Moveable floating connector
A movable floating connector is disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a fixed structure coupled to a chassis, a movable floating connector assembly, and an elastic object. The movable floating connector assembly includes a receiving connector configured to engage with a module connector of an insertable module removable from the chassis. The elastic object is interfaced between at least a portion of the fixed structure and at least a portion of the movable floating connector assembly. The elastic object is configured to provide a force on the movable floating connector assembly against a direction of insertion of the insertable module to maintain a consistent engagement between the receiving connector of the movable floating connector assembly and the module connector of the insertable module across a variation in length in the direction of insertion.
1. An apparatus for an electrical connector comprising:
a fixed structure coupled to a chassis;
a movable floating connector assembly including a receiving connector configured to engage with a module connector of an insertable module removable from the chassis; and
an elastic object interfaced between at least a portion of the fixed structure and at least a portion of the movable floating connector assembly and configured to provide a force on the movable floating connector assembly against a direction of insertion of the insertable module to maintain a consistent engagement between the receiving connector of the movable floating connector assembly and the module connector of the insertable module across a variation in length in the direction of insertion, wherein:
the fixed structure includes a captive screw with a shaft that is threaded through the elastic object,
the shaft is threaded through an opening on a component of the movable floating connector assembly,
the elastic object is positioned between the component of the movable floating connector assembly and a back plate, and
the shaft of the captive screw is threaded through the back plate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the variation in length in the direction of insertion corresponds to a variation in a length of the insertable module.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastic object is a conical washer made of an elastomer.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastic object is a disk spring.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastic object is a coil spring.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fixed structure includes at least one guard rail defining a region in which the module is insertable.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the captive screw is configured to guide movement of the movable floating connector assembly.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the captive screw is screwed into a standoff included in the fixed structure.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second elastic object configured to provide a second force on the movable floating connector assembly against the direction of insertion of the insertable module.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movable floating connector assembly includes a guiding screw configured to guide movement of the movable floating connector assembly.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the guiding screw is threaded through an opening of a plate that is coupled to the fixed structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plate is threaded through a captive screw that is screwed to the fixed structure.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein a shaft of the guiding screw forms a guide rail that is configured to guide movement of the movable floating connector assembly.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fixed structure includes a latch opening configured to receive a latch extension of a moving arm of the insertable module.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insertable module includes an ejector arm configured to pivot and apply leverage against the fixed structure to eject the module connector from the receiving connector.
16. A method of manufacturing a movable floating connector assembly comprising:
providing a fixed structure coupled to a chassis;
providing the movable floating connector assembly, wherein the movable floating connector assembly includes a receiving connector and a module connector of an insertable module removable from the chassis;
engaging the receiving connector with the module connector; and
providing an elastic object between at least a portion of the fixed structure and at least a portion of the movable floating connector assembly, wherein the elastic object is configured to provide a force on the movable floating connector assembly against a direction of insertion of the insertable module to maintain a consistent engagement between the receiving connector of the movable floating connector assembly and the module connector of the insertable module across a variation in length in the direction of insertion, wherein:
the fixed structure includes a captive screw with a shaft that is threaded through the elastic object,
the shaft is threaded through an opening on a component of the movable floating connector assembly,
the elastic object is positioned between the component of the movable floating connector assembly and a back plate, and
the shaft of the captive screw is threaded through the back plate.