Patent Publication Number: US-6908320-B2

Title: Connector assembly for attaching perpendicularly to an adapter card

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Present Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to the field of connection devices and more particularly to an interconnection assembly having contacts oriented in a z-axis to minimize the assembly footprint in an x-y plane. 
   2. History of Related Art 
   Data processing systems such as desktop computers and server devices typically include one or more printed circuit boards (also referred to as adapter cards) that connect to the computer&#39;s mother board via a peripheral bus. These adapter cards expand the capability of the data processing system by providing dedicated hardware and code to off load various I/O tasks from the main processor(s). The Peripheral Component Interface (PCI), as specified in PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.2 (PCI Special Interest Group, is a widely implemented example of such a peripheral bus). 
   PCI adapter cards are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and powerful. Whereas traditional PCI cards tended to support a single function and a single external interface, an increasing number of today&#39;s adapter cards are capable of supporting multiple interfaces. Some Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapters, for example, can support four SCSI channels and therefore must have 4 SCSI external connectors on the adapter. As PCI adapters continue to increase in performance and functionality, the amount of space the external connections require is becoming a significant limitation such that the number of connections an adapter card can support may not be limited by the adapter&#39;s performance capability. Instead, the limiting factor may be the amount of area that is available to attach external connectors to an adapter card. This problem will be most acute where the type of interface being supported by the adapter is a high pin count interface such as SCSI. In addition, the physical connection and locking mechanism necessary to attach the connector to the card. such that the connection will be secure during operation becomes more difficult in high pin count adapters. It would be highly desirable, therefore, to implement an interconnection assemble that accommodates high pin count connections while addressing the spatial constraints commonly encountered. It would further desirable if the implemented solution did not significantly increase the cost or complexity of the interconnection assembly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The problems identified above are in large part addressed by a connection assembly suitable comprising a receptacle portion and a probe portion and an adapter card and data processing system in which the assembly is typically employed. The receptacle portion is suitable for attaching to an adapter card. The receptacle may include a cylindrical housing with a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the adapter card when the receptacle is attached. The receptacle includes a set of contact structures that extend within the interior space defined by the receptacle housing. The set of contact structures are preferably oriented along the longitudinal axis of the housing such that the they define one or more lines of contact structures extending perpendicularly to the plane of the adapter card. Each contact structure is electrically connected to a corresponding cable or wire that carries an electrical signal. The contact structures are embedded within an electrically insulating contact block. The connection assembly probe portion may include a probe cover and a probe body configured to be received within the probe cover. The probe cover preferably comprises first and second elements that are separated by a gap that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle when the probe is inserted. The probe body includes a row of contact elements where each contact element is connected to a corresponding wire or cable that extends through an interior of the probe body. The probe assembly is preferably configured wherein the probe body is rotatable 90° with respect to the probe cover when the probe assembly is inserted in the receptacle. In one embodiment, the probe body is rotatable from a first position, in which the contact elements are covered by the probe cover, to a second position, in which the contact elements are aligned with the probe cover gap(s) and further aligned with corresponding contact structures on the interior surface of the receptacle. The connection assembly may employ a locking mechanism such as a BNC-type locking mechanism to secure the probe within the receptacle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a probe receptacle portion of a connection assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the probe receptacle of  FIG. 1  taken along section  2 — 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the probe receptacle of  FIG. 1  taken along section  3 — 3 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of an iris mechanism suitable for use in the probe receptacle of  FIG. 1  with the iris in the closed position; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of an iris mechanism suitable for use in the probe receptacle of  FIG. 1  with the iris in the open position; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a probe assembly portion of a connection assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a base plate of the probe assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a probe cover of the probe assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of a probe body portion of the probe assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the probe body of  FIG. 9 ; and 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram of selected elements of a data processing system enabled for use with the assembly depicted in FIGS.  1 - 10 . 
   

   While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Generally speaking, the present invention contemplates an assembly that enables the interconnection of a large number of signals within a small “footprint.” The assembly is suitable for use with a data processing system  200  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) that includes at least one processor  202 , memory  210 , input means, and an adapter card  123  all connected through one or more busses such as system bus  204  and peripheral bus  220 . The assembly typically includes a receptacle  102  (described further below) that is configured to attach to adapter card  123  such as a PCI adapter card such that a longitudinal axis of the receptacle housing is perpendicular to adapter card  123 . The receptacle includes a set of contact structures that extend along the housing longitudinal axis perpendicularly to the adapter card (i.e., along a z-axis) when receptacle  102  is attached to adapter card  123 . Receptacle  102  is configured to receive a probe that is typically incorporated into a cable that would connect to adapter card  123 . The contact areas of the probe are also oriented perpendicularly to the adapter to minimize the footprint of the receptacle/probe assembly on adapter card  123 . By orienting the contacts along an axis perpendicular to the adapter card, the area of the adapter card required for the connector is substantially independent of the number of connections required. Moreover, by incorporating an appropriate locking mechanism, the assembly facilitates the secure connection of a large number of signals. 
   Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a probe receptacle  102  of an assembly for interconnecting electronic components according to one embodiment of the invention. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , receptacle  102  includes housing  104  typically comprised of an electrically and thermally conductive material such as aluminum. Housing  104  may be connected to ground during operating to provide an effective ground shield for the signals accommodated by the assembly. Housing  104  is typically configured to receive a probe element of the assembly (as discussed in greater detail below). To facilitate an embodiment in which it is desirable to rotate the probe when it is received within housing  104 , housing  104  may implemented as a cylindrical housing and may include a first face  105  at a distal end of the cylindrical housing. 
   A rectangular contact block  106  is embedded in housing  104 . Contact block  106  defines a set of apertures or holes suitable for receiving conductive cables or wires  108  that are used to provide electrical signals. Contact block  106  is typically comprised of an electrical insulator such as glass filled polyester, galvanized rubber, or another other suitable material. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of receptacle  102  taken along cross section  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , first face  105  of housing  104  includes a pair of guide pins  110  and a guide hole  112 . Guide pins  110  are positioned and dimensioned to engage corresponding holes in a base plate of the probe while hole  112  is positioned and dimensioned to receive a shaft of the probe body when the probe is inserted in receptacle  102 . First face  105  of housing  104  is further depicted as including a pair of notched elements  114 . Notched elements  114  each define a face  116  that engages an opposing face in a notched element of the probe cover plate to provide a stopping mechanism that limits the amount of rotation of the probe cover within the receptacle. 
   Referring also now to  FIG. 3 , a cross sectional view of receptacle  102  taken along cross section  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , housing  104  defines an annular ring that includes an interior surface  107 . A pair of opposing probe guides  118  are located on interior surface  107 . Probe guides  118  are configured to engage a guide slot in an outer surface of the probe cover to facilitate the proper orientation of the probe when it is inserted into receptacle  102 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , receptacle  102  includes a pair of contact blocks  106  to accommodate a greater number of connections. Other embodiments of the invention may employ a greater or fewer number of contact blocks. A set of contact structures  120  are embedded in each contact block  106 . Each contact structure  120  extends into the shaft space  119  defined by housing  104  and is connected to a corresponding wire  108 . The set of contact structures  120  are configured in one or more rows that are oriented along a longitudinal axis of housing  104 . Contacts  120  may be spring loaded or otherwise enabled to retract from shaft space  119 . 
   When receptacle  102  is secured to an adapter card  123  with a locking nut  124  or other suitable fastening device, a longitudinal axis (an axis perpendicular to first face  105 ) of housing  104  is perpendicular to the plane defined by adapter card  123  (i.e., the plane in which adapter card  123  lies). In this manner, the footprint of receptacle  102  on adapter card  123  is defined by the cross sectional area of housing  104  and is substantially independent of the number of contacts structures  120 . Additional contact structures  120  are accommodated by increasing the number of contact blocks  106 , extending the length of housing  104 , decreasing the minimum separation between adjacent contacts, or a combination of both. 
   The depicted embodiment of receptacle  102  includes an iris mechanism  122  that provides a cover for housing  104  when the probe is not inserted. Referring also to FIG.  4  and  FIG. 5 , the iris mechanism  122  includes a multi-piece shutter  130  and a pair of shutter tabs  132 . The shutter tabs  132  are configured to be engaged by notched elements of the probe. When the probe notched elements engage shutter tabs  132  and the probe is turned a quarter-turn, the shutter  130  transitions from a closed position depicted in  FIG. 4  to a retracted (open) position depicted in FIG.  5 . The iris mechanism  122  beneficially provides a housing cover that does not require any significant clearance. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of a probe assembly  140  suitable for use in conjunction with probe receptacle  102  is depicted. The depicted embodiment of probe  140  includes a probe cover  142 , a probe body  144 , and a probe base plate  146 . A front plan view of probe cover base plate  146  is depicted in FIG.  7 . Base plate  146  includes a pair of tab elements  152  that are configured to engage the iris tabs  132  ( FIG. 4 ) of iris mechanism  122  when the probe  140  is inserted into receptacle  102 . Base plate  146  defines a center aperture or hole  148  and a pair of pin holes  150 . Referring also to the top plan view of probe body  144  depicted in  FIG. 9 , base plate center hole  148  is positioned and sized to receive an extension  145  of probe body  144  while the base plate pin holes  150  are configured to receive retractable or spring loaded pins  154  of probe body  144 . When probe assembly  140  is inserted into receptacle  102 , the spring loaded pins  154  are engaged and retracted by the receptacle guide pins  110  ( FIG. 2 ) thereby enabling the probe body to pivot relative to probe cover  142  and base plate  146 . A pair of base plate guide notches  153  adjacent to either tab  152  are configured to align with and engage probe guides  118  when base plate  146  is fully turned. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a cross sectional view of probe cover  142  is depicted. Probe cover  142  includes a pair of c-shaped elements  143 . The interior surfaces  149  of elements  143  define a circle having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of probe body  144 . The exterior surfaces of probe cover elements  143  define a pair of guide notches  147  that extend the length of probe cover  142 . Guide notches  147  are configured to align with base plate guide notches  153  to be engaged by the probe guides  118  ( FIG. 3 ) of receptacle  102  when probe  140  is properly inserted. The probe guides facilitate the proper orientation of probe  140  and receptacle  102  and prevent probe cover  142  from rotating relative to receptacle  102  when probe body  144  is rotated. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 10 , a cross section of probe body  144  is depicted. Probe body  144  includes a plurality of insulated and conductive interconnects  170  that extend through the probe body interior. Each interconnect  170  is connected to one of the conductive contact elements  172 . Contact elements  172  are preferably arranged in two rows that extend along the longitudinal axis of probe body  144  at 180° from one another. Contact elements  172  are embedded within an electrically insulating field  174  to isolate the various signals from one another. Probe body  144  as depicted in  FIG. 10  includes a pair of notches  176  extending the length of probe body  144 . Notches  176  are configured to mate with receptacle contracts  120  thereby allowing probe body  144  to be inserted into receptacle  102  without deforming contacts  120 . This action prevents electrical contact between contacts  120  and contact elements  172  while probe body  144  is being inserted into the receptacle. When probe body  144  is fully inserted into receptacle  102 , probe body  144  may then be turned. The curvature of notches  176  facilitates the compression of spring loaded contacts  120  as probe body  144  is then turned until the contact elements  172  align with contacts  120 . The spring loaded contacts  120  are then forced into electrical contact with corresponding contact elements  172 . 
   When probe assembly  140  is removed from receptacle  102 , the probe body  144  occupies a first position relative to probe cover  142 . In this first position, the row of contact elements  172  are covered by the elements  143  of probe cover  142 . Upon insertion of probe assembly  140  into receptacle  102 , however, the probe pins  154  are retracted and probe body  144  may pivot or rotate to a second position with respect to probe cover  142 . When probe body  144  is rotated to the second position, the contact elements  172  are aligned with gaps  151  ( FIG. 8 ) in probe cover  142 , which are in turn aligned with the contact structures  120  in receptacle  102 . In this manner, an electrical contact is made between a contact element  172  of probe body  144  and a corresponding contact structure  120  of receptacle  102  when probe assembly  140  is received within receptacle  102  and probe body  144  is rotated from an initial position in which the contact elements  172  are covered to a second position. 
   In the depicted embodiment, probe body  144  includes two rows of contact elements  172  and receptacle  102  includes two rows of contact structures  120 . In this embodiment, the two rows are preferably located at either end of a diameter of probe body  144  (i.e., the two rows are spaced at 180° from one another. In this embodiment the gaps  151  in probe cover  142  are spaced at 180° and probe body  144  is rotated by 90° to go from the first position in which contact elements  172  are covered to the second position in which they are in contact with corresponding contact structures  120  of receptacle  102 . The connection assembly may employ a locking mechanism that maintains probe body  144  in its second position during operation. 
   Probe assembly  140  as depicted herein includes a mechanism for turning probe body  144  within receptacle  102  and locking probe body  144  in a locked position. The depicted embodiment of assembly  140  uses a BNC-type locking mechanism in which a locking portion  160  of probe  140  defines a channel  162 . Channel  162  is configured to receive a locking pin  128  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) located on an exterior surface of a locking portion  126  of receptacle  102 . Channel  162  extends diagonally and traverses a quarter of the circumference of locking portion  160 . When the locking pin  128  engages channel  162 , further insertion of probe body  144  into receptacle  102  requires rotational motion of probe body  144  relative to receptacle  102  and probe cover  142 . The extent of channel  162  permits a quarter turn of probe body  144  before locking pin  128  engages a recessed portion of channel  162 . In one embodiment, locking portion  160  comprises a portion of a BNC-type assembly  161  that includes a collar  164  and a handle  166 . Collar  164  defines an interior channel  165  that aligns with channel  162  and enables locking pin(s)  128  to engage channel  162 . Handle  166  may be scribed or otherwise machined to facilitate handling and gripping. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention contemplates a connection assembly capable of connecting a large number of pins within consuming a large footprint on an adapter card. It is understood that the form of the invention shown and described in the detailed description and the drawings are to be taken merely as presently preferred examples. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted broadly to embrace all the variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed.