Electrical connector for circuit boards

Claim 1

A connector for connecting a plurality of conductor runs on an edge region of a first circuit board with a plurality of conductor runs of a second circuit board when the two circuit boards are disposed transversely to one another with the edge region of the first circuit board presented towards the second board, the conductor runs of the edge region of the first circuit board each having a first characteristic impedance and the second circuit board having a first ground plane, comprising: a first plate of dielectric material having first and second opposite main faces, the plate comprising a generally U-shaped portion having two limbs which are separated by a slot and a base which limits the slot, the plate being attachable to the second circuit board in a position such that the edge region of the first circuit board may be inserted into the slot, a first signal conductor adhered to the first main face of said first plate of dielectric material and having a first end portion which projects from one of the limbs of the U-shaped portion into the slot for engaging a conductor run on the edge region of the first board, and also having a second end portion which projects from the plate at a location remote from the first end portion for contacting a conductor run of the second circuit board, a second ground plane adhered to the second main face of the first plate of dielectric material, a plate of conductive material having first and second opposite main faces, the plate of conductive material comprising a generally U-shaped portion and being secured to the first plate of dielectric material with the first main face of the plate of conductive material in confronting relationship with the second main face of the first plate of dielectric material, such that said signal conductor forms a transmission line, the characteristic impedance of which is substantially equal to the first characteristic impedance, thereby improving the frequency performance of said connector, a second plate of dielectric material having first and second opposite main faces, the second plate comprising a generally U-shaped portion having two limbs which are separated by a slot and a base which limits the slot, and a second signal conductor adhered to the first main face of the second plate of dielectric material and having a first end portion which projects from one of the limbs of the U-shaped portion into the slot for engaging a conductor run on the edge region of the first board, and also having a second end portion which projects from the plate at a location remote from the first end portion for contacting a conductor run of the second board, the second plate of dielectric material being secured to the plate of conductive material with the second main face of the plate of conductive material in confronting relationship with the second main face of the second plate of dielectric material.