connector comprising a first plurality of compliant electrical contacts arranged in first a linear array, a first insertion side, and a first opposed end. The illustrative connector assembly also comprises a second connector comprising a second plurality of compliant electrical contacts arranged in a second linear array, a second insertion side, and a second opposed end. The second plurality of compliant electrical contacts face and are parallel to the first plurality of compliant electrical contacts. The second plurality of compliant electrical contacts are spaced apart from the first linear array of electrical contacts and form a recess there between having an insertion end and termination end.

Abstract: An electrical connector having an electrical contact with a terminal portion and a contact receiving wafer is disclosed. The connector may also include a contact receiving wafer having a face that at least partially defines an aperture that extends therethrough. A terminal portion of the contact may extend at least partially into the aperture. The faces that define the aperture allow the terminal portion of the contact to move in each of a plurality of directions, while also containing the terminal portion of the contact in each direction. The terminal portion of the contact may have connected a solder ball. The solder ball may define a diameter that is larger than the width of the aperture restricting movement of the wafer along a length of the contact.

Abstract: A lead frame assembly is disclosed in which holes may be formed in contacts of the assembly and a dielectric material extends along a length of the contact. The dielectric material may be further secured to the contact by filling the hole. The dielectric material may span across two or more contacts of the lead frame assembly and also across gaps formed between the contacts, or may span across an entire side of a lead frame assembly. The dielectric material may add mechanical strength and robustness to the lead frame assembly while helping to reduce dust accumulation on electrical contacts of the assembly. The dielectric material may abut only one side of one or more contacts in the lead frame assembly and thus may not affect edge-coupling effect of contacts that form differential signal pairs.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a wafer having flexible members that allow the wafer to expand or contract in response to movement of solder pads on a PCB. As a PCB to which a connector is attached is heated during, for example, normal use, it may expand, which may result in the outward movement of the solder balls at the point of connection with the PCB. The flexible members in the wafer enable the wafer to likewise expand so that it does not impede the movement of the solder connections and cause a stress to be placed on the solder connections at the PCB connection point.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes first and second linear arrays of electrical contacts is disclosed. The first linear array is arranged in a first pattern of signal contacts and ground contacts. The second linear array is arranged in a second pattern of signal contacts and ground contacts that is different from the first pattern. The signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The signal contacts in the first linear array are elongated along a direction along which the first linear array extends.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a linear array of electrical blade contacts is disclosed. Each contact may have a free-ended mating portion that extends from a mate surface of a dielectric base. The first linear array may include a first signal contact, a second signal contact positioned adjacent to the first signal contact and forming a differential signal pair therewith, and a ground contact positioned adjacent to the second signal contact. The first signal contact, the second signal contact, and the ground contact may each be elongated in a direction along the linear array.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes first and second linear arrays of electrical contacts is disclosed. The first linear array includes a first differential signal pair, a first ground contact lead adjacent to the first differential signal pair, and a second ground contact lead adjacent to the first ground contact lead. The second linear array is positioned adjacent to the first linear array, and includes a second differential signal pair, a third ground contact lead adjacent to the second differential signal pair, and a fourth ground contact lead adjacent to the third ground contact lead. The electrical connector is devoid of electrical shields between the first linear array and the second linear array.

Abstract: An orthogonal backplane connector systems having midplane footprints that provide for continuity of impedance and signal integrity through the midplane and allow for the same connector to be coupled to either side of the midplane. This design creates an orthogonal interconnect without taking up unnecessary PCB real estate. The midplane circuit board may include a first differential signal pair of electrically conductive vias disposed in a first direction, and a second differential signal pair of electrically conductive vias disposed in a second direction that is generally orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second differential signal pair of electrically conductive vias are electrically connected through the midplane circuit board. Each pair may be associated with and be located in between ground vias. A ground via that is large relative to the signal vias may be provided.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a pickup cap for an electrical connector includes a first portion having a substantially planar major surface. The pickup cap also includes a first and a second beam extending from the first portion for interferedly engaging projecting features on the electrical connector so that the pickup cap can be held on the electrical connector by frictional forces between the projecting features and the first and second beams.

Abstract: A printed circuit board electrical power contact for connecting a daughter printed circuit board to a mating contact on another electrical component. The power contact includes a main section; at least one daughter board electrical contact section extending from the main section; and at least one mating connector contact section extending from the main section. The mating connector contact section includes at least three forward projecting beams. A first one of the beams extends outward in a first direction as the first beam extends forward from the main section and has a contact surface facing the first direction. Two second ones of the beams are located on opposite sides of the first beam and extend outward in a second opposite direction as the second beams extend forward from the main section. The second beams have contact surfaces facing the second direction.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an electrical connector includes a housing having a body. The body defines a contact-receiving aperture extending therethrough, and a heat-transfer aperture extending therethrough in substantially the same direction as the contact-receiving aperture for facilitating circulation of air through the body.