Abstract:
A connector assembly is provided which includes a housing and at least one conductor module. The conductor module comprises at least a first sub-module and a second sub-module attached together to form the conductor module. The conductor module is at least partially received in the housing. The housing and the first sub-module include cooperating positioning structures for positioning the at least one conductor module into the housing such that the position of the second sub-module with respect to the housing is determined by the position of the first sub-module with respect to the housing in at least a first direction (X; Z). A connector assembly is also provided in which at least one contact includes at least one contact beam of which a part is resiliently displaceable substantially parallel to a side wall of the housing from a preload position to a second position for receiving a mating contact. The housing includes a stand-off structure configured to cooperate with at least a portion of the contact to provide and maintain a separation between at least the contact portion and the first side wall in and between the preload position and the second position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 371 of PCT/IB2010/000612 filed on Feb. 1, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application no. 61/184,268 filed Jun. 4, 2009 and U.S. provisional application no. 61/184,275 filed Jun. 4, 2009. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of connector assemblies, in particular electrical connector assemblies, more in particular to modular connector assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various modular connectors are known, wherein modules such as conductor modules, insulating modules and/or spacer modules are arranged in a housing, e.g. a header. Different connector assemblies may be formed by assembling different numbers and/or types of conductor modules into a housing or header. The modules may be arranged in a side-by-side relationship. 
     With the ever-increasing signalling speed required by present-day systems the signals transmitted over a conductor become more and more sensitive to coupling and/or cross talk with neighbouring conductors within one conductor module and between adjacent conductor modules. Such coupling and/or cross talk interaction between conductors is sensitive to the distance between the conductors. Thus, in order to accurately assess and/or control the amount and/or effect of such interaction on a particular conductor at one or more signal frequencies, the relative positions of the conductors are important. 
     Since there are continuing desires for smaller connectors, modular connector are desired which allow a compact build. Further concerns are cost reduction for materials and manufacturing. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, the connector assembly of claim  1  is provided. The connector assembly is modular, facilitating assembly and adaptation of the connector assemblies for various specific desired configurations with respect to the number and arrangement of conductors. Providing conductors in an overmoulded lead frame assembly provides achieving and maintaining reliable positioning of the conductors within the sub-module. Forming a conductor module from a first and a second sub-module allows pre-assembling the conductor module and facilitates assembly of the connector assembly. In the connector assembly, the position of the second sub-module with respect to the housing is determined by the position of the first sub-module with respect to the housing in at least the first direction, preferably two directions, substantially perpendicular to the mating direction due to the cooperating positioning structures of the at least one conductor module and the housing. The reliability of the relative positions of the conductor module and the housing are determined by the tolerances of the first sub-module and the housing. Since the first and second sub-modules are attached together to form the conductor module, the relative position of the first and second sub-modules, and thus the relative positions of the conductors provided by the lead frame assemblies, are reliably and accurately established directly. Thus, the reliability of the relative positions of the conductors in the first and second sub-modules are determined by their proper tolerances. In the present connector assembly the relative position of the first and second sub-modules is independent of the tolerances of the housing. The present connector assembly thus allows better controlling and maintaining true positioning of the conductors within the conductor module and thus of the integrity of signals to be transmitted through or within it. 
     Another advantage is that the conductor module as a whole may be more robust than an individual sub-module, so that assembly of the connector assembly is facilitated. Positioning structures of the housing for positioning the conductor module(s) may be further apart and thus formed larger and more robust than when required for each single overmoulded lead frame assembly. As a consequence, the housing and a mould therefore may be manufactured more economically. 
     Advantageously, the cooperating positioning structures of the at least one conductor module and the housing are formed such that contact and/or interference between the second sub-assembly and the housing are substantially prevented. The connector assembly of claim  2  facilitates such prevention. 
     The connector assembly of claim  3  provides reliable alignment of the conductor module relative to the housing in the first direction since competition between different alignment surfaces in the first direction is prevented. 
     The connector assembly of claim  4  further improves reliability of the alignment of the conductor module relative to the housing by preventing competition between different alignment surfaces in a second direction as well. 
     In the connector assembly of claim  5  plural conductor modules are all aligned to the housing towards the same direction, such that tolerances all work in the same direction and reliability of the positioning of the conductor modules and thus of the conductors therein is improved. Advantageously, each of said plurality of conductor modules also comprises second cooperating positioning structures as defined in claim  4 . 
     In the connector assembly of claim  6  a relative alignment in one or two substantially perpendicular directions of the first and second sub-modules is provided by their attachment structures and the relative position of the first and second sub-modules is controllable when assembling the conductor module and the housing. In a further substantially perpendicular direction the relative position of the second sub-module and its conductors can be directly determined with respect to the housing, not also being determined via the first sub-module, when accurate control of the position of the sub-modules with respect to the housing is (more) efficiently achievable and/or preferred. Advantageously, a relative displacement of the first and second sub-modules is allowed in direction the mating direction and/or a direction of assembly of the conductor into the housing. 
     The connector assembly of claim  7  facilitates fixing the position of at least one sub-module with respect to the housing. Advantageously, the retaining structure allows fixation in two or three mutually perpendicular directions. Providing the retaining structure as a portion of a conductor, e.g. a retaining barb formed by an extension of the conductor, allows increasing the fixation force of the retaining structure, since the conductor will generally be of a material which has mechanical properties different from that of the housing, e.g. a metal conductor and a plastic housing. 
     In the connector assembly of claim  8 , electromagnetic coupling between adjacent conductors is predictable and usable for achieving particular signal transmission behaviour. In particular, utilising broadside coupling may facilitate high signal frequency transmission with differential signalling. 
     In the connector assembly of claim  9 , the lead frame of the first sub-module of a first conductor module may be different or, advantageously, substantially identical to the lead frame of the second sub-module of a second conductor module, and the lead frame of the second sub-module of the first conductor module may be different or, advantageously, substantially identical to the lead frame of the first sub-module of a second conductor module. The connector facilitates arranging conductors in a desired pattern or spacing, e.g. with a pattern repeating every second or third conductor module, while the conductor modules may be robust and may be mounted with reliable positioning into the housing. 
     In the connector assembly of claim  10 , lead portions of conductors of a conductor module may be arranged in separate sub-modules whereas the contacts are arranged in a row or column of at least partially overlapping contacts. This facilitates designing a housing and mating with a counterconnector assembly. It further facilitates integration with existing counterconnector assemblies which generally have contacts arranged in rows and/or columns. 
     In the connector assembly of claim  11 , the protruding portion of the overmoulding material increases robustness of the conductor towards the at least one contact. The protruding portion may also provide a stand-off for mounting the connector assembly. A possibly more important effect of the protruding portion of the overmoulding material is to increase the amount of dielectric material close to the conductor to improve impedance matching between the portions of the conductor inside of the sub-module (at the overmoulded portion of the lead portion) and outside of the sub-module (at the contact and a possible exposed portion of the lead portion), respectively. Advantageously, the protruding portion of the overmoulding material is arranged substantially only at an outside of the conductor module, i.e. away from the other sub-module forming the conductor module, so as to reduce effects of the protruding overmoulding material portion on (one or more conductors in) the other adjacent sub-module. 
     For determining and/or maintaining the position of one or more conductors within the first and/or second sub-module during overmoulding the lead frame assembly, one or more tools may be used to hold the lead portion of that/those conductor(s). At the position(s) of such one or more tools, or by any other cause, a recess or hole in the overmoulding material may be formed. Such recess or hole may result in a varying impedance along the lead portion which may negatively affect properties of a signal transmitted through the conductor. In the connector assembly of claim  12  such effect on the impedance is reduced, since the recess or hole is filled at least partially with the corresponding protrusion of the adjacent sub-module. 
     The method of claim  13  facilitates manufacturing of a connector assembly and in particular achieving accurate true position of the lead portions and contacts of the connector assembly. Further, the conductor module may be tested prior to attaching the conductor assembly to the housing, reducing chances of defects in an assembled connector assembly. 
     In another aspect, the connector assembly of claim  14  is provided. In the connector assembly, the housing and the contact of the conductor comprise cooperating portions for preloading the contact to facilitate connection with the counterconnector by reducing the force required for mating the contact and a mating contact. The first stand-off structure may be a structure protruding from the first side wall. Due to the first stand-off structure, at least the contact portion of the contact beam, advantageously substantially the entire contact beam, is maintained separated from the first side wall of the cavity within which the contact is disposed in and between the preload position and the second position for receiving at least a portion of the mating contact of the counterconnector. This reduces or prevents hindrance or obstruction of the displacement of (at least the contact portion of) the contact beam between the preload position and the second position by friction between the contact beam and the side wall. Such friction may otherwise render the force required for mating high and/or unpredictable, which reduces user friendliness, and/or even cause damage to the contact and/or the housing of the connector assembly and/or counterconnector. 
     The first stand-off structure may also and/or further assist in positioning at least a portion of the contact beam of the contact correctly with respect to the preload structure of the housing, without interference between (at least the contact portion of) the contact beam and the first side wall. 
     The connector assembly may be particularly useful when the contact is a receptacle contact or a hermaphroditic contact. 
     The connector assembly of claim  15  facilitates inserting the contact into the cavity and arranging and maintaining the contact in a desired position with respect to stand-off structure. 
     The connector assembly of claim  16  provides increased robustness for the preload structure and the stand-off structure. The connector assembly also facilitates arranging at least a portion of the contact in the desired preload position. 
     The connector assembly of claim  17  allows reducing friction between the contact and the first stand-off structure, and/or the second stand-off structure when present, during displacement between the preload position and the second position. 
     The position of the contact relative to the first stand-off structure, and/or the second stand-off structure when present, may be reliably determined by directing, e.g. bending, a portion of the contact 
     The contact may comprise at least two contact beams which are arranged at an angle to each other different from opposite, e.g. two contact beams perpendicular to each other, and which each have a contact portion. The cavity may comprise at least two side walls, each extending substantially perpendicular to at least one of the two contact beams and comprising stand-off structures configured to cooperate with at least a portion of the contact to provide and maintain a separation between at least the contact portions of the at least two contact beams and the side wall extending perpendicular to the respective contact beams. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and further aspects will hereafter be more fully explained with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example. 
         FIGS. 1-3  are various perspective views of a connector assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a conductor module comprising two sub-modules; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a first sub-module of the conductor module of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second sub-module of the conductor module of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows the conductor module of  FIG. 4  from a different viewing angle; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the connector housing of the connector assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIGS. 9-10  show detail IX-X of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIGS. 11-12  show detail XI-XII of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIGS. 13-14  show detail XIII-XIV of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial cross-section view of detail XV of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-section view of the connector assembly of  FIGS. 1-3  as indicated in  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-section view of detail XVII of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial front view of the connector assembly of  FIGS. 1-3  as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial cross-section view of the connector assembly of  FIGS. 1-3  as indicated in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. 
     In several figures (e.g.  FIGS. 1-3 ) (the positive portion of) a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is indicated to which coordinate system reference is made for explanation purposes only and which should be considered non-limiting; such references relate only to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-3  show a connector assembly  1  comprising a housing  3  and a plurality of conductor modules  5 . The connector housing  3  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 8-15 . A conductor module  5  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 4-7 . Details of the connector assembly are shown in  FIGS. 16-19 . 
     The connector assembly  1  is a right-angle connector configured for connecting with a mating counterconnector (not shown) in a mating direction along the Y-direction at a mating side MS of the connector assembly, and for connecting to a further object such as a circuit board (not shown) in the X-direction at an object side OS. 
     In the shown connector assembly  1 , each conductor module  5  comprises a first sub-module  7  and a second sub-module  9 . The conductor modules  5  comprise conductors  11  through which signals are to be transmitted. The first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  each comprise an overmoulded lead frame assembly  13 ,  15  comprising a plurality of conductors  11 . The conductors  11  have a lead portion (not shown) extending between a first contact  17 , here having two opposed contact beams  18 , and a second contact  19 , here being eye-of-the-needle press fit contacts for circuit board mounting, on opposite ends of the lead portion. A portion of the lead portions is overmoulded with an overmoulding material  17  to form the overmoulded lead frame assemblies. The conductor modules  5 , and the sub-modules  7 ,  9  are substantially plane and when assembled into the connector assembly extend in the X,Y-plane, with Z normal to the plane of extension of the (sub-) module  5 ,  7 ,  9 . The sides of each of the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  which are to face each other in the assembled conductor module  5  are indicated with “F”. In the shown embodiment the sub-modules  7 ,  9  have substantially the same thickness in the Z-direction and a mid-plane of the assembled conductor module  5  corresponds to the sides F and is identified with “FF”. The conductor modules  5  in the shown embodiment are asymmetric with respect to the plane FF. 
     The first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9 , comprise cooperating attachment structures for attaching the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  together to form the conductor module  5 . Here, the cooperating attachment structures comprise protrusions and recesses  23  on the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  which are configured to fit engage each other. The first sub-module  7  further comprises deformable protrusions  25  and the second sub-module  9  further comprises recesses  27  configured to fittingly receive the protrusions  25 . 
     The first sub-module  7  comprises protruding rail portions or rib portions  29 ,  31  which here extend along a portion of an upper side  30  of the sub-module  7  (rib portion  29 ) and along a portion of a bottom side  32  of the sub-module  7 , opposite the upper side (rib portion  29 ). The rib portions  29 ,  31  give the first sub-module a somewhat U-like shape in cross-section in an X,Z-plane and allow the second sub-module  9  to fit at least partially within and be enveloped by the first sub-module  7 , as best visible in  FIG. 4 . 
     The first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  further comprise recesses  33  which are the result of the overmoulding process, wherein structures in the used mould(s) are used to fix the position of the conductors during overmoulding. Each sub-module  7 ,  9  further comprises protrusions  35  configured and positioned to be received in, and at least partially fill, the recesses  33  of the sub-module  9 ,  7  to be placed adjacent to it for assembling the conductor module  5  from the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9 . 
     The first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  are formed such that the second sub-module  9  fits closely between the rib portions  29 ,  31 , providing a relative position determination of the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  in the X-direction. At least the recesses  23 ,  27  are configured to receive the corresponding protrusions  21 ,  25  with a substantially tight fit in the X-direction. The recesses  33  and protrusions  35  may be loose-fitting or also tight-fitting in the X-direction. Thus, the alignment and relative position of the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  in the X-direction are fixed. However, in the present embodiment the recesses  23 ,  27 ,  33  and protrusions  25 ,  29 ,  35  allow some relative displacement or “play” in the Y-direction. The substantially complementary shape of the sides F of the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  which are to face each other in the assembled conductor module  5  provides a relative position determination of the sub-modules  7 ,  9  in the Z-direction. Outside faces of the conductor module  5  in the Z-direction are formed for assembling the connector assembly  1 , here allowing adjacent conductor modules  5  to slide with respect to each other in at least the Y-direction into the housing  3 . 
     The overmoulding material of the first sub-assembly  7  is formed with plural alignment surfaces  37 ,  39 ,  41  and an interference structure  43 , to be discussed below. One or more abutment structures  44  or the like may be provided as well. One of the conductors  11  of the first sub-assembly  7  comprises an extending portion forming a barb  45 . 
     In the shown embodiment, both sub-modules  7 ,  9  comprise stand-off structures  47  at the object side OS for facilitating mounting the (modules  5 ,  7 ,  9  of) the connector  1  to a further object, e.g. for soldering and/or coolant flow. 
     As best visible in  FIGS. 5-7 , the conductors  11  of the sub-modules  7 ,  9  are arranged within the overmoulding material offset from a mid-plane of the sub-module  7 ,  9  and offset from the mid-plane FF of the conductor module  5  as a whole. However, in the shown embodiment the contacts  17  of the conductors are formed such that all contact beams  18  at least partially overlap the mid-plane FF (see  FIG. 7 ). In the present embodiment the contacts  19  do not overlap to facilitate routing of signal traces in a circuit board connected at the object side OS. 
     In the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9 , the contacts  19  define a contact mating direction in the X-direction. At each contact  19  a portion  49  of the overmoulding material protrudes adjacent the conductor  11  along the contact mating direction towards the contact  19 . In the shown embodiment the protruding portions  49  are only arranged at a side of the conductor  11  oriented away from the side F and thus at an outside of the assembled conductor module  5  and away from the adjacent sub-module  9 ,  7  within the assembled conductor module  5 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the housing  3  of the connector assembly  1  of  FIGS. 1-3  without conductor modules.  FIGS. 9-10  show detail IX-X,  FIGS. 11-12  show detail XI-XII and  FIGS. 13-14  show detail XIII-XIV indicated in  FIG. 8 , with each detail is shown in perspective from two different angles.  FIG. 15  is a cross-section view of detail XV indicated in  FIG. 13 . 
     The housing  3  comprises a front wall  51  at the mating side MS of the housing  3  extending in an X,Z-plane, a top wall with inner surface  54  and a bottom wall  55  extending substantially parallel to each other in a Y,Z-plane, and substantially parallel outside walls  57  extending in a X,Y-plane. A plurality of walls  59  substantially parallel in a X,Y-plane form side walls  59  having inner surfaces  60  and dividing the housing  3  into compartments  61  which are arranged adjacent in the Z-direction and are configured for receiving and holding a conductor module  5  oriented in an X,Y-plane (cf.  FIG. 2 ). Each compartment  61  comprises further partition walls  63  substantially parallel in an a Y,Z-plane. The walls  59 ,  63  define a plurality of adjacent cavities  65  for accommodating contacts  17  of the conductor modules  5 ; apertures  67  in the front wall  51  grant access to cavities  65  and the contacts  17  disposed therein for mating and connecting the connector assembly  1  with a counterconnector along the Y-direction. 
     Each compartment  61  comprises interference structures  69 ,  71 ,  73 . Upon insertion of the conductor module  5  into the housing  3 , the interference structures  69 ,  71 ,  73  of the housing and the interference structure  43  of the conductor module  5  interact between the first sub-module  7  and the housing  3  and serve to force the alignment surfaces  37 ,  39 ,  41  of (the first sub-module  7  of) the conductor module  5  on the opposite side of it against the inner surface of the top wall  53  and the inner surface of the side wall  59 , respectively, of the compartment  61  in the positive X- and negative Z-directions such that the position of (the first sub-module  7  of) the conductor module  5  is well defined in these directions (+X and −Z) with respect to the housing  3 . The position of the second sub-module  9  with respect to the housing  3  is defined by the relative positions of both sub-modules  7 ,  9 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , and in  FIGS. 18 and 19  to be discussed later, conductor modules  5  may be provided which are mirror images of each other with respect to the arrangement and orientation of the conductors  11  within the conductor modules  5 , e.g. relative to a mid-plane FF. In the shown embodiment, the compartments  61 , the interference structures  43 ,  69 ,  71 ,  73  and the alignment surfaces  37 ,  39 ,  41 , of the housing  3  and the conductor modules  5  are substantially identical such that the alignment and tolerances therefor all act in the same direction, improving overall reliability of the true position of the contacts  17 ,  19  of all conductor modules  5  and thus the entire connector assembly  1 . 
     The positions of each sub-module  7 ,  9  with respect to the housing  3  in the Y-direction are determined in the shown embodiment by inserting each sub-module  7 ,  9  into the cavities  61  to a desired position, e.g. by pressing with a proper seating tool against abutment structures  44  of the sub-modules  7 ,  9  until one or more alignment surfaces (not shown) on a front side of the (sub-) modules  7 ,  9  abut one or more corresponding alignment surfaces (not shown) in the compartment  61 . To fix the position of the conductor module  5  to the housing, and in particular in the Y-direction corresponding to the mating direction and mating forces, the retaining barb  45  may engage a portion  75 . Friction between the recesses  23 ,  27 ,  33  and protrusions  25 ,  29 ,  35  may fix the relative Y-position of the first and second sub-modules  7 ,  9  and the relative Y-position of the second sub-module  9  and the housing  3 . The barb  45  may also force the conductor module  5  in the (+) X-direction against the top wall  53  and thus also act as interference structure for alignment in the X-direction. A sharp barb  45  may prevent sideways motion in the Z-direction. Since the barb  45  extends from a conductor  11 , bending or deformation of the sub-module  7  due to a force off-centered from a symmetry plane of the sub-module is prevented. 
     On each side wall  57 ,  59  within each cavity  65 , a preload structure  77  and a stand-off structure or abutment rib  79  with a lead-in portion  81  are provided, which protrude from that side wall  57 ,  59  and which are best visible in  FIG. 15 , showing cross-section detail XV of  FIG. 13 , and in  FIG. 17 , showing detail XVII of the cross-section view of  FIG. 16 . 
     When assembling the connector assembly  1 , the conductor modules  5  are assembled from sub-modules  7 ,  9  and the assembled conductor modules  5  are inserted in the compartments  61  along the Y-direction, and such that the contacts  17  are disposed within the cavities  65  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  16 - 19 ).  FIG. 16  is a cross-section through the mid-plane FF of a conductor module  5 , hence different portions of the column of contacts  17  of the different sub-modules  7 ,  9  are visible in  FIG. 17 , as indicated with the different respective reference symbols in parentheses  17  ( 7 ) and  17 ( 9 ), respectively (see also  FIG. 7 ). 
     The contact beams  18  of the contacts  17  are interconnected with the lead portion of the conductor  11  with a support portion  83 . Each contact beams comprise a contact portion  85  for contacting a mating contact of a counterconnector (not shown). When disposed in final position within the cavity  65  the contact portions  85  engage a preload structure  77  which supports the contact beams  18  into a preload position with (at least the contact portions  85  of) the contact beams  18  somewhat separated to facilitate inserting a mating contact, such as male pin, between them. 
     The contact beams  18  are arranged substantially perpendicular the side walls  57 ,  59  of the cavities  65 . The support portions  83  of each contact  17  extend substantially perpendicular to the contact beams  18  and at least partially substantially parallel the side walls  57 ,  59 . The support portions  83  are configured to abut a stand-off structure  79 . As may be derived from  FIGS. 18 and 19 , in cooperation with that stand-off structure  79 , the position of the contact beams  18  within the cavity  65  is established and the contact beams  18  are kept and maintained separated from the side wall  57 ,  59  at the side of the support portion  83  both in the preload position and in a position when a mating contact of a counterconnector is received between the contact beams  18 . In order to prevent the contact beams  18  from coming into contact with the side wall  57 ,  59  opposite the support portion  83 , the contacts  17  may be bent outward in the Z-direction at an angle to the X,Y-plane, i.e. away from the sides F of the sub-modules  7 , 9  and/or the mid-plane FF of the conductor module  5  at some instance prior to insertion of the conductor module  5  into the housing  3 . Contacts  17  of each sub-module may be bent to opposite angles, outward of the mid-plane FF. Such deflection to an angle in Z ensures that the support portions  83  be oriented towards and be in contact with the nearest stand-off structure  79  when positioned in the housing  3 , such that the stand-off structure may assist establishing the position of the contact  17  within the cavity  65 . The lead-in portions  81  of the stand-off structures  79  facilitate insertion of the contacts  17  into the cavities  65 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  18  and  19 , conductor modules  5  may be provided which are mirror images of each other with respect to the arrangement and orientation of the conductors  11  within the conductor modules  5 , e.g. relative to a mid-plane FF. This may be used to achieve desired (relative) spatial arrangement of the conductors  11  in adjacent overmoulded lead frame assemblies, e.g. for reasons of signal integrity and/or cross-talk coupling. Broad-side coupling of adjacent pair of conductors may increased or decreased as desired, as indicated with distances d 1 , d 2  and d 3  in  FIG. 19 . Within one conductor module  5 , the lead portions of the conductors  11  in adjacent sub-modules  7 ,  9  may be formed such that one or more portions of one or more conductors  11  in adjacent sub-modules  7 ,  9  are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other, such that said one or more portions overlap when seen along the Z-direction, e.g. to increase broadside coupling of these conductor portions. 
     The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance a conductor module may comprise one or more further sub-modules, e.g. on either side of the first sub-module. 
     The connector assembly may have a different shape, e.g. be a straight connector, a mezzanine connector, or have another angle between opposite contacts than substantially 0 degrees (straight connector) and 90 degrees (right angle connector as shown). 
     The connector assembly may comprise more or less conductor modules, conductor modules with more, less or differently arranged conductors, conductor modules which do not comprise sub-modules, one or more spacer modules without conductors, etc. 
     Contacts of one or more conductor modules may be of any desired type and/or have any desired shape. 
     It should be noted that in the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. 
     Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise.