Patent Publication Number: US-7713077-B1

Title: Interposer connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to interposer connectors having a translatable component for multiple contact mating. 
   In general, an interposer connector facilitates the mating of connector assemblies by bridging the gap between two different sides of a connector assembly. An interposer can also be translatable so as to allow the interposer to move from an unmated positioned to a mated position. Prior to being in the mated position, the interposer connector is in contact with a first side of the connector assembly. Once the interposer connector is translated to the mated position, the interposer connector remains in contact with the first side of the connector assembly but is also brought into contact with a second side of the connector assembly, thus bridging the two sides of the connector assembly. Unmating can be achieved by translation in the opposite direction. Both electrical power and signal terminals can be provided by interposer connectors. 
   While existing connector assemblies have provided some acceptable features and functions, certain aspects of existing designs make the manufacture of such connector assemblies more costly or difficult than desired. Furthermore, systems and methods of improving the reliability or ease of assembly would be appreciated. Accordingly, improvements in the design and construction of a connector assembly would be appreciated by certain individuals. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An interposer assembly may be provided to act as a bridge between a first connector and a second connector that are spaced apart. A terminal may be positioned on the interposer assembly for mating engagement with a corresponding terminal on the first and second connector. The interposer assembly includes a first housing with a cavity and a terminal housing that is slidably positioned in the cavity, the terminal housing being slidable along a first axis. The terminal is pivotally secured to the terminal housing and also pivotally secured to the first housing and further extends beyond at least one of the terminal housing and the first housing to an unsupported end. Sliding the terminal housing with respect to the first housing along the first axis causes the terminal to pivot with respect to the first housing and the terminal housing, thus modifying the position of the unsupported end about the closest pivot point. In an embodiment, the terminal may be slidably supported within the first housing and the terminal housing so as to be translatable along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. In an embodiment, a plurality of terminals may be positioned and supported by the first housing and the terminal housing in a pivotal and/or slidable manner. In an embodiment, the terminal(s) may be a blade-shaped power terminal. 
   In an embodiment, an interposer assembly may be supported by a movable mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is configured to be translated so as to move the interposer assembly between an unmated and a mated position. The mounting bracket may be attached to a movable member such as a lever or a cam. The interposer connector module may include a blade-type terminal that extends from two opposing sides of the interposer connector module. The terminal may be configured to be pivoted about a first plane and a second plane that are substantially orthogonal to each other. The interposer connector may further include at least one terminal position assurance member configured to cause the interposer connector to become aligned with a receiving connector when the interposer connector module is translated from an unmated to a mated position. In addition, a plurality of signal terminals may be supported by the interposer assembly and coupled to flexible signal paths and be configured to engage corresponding signal terminals in the receiving connector when the interposer is translated to the mated position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an interposer and connector assembly in a mated position; 
       FIG. 2  is a cut-away top plan view of the interposer and connector assembly of  FIG. 1  in an unmated position; 
       FIG. 3  is a cut-away top plan view of the interposer and connector assembly of  FIG. 1  in the mated position; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a supported interposer assembly; 
       FIG. 5  is an partially exploded perspective view of the interposer assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the interposer housing of the interposer assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a terminal housing of the interposer assembly of  FIG. 4  with terminals installed; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of terminal housing and terminals depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of the terminal housing depicted in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a signal module component of the interposer assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view of another embodiment of an interposer and connector assembly; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an interposer and connector assembly with flexible signal channels truncated; 
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the interposer of  FIG. 16 , with terminals removed; 
       FIG. 12B  is a elevated top cross-sectional view of the interpose assembly of  FIG. 12  along the line B-B; 
       FIG. 12C  is a perspective view of the cross-sectioned interposer assembly depicted in  FIG. 12B ; 
       FIG. 12D  is a partial cross-sectional view generally as in  FIG. 12B , with the terminal housing translated along a Y-axis with respect to the interposer assembly; 
       FIG. 12E  is a perspective view, partially in cross-section along line E-E of  FIG. 12 , of the interposer housing and terminal housing; 
       FIG. 12F  is an elevated front view of the interposer housing depicted in  FIG. 12A ; 
       FIG. 12G  is a cross-section view of the interposer housing; 
       FIG. 12H  is an elevation view of the interposer housing of  FIG. 12A  with a terminal positioned in a slot; 
       FIG. 12I  is a simplified perspective view, partially in cross-section along line E-E of  FIG. 12 , of an embodiment of the interposer assembly depicted in  FIG. 12 ; and 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner, including employing various features disclosed herein in combinations that might not be explicitly disclosed herein. 
   One common issue with coupling two components supported by two different circuit boards is that the mounting features on both circuit boards will have tolerances, the mounting support for the circuit boards will have tolerances, the position of any components on the circuit board will have a tolerance and the dimensions of the two components will have tolerances. The stack-up of these tolerances can be significant and therefore substantial effort and money has historically been exerted to control the tolerances so that the components can be coupled together. The issue is particularly problematic when there is a desire to have the connection of the two components made by translating a lever that supports an interposing connector. A connector with one side coupled to only flexible components could be used but generally such connectors are less ideally suited to applications that distribute high power. In addition, if the interposing connector includes a number of terminals, it is sometimes desirable to allow each terminal to translate separately so as to account for potential variations in skew that can occur between to such connectors. Existing connectors have been determined to be insufficient to address all these issues, thus an improved interposer is disclosed herein. It should be noted that depending on the needs of the system, various features disclosed herein may be included or omitted from an interposer assembly so as to provide a desired functionality. Thus, an interposer assembly may include one or more of the depicted features and is not limited to the particular embodiments depicted herein unless otherwise noted. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of an interposer and connector assembly generally designated  20 . The interposer and connector assembly  20  has a connector assembly  30 , an interposer assembly  50 , a power connector  70  and a signal header  80 . The connector assembly  30  is shown connected to a circuit board  32 . Connector assembly  30  can function for example, as a backplane connector. The interposer assembly  50  is shown supported by a bracket  52 , which in an embodiment may be translatable, and includes terminals  60 . The power connector  70  and the signal header  80  are shown connected to a circuit board  72 . Circuit board  32  and circuit board  72  may be fixed in a spaced apart position and, while shown in a generally perpendicular orientation to each other, may be in some other orientation to each other. Thus, the power connector  70  and the connector assembly  30  are examples of a first and second connector. It should be noted that conventional materials may be used to construct the housing and terminals. The interposer connector, for example, may be formed of a desirable industry standard dielectric material such as plastic and may be a high temperature polymer. The terminals  60 , as a further example, can comprise any industry standard conductive material such as a copper alloy or some other desirable metal and may include one or more plating. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the interposer and connector assembly  20  is in an unmated position when the interposer assembly  50  is coupled to the power connector  70  but is not in electrical contact with the connector assembly  30 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the interposer and connector assembly  20  in the mated position wherein the interposer assembly  50  couples the power connector  70  with the connector assembly  30 . Translation of the interposer assembly  50  into the mated position allows second extension  60   b  to engage terminals in connector assembly  30  while first extension  60   a  retains electrical connection with terminals in power connector  70 . As depicted, flexible conductive elements, which may be cables or flex cable or the like, extend between connector  96  and interposer assembly  50  and help couple terminals in signal header  80  to terminals in connector assembly  30 . The flexible conductive paths may be configured for higher speed signal applications with increased densities as compared to the configuration of the terminals  60 . It should be noted, however, that terminals  60  may be used for power, signals, or some combination thereof. 
   As depicted, the interposer assembly  50  has an interposer housing  54  attached to bracket  52  by two bolts  53   a . Alternatively, the bracket  52  may support the interposer housing  54  using any desirable method, such as rivets, solder or a suitable adhesive for example. Mating components are provided for aligning and joining the interposer module  50  to the connector assembly  30 . As depicted, interposer housing  54  includes guides  55 , and the connector assembly  30  can include complementary channels or guides configured to receive guides  55 . Guides  55  are examples of orientation members that act to ensure interposer assembly  50  is properly aligned with the connector assembly  30  so that the terminals  60  can engage terminals in the connector assembly  30 . As can be appreciated, the guide  55  may cause the position of interposer assembly  30  to shift, thus the support system for the interposer assembly  50  preferably allows such shifting. Alternatively, the supporting structure, such as the bracket  52 , for interposer assembly  30  can be configured to flex so that it becomes aligned with connector assembly  30  during translation toward the mating position. 
   As depicted, a plurality of terminals  60  are mounted within the interposer assembly  50  and each terminal may exhibit floating characteristics, as will be discussed below. The terminal  60 , which may be configured as a power blade, extends outward from two sides of the terminal housing  56  to define the first extension  60   a  and the second extension  60   b . As the first extension  60   a  can limit how far the interposer connector can be translated, it can be beneficial to have the first extensions  60   a  longer than the second extension  60   b . The first extension  60   a  is sized such that they pass through the power connector  70  in the unmated position ( FIG. 2 ) but still maintain electrical contact with the power connector  70  in the mated position ( FIG. 3 ). The second extension  60   b  is sized to make electrical contact with the connector assembly  30  in the mated position and to break electrical contact with the connector assembly  30  in the unmated position. In an embodiment, the first extensions  60   a  may extend external of the interposer housing  54  a first distance that is at least twice a second distance that the second extension extends external of the housing  54 . In another embodiment, the first distance may be at least three times the second distance. 
   As depicted, a signal module  90  is seated within a signal channel  92  in the interposer housing  54  and a terminal position assurance member  63  secures the signal module  90  within the interposer housing  54 . Signal wires  94 , which may be configured to provide high data rates of 2 or more Gbps per channel, electrically connect signal terminals  91  in the signal module  90  to terminals a housing  95  of signal connector  96 . The depicted signal module  90  also includes a signal module housing  93 . As noted above, conventions materials may be used, such as high temperature polymers for the housings and copper alloys for the terminals. It should be noted that while conductive wires are depicted, in an embodiment other signal passing mediums such as optical cables could also be positioned in the signal module. Thus, unless otherwise noted, the type of signal module provided is not intended to be limiting. 
   It should be noted that the illustrated signal module housing  93  provides a single housing for all the signal terminals  91 . Alternatively, one or more of rows or columns of signal module terminals  91  can be positioned in separate signal module housing. In that regard, it should be noted that the depicted configuration of terminals  60  on one side and terminals  91  on the other side is merely exemplary because alternative embodiments may intermix terminals  60  and  91  along the interposer housing  54 . If terminals are used for higher power applications, air channels  62  may be provided to provide air flow at the mating interface between the interposer assembly  50  and the connector assembly  30 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the interposer housing  54  includes guide posts  51  that engage a support, such as the bracket  52 . Bolt holes  53   b  are adapted to receive bolts  53   a , thereby attaching the interposer housing  54  to the bracket  52 . Alternatively, any known fastener could be used to attach the interposer housing to the bracket, such as screws, rivets or adhesive for example. As noted above, to account for possible misalignment it may be desirable to support the interposer housing in an adjustable manner. 
   A terminal housing cavity  57  is adapted to receive the terminal housing  56  (see  FIG. 7 ). With reference to the floating aspect noted herein, the terminal housing cavity  57  and the terminal housing  56  are sized, shaped and oriented such that the terminal housing  56  can translate laterally (e.g., from side to side) up to a predetermined amount within the blade housing cavity  57  so as to provide an adjustable positioning of the terminals  60 . 
   In particular, the terminal housing cavity  57  has an internal cross-sectional perimeter greater than the external perimeter of the terminal housing  56 . The resulting differences in length and height of the respective perimeters allows terminal housing  56  to translate with respect to terminal housing cavity  57 . Placement of the terminal housing  56  within the terminal housing cavity  57  can be secured by a latching arrangement. As depicted, for example, a latch opening  59  is configured to receive a latch  58  such that when the latch  58  engages the latch openings  59 , the latch  58  prevents the terminal housing  56  from being removed from the terminals housing cavity  57  while allowing the terminal housing  56  to translate from side-to-side within the terminals housing cavity  57 . In an embodiment, the latch  58  and latch opening  59  may be sized so that the latch  58  limits the lateral movement, however, in another embodiment the size of the terminal housing cavity  57  and the terminal housing  56  will limit the lateral movement. Latches  58  and latch apertures  59  are illustrative of interference elements that are suitable for securing the terminal housing  56  within the terminal housing cavity  57 . Other elements can be substituted and, for example, a projecting element can be provided in place of the latch opening so that the projecting element extends into the terminal housing cavity while a matching indent can be provided in the terminal housing  56 . Thus latch and latch opening are representative of retaining features that may be configured to control or allow movement of the terminal housing  56  within the terminal housing cavity and the shape, quantity and location of the retaining feature can vary. 
   As further illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , terminal housing  56  may include one or more lead-in  46 . The lead-in  46  may be sized to engage and/or to be inserted into an opening in an opposing side wall of the interposer housing  54  as the terminal housing  56  is inserted into the interposer housing  54 . A terminal channels  44  may be sized to allow the terminals  60  to pass through and to allow for float of the terminal  60 . 
   The signal channel  92  is adapted to receive the signal module  90  ( FIG. 10 ) and the terminal position assurance member  63 . The signal module housing  93  can have guide members  99  as seen in  FIG. 10 . The guide members  99  are adapted to engage and be slidably received within guide channels  66  in the interposer housing  54  as seen in  FIG. 6 . The guide members  99  and the guide channels  66  provide guidance during pass-through sliding of the signal module  90  into the signal channel  92 . 
   The terminal position assurance member  63  can be generally U-shaped and can have latch members  64  that are deflectable to facilitate snap-in assembly to the interposer housing  54  in the illustrated embodiment. In an embodiment, a pair of deflectable latch members can be provided, each being deflectable toward the other and biased toward an orientation generally perpendicular to an outside surface of the terminal position assurance member  63 . When the terminal position assurance member  63  is installed, as seen in  FIG. 4  for example, its outside surface is generally parallel to the portions of the interposer housing  54  that are adjacent to the terminal position assurance member  63 . Each latch member can have an indent that engages and matingly accommodates a respective securing ledge  68  ( FIG. 6 ) of the interposer housing  54  when the terminal position assurance member  63  is placed in position. 
   In an embodiment, each latch member can have a raised portion immediately distal of the indent  67 , and each raised portion is shown with a tapered edge  69 . During assembly of the terminal position assurance member  63  onto the interposer housing  54  each latch member moves into the signal channel  92  until each latch member, typically at its tapered edge, engages the respective securing ledge  68 , which also may be tapered complementary to the taper of the respective tapered edge  69 . In this embodiment, each tapered edge of the raised portion engages the respective securing ledge  68  of the interposer housing  54 , the ledge  68  deflects the raised portion  61  and thus each latch member until the securing ledge  68  enters the respective indent  67 , at which time the parallel relationship between the outside surface and the outside surface of the interposer housing  54  is achieved. In the engaged position, keyed projections on the terminal position assurance member  63  engage with reciprocally shaped keyed notches  49  ( FIG. 6 ) on the interposer housing  54  to secure the terminal position assurance member  63  against forward or backward movement. When terminal position assurance member  63  is snapped into position, the latch members secure the signal module housing  93  in place so as to be in alignment with corresponding signal plugs in this embodiment. It should be noted, however, that other methods of securing a signal module to the interpose housing  54  are also contemplated and the method of securing a signal module (if one is provided) to an interposer housing is not intended be limiting unless otherwise noted. 
     FIGS. 12-12I  illustrate details of an embodiment of an interposer assembly  150  configured to couple a connector assembly  130  and a power connector  170 . Optional signal module  190  has truncated flexible signal paths  194 , which in practice may be terminated to a signal header in a desired manner. As is known, signal paths  194  may join signal channels in two connectors so as to provide an effective signal paths therebetween. If the signal paths are conductive elements, the electrical connection may be to any known electrical device, such as a wire-to-wire connector, a wire-to-board connector, or directly hard wired into electrical signal terminals for example. As illustrated, interposer assembly  150  is in a mated position, with terminals  160  extending from the power connector  170  to the connector assembly  130  via the interposer assembly  150 . The signal paths, however, may couple a different connector to the connector assembly  130 . Thus, the terminal  160  acts like a beam that resists bending and extends in a relatively straight line while the signal path  194  is relatively free to bend and may follow an undulating path. Therefore, translation of the interposer assembly  150  from the unmated to mated position can be relatively simple for the signal paths, if signal paths are included; the signal paths can simply have sufficient length so they can effectively reach both the mated and unmated position. 
   Interposer housing  154 , which includes bolt holes  153   b , includes a terminal housing  156  positioned within a terminal housing cavity  157  ( FIG. 12G ). In addition, air channels  162  may be provided in the interposer housing  154  in order to enhance air flow to the terminals  160 . It should be noted that while the depicted embodiment illustrate a terminal housing  156  substantially contained within the interposer housing  154 , such a configuration is not required but instead provides a benefit of minimizing movement of an exterior portion of the interposer assembly  150 . As can be appreciated, terminal channel  144  has a retaining slot  172 , which each include a top edge  172   a , a bottom edge  172   b , and a width  172   c . A latch  158  is position in latch open  159  and secures the terminal housing  156  within the terminal housing channel  157 . As depicted, the latch  158  is shorter in the lateral dimension than the latch opening  159 . This relative sizing allows the terminal housing  156  to move along a Y-axis. Depending on the size of the latch  158  and the latch opening  159 , contact between side  175  of the terminal housing  156  and side  174  of the terminal housing cavity  157  may limit movement along the Y-axis. It should be noted that the pivot slot and the retaining slot are both examples of a securing feature. While a simple slot may be used as a securing feature, other more complex shapes such as openings that include one or more notches and/or projections may also be used. 
   The latch  158  and the corresponding latch opening  159  are both an example of the retaining feature, which is used with the terminal housing  156 . As can be appreciated, a retaining feature such as a latch or latch opening may be positioned on either the top or bottom wall of the interposer housing  154 . In an embodiment, more than one positioning feature may be used such as one on both the top wall and bottom wall or with multiple positioning features on the top or bottom wall or some other combination. Furthermore, the relative position of the latch and the latch opening could be switched. An advantage of the depicted configuration, however, is that it is easy to visually determine whether the terminal housing  156  is fully inserted into the terminal housing cavity  157 . As depicted in  FIG. 12E , which is a view taken along line E-E in  FIG. 12 , the retaining feature helps secure the terminal housing in the terminal housing cavity  157  so that a tab  181  in the terminal  160  is restrained between a shoulder  202  of the interposer housing  154  and edge  203  of the terminal housing. The retaining feature, however, can allow transverse translation of the terminal housing  156  along the Y-axis. 
   As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 12B-12C , which show a cross section views of an interposer assembly along line B-B in  FIG. 12 , terminal  160  includes a width  160   d  and is secured in pivot slot  171  (which has a width  171   a ) of the interposer housing  154 . The terminal  160  is also secured in retaining slot  172  (which has a width  172   b ) of the terminal housing  156 . The width of the slots can be configured to be substantially similar to the width  160   d  so that the terminal  160  has minimal ability to twist in the slots  171 ,  172  (thus helping to ensure a reliable connection with corresponding terminals in either the power connector  170  or the connector assembly  130 ). However, because the terminal housing  156  can move relative to interposer housing  154 , a first extension  160   a  of the terminal  160  can translate along the Y-axis so as to account for potential variation in the location of the power connector  170  and the connector assembly  130  along the Y-Axis. Thus, the translation of the terminal housing  156  with respect to the interposer housing  154  allows an orientation of the terminal  160  to vary while remaining on plane  1 , which as depicted is substantially orthogonal to a mating face  154   a  of the interposer housing  154 . 
   As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 12A-12I , therefore, a terminal  160 , which can function as a power terminal and is illustrated as having a blade-like shape, may be positioned within each of the channels  144 . Each first portion  160   a  extends through and from one of the terminal channels  144 . The width  171   a  of the pivot slot  171  may be configured so as to be slightly greater than a width  160   d  of the terminal  160  so that the terminal  160  can move in the Z-directions in the pivot slot  171  but is sufficiently narrow so as to substantially prevent the terminal  160  from moving an appreciable distance in the Y-direction. This allows the terminal  160  to pivot about the pivot slot  171  while maintaining a desirable control over the orientation of the terminal  160  within the slot. As can be appreciated, if a material or plating is chosen that has a relatively low coefficient of friction, the width  171   a  of the pivot slot  171  may more closely match the width  160   d  of the terminal  160  while still allowing the terminal to translate in the Z-direction (e.g., along plane  2 ). 
   The ability to translate the terminal  160  in the Z-direction, if desired, can be provided by using opposing tabs  181  and  182  on the terminal  160 . When installed within the interposer housing  154 , tabs  181 ,  182  engage respective shoulder  202  and edge  203 , thereby preventing movement of each terminal out of the interposer housing  154  through the pivot slot  171 . In an embodiment, a width of the tabs  181 ,  182  relative to a distance between shoulder  202  and edge  203  may be such that it is possible to translate the first extension  160   a  along the Z-axis so that the terminal can move in plane  2 . As can be appreciated, a limit on the ability to translate along the Z-axis will be provided by the pivot slot  171  and the retaining slot  172 . As depicted, the distance from the tab  181 ,  182  to the retaining slot  172  is greater, thus a height  172   d  of the retaining slot  172  will tend to limit the amount of translation possible. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 12I , the channel  144  can be configured so that it extends substantially the entire distance between face  157   a  of the terminal housing cavity  157  and retaining slot  172 . While not required, this extension can help ensure the terminals are substantially isolated from each other (which in certain applications may provide a desirable voltage isolation). 
   Thus, as can be appreciated, the terminal  160  can translate along a first plane based on relative movement of a terminal housing  156  and an interposer housing  154 . This allows the interposer assembly  150  to account for potential variation in the Y-axis between two connectors that the interposer assembly  150  couples together. The terminal  160  can optionally move along a second plane that can be substantially orthogonal to the first plane based on a height of a retention slot and/or sizing of one or more tabs that extend from the terminal. 
   It should be noted that while the use of a tab on the terminal  160  in combination with the shoulder  202 /edge  203  (which is an example of a terminal retention feature) is envisioned as providing a relatively cost effective solution, in an embodiment (not shown) the tab may be replaced by a notch and the terminal housing  156  could include a projection that engaged the notch, thus providing a similar effect. The advantage of the depicted configuration is that assembly is simplified because terminals  160  may be inserted into the terminal housing  156  with relatively little force. However, as can be appreciated, the basic functionality can be provided by other terminal retention features that provide a similar functional result. Furthermore, while the depicted embodiment includes a terminal retention feature on two sides of the terminal  160 , in an embodiment a terminal retention feature may be provided on one side of the terminal. 
   As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 12F and 12H , the pivot slot may include an air gap  177  that can act to help facilitate cooling, in combination with air channel  162 . Thus, the terminal  160  can be configured to more readily handle higher current levels without requiring a material for the terminal  160  that has extremely low resistive losses. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an interposer connector assembly generally designated  220 . The interposer and connector assembly  220  includes a second connector assembly  230  (e.g., second connector) supported by circuit board  232 , an interposer assembly  250  supported by surface  252  and a first connector assembly  270  (e.g., first connector) supported by circuit board  272 . The second connector assembly  230  includes signal module  290  and the interposer assembly  250  includes a mating signal module retained by clip  263 , which in an embodiment is configured to be slidable mounted to the interposer assembly  250 . The signal module is fixed with respect to the interposer assembly  250  and the connector assembly  230  but truncated flexible signal paths  294  extend from the interposer assembly  250  to a corresponding signal header (not shown), which may be positioned as desired. Thus, the depicted interposer assembly  250  can provide substantial architectural flexibility because it can translate (e.g., telescope) from the first connector assembly toward the second connector assembly  230  so that it engages the second connector assembly  230 . As depicted, the circuit board  232  and circuit board  272  may be fixed in a spaced apart position and generally parallel to each other as shown. Thus, as can be appreciated, the orientation of the circuit boards that support the first and second connector may vary depending on system architectural requirements and therefore the first and second connector may be a desired combination of vertical, right, angle and/or edge connectors. 
   It should be further noted that while the first and second connector are depicted as being supported by a circuit board, some other support may be provided. Therefore, the depicted features of the interposer assembly, unless otherwise noted, may be used in a wider range of applications. 
   Looking again at  FIG. 5 , it should be noted that in an embodiment the interposer housing  54  and the terminal housing  56  may be configured so that the terminal housing can translate both along the Y-axis ( FIG. 12A ) and the Z-axis ( FIG. 12E ). Such a configuration requires that that retaining features to allow movement along both the Y and Z axis, which typically will require additional space. Furthermore, the pivot slot and the retaining slot can also be made wider so that each individual terminal has a greater degree to orientation variability with respect to the other terminals. Both configurations, alone or in combination, would tend to allow for greater variation in the individual terminal(s) in the interposer assembly and therefore care should be sued to ensure to total variation, especially if there is more than one terminal, is such that translation of the interposer assembly can occur without a potential problem in one terminal being out a permissible range of alignment when the interposer assembly is mated to the mating connector. One factor that may help, however, is that in operation the terminals will be extending from a first connector to the interposer assembly. The first connector, in combination with the interposer assembly, will tend to ensure the orientation of the terminals is maintained. An advantage of the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 12-12I , however, is that the connector may be kept relatively compact and the ability to adjust ease of translation can be more readily controlled if the interposer housing and the terminal housing have a limited ability to translate with respect to each other (thus minimizing variations in friction forces). 
   It should also be noted that in certain embodiments a wider pivot slot and retaining slot may be used to provide a substantial portion of the variance for the terminal. If only a wider pivot slot and retaining slot are used (e.g., the terminal housing is not translatable relative to the interposer housing), in an embodiment with multiple terminals it is expected to be beneficial to limit the total amount of orientation variation to something less than could be provided if all the terminal connectors translated along the Y axis in unison so as to ensure the terminals properly engage a mating terminals. Therefore, for configurations with multiple terminals, greater levels of adjustability are expected possible if the terminals move in unison along the Y-axis. It is also noted that in an embodiment where the terminal housing and interposer housing do not translate with respect to each other (because the terminal housing or the retaining feature is sized to prevent such movement), the pivot slot and retaining slot may still be configured with a height that is greater than a height of the terminal so that translation along the Z-axis is possible. Such an interposer connector would still provide some flexibility when coupling two spaced-apart connectors but would not be as suitable for accounting for variation along the Y-axis. Alternatively, translation along the Y-axis could be permitted while translation along the Z-axis could be substantially restrained. 
   It will be understood that there are numerous modifications of the illustrated embodiments described above which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, such as many variations and modifications of the compression connector assembly and/or its components including combinations of features disclosed herein that are individually disclosed or claimed herein, explicitly including additional combinations of such features, or alternatively other types of terminal array connectors. Also, there are many possible variations in the materials and configurations. These modifications and/or combinations fall within the art to which this invention relates and are intended to be within the scope of the claims, which follow. It is noted, as is conventional, the use of a singular element in a claim is intended to cover one or more of such an element.