Hybrid cable-to-board connector
First Claim
1. A connector comprising:
- an electrically insulating housing comprising;
a base extending along orthogonal length (x) and width (y) directions of the connector and comprising opposing first and second major surfaces;
a wall extending from the first major surface of the base along the length direction and along a height direction (z) of the connector perpendicular to the length and width directions, the wall comprising;
opposing first and second side surfaces extending along the length direction between opposing first and second end surfaces extending along the width direction; and
a top surface extending between the first and second side surfaces and the first and second end surfaces;
parallel rows of first and second terminals disposed in the housing, each first and second terminal comprising;
a terminal portion extending along the width direction and disposed at least partially in the base and configured to make contact with an electrically conductive trace of a printed circuit board; and
a mating portion extending along the height direction and disposed at least partially in the wall, the mating portions of the first and second terminals adjacent the respective first and second side surfaces of the wall and configured to contact terminals of a mating connector, the wall defining a cavity therein between the first and second terminals; and
an optical relay portion comprising at least one of a lens, an optical waveguide and an optoelectronic device disposed in the cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a hybrid connector. The connector comprises an insulating housing having parallel rows of first and second terminals disposed in the housing. Each first and second terminal includes a terminal portion configured to make contact with an electrically conductive trace of a circuit board; and a mating portion configured to contact a terminal of a mating connector, the mating portions of the first terminals parallel to and facing the mating portions of the second terminals. The housing defines a cavity formed therein between the mating portions of the first and second terminals, wherein the cavity defining a cavity opening at an external surface of the housing for receiving light therefrom. An optical relay portion is disposed in the cavity, wherein the optical relay portion comprises at least one of an optical transceiver, an optical lens and an optical waveguide.
28 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A connector comprising:
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an electrically insulating housing comprising; a base extending along orthogonal length (x) and width (y) directions of the connector and comprising opposing first and second major surfaces; a wall extending from the first major surface of the base along the length direction and along a height direction (z) of the connector perpendicular to the length and width directions, the wall comprising; opposing first and second side surfaces extending along the length direction between opposing first and second end surfaces extending along the width direction; and a top surface extending between the first and second side surfaces and the first and second end surfaces; parallel rows of first and second terminals disposed in the housing, each first and second terminal comprising; a terminal portion extending along the width direction and disposed at least partially in the base and configured to make contact with an electrically conductive trace of a printed circuit board; and a mating portion extending along the height direction and disposed at least partially in the wall, the mating portions of the first and second terminals adjacent the respective first and second side surfaces of the wall and configured to contact terminals of a mating connector, the wall defining a cavity therein between the first and second terminals; and an optical relay portion comprising at least one of a lens, an optical waveguide and an optoelectronic device disposed in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A connector comprising:
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an electrically insulating housing comprising; a base extending along orthogonal length (x) and width (y) directions of the connector and comprising opposing first and second major surfaces, a wall extending from the first major surface of the base along the length direction and along a height direction (z) of the connector perpendicular to the length and width directions, the wall comprising; opposing first and second side surfaces extending along the length direction between opposing first and second end surfaces extending along the width direction; and a top surface extending between the first and second side surfaces and the first and second end surfaces; parallel row of first and second terminals disposed in the housing, each first and second terminal comprising, a terminal portion extending along the width direction and disposed at least partially in the base and configured to make contact with an electrically conductive trace of a printed circuit board, and a mating portion extending along the height direction and disposed at least partially in the wall, the mating portions of the first and second terminals adjacent the respective first and second side surfaces of the wall and configured to contact terminals of a mating connector, the wall; and an optical relay portion comprising an optical waveguide the optical waveguide extending from the top surface of the wall to the bottom of the connector, wherein the waveguide transmits optical signals through the connector so that they can be coupled into the printed circuit board.
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5. A connector comprising:
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an electrically insulating housing; parallel rows of first and second terminals disposed in the housing, each first and second terminal comprising; a terminal portion configured to make contact with one of an electrically conductive trace of a circuit board and an electrical conductor; and a mating portion configured to contact a terminal of a mating connector, the mating portions of the first terminals parallel to and facing the mating portions of the second terminals, the housing defining a cavity therein between the mating portions of the first and second terminals, the cavity defining a cavity opening at an external surface of the housing for receiving light therefrom; and an optical relay portion disposed in the cavity and comprising at least one of an optoelectronic device, an optical lens and an optical waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A connector comprising:
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an electrically insulating housing; parallel rows of first and second terminals disposed in the housing, each first and second terminal comprising; a terminal portion configured to make contact with an electrically conductive trace of a circuit board; and a mating portion configured to contact a terminal of a mating connector, the mating portions of the first terminals parallel to and facing the mating portions of the second terminals, the housing defining a cavity therein between the mating portions of the first and second terminals, the cavity defining a cavity opening at an external surface of the housing for receiving light therefrom; and an optical relay portion disposed in the cavity and comprising at least one of an optoelectronic device, an optical lens and an optical waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification