Communication system having a floatable connector assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9312637-B2
Application number	US-201313905292-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2013
Priority date	May 30, 2013
Publication date	Apr 12, 2016
Grant date	Apr 12, 2016

Abstract

Communication system including a support frame having a pair of spacer walls that oppose each other. The spacer walls defines a receiving gap directly therebetween. The communication system also includes a floatable connector assembly including a connector module and a communication cable coupled to the connector module. The connector module is configured to engage a mating module along a central axis to establish a communicative connection. At least a portion of the connector assembly is disposed between the spacer walls within the receiving gap. The communication system also includes a positioning gasket having a plurality of alignment members that directly engage at least one of the connector assembly or the support frame. The alignment members permit the connector assembly to float with respect to the support frame during the mating operation in a direction that is transverse to the central axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A communication system comprising:
a support frame comprising a pair of spacer walls that oppose each other, the spacer walls defining a receiving gap directly therebetween;
a floatable connector assembly comprising a connector module and a communication cable coupled to the connector module, the connector module configured to engage a mating module along a central axis to establish a communicative connection, at least a portion of the connector assembly being disposed between the spacer walls within the receiving gap; and
a positioning gasket comprising a plurality of alignment members that directly engage at least one of the connector assembly or the support frame during a mating operation, the alignment members being disposed in the receiving gap and comprising an elastic material, wherein the alignment members permit the connector assembly to float with respect to the support frame during the mating operation in a direction that is transverse to the central axis.

2. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment members comprise elastic fins that extend longitudinally parallel to the mating axis or in a direction that is transverse to the mating axis.

3. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the positioning gasket is a single continuous piece of material such that the alignment members are integrally formed.

4. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment members permit the connector module to partially rotate about the corresponding central axis.

5. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the positioning gaskets extend into the receiving gap and are positioned on opposite sides of the connector assembly.

6. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the spacer walls includes first and second wall portions and a gasket-receiving space therebetween, the positioning gasket coupled to the at least one spacer wall and located in the gasket-receiving space.

7. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the connector module is operably coupled to the support frame, the support frame preventing the connector module from moving beyond a restricted space.

8. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment members are secured to the connector assembly ad wherein the positioning gasket extends around the central axis.

9. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the connector module includes an array of terminal assemblies disposed along a mating face of the connector module, the terminal assemblies including a ground shield and a pair of signal contacts.

10. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the support frame includes first and second cover plates that are separated from each other and define a module spacing therebetween, the spacer walls extending between and being secured to each of the first and second cover plates.

11. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the communication system includes two of the floatable connector assemblies, wherein one of the spacer walls is positioned between the two floatable connector assemblies, the positioning gasket being coupled to the one spacer wall and configured to engage the connector module of each of the floatable connector assemblies on respective sides of the one spacer wall.

12. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment members are at least one of (a) secured to the support frame such that the alignment members extend into the receiving gap and directly engage the connector assembly during the mating operation or (b) secured to the connector assembly such that the alignment members are disposed in the receiving gap and directly engage the support frame during the mating operation.

13. A communication system comprising:
a support frame comprising a pair of spacer walls that oppose each other, the spacer walls defining a receiving gap directly therebetween;
a floatable connector assembly comprising a connector module and a communication cable coupled to the connector module, the connector module configured to engage a mating module along a central axis to establish a communicative connection, at least a portion of the connector assembly being disposed between the spacer walls within the receiving gap; and
a positioning gasket comprising a plurality of alignment members that directly engage at least one of the connector assembly or the support frame during a mating operation, the alignment members comprising an elastic material, wherein the alignment members permit the connector assembly to float with respect to the support frame during the mating operation in a direction that is transverse to the central axis;
wherein the positioning gasket comprises a loop or band that surrounds and grips one of (a) the connector module; (b) the cable; or (c) one of the spacer walls.

14. The communication system of claim 13 , wherein the communication cable comprises a bundle of cables, the positioning gasket surrounding and gripping the bundle.

15. The communication system of claim 13 , wherein the positioning gasket surrounds and grips the connector module.

16. The communication system of claim 13 , wherein the positioning gasket surrounds and grips one of the spacer walls.

17. A communication system comprising:
a support frame comprising first and second cover plates separated from each other and defining a module spacing therebetween;
a connector assembly disposed within the module spacing, the connector assembly comprising a connector module and a cable assembly, the connector module having a mating face and a loading end that face in opposite directions along a central axis, the mating face configured to engage a mating module along the central axis to establish a communicative connection, the cable assembly including at least one communication cable that projects from the loading end in a direction along the central axis; and
a positioning gasket disposed in the module spacing and coupled to and extending along one of the first and second cover plates, wherein the positioning gasket frictionally engages the cable assembly to impede movement of the cable assembly with respect to the support frame.

18. The communication system of claim 17 , wherein the positioning gasket extends longitudinally in a direction that is transverse to the central axis.

19. The communication system of claim 17 , wherein the positioning gasket is a first positioning gasket that is coupled to the first cover plate, the communication system further comprising a second positioning gasket coupled to the second cover plate and disposed in the module spacing, each of the first and second positioning gaskets configured to engage the cable assembly.

20. The communication system of claim 17 , wherein the cable assembly is a bundle of communication cables.

Assignees

• Tyco Electronics Corp

Inventors

• Simpson Jeffrey Stewart
• Barkus Lee Andrew

Classifications

• G02B6/3897

  Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R13/6315 Primary

  allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection (for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R12/91 Primary

  allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating or self aligning (for coupling devices not specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R13/6315 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04Q1/08

  Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor · CPC title

• G02B6/43

  Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections · CPC title