Patent Publication Number: US-10320100-B2

Title: Card edge connector assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to card edge connector assemblies. 
     Card edge connectors are used in various system applications. For example, card edge connectors are typically mounted to a host circuit board. The card edge connectors include card slots for receiving a card edge, such as a circuit card of a pluggable module. However, know card edge connectors are not without disadvantages. For instance, the card edge connectors are typically designed for supporting the pluggable modules. The card edge connectors are subjected to stresses and strains during mating or when mated with the pluggable modules, which may damage or break the soldered connections between the contacts of the card edge connector and the host circuit board. Additionally, retention of the pluggable modules in the card edge connectors may present problems. For instance, latching systems are designed and occupy space around the card edge connectors for retaining the pluggable module in the card edge connector, limiting placement of other components on the host circuit board. 
     A need remains for a card edge connector assembly that may be mated with pluggable modules in a reliable manner. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a card edge connector assembly is provided including a card edge connector having a housing defining a card slot configured to receive a pluggable module in a mating direction. The housing holds contacts in the card slot to electrically connect to the pluggable module that are configured to be electrically connected to a host circuit board. The card edge connector assembly includes a card guide module having a main body having a cavity configured to receive the pluggable module. The card guide module has support beams extending from the main body configured to be secured to the host circuit board. The card guide module has a window defined between the support beams under the main body receiving the card edge connector. A latch is coupled to the main body movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is latchably coupled to the pluggable module in the latched position to secure the pluggable module in the cavity and is decoupled from the pluggable module in the unlatched position to allow the pluggable module to be removed from the cavity. 
     In another embodiment, a card edge connector assembly is provided including a card guide module having a main body including a first side and a second side, a first end and a second end between the first side and the second side with the first and second sides being wider than the first and second ends, and a top and a bottom between the first and second sides and between the first and second ends. The main body has a cavity open at the top and at the bottom for receiving a pluggable module. The card guide module has support beams extending from the main body at the first and second ends configured to be secured to a host circuit board proximate to a card edge connector. The card guide module has a window defined between the support beams below the bottom of the main body receiving the card edge connector with the card edge connector aligned with the cavity to receive the pluggable module. A latch is coupled to the first side of the main body being movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to be latchably coupled to the pluggable module in the latched position to secure the pluggable module in the cavity. The latch is configured to be decoupled from the pluggable module in the unlatched position to allow the pluggable module to be removed from the cavity. 
     In a further embodiment, a card edge connector assembly is provided including a card guide module having a main body including a first side and a second side, a first end and a second end between the first side and the second side, and a top and a bottom between the first and second sides and between the first and second ends. The main body has a cavity open at the top and at the bottom for receiving a pluggable module. The card guide module has support beams extending from the main body at the first and second ends configured to be secured to a host circuit board proximate to a card edge connector. The card guide module has a window defined between the support beams below the bottom of the main body receiving the card edge connector with the card edge connector aligned with the cavity to receive the pluggable module. The card guide module includes a latch frame extending from the first side having a latch pocket. A latch is receiving in the latch pocket of the latch frame at the first side of the main body. The latch has a latching member being movable between a latched position and an unlatched position and an actuator being movable between an actuated position and a released position. The actuator moves the latching member from the latched position to the unlatched position as the actuator is moved from the released position to the actuated position. The latching member has a latching finger passing through the first side of the main body into the cavity to latchably engage the pluggable module in the latched position to secure the pluggable module in the cavity. The latching finger is at least partially removed from the cavity to disengage from the pluggable module in the unlatched position to allow the pluggable module to be removed from the cavity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical system having a card edge connector assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the card edge connector assembly in a mated position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a pluggable module of the card edge connector assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a card guide module of the card edge connector assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a latch of the card edge connector assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the latch of the card edge connector assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the card edge connector assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the latch in a latched position. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the card edge connector assembly showing the latch in an unlatched position. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the card edge connector assembly showing the pluggable module being loaded into the card guide module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical system  100  having a card edge connector assembly  102  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the card edge connector assembly  102  in a mated position. The card edge connector assembly  102  is mounted to a host circuit board  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the card edge connector assembly  102  is a vertical card edge connector assembly where the components are oriented and mated generally vertically or perpendicular to the host circuit board  110 . However, in other various embodiments, the electrical system  100  may have components in different orientations, such as at a right angle orientation. Other types of card edge connector assemblies may be utilized in alternative embodiments. 
     The card edge connector assembly  102  includes a card edge connector  120  and a card guide module  130  mounted over the card edge connector  120 . The card edge connector assembly  102  includes a pluggable module  140  mated with the card edge connector  120  and the card guide module  130 . The card edge connector  120  is configured to be mounted to the host circuit board  110 , such as by soldering contacts  124  of the card edge connector  120  to the host circuit board  110 ; however, the contacts  124  may be attached by other processes such as press fit contacts, spring beam contacts, and the like. The card edge connector  120  has a mating end  126  configured to receive a mating end or card edge of the pluggable module  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mating end  126  is provided at a top of the card edge connector  120  to receive the pluggable module  140  in a generally vertical mating direction  128 , such as a mating direction perpendicular to the host circuit board  110 . 
     In various embodiments, the card guide module  130  includes a base  200  mounted to the host circuit board  110  independent of the card edge connector  120  such that the card guide module  130  is self-supporting or otherwise not supported by the card edge connector  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the card guide module  130  includes support members for supporting the card guide module  130  and the pluggable module  140 , such as first and second support beams  202 ,  204  at opposite ends of the card edge connector  120 . The card guide module  130  alleviates stress or strain on the card edge connector  120  from the pluggable module  140 , such as from movement of the pluggable module  140 . The support beams  202 ,  204  transfer stresses or strains from the pluggable module  140  into the base  200 , and thus into the host circuit board  110 , separate from the card edge connector  120 , to alleviate stress or strain on the card edge connector  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the card guide module  130  includes a main body  206  between the support beams  202 ,  204 . The main body  206  is located above the card edge connector  120 , such that the main body  206  and the support beams  202 ,  204  surround the card edge connector  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the main body  206  connects the support beams  202 ,  204  such that the card guide module  130  is a single, unitary structure. The main body  206  receives the pluggable module  140  and may guide mating of the pluggable module  140  with the card edge connector  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the card guide module  130  includes a latch  210  for latchably securing the pluggable module  140  in the card guide module  130  and the card edge connector  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  210  includes a latching member  250  being movable between a latched position and an unlatched position and an actuator  252  being movable between an actuated position and a released position. The latch  210  is releasably coupled to the pluggable module  140  using the latching member  250 . The latch  210  is configured to be unlatched to release the pluggable module  140  from the card edge connector  140  and the card guide module  130 . For example, the actuator  252  may include a push button configured to be pressed downward to unlatch the latching member  250 ; however, other types of actuators may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as a pull tab, a tether, a hinged latch, and the like. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pluggable module  140  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the pluggable module is a cabled pluggable module having cables  142  extending from a cable end  144  of the pluggable module  140 ; however, other types of pluggable modules may be utilized in alternative embodiments, such as non-cabled pluggable modules. The pluggable module  140  includes a body  146  holding a substrate  150 , such as a circuit card, at a mating end  148  of the pluggable module  140 . The substrate  150  may extend below the body  146  a distance for loading into the card edge connector  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The cables  142  are terminated to the substrate  150 , such as by soldering to the substrate  150 . Optionally, the body  146  may be overmolded over the substrate  150  and the cables  142 . 
     The substrate  150  has a card edge  152  at the mating end  148  configured to be loaded into the card edge connector  120 . The pluggable module  140  has a plurality of contact pads  154  at the card edge  152  configured to be electrically connected to the card edge connector  120 . Optionally, the pluggable module  140  may include one or more electrical components (not shown) on the substrate  150 , such as a memory, a processor, or other types of electrical components. The electrical components are electrically connected to corresponding contact pads  154 . The pluggable module  140  includes various circuits transmitting data and/or power between the contact pads  154 , the electrical components, and the cables  142 . The pluggable module  140  may include one or more heat sinks for dissipating heat from the pluggable module  140 . 
     The pluggable module  140  extends between a first end  160  and a second end  162 . The pluggable module  140  has a first side  164  and a second side  166  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) between the first and second ends  160 ,  162 . The sides  164 ,  166  are wider than the ends  160 ,  162 . The pluggable module  140  includes latching features  168  at the first and second sides  164 ,  166  for securing the pluggable module  140  in the card edge connector assembly  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latching features  168  are pockets or openings formed in the first and second sides  164 ,  166 . Other types of latching features may be provided in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching features  168  are formed in the body  146 , however, the latching features  168  are also be formed in the substrate  150 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the card guide module  130  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The card guide module  130  includes the main body  206  and the support beams  202 ,  204  extending from the main body  206  to the base  200 . Optionally, the support beams  202 ,  204  may be wider at the base  200  to provide stability to the support beams  202 ,  204  for mounting to the host circuit board  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, the support beams  202 ,  204  each include a mounting feature  208  at the base  200  for mounting the base  200  to the host circuit board  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features  208  are openings configured to receive mounting hardware, such as fasteners. Other types of mounting features may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as a threaded opening, a post, a barb, a solder feature, and the like. 
     The support beams  202 ,  204  include inner ends defining a window  212  configured to receive the card edge connector  120 . The inner ends face the card edge connector  120  and may engage the card edge connector  120  to locate the card guide module  130  relative to the card edge connector  120 . The inner ends define locating surfaces  214  for locating the card guide module  130  relative to the card edge connector  120 . The locating surfaces  214  may include vertical surfaces, angled surfaces and/or shoulder surfaces for engaging and locating various complementary surfaces of the card edge connector  120 . 
     The main body  206  includes a cavity  216  configured to receive the pluggable module  140 . The cavity  216  is located above the window  212  to allow the pluggable module  140  to pass through the cavity  216  into the card edge connector  120  in the window  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  206  includes lead-in surfaces at the top of the cavity  216  to guide the pluggable module  140  into the cavity  216  during mating. In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  206  includes at least one guide surface  218  in the cavity  216  to guide and locate the pluggable module  140  in the cavity  216 . The guide surface  218  may control a side-to-side or end-to-end position of the pluggable module  140  relative to the card guide module  130  for positioning the pluggable module  140  relative to the card edge connector  120 . 
     The main body  206  includes a plurality of walls defining a first side  220 , a second side  222 , a first end  224  and a second end  226 . The first and second ends  224 ,  226  extend between the first side  220  and the second side  222 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second sides  220 ,  222  are wider than the first and second ends  224 ,  226 . The first and second sides  220 ,  222  and the first and second ends  224 ,  226  define the cavity  216 . The main body  206  includes a top  230  and a bottom  232  between the first and second sides  220 ,  222  and between the first and second ends  224 ,  226 . The bottom  232  defines a portion of the window  212 . For example, the main body  206  is located above the window  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity  216  is open at the top  230  and the bottom  232 . For example, the main body  206  includes a top opening  234  and a bottom opening  236 . The pluggable module  130  is configured to be loaded into the card guide module  130  through the top opening  234 . In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate  150  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is configured to pass through the cavity  216  into the window  212  through the bottom opening  236 . The main body  206  may have other shapes in alternative embodiments, such as including additional walls. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the card guide module  130  includes a latch frame  240  extending from the first side  220 . The latch frame  240  has a latch pocket  242  configured to receive the latch  210 . The latch frame  240  holds the latch  210  to one side of the card guide module  130  and the pluggable module  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch frame  240  is integral with the main body  206 . For example, the latch frame  240  and the main body  206  may be co-molded during a molding process. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch frame  240  is open at a top of the latch frame  240  to receive a portion of the latch  210 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  206  includes one or more tracks  244  for receiving a portion of the latch  210 . The track  244  may guide actuation of the latch  210  when the latch  210  is operated to release the pluggable module  140  from the card guide module  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tracks  244  are formed in the wall  246  at the first side  220 . Optionally, the tracks  244  may extend vertically to limit actuation of the latch  210  in a vertical direction. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  206  includes one or more slots  248  for receiving a portion of latch  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slots  248  are formed in the wall  246  at the first side  220 . The slots  248  provide access to the cavity  216  from the latch pocket  242 . The latch  210  is able to extend from the latch pocket  242  into the cavity  216  through the slots  248  to latch of the coupled to the pluggable module  140 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the actuator  252  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The actuator  252  includes a main body  260  having an actuator arms  262  extending from the main body  260 . The actuator  252  includes an outer wall  264  extending from the main body  260 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer wall  264  is provided at a front of the actuator  252  and the actuator arms  262  are provided at a rear of the actuator  252 . In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  260  is provided at a top  266  of the actuator  252 . The actuator  252  includes a press button  268  at the top  266  configured to be engaged and operated by the operator. For example, the operator may press downward on the press button  268  to actuate the actuator  252 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  252  includes a pair of actuator arms  262  provided at opposite ends of the actuator  252 . Any number of actuator arms  262  may be provided in alternative embodiments. Each actuator arm  262  includes a ramp surface  270  configured to engage the latching member  250  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) to release the latching member  250  to the unlatched position. In the illustrated embodiment, the ramp surface  270  is angled such that the ramp surface  270  is forward and downward facing. Optionally, the ramp surface  270  may be angled at approximately 45°; however, the ramp surface  270  may be at any appropriate angle for engaging and actuating the latching member  250 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each actuator arm  262  includes a rail  272  at the rear of the actuator arm  262 . The rail  272  is configured to be received in a corresponding track  244  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the card guide module  130  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The rails  272  may have channels  274  that are configured to receive the track  244  to couple the actuator  252  to the card guide module  130 . The rails  272  are configured to ride in the tracks  244  to control movement of the actuator  252  relative to the card guide module  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rails  272  are provided proximate to the bottoms of the actuator arms  262 ; however, other locations are possible in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the latching member  250  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The latching member  250  includes a front plate  280  and one or more latching fingers  282  extending from the front plate  280 . Optionally, the latching fingers  282  may extend rearward from the front plate  280  at the opposite ends of the front plate  280 . While the latching member  250  is illustrated having a pair of latching fingers  282 , any number of latching fingers  282  may be provided in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the latching member  250  includes return springs  284  extending from the front plate  280 . Optionally, the return springs  284  extend forward from the front plate  280 . The return springs  284  are configured to engage the card guide module  130  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) to bias the latching member  250  in a rearward direction and return to the latching member  250  to a latched position. In an exemplary embodiment, the latching member  250  is stamped and formed from a metal sheet of material. For example, the return springs  284  are stamped from the front plate  280  and bent forward while the latching fingers  282  are stamped at the ends of the front plate  280  and bent rearward. The latching member  250  may be formed by other processes in alternative embodiments. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the latching fingers  282  include latching surfaces  286  at the bottoms of the latching fingers  282 . The latching surfaces  286  are configured to engage the pluggable module  140  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to secure the pluggable module  140  in the card guide module  130 . The latching surfaces  286  are configured to block removal of the pluggable module  140  from the card guide module  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latching fingers  282  include ramp surfaces  288 . Optionally, the ramp surfaces  288  may be generally upward facing and rearward facing. The ramp surfaces  288  are configured to engage the pluggable module  140  when the pluggable module  140  is being loaded into the card guide module  130 . The pluggable module  140  may force the latching member  250  to move forward to the unlatched position as the pluggable module  140  is loaded into the card guide module  130  by pressing downward on the ramp surfaces  288 , thus driving the latching member  250  out of the way of the pluggable module  140 . Optionally, the ramp surfaces  288  may be angled at approximately 45°; however, the ramp surfaces  288  may be at any appropriate angle for engaging the pluggable module  140  and driving the latching member  250  to the unlatched position. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the card edge connector assembly  102  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the latch  210  in a latched position.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the card edge connector assembly  102  showing the latch  210  in an unlatched position.  FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the card edge connector assembly  102  showing the pluggable module  140  being loaded into the card guide module  130  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     When assembled, the latching member  250  is received in the latch pocket  242  of the latch frame  240 . The latching member  250  is able to slide horizontally within the latch pocket  242  between the latched position and the unlatched position. The latching fingers  282  are aligned with and at least partially received in the corresponding slots  248  in the wall  246  at the first side  220 . The actuator  252  is operably coupled to the latching member  250 . The actuator  252  is coupled to the wall  246  at the first side  220 . For example, the rails  272  on the actuator arms  262  are received in corresponding tracks  244  at the first side  220 . The actuator arms  262  are received in the latch pocket  242 . The main body  260  is located above the latch frame  240 . The outer wall  264  is positioned forward of the latch frame  240 . A portion of the latch frame  240  is received between the outer wall  264  and the actuator arms  262 . The outer wall  264  and the rails  272  may guide movement of the actuator  252  during actuation. For example, the outer wall  264  and the rails  272  may restrict movement of the actuator  252  to vertical sliding relative to the latch frame  240 . 
     In the latched position ( FIG. 6 ), the latching member  250  is latchably secured to the pluggable module  140 . For example, the latching fingers  282  extend into the cavity  216  to engage the pluggable module  140 . The latching fingers  282  extend through corresponding slots  248  and are received in corresponding latching features  168  (for example, openings) in the pluggable module  140 . The latching surfaces  286  engage corresponding latching surfaces  290  in the pluggable module  140  to block removal of the pluggable module  140  from the card edge connector  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, the return springs  284  are spring biased against the latch frame  240  to hold the latching member  250  in the latched position. The return springs  284  press the front plate  280  and the latching fingers  282  rearward to the latched position. 
     In the unlatched position ( FIG. 7 ), the latching member  250  is moved forward by the actuator  252  to the unlatched position. For example, the actuator  252  is pressed downward in an actuation direction to drive the latching member  250  forward in an unlatching direction. The ramp surfaces  270  of the actuator arms  262  engage the front plate  280  to drive the front plate  280  forward against the spring force of the return springs  284 . The latching fingers  282  are at least partially removed from the cavity  216  to provide clearance from the pluggable module  140  to allow the pluggable module  140  to be removed from the cavity  216 . The latching surfaces  286  no longer block the pluggable module  140  from being pulled upward and out of the card guide module  130 . 
     Prior to loading of the pluggable module  140  into the card guide module  130 , the latching member  250  is pushed rearward to a resting position ( FIG. 8 , which may be the same as the latched position). The latching fingers  282  extend into the cavity  216  in the area configured to receive the pluggable module  140 . As the pluggable module  140  is loaded into the cavity  216 , the mating end  148  of the pluggable module  140  may engage the ramp surfaces  288  of the latching fingers  282 . As the pluggable module  140  is pressed downward into the cavity  216 , the pluggable module  140  may be driven down the ramp surfaces  288 , causing the latching member  250  to move forward to a clearance position allowing the pluggable module  140  to be fully mated with the card guide module  130  and the card edge connector  120 . Once fully mated, the latching features  168  are aligned with the latching fingers  282  and the latching fingers  282  are able to move rearward into the latching features  168 , allowing the latching member  250  to move to the latched position ( FIG. 6 ). 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.