Connector assembly

A connector assembly includes a motherboard and a connector. The motherboard defines a first plane and includes at least one fiber trace. The connector includes an optical lens, an electrical/optical converter, an electrical connector, and a circuit board connecting the optical lens and the electrical connector. The optical lens can be arranged to receive and transmit light from the at least one fiber trace in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane. A plane defined by at least a portion of a main surface of the circuit board is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The at least one fiber trace is arranged to transmit light to and away from an edge of the motherboard and is arranged to receive light at the edge of the motherboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to connector assemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to connector assemblies in which light can be converted to electricity and electricity can be converted to light.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known in the art to use both light and electricity to transmit signals. While electricity can be transmitted quickly, light can be transmitted even more quickly. In applications in which signals need to be transmitted extremely quickly, it is preferable to use light to transmit signals. Light can be transmitted by fiber optic cables or by fiber optic traces (“fiber traces”) arranged on or embedded within a circuit board. In applications in which the signal is transmitted over long distances, it preferable to use fiber optic cables. In applications in which speed is important, it is preferable to use fiber traces where cabling is not applicable.

It is known in the art that, when light is used to transmit signals, it is sometimes necessary to convert light into electricity in order to easily modify the signals. In some applications that convert light into electricity, the electricity is converted back into light. Prior to the present invention, it was not possible to provide a pluggable connector that transmits light signals in fiber traces on or in a circuit board defining a first plane to electric signals in a second plane that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first plane in a reliable and consistent way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a pluggable connector that reliably and consistently connects a signal transmitted by light in fiber traces to an edge of a circuit board or other suitable device defining a first plane to signals transmitted by electricity in a second plane that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a connector includes an optical lens, an electrical/optical converter, an electrical connector, and a flexible circuit connecting the optical lens and the electrical connector.

The connector can further include a housing and a platform, where the platform is located in the housing and is movable within the housing. The optical lens and the electrical/optical converter can be located on the platform.

The housing can include at least one cam follower. The platform can include a cam member that is located in the cam follower and is movable within the cam follower. Preferably, the location of the platform in a vertical direction with respect to a bottom surface of the housing is determined by the location of the cam member within the cam follower.

The connector can also include a base that is connected to the platform, that is located within the housing, and that is movable within the housing. The base is preferably connected to the platform by at least one spring.

One end of the flexible circuit is preferably movable within the housing, and the other end of the flexible circuit is preferably attached to the housing so as not to be movable with respect to the housing. The optical lens is preferably attached to the one end of the flexible circuit that is movable within the housing.

The optical lens is preferably arranged to float as the connector is mated to a motherboard. The optical lens of the connector is preferably arranged to make contact with an optical lens of a motherboard as the connector is mated to the motherboard such that only the mating of the connector and the motherboard is required for the optical lens of the connector and the optical lens of the motherboard to make contact.

The optical lens is preferably arranged to make contact with an optical lens of a motherboard before the connector is fully mated with the motherboard. Preferably, the optical lens of the connector is arranged such that, during mating and un-mating of the connector and a motherboard, the optical lens is parallel or substantially parallel to an optical lens of the motherboard. The optical lens of the connector is preferably arranged such that, as the connector is mated to a motherboard, only normal forces are applied to the optical lens of the connector and an optical lens of the motherboard.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly includes a motherboard and a connector. The motherboard defines a first plane and has at least one fiber trace. The connector includes an optical lens, an electrical/optical converter, an electrical connector, and a circuit board connecting the optical lens and the electrical connector. The optical lens can be arranged to receive and transmit light from the at least one fiber trace in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first plane. The plane defined by at least a portion of a main surface of the circuit board is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The at least one fiber trace is arranged to transmit light to and away from an edge of the motherboard and is arranged to receive light at the edge of the motherboard. The circuit board is preferably a flexible circuit board.

The connector can include a housing, where the optical lens is movable with respect to the housing. The connector assembly can include a docking block located within the motherboard, where the housing and the docking block are arranged to have three sets of corresponding guide planes that are each used to locate the optical lens with respect to the at least one fiber trace.

Preferably, the side walls of the docking block and the sides of the housing define the first set of guide planes. The docking block can include at least one nose guide, and the connector can include a platform upon which the optical lens is mounted and which includes a nose. Preferably, the side surface of the at least one nose guide and the side surface of the nose define the second set of guide planes. The docking block can include at least one neck guide extending from at least one nose guide. Preferably, the side surface of the at least one neck guide and the side surface of the neck define the third set of guide planes.

Preferably, the connector assembly further includes a housing for the connector and a platform located within the housing and arranged to be movable with respect to the housing, where the housing includes at least one cam follower, where the platform includes at least one cam member, and where the vertical height of the platform with respect to a bottom surface of the housing is determined by the location of the cam member within the cam follower.

Preferably, the connector assembly further includes a platform upon which the optical lens is attached and a base having at least one spring, where the at least one spring of the base supports the platform. The optical lens is preferably arranged to receive and transmit light from the at least one fiber trace by moving the base and platform with respect to the housing.

The optical lens is preferably arranged to float as the connector is mated to the motherboard. The optical lens of the connector is preferably arranged to make contact with an optical lens of the motherboard as the connector is mated to the motherboard such that only the mating of the connector and the motherboard is required for the optical lens of the connector and the optical lens of the motherboard to make contact. The optical lens is preferably arranged to make contact with an optical lens of the motherboard before the connector is fully mated with the motherboard.

The optical lens of the connector is preferably arranged such that, during at least a portion of mating and un-mating of the connector and the motherboard, the optical lens is parallel or substantially parallel to an optical lens of the motherboard. The optical lens of the connector is preferably arranged such that, when the connector is mated to the motherboard, only normal forces are applied to the optical lens of the connector and an optical lens of the motherboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.3and4A-4D show the connector assembly200according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3shows the connector assembly before the connector100is inserted into docking block140. Connector assembly200includes motherboard180and docking block140as a female part and daughterboard190and connector100as a male part. As shown inFIGS. 4A-4D, the connector100, which is attached to the daughterboard190, can be inserted into or removed from the docking block140, which is attached to the motherboard180. The connector100includes housing101and, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, sub-assembly150. First, the connector100, including the sub-assembly150, and the daughterboard190will be described; second, the docking block140and motherboard180will be described; and third, the operation of the connector assembly200will be described.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow the connector100according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 5A,5B, and6show the sub-assembly150according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3shows the connector100attached to the daughterboard190.

Connector100can receive light from the motherboard180as input through lenses110. Connector100converts this light to electricity by electrical/optical converter111and outputs the electricity through electrical connector130attached to the daughterboard190. For each of the lenses110, the light can be converted into electricity and output through a single contact131of the electrical connector130or output through a plurality of the contacts131of the electrical connector130. Outputting electricity to a plurality of contacts131of the electrical connector130can be accomplished either (a) on or in the flexible circuit103; or (b) in the electrical/optical converter111. It is also possible for the lenses110to output light to fiber traces on the connector100(not shown). The fiber traces can also be located on the flexible circuit103.

Also, connector100can receive electricity through the electrical connector130attached to daughterboard190. Connector100converts this electricity to light by electrical/optical converter111and outputs the light through lenses110. For each of the lenses110, either the electricity from a single contact131of the electrical connector130or the electricity from a plurality of contacts131of the electrical connector130can be converted into light by the electrical/optical converter111.

Typically, separate paths (where a path is defined by the connection between one of the lenses110and a contact131) preferably are used by signals in which light is converted into electricity and by signals in which electricity is converted into light. That is, a first signal defined by light converted into electricity preferably will be transmitted on a different path than a second signal defined by electricity converted into light. However, it is possible that both the first and second signals are transmitted on the same path.

Connector100includes a housing101and sub-assembly150(sub-assembly150is shown by itself inFIGS. 5A and 5B). Housing101is preferably made of die cast metal. However, any other suitable material can also be used for housing101, e.g., plastic. Housing101includes sidewalls101aand flanges102. Flanges102include holes102a, through which screws (not shown) are inserted to attach the connector100to daughterboard190. It is also possible to attach the connector100to the daughtercard190by other suitable methods, e.g., press fit, snap fit, rivet, solder, glue, or epoxy.

As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, sub-assembly150includes lenses110that are connected to electrical connector130. Lenses110are attached to electrical/optical converter111, which converts light received through lenses110into electricity. Although lenses110and electrical/optical converter111are shown as separate structures, it is possible that they form an integral structure. The electricity is transmitted to the electrical connector130by conductive traces (not shown) on or in the flexible circuit103. The electrical connector130can be any type of electrical connector, including, but not limited to, a single ended connector, a differential pair connector, a mezzanine connector, a right angle connector, etc. The lenses110and the end of the flexible circuit103are connected to platform115. As shown inFIG. 6, the flexible circuit103can be attached to the platform115by heat stakes117. Alternatively, the flexible circuit103can be attached to the platform115in any other suitable manner.

The end of the flexible circuit103opposite to the end of the flexible circuit103with the lenses110is attached to the board107. The electrical connector130is also mounted on the board107. The flexible circuit103and the electrical connector130can be attached to the board107in any suitable manner. The board107can be a circuit board or any other suitable device for mounting the electrical connector130. The electrical connector130includes contacts131that are connected to one end of vias (not shown) in the board107. The other end of the vias is connected to the conductive traces of the flexible circuit103. Typically, one end of the contacts131and one end of the conductive traces are soldered to opposites ends of the vias in the board107. However, other suitable methods, e.g., press fit or compression, can be used to connect contacts131and the conductive traces to the vias in the board107.

The flexible circuit103and the board107can include either a single layer or multiple layers. Although not shown, it is possible to provide electrical components on or in either the flexible circuit103or the board107or both. The electrical components can be either passive or active electrical components.

The first end150aof the sub-assembly150includes a portion of the flexible circuit103, the board107, and the electrical connector130. Typically, the flexible circuit103and the board107are integrally formed. The flexible circuit103and the board107are attached to the housing101preferably by screws (not shown) engaged with holes107aof board107, holes103aof flexible circuit103, and holes101bof housing101, such that the flexible circuit103and the board107are held against the housing101.

Instead of screws engaged with holes101b,103a, and107a, any other suitable method can be used to attach the flexible circuit103and the board107to the housing101, e.g., glue, epoxy, etc. If screws are used, then it is possible to disassemble the sub-assembly150from the housing101, if this is desired. If glue or epoxy is used, then it is difficult, if not impossible, to disassemble the sub-assembly150from the housing101without damaging the sub-assembly150. Although not shown in the figures, it is possible for the housing101to include guiding pins for properly locating the housing101on the daughterboard190.

The second end150bof the sub-assembly150includes a portion of the flexible circuit103, lenses110, electrical/optical converter111, base114, and platform115. The second end150bof the sub-assembly150is not fixed to the housing101and floats in housing101such that it is capable of moving within the housing101. The bottom of base114abuts an interior surface of the bottom101cof the housing101and is free to move or slide along a portion of the interior surface of the bottom101cof the housing101. The base114include springs112that support and push the platform115away from the bottom101cof the housing101.

Although the drawings show an example in which four springs112are preferably used, it is possible to use any suitable number of springs, including one spring. Also, it is possible to use any other structure that provides a force. Platform115is constrained to move only in a vertical or a substantially vertical direction with respect to the base114by latch arms113extending from base114and the latch stop shelf119extending from the platform115. The cam members, preferably in the form of rods105, are located on opposing sides of the platform115. On opposing sides of the base114corresponding to the opposing sides of the platform115where the cam rods105are located, two of the latch arms113extend from the base114such that the respective cam rods105are located between the two latch arms113. This arrangement of the cam rods105and latch arms113constrains the movement of the platform115in all directions, although vertical motion is possible by compression of the springs112, with respect to the base114.

When the sub-assembly150is assembled into housing101, the vertical height of the platform115is determined by the location of the cam rods105in the cam followers104in the side101aof the housing101. When the cam rods105are located at the end of the cam followers104towards the front of the housing101, the platform115is located closest to the interior surface of the bottom101cof the housing101, and when the cam rods105are located at the end of the cam followers104towards the middle of the housing101, the platform115is located furthest from the interior surface of the bottom101cof the housing101. Each of the cam followers104preferably includes a bump104b. Bumps104bare arranged in the cam followers104to impede horizontal movement and promote rotating or pivoting of the platform115about an axis defined by the cam rods105. This will be explained in detail below in the Operation of Connector Assembly200section.

The exact arrangement, location, and number of cam rods105and latch arms113is unimportant as long as the platform115is constrained to move in a vertical or a substantially vertical direction with respect to the base114. Further, it is also possible to use structures, such as levers, other than the cam rods105and latch arms113to constrain the movement of the platform115to a vertical or a substantially vertical direction with respect to the base114. The structures other than cam rods105and latch arms113must also be able to push the platform115away from the bottom101cof the housing101. Cam rods105can include cam heads105aas shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, can have the dowel shape shown inFIG. 6, or can have any other suitable shape. Other suitable structures, e.g., screws, snaps, etc., could be used instead of latch arms113and latch stop shelf119to constrain movement and hold together the base114and platform115.

Platform115can include a heat sink118. The heat sink118is located on the under side of the platform115so that it is sandwiched between the platform115and the base114. Heat sink118includes protrusions118athat extend from the heat sink118on the under side of the platform115through the flexible circuit103to the top side of the platform115. The protrusions118acan be formed integral with the heat sink118before the heat sink is attached to the platform115, or the protrusions118acan be formed by filing in holes in the flexible circuit103with any suitable material, including metals such as copper, after the heat sink118has been attached to the platform115.

The heat absorbed from the flexible circuit103, the electrical/optical converter111, and the platform115by the heat sink118is dissipated through window108in the housing101. The window108is shown inFIGS. 4C and 4Eand is shown with dashed lines inFIG. 1A. It is possible to use the heat sink118without the window108or to use the window108without the heat sink118. However, the rate or amount of heat dissipation would be reduced. It is also possible to not use either of the window108or the heat sink118. However, the rate of heat dissipation would be further reduced.

Platform115also includes a neck121extending from a side of the platform115and includes a nose120extending from the neck121. The shape of the neck121preferably is generally of a cube or cuboid (also known as a rectangular parallepiped), where the top edges of the neck121can be beveled edges121b. The shape of the nose120is generally of a cuboid. The maximum vertical height of the nose120is the same or substantially the same as the height of the neck121. As described below, the height of the nose120is variable. The horizontal length of the back surface120dof the nose120in contact with the neck121is preferably greater than the horizontal length of the surface of the neck121in contact with the nose120. The top surface of the nose120preferably is a beveled top surface120c, and the side surface120aof the nose120can include a beveled side surface120b. The beveled top surface120cof the nose120is beveled such that the height of the nose120decreases in the direction extending away from the surface of the nose120in contact with the neck121. The beveling angles of the beveled side surface120b, the beveled top surface120c, and the beveled edges121bcan be either constant or variable. The sides101aof housing101, the side surface120aof nose120, and the side surface121aof neck121form three sets of guide planes for locating the lenses110of the connector100in the horizontal direction B with respect to the lenses187attached to the motherboard180. The purpose for the arrangement of the three guide planes will be explained in detail below in the Operation of the Connector Assembly200section. The arrangement of the three sets of guide planes can be carried out in other suitable manners.

The flexible circuit103is attached to the platform115. The flexible circuit103inFIG. 6is attached to the platform115preferably by heat stakes117. However, the flexible circuit103can be attached to the platform115in any other suitable manner, e.g., glue, epoxy, adhesive, insert mold, screw, weld, etc. The electrical/optical converter111is attached to the flexible circuit103. The lenses110are attached to the electrical/optical converter111such that the lenses110can receive or transmit light in the vertical direction A. Although connector100preferably uses a plurality of lenses110, the exact number of lenses is not important, and any suitable number of lenses can be used, including a single lens.

As discussed above, electrical/optical converter111converts incident light to electricity and converts incoming electricity to light. For light incident on the lenses110, the light enters the lenses110from fiber traces185(only shown inFIG. 7C) in the vertical direction A or in substantially vertical direction. The incident light and fiber traces185will be explained in detail below in the Docking Block140and Motherboard180section.

Each of the lenses110focuses or collimates the incident light from each of the fiber traces185onto a corresponding converter in the electrical/optical converter111. Each of the converters converts the light into electricity, which is then transmitted to a corresponding conductive trace in the flexible circuit103.

For incoming electricity, the conductive traces transmit the incoming electricity to a corresponding converter in the electrical/optical converter111. Each of the corresponding converters converts the electricity into light. This light is focused or collimated by lenses110and is outputted to the fiber traces185on the motherboard180.

The portion of the flexible circuit103upon which the electrical/optical converter111is attached and the immediately surrounding portions of the flexible circuit103are arranged in a plane that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction, i.e., the plane defined by these portions of the flexible circuit includes the horizontal directions B and C. A substantial portion of the flexible circuit103is arranged in a plane or planes that are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction A. A portion of the flexible circuit103between the platform115and the electrical connector130is not arranged in a plane that is perpendicular or substantially to the vertical direction A, which allows the platform115to be moved within the housing101. The electrical/optical converter111includes alignment pegs106that are arranged in the vertical direction A. The function of the alignment pegs106will be explained in detail below in the Operation of the Connector Assembly200section.

Together, the connector100and the daughterboard190define the male portion of the connector assembly200that can be inserted into and removed from the docking block140, which will be discussed in detail below in Docking Block140and Motherboard180section. The connector100is constructed such that it can be inserted into and removed form the docking block140many times. For example, if the connector100fails for some reason or if a different connector100is needed, then it is possible to replace the connector100with another one.

The docking block140and motherboard180according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 2A,2B,3,4A-4E, and7A-7C. The motherboard180includes a plurality of fiber traces185and a plurality of docking block holes181. The fiber traces185can be made from a fiber optic material or any other suitable optical waveguide material. Typically, the fiber traces185are covered by a cladding material. However, it is possible to omit a cladding material. The fiber traces185route light on the motherboard180.FIG. 7Cshows fiber traces185having a rectangular cross-section. Although a rectangular cross-section is preferred, the shape of the cross-section of the fiber traces185can be other than rectangular. The size of the fiber traces185is exaggerated for illustration purposes. The size of the fiber traces can vary depending upon the application. The number of fiber traces185and the number of docking block holes181can each vary from one to many depending on the application.

Each of the docking block holes181includes a pair of slots188that locate a lens holder184with respect to that docking block hole181. The lens holder184is attached to the motherboard180by heat stakes182through holes180bin the motherboard180. However, the lens holder184can be attached to the motherboard180in any suitable manner. The lens holder184is positioned relative to the fiber traces185by use of the edge184aof the lens holder184and the ledge180aof the motherboard180. The edge184aof the lens holder184and the ledge180aof the motherboard180have tighter tolerances than either the tolerances between the lens holder184and the slots188or the tolerances between the heat stakes182and holes180b. The exact arrangement of the slots188, holes180b, and ledges180ais unimportant, as long as the alignment of the lens holder184and the fiber traces185is correct.

Lens holder184preferably includes guide pins183and alignment holes186. Lenses187are attached to the lens holder184. It is also possible that the lenses187and lens holder184form an integral structure. If the lenses187are attached to the lens holder184, then the bottom surface of the lens holder184is arranged to be flush with the bottom of the portion of the motherboard180between the slots188. This arrangement ensures proper alignment of the lenses187with the fiber traces185.

Guide pins183are used to locate the docking block140within the docking block hole181. Guide pins183are polarized by having various sizes, which ensures that the orientation of the docking block140is correct. Polarization of the guide pins can also be achieved by varying the shape of the guide pins183or by varying both the size and shape of the guide pins183. It is possible to have guide pins183that are not polarized, but more care will be needed when assembling the docking block140and the motherboard180to ensure that the orientation of the docking block140is correct.

Alignment holes186extend through both the lens holder184and lenses187. The alignment holes186are used to engage the alignment pegs106of the connector100such that lenses110and lenses187are aligned. Lenses110and lenses187must be carefully aligned to ensure that light can be transmitted between the motherboard180and the connector100. This will be explained in detail below in Operation of Connector Assembly200section.

Although not illustrated, it is also possible that the motherboard180includes conductive traces, in addition to fiber traces, for transmitting electrical power or electrical signals or both.

A docking block140according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by itself inFIGS. 2A and 2B. The docking block140can be made of plastic or any other suitable material. The docking block140includes bottom wall140a, top wall140b, and side walls140c, which define an opening141through which the connector100can be inserted into and removed from. The docking block140includes flanges142that include holes142a. The docking block140is attached to the motherboard180preferably with screws (not shown) that are inserted through the holes142a. Each flange142can have one or more holes142a. It is also possible to attach the docking block140to the motherboard180by any other suitable method.

The guide holes149of the docking block140are used to locate the docking block140with respect to the docking block hole181when the guide pins183of the lens holder184are inserted into the guide holes149of the docking block140. The guide holes149are polarized in a corresponding manner as the guide pins183in order to ensure the proper orientation of the docking block140with respect to the motherboard180. However, as discussed above, it is not necessary for the guide holes149and guide pins183to be polarized.

In the interior of the docking block140, nose guides144and neck guides147are provided. The nose guides144include opposing side surfaces144athat define nose opening145. Neck guides147extend from the opposing side surfaces144aof the nose guides144toward each other. Each of the neck guides147includes a front surface147a, a back surface147b, a ramp147c, and a side surface147d. The opposing side surfaces147dof the neck guides147define a neck opening146. The front surface147aand back surface147bof each of the neck guides147are connected by ramp147a.

The side walls140cof the docking block140, the side surfaces144aof the nose guide144, and the side surfaces147dof the neck guide147define threes sets of guide planes that correspond to the sides101aof housing101, the side surfaces120aof nose120, and the side surfaces121aof neck121and that are used to locate the lenses110of the connector100in the horizontal direction B with respect to the lenses187attached to the motherboard180.

Together, the docking block140and the motherboard180define the female portion of the connector assembly200into which the connector100can be inserted and from which the connector100can be removed.

Operation of Connector Assembly200

The connector assembly200is shown inFIG. 3, and the operation of the connector assembly200is shown inFIGS. 4A-4E.

The connector assembly200preferably relies upon three different sets of guide planes to locate the lenses110in the horizontal direction B. The first set of guide planes are defined by the side walls140cof the docking block140and the sides101aof housing101. The second set of guide planes are defined by the side surfaces144aof the nose guide144and the side surfaces120aof nose120. The third set of guide planes are defined by the side surfaces147dof the neck guide147and the side surfaces121aof neck121. Each subsequent set of guide planes has tighter tolerances than the previous set of guide planes.

Insertion of the connector100into the docking block140is shown inFIGS. 4A-4D. InFIG. 4A, the connector100is inserted through the opening141of the docking block140such that the beveled top surface120cof the nose120just engages the ramp147cof the neck guide147. At this point, the first and second set of guide planes have been engaged. For illustration purposes, the neck121is not shown inFIGS. 4A-4C. The first set of guide planes is engaged as soon as the connector100is inserted into the opening141of the docking block140because the sides101aof housing101engage the side walls140cof the docking block140. The front of the connector100can have edges with rounded corners to facilitate the insertion of the connector100into the docking block140.

The second set of guide planes is engaged when the nose120is inserted into nose opening145defined by the side surfaces144aof the nose guides144because the side surface120aof nose120engages the side surfaces144aof the nose guide144. As explained above in the Connector100and Daughterboard190section, the nose120can include beveled side surfaces120bthat facilitate the insertion of the nose120into the nose opening145.

FIG. 4Bshows the connector100being further inserted into the opening141of the docking block140. As the connector is further inserted into the opening141of the docking block140, the beveled top surface120cof the nose120slides past the ramp147cof the neck guide147. As the beveled top surface120cof the nose120slides past the ramp147cof the neck guide147, the nose120is pressed down toward the bottom wall140aof the docking block140, which, in cooperation with the bump104blocated in the cam follower104, causes the platform115to be tilted. Tilting of the platform115allows the front surface147aand the back surface147bof the neck guides147to be located between the front surface115aof the platform115and the back surface120dof the nose, which locate the lenses110and187with respect to each other as the surfaces110aand187aof the lenses110and187are moved together and pulled apart. InFIG. 4B, only the first and the second set of guide planes are engaged.

FIG. 4Cshows the connector100being even further inserted into the opening141of the docking block140. During this portion of the insertion of the connector100into the docking block140, the lens110is parallel or substantially parallel to the lens187, which help prevents damage to the lenses110and187during the insertion of the connector100into the docking block140. The lens110is also parallel or substantially parallel to the lens187when the connector100is removed from the docking block140. The front portions of sides101aof housing101slide past the nose guides144. After the beveled top surface120cof the nose120slides past the ramp147cof the neck guide147, the neck121enters the neck opening146defined by the side surfaces147dof the neck guide147. This causes the third set of guide planes to be engaged because the side surfaces121aof neck121engage the side surfaces147dof the neck guide147. As explained above in the Connector100and Daughterboard190section, the neck121can include beveled edges121bthat facilitate the insertion of the neck121into the neck opening146.

After the third set of guide planes is engaged, the front surfaces147aof the neck guides147engages the front surface of the platform115. The front surfaces147aof the neck guides147and the front surface115aof the platform115remain in contact as the housing101continues to move forward. The cam rod105, the cam follower104, and the springs112work in cooperation to push the platform115away from the bottom101cof the housing101. This moves the surface110aof lens110towards surface187aof the lens187that come into contact with each other, as the front surfaces147aof the neck guides147and the front surface115aof the platform115maintain the alignment pegs106in correct location as the platform115is pushed away from the bottom101cof the housing101.

As the cam rod105continues to move forward, the platform115is moved further away from the bottom101cof the housing101towards the top wall140bof the docking block140, which brings the surface187aof lens187and the surface110aof lens110closer together. As seen inFIG. 4D, the alignment pegs106are inserted into the alignment holes186in lenses187. The ends of the alignment pegs106that are inserted into alignment holes186preferably have a bullet shape. However, any other suitable shape that provides a lead in can also be used.

Because the platform115is accurately located with respect to the lenses187, the lenses110on the platform115are aligned with the lenses187, which is required for light to be transmitted from the motherboard180to the connector100. When the bullet shaped ends of the alignment pegs106are inserted into the alignment holes186, the cam rods105float in the cam follower104such that the cam rods105do not touch the sides of the cam follower104, which results in the surface110aof lens110and the surface187aof lens187being held together tightly with the resulting force of the springs112and which results in the platform115floating and only being maintained in position by the spring forces of the springs112and alignment pegs106.

Because the platform115floats, movement in the motherboard180or connector100is not transmitted to the lenses110and187, which would result in misalignment, and the alignment of the lenses110and187is not affected by misalignment, vibration, shock, manufacturing tolerances, or daughtercard190insertion depth. With respect to the daughtercard190insertion depth, the float of the platform115allows for the daughtercard190to be over inserted, i.e., the lens110makes contact with lens187before the connector100is fully inserted into the docking block140.

The alignment pegs106are prevented from disengaging from the alignment holes186by the springs112. By this arrangement, accurate alignment and constant contact of the surface110aof lens110and the surface187aof lens187is consistently and reliably achieved.

FIG. 4Eshows the connector100being removed from the docking block140through opening141. The lens110is maintained in parallel or substantially parallel position with respect to the lens187as the connector100is removed from the docking block140. When the connector100is removed from the docking block140, the back surfaces147bof the neck guides147engage the back surface120dof the nose120. The cam rod105, the cam follower104, and the springs112work in cooperation to push the platform115toward the bottom101cof the housing101, as the back surfaces147bof the neck guides147and back surface120dof the nose120maintain the location of the lenses110and187such that no forces in the insertion/removal directions are transmitted to the alignment pegs106and alignment holes186which would result in possible damage to the lenses110and187. This results in the lenses110and187being pulled away from each other.

As the cam rods105slide past the bumps104b, the platform115is tilted such that the nose120moves toward the bottom101cof the housing101. This causes the back surfaces147bof the neck guides147to be disengaged from the back surface120dof nose120. After the back surfaces147bof the neck guides147are disengaged from the back surface120dof nose120, the connector can easily be removed from the docking block140through opening141.