CA1184987A - Solderless connector pin for electrical circuits - Google Patents
Solderless connector pin for electrical circuitsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1184987A CA1184987A CA000402485A CA402485A CA1184987A CA 1184987 A CA1184987 A CA 1184987A CA 000402485 A CA000402485 A CA 000402485A CA 402485 A CA402485 A CA 402485A CA 1184987 A CA1184987 A CA 1184987A
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- pin
- cross
- bore
- beam members
- connector pin
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- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Insertion Pins And Rivets (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract Of The Disclosure A connector pin, adapted to be inserted into a metallized bore in a conductive plate to form a solder-free mechanical and electrical connection between the pin and plate, is fabricated to provide an elongated deformable region adapted to engage the sides of the bore and consisting of two elongated beam members that are interconnected to one another by a cross member. The cross section of the resulting deformable region may be M-shaped or W-shaped. Upon insertion of the pin into the bore, the deformable region deforms elastically and, in the case of a small diameter bore, partially plastically to provide a good electrical and mechanical connection between the pin and plate.
Description
SOLDERLESS CONNECTOR PIN FOR ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Back~round Of The Inv ntion The present invention is concerned with connector pins that are adapted to be pushed into a metallized bore formed in at least one electrically conductive plate, ~o produce a solder-free connection between the pin and the plate. The form of pin with which the present invention is particularly concerned is one wherein the pin has a deformable region, adapted to engage the sides of the bore in the conductive plate~ consistin~ of tWQ
spaced and generally parallel beam members the outer edges of which are adapted to mechanically and electrically engage the walls of the bore.
Connector pins, adapted to be pressed or pushed into a bore in a conductive plate, have been suggested heretofore. In one known configuration, the pin is provided with a region that is substantially square or rectangulax in cross section and which is intendedr when the pin is inserted into the metallized bore of a conductor plate, to engage at its outer edges the metallized wall of the bore. Since the bore diameter and the cross sectional dimensions of the aforementioned region of the pin vary, a secure contact between the pin and bore walls is not always attainable.
This is particularly true when a single pin is pressed through aligned bores in a pluxality of superposed conductor plates.
Moreover, when a pin is so pressed through the bores of superposed conductor platPs, it is normally intended that the pin not only make electrical connection to ~ach of sai,d plates but that, in addition, it should act to hold the plates together mechanically;
and such a mechanical connection cannot be assured due to the a~orementioned dimensional variations.
So-called AMP pins have been suggested in whlch the region of the pin ~hat is adapted to engage the walls of the bore consists of two parallel beam-shaped elements which are separated from one another and partly overlap one another adjacent the middle of the pin. ~hen such a pin is pxessed into the bore of a conductor plate, ~he beam~shaped members move relative to one another whereby relatively large dimensional variations o~
the bore and this particular region of the pin can be compensated.
A disadvantage of this particular structural arrangement, however, is that only two outer ~dges of the contact rPgion of the pin, lying diagonally opposite one another, engage the wall of the bore. Since each beam-shaped element is, in effect, clamped in position at its opposing ends in the direction of the axis of the pin, and since each beam-shaped element accordingly bends when the pin is inser ed into the bore of ~ plate, problems can occur with respect to the reliability of the mechanical or electrical connection that is achieved at the contact zone of the pin, particularly in those cases where the pin is inserted through a plurality of superposed conductor plates.
In another known form of connector pin, the contact zone of the pin consists of a tube that is slotted lengthwise. ~hen such a pin i5 pressed into the bore of a conductor plate, the arc-shaped port.ions of the contact zone bend inwardly. As a result, a region of substantially flat contact exists between the wall of the bore and the side walls of the tubular section, and this tends to impair the transition resistance between the pin and bore when ~he bore wall and/or the surface of the contact region of the pin has a layer of increased ohmic resis~ance. More particularly, in this particular arrangement the metallized layer of the bore wall is not penetrated by any portion of the contact region of the pin. This problem becomes particularly pronounced when the pin is to be inserted through a plurality of superposed conductor plates inasmuch as, in such an arrangement, good electrical and/or mechanical connection between the pin and all of these plates Gannot be assured.
A still further arrangement is disclosed in European Patent No~ 5,356 wherein a pin is provided with thick, non-deformable outer zones having an exterior arcuate contour which corresponds to the inner contour of the bore that receives the pin~ These outer zones are connected to one another by a thin cross piece which is plastically deformed and/or sheared off when the pin is set into the bore. The arcuate exterior of the outer zones lies against the wall of the bore without, however, penetrating the tin layer of the wall of the bore; and this arrangement therefore again results in the problems discussed above. Moreover, the complete plastic deformation or shearing off of the cross piece is especially disadvantageous, since this results in a loss of the elasticity needed to securely press the outer contour of the outer zones of the pin against the wall of the bore after the pin has been set into the bore. This 01 disadvantage becomes particularly pronounced if any 02 mechanical loading is applied to the pin and/or if the 03 pin or bore are subject to vibratory stresses. The 04 pin of this par-ticular arrangement is also unsu.itable 05 for connecting two or more conductor plates together 06 since inser-tion of the pin into the bore of a first 07 conductor plate causes the complete plastic 08 deformation or shearing oEf of the cross piece, and 09 the pin cannot t,herefore irmly engage the bore oE a second conductor plate unless the bore in the second 11 plate has a diame~er less than the diameter of the 12 bore in the first conduc-tor plate.
13 The present invention is intended to avoid 14 these problems in the prior art by providing a pin configuration which can compensate for variations of 16 tolerance of the bore and/or con-tact zone of the pin, 17 thereby to always assure an excellent electrical and 18 mechanical connection between the pin and conductor 19 plate regardless of whether the pin is to be inserted into a single plate or through a plurality of 21 superposed conductor plates.
23 Summary Of The Invention -In accordance with the present invention, 26 an elongated connector pin, fabricated of electrically ~7 conductive material and adapted to be pressed into a 28 metallized bore in at least one electrically 29 conductive plate to make a solder-free electrical connection between the pin and the plate, has an 31 elongated deformable region of M-shaped cross section 32 that is located between the opposing ends of the pin~
33 This deformable region is romprised of a pair of 01 spaced substantially parallel, elastically deformable 02 beam members that extend in the direction oE
03 elongation of -the pin and -that are interconnected to 04 one another by an elastically deformable cross member 05 of substantially V~shaped cross section. The 06 deformable cross member is in-tegral with each of the 07 elas~ically deformable beam members, is di~posed 08 be-tween the pair of beam members to provide the 09 M~shaped deformable region. The pair oE beams define four outer corners which are adapted to mechanically 11 penetrate and electrically con~act the me~allized side 12 walls of the bore in the plate as a resul-t of -the 13 elastic forces generated within the beam members and 14 cross member when the connector pin is pressed into the bore, thereby -to effect the connection.
16 The elastically deformable outer beam 17 members cooperate with the intervening deformable 18 cross member to assure that the outer edges of the 19 beam members penetrate the metallized layer of the bore wall and come into direct contact with the copper 21 wall of the bore. ~his results in four gas-tight, 22 vibration-proof contact regions between the pin and 23 the plate, located respectively at the four outer 24 corners of the two spaced beam members. W~en the pin is inserted into a bore having a diameter smaller than 26 that of a standard bore, the outer zones of the 27 deformable region, i.e., the beam members, are 28 elastically deformed and, in the extreme case, take on 29 an outer contour which corresponds approximately to the inner contour of the bore wall. Moreover, when 31 ~he elongated deformable region of the pin is inserted 32 -through the aligned bores of a plurality of superposed 33 conductor plates, the elastic deformability o~ the 34 beam members and cross member assures an 3~ 7 ~xcellent mechanical and electrical connection between the pin and the bores of each plate since, in effect, ~he deforrnation of the pin within the bore of each plate is individually tailored to the dimensional conditions existing in that particular bore.
Brief Description Of The Draw.inys The foregoing objects, advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 depic s a pair of interconnected pins, as fabricated, ~onstructed in accordance with ~he present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a connector pin of ~he type shown in Figure 1 with the contact region thereof about to be inserted into the bore of a conductor plate;
Figure 3 shows the pin/plate arrangement of Figure 2 with the pin inserted into position;
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section of the deformable region of a connector pin constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side view of the deformable pin region shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross section through a conductor plate bore of standard dimension, having a pin of the type shown in Figures 4 and S inserted therein;
Figure 7 is a cross section through the deformable region of a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a cross section through a conductor plate bore of over-size diameter, having a pin of the type shown in Figure 7 inserted therein;
Figure 9 is a cross section simllar to that of Figure 8, wner~in the bore is of under-size diameter; and Figure 10 is a cross section through the deformable region of a pin constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
Description Of The Pre~erred Embodiments Referring initially to Figure 1, a plurality of contact pins constructed in accordance with the present invention may be fabricated by stamping ~he same ou~ of a strip of electrically conductive material. ~arh pin is provlded with a spring contact 5 at its upper end, a deformable region or contact zone 6, and an elongated wire wrap post 7 one end of which merges smoothly into one end of the deformable region 6 via a conically shaped transiti.on portion of the pin. Following the stam?ing of the plurality of pins from the strip material, the deformable region or contact zone 6 of the pin is then formed by a further stamping operation, whereafter the interconnecting pieces 8, extending between the several pins and having a positioning bore therein, i5 separated from the pins themselves to provide a plurality`of pins each of which, individually, has the configuration shown for example in Figure 2.
Such a pin can be set into the bore 9 of a c~nductor plate 10 by inserting the wire wrap post 7 of the pin through the bore 9 until the deformable region 6 engages the top of the bore (see Figure 2) and by thereafter applying further forces to the pin to press the deformable region 6 lnto and through the bore as shown in Figure 3. As will be apparent from a comparison of Figuxes 2 and 3, and as showrl particularly by the bulge 3~3~
below the bore in Figure 3, when the pin has been full~
pressed into position the contact region 6 is el~stical1y deformed~
~ s shown in Figure 4 and 5, the deformable region 6 of the pin may, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, be substantially M-shaped in cross section, this cross section being defined by two spaced, elastically deformable, substantially parallel r beam members 11, 12 which e~tend in the direction of elongation of the pin and which are interconnected to one anokher by a substantially V-shaped elastically deformable cross member 13. Cross member 13 consists of a pair of legs 17 which are integral with one another, and each of which is integral with an associated one of the beams 11, 12. The thickness of the cross member 13 is substantially equal to the thickness of each of the beam members 11, 12, but may be ~hinner or thicker than that o the beam members in some embodiments of the invention.
As shown in Figure 5, the lower ends of the beam members 11, 12 and of the cross member 13, are tapered to provide a sub~
stantially conical transition zone 14 between the deformable region of the pin and the wire wrap pos~ 7. The angle of this conical transition portion is about 15. In the transition region 14, the cross piece 13 is tapered downward in an approximately wedge-shaped configuration, and it can be terminated if desired in a smooth radius 15 although a rectangular closure of the cross member 13 is preerred.
Figure 6 shows the configuration of the deformable region 6 when the pin has been fully set into a bore 9 of rated or standard size in plate 10. As the pin is pressed into place, 01 the four outer corners 16 of beam members 11, 12 02 pene-trate the tinned or metallized layer 2 of the bore 03 wall and come into contact with the copper wall 3 of 04 bore 9. The cross member 13 is elastically deformed, 05 and beam members 11, 12 are also elastically deformed 06 but to a lesser extent than cross piece l3. The 07 elas-tic deformation of the cross piece 13 and the 08 outer zones of the deformable region, i~e., beams 11, 09 12, stores mechanical energy and produces the necessary contact pressure to assure satisfactory and 11 continuing con-tact between corners l6 of the beam 12 members and the side walls of the bore. The 13 relatively large elastic componen-t of -the deformation 14 compensates for the dimensional tolerances whi~l may occur in the bore, as will be explained later. The 16 four corners 16 of -the beam members dig into the 17 metalli7ed layer 2, and contact the copper sheath 3, 18 as noted above, and cause -the copper sheath 3 to be 19 slightly deformed by corners 16 but not cut throu~h.
As a result, the inner stresses which occur in the 21 conductor plate 10 are relatively slight. Secure 22 contact is assured -through the storing of energy in 23 the elastic zones of the pin as well as the bore 9.
24 In the embodiment of the inven-tion shown in Figure 4, when the pin is inserted into a bore the 26 elastic deformation of the cross piece 13 tends to 27 cause the upper ends (as illustrated, i.e., in cross 28 section) of the beams 11, 12 to bend outwardly.
29 However, the elas-ticity of -the beams 11, 12 in contact with -the wall of the bore, causes the upper ends of 31 the beams or legs 11, 12 to be pressed back toward one 32 another so that the distance between the upper corners 33 16 is substantially equal to that between the lower 34 corners 16 as shown in Figure 6.
36 _ g _ The modified form of ~he invention shown in Figure 7 is similar to that described above, is again M-shaped in cross section, and comprises a pair of beam members 11, 12 which are interconnected to one another by a V-shaped cross piece 13'. In the form shown in Figure 7, however, the legs 17 of cross piece 13' merge into their associated be~m members at positions which a.re located between and spaced from the opposing transverse edges of the beam men~ers, i.e., in contrast to the Figure 4 arrangement, the legs 17 of the cross piese 13' shown in Figure 7 are sp~ced frorn the transverse edges 19 of the beams 11, 12 by a distance 18. In the Figure 7 embodiment of the invention, as well as in the ~igure 4 embodiment, the cross-sectional length of each beam member 11, 12 is about
Back~round Of The Inv ntion The present invention is concerned with connector pins that are adapted to be pushed into a metallized bore formed in at least one electrically conductive plate, ~o produce a solder-free connection between the pin and the plate. The form of pin with which the present invention is particularly concerned is one wherein the pin has a deformable region, adapted to engage the sides of the bore in the conductive plate~ consistin~ of tWQ
spaced and generally parallel beam members the outer edges of which are adapted to mechanically and electrically engage the walls of the bore.
Connector pins, adapted to be pressed or pushed into a bore in a conductive plate, have been suggested heretofore. In one known configuration, the pin is provided with a region that is substantially square or rectangulax in cross section and which is intendedr when the pin is inserted into the metallized bore of a conductor plate, to engage at its outer edges the metallized wall of the bore. Since the bore diameter and the cross sectional dimensions of the aforementioned region of the pin vary, a secure contact between the pin and bore walls is not always attainable.
This is particularly true when a single pin is pressed through aligned bores in a pluxality of superposed conductor plates.
Moreover, when a pin is so pressed through the bores of superposed conductor platPs, it is normally intended that the pin not only make electrical connection to ~ach of sai,d plates but that, in addition, it should act to hold the plates together mechanically;
and such a mechanical connection cannot be assured due to the a~orementioned dimensional variations.
So-called AMP pins have been suggested in whlch the region of the pin ~hat is adapted to engage the walls of the bore consists of two parallel beam-shaped elements which are separated from one another and partly overlap one another adjacent the middle of the pin. ~hen such a pin is pxessed into the bore of a conductor plate, ~he beam~shaped members move relative to one another whereby relatively large dimensional variations o~
the bore and this particular region of the pin can be compensated.
A disadvantage of this particular structural arrangement, however, is that only two outer ~dges of the contact rPgion of the pin, lying diagonally opposite one another, engage the wall of the bore. Since each beam-shaped element is, in effect, clamped in position at its opposing ends in the direction of the axis of the pin, and since each beam-shaped element accordingly bends when the pin is inser ed into the bore of ~ plate, problems can occur with respect to the reliability of the mechanical or electrical connection that is achieved at the contact zone of the pin, particularly in those cases where the pin is inserted through a plurality of superposed conductor plates.
In another known form of connector pin, the contact zone of the pin consists of a tube that is slotted lengthwise. ~hen such a pin i5 pressed into the bore of a conductor plate, the arc-shaped port.ions of the contact zone bend inwardly. As a result, a region of substantially flat contact exists between the wall of the bore and the side walls of the tubular section, and this tends to impair the transition resistance between the pin and bore when ~he bore wall and/or the surface of the contact region of the pin has a layer of increased ohmic resis~ance. More particularly, in this particular arrangement the metallized layer of the bore wall is not penetrated by any portion of the contact region of the pin. This problem becomes particularly pronounced when the pin is to be inserted through a plurality of superposed conductor plates inasmuch as, in such an arrangement, good electrical and/or mechanical connection between the pin and all of these plates Gannot be assured.
A still further arrangement is disclosed in European Patent No~ 5,356 wherein a pin is provided with thick, non-deformable outer zones having an exterior arcuate contour which corresponds to the inner contour of the bore that receives the pin~ These outer zones are connected to one another by a thin cross piece which is plastically deformed and/or sheared off when the pin is set into the bore. The arcuate exterior of the outer zones lies against the wall of the bore without, however, penetrating the tin layer of the wall of the bore; and this arrangement therefore again results in the problems discussed above. Moreover, the complete plastic deformation or shearing off of the cross piece is especially disadvantageous, since this results in a loss of the elasticity needed to securely press the outer contour of the outer zones of the pin against the wall of the bore after the pin has been set into the bore. This 01 disadvantage becomes particularly pronounced if any 02 mechanical loading is applied to the pin and/or if the 03 pin or bore are subject to vibratory stresses. The 04 pin of this par-ticular arrangement is also unsu.itable 05 for connecting two or more conductor plates together 06 since inser-tion of the pin into the bore of a first 07 conductor plate causes the complete plastic 08 deformation or shearing oEf of the cross piece, and 09 the pin cannot t,herefore irmly engage the bore oE a second conductor plate unless the bore in the second 11 plate has a diame~er less than the diameter of the 12 bore in the first conduc-tor plate.
13 The present invention is intended to avoid 14 these problems in the prior art by providing a pin configuration which can compensate for variations of 16 tolerance of the bore and/or con-tact zone of the pin, 17 thereby to always assure an excellent electrical and 18 mechanical connection between the pin and conductor 19 plate regardless of whether the pin is to be inserted into a single plate or through a plurality of 21 superposed conductor plates.
23 Summary Of The Invention -In accordance with the present invention, 26 an elongated connector pin, fabricated of electrically ~7 conductive material and adapted to be pressed into a 28 metallized bore in at least one electrically 29 conductive plate to make a solder-free electrical connection between the pin and the plate, has an 31 elongated deformable region of M-shaped cross section 32 that is located between the opposing ends of the pin~
33 This deformable region is romprised of a pair of 01 spaced substantially parallel, elastically deformable 02 beam members that extend in the direction oE
03 elongation of -the pin and -that are interconnected to 04 one another by an elastically deformable cross member 05 of substantially V~shaped cross section. The 06 deformable cross member is in-tegral with each of the 07 elas~ically deformable beam members, is di~posed 08 be-tween the pair of beam members to provide the 09 M~shaped deformable region. The pair oE beams define four outer corners which are adapted to mechanically 11 penetrate and electrically con~act the me~allized side 12 walls of the bore in the plate as a resul-t of -the 13 elastic forces generated within the beam members and 14 cross member when the connector pin is pressed into the bore, thereby -to effect the connection.
16 The elastically deformable outer beam 17 members cooperate with the intervening deformable 18 cross member to assure that the outer edges of the 19 beam members penetrate the metallized layer of the bore wall and come into direct contact with the copper 21 wall of the bore. ~his results in four gas-tight, 22 vibration-proof contact regions between the pin and 23 the plate, located respectively at the four outer 24 corners of the two spaced beam members. W~en the pin is inserted into a bore having a diameter smaller than 26 that of a standard bore, the outer zones of the 27 deformable region, i.e., the beam members, are 28 elastically deformed and, in the extreme case, take on 29 an outer contour which corresponds approximately to the inner contour of the bore wall. Moreover, when 31 ~he elongated deformable region of the pin is inserted 32 -through the aligned bores of a plurality of superposed 33 conductor plates, the elastic deformability o~ the 34 beam members and cross member assures an 3~ 7 ~xcellent mechanical and electrical connection between the pin and the bores of each plate since, in effect, ~he deforrnation of the pin within the bore of each plate is individually tailored to the dimensional conditions existing in that particular bore.
Brief Description Of The Draw.inys The foregoing objects, advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 depic s a pair of interconnected pins, as fabricated, ~onstructed in accordance with ~he present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a connector pin of ~he type shown in Figure 1 with the contact region thereof about to be inserted into the bore of a conductor plate;
Figure 3 shows the pin/plate arrangement of Figure 2 with the pin inserted into position;
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section of the deformable region of a connector pin constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side view of the deformable pin region shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross section through a conductor plate bore of standard dimension, having a pin of the type shown in Figures 4 and S inserted therein;
Figure 7 is a cross section through the deformable region of a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a cross section through a conductor plate bore of over-size diameter, having a pin of the type shown in Figure 7 inserted therein;
Figure 9 is a cross section simllar to that of Figure 8, wner~in the bore is of under-size diameter; and Figure 10 is a cross section through the deformable region of a pin constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
Description Of The Pre~erred Embodiments Referring initially to Figure 1, a plurality of contact pins constructed in accordance with the present invention may be fabricated by stamping ~he same ou~ of a strip of electrically conductive material. ~arh pin is provlded with a spring contact 5 at its upper end, a deformable region or contact zone 6, and an elongated wire wrap post 7 one end of which merges smoothly into one end of the deformable region 6 via a conically shaped transiti.on portion of the pin. Following the stam?ing of the plurality of pins from the strip material, the deformable region or contact zone 6 of the pin is then formed by a further stamping operation, whereafter the interconnecting pieces 8, extending between the several pins and having a positioning bore therein, i5 separated from the pins themselves to provide a plurality`of pins each of which, individually, has the configuration shown for example in Figure 2.
Such a pin can be set into the bore 9 of a c~nductor plate 10 by inserting the wire wrap post 7 of the pin through the bore 9 until the deformable region 6 engages the top of the bore (see Figure 2) and by thereafter applying further forces to the pin to press the deformable region 6 lnto and through the bore as shown in Figure 3. As will be apparent from a comparison of Figuxes 2 and 3, and as showrl particularly by the bulge 3~3~
below the bore in Figure 3, when the pin has been full~
pressed into position the contact region 6 is el~stical1y deformed~
~ s shown in Figure 4 and 5, the deformable region 6 of the pin may, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, be substantially M-shaped in cross section, this cross section being defined by two spaced, elastically deformable, substantially parallel r beam members 11, 12 which e~tend in the direction of elongation of the pin and which are interconnected to one anokher by a substantially V-shaped elastically deformable cross member 13. Cross member 13 consists of a pair of legs 17 which are integral with one another, and each of which is integral with an associated one of the beams 11, 12. The thickness of the cross member 13 is substantially equal to the thickness of each of the beam members 11, 12, but may be ~hinner or thicker than that o the beam members in some embodiments of the invention.
As shown in Figure 5, the lower ends of the beam members 11, 12 and of the cross member 13, are tapered to provide a sub~
stantially conical transition zone 14 between the deformable region of the pin and the wire wrap pos~ 7. The angle of this conical transition portion is about 15. In the transition region 14, the cross piece 13 is tapered downward in an approximately wedge-shaped configuration, and it can be terminated if desired in a smooth radius 15 although a rectangular closure of the cross member 13 is preerred.
Figure 6 shows the configuration of the deformable region 6 when the pin has been fully set into a bore 9 of rated or standard size in plate 10. As the pin is pressed into place, 01 the four outer corners 16 of beam members 11, 12 02 pene-trate the tinned or metallized layer 2 of the bore 03 wall and come into contact with the copper wall 3 of 04 bore 9. The cross member 13 is elastically deformed, 05 and beam members 11, 12 are also elastically deformed 06 but to a lesser extent than cross piece l3. The 07 elas-tic deformation of the cross piece 13 and the 08 outer zones of the deformable region, i~e., beams 11, 09 12, stores mechanical energy and produces the necessary contact pressure to assure satisfactory and 11 continuing con-tact between corners l6 of the beam 12 members and the side walls of the bore. The 13 relatively large elastic componen-t of -the deformation 14 compensates for the dimensional tolerances whi~l may occur in the bore, as will be explained later. The 16 four corners 16 of -the beam members dig into the 17 metalli7ed layer 2, and contact the copper sheath 3, 18 as noted above, and cause -the copper sheath 3 to be 19 slightly deformed by corners 16 but not cut throu~h.
As a result, the inner stresses which occur in the 21 conductor plate 10 are relatively slight. Secure 22 contact is assured -through the storing of energy in 23 the elastic zones of the pin as well as the bore 9.
24 In the embodiment of the inven-tion shown in Figure 4, when the pin is inserted into a bore the 26 elastic deformation of the cross piece 13 tends to 27 cause the upper ends (as illustrated, i.e., in cross 28 section) of the beams 11, 12 to bend outwardly.
29 However, the elas-ticity of -the beams 11, 12 in contact with -the wall of the bore, causes the upper ends of 31 the beams or legs 11, 12 to be pressed back toward one 32 another so that the distance between the upper corners 33 16 is substantially equal to that between the lower 34 corners 16 as shown in Figure 6.
36 _ g _ The modified form of ~he invention shown in Figure 7 is similar to that described above, is again M-shaped in cross section, and comprises a pair of beam members 11, 12 which are interconnected to one another by a V-shaped cross piece 13'. In the form shown in Figure 7, however, the legs 17 of cross piece 13' merge into their associated be~m members at positions which a.re located between and spaced from the opposing transverse edges of the beam men~ers, i.e., in contrast to the Figure 4 arrangement, the legs 17 of the cross piese 13' shown in Figure 7 are sp~ced frorn the transverse edges 19 of the beams 11, 12 by a distance 18. In the Figure 7 embodiment of the invention, as well as in the ~igure 4 embodiment, the cross-sectional length of each beam member 11, 12 is about
2.5 times the thickness of said beam member, the legs 17 of the cross piece 13 (or 13l, as the case may be) are oriented at angles of approximately 60 to their respective beams 11, 12, and the said legs 17 are disposed at an angle of substantially 120 to one another. The cross pieces 13 and 13' are, in each case, equal in thickness to the beam members 11, 12, but may also be thinner. The width of the cross piece 13 or 13' between the beam members 11, 12 may be about equal to the total thickness of the beam members 11, 12.
As mentioned above, the pressing together of the cross piece in the embodiment o Figure 4, when the pin is inserted into a bore, tends to spread the upper ends ~as illustrated) of legs or beams 11, 12 outwardly relative to one another, whereby the cross section of the deformable zone of the pin tends to assume a W-shape. Nevertheless, when the pin is pressed into place the 1~
01 M-shape is substantially retained because of the 02 elas-ticity of the zones ll, 12 which act as a support 03 that is clamped below and loaded above, and which has 04 the tendency to adapt the configuration oE the 05 deformable zone to the wall of the bore 9. Much the 06 same operation occurs in the embodiment of Figure 7, 07 i.e., pressing -together of the cross piece 13' tends 08 to cause the upper free ends of the legs 11, 12 to 09 bend outwardly, but since the legs 17 of cross piece 13' originate at middle por-tions of the zones 11, 12, 11 these zones ll, 12 act as a support in the middle of 12 the deformable region, which support is loaded at both 13 ends, i.e., adjacent the edges 16.
14 As can be seeIl from Figure 8, the corners 16 grip uniformly into the conductive layer 2 of bore 16 9, even when the bore 9 is over~size. When the pin is 17 pressed into place the cross piece 13' is elastically 18 deformed, and the angle between the legs 17 becomes l9 less than 120. There is also an elas-tic def~rmation of the zones ll, 12, with the deformation in the upper 21 portion of each of these zones being less than that in 22 the lower portion of the respec-tive zone. Since this 23 ca~lses the zones ll, 12 to act as a support in the ~4 middle o~ the deformable region, as described above, which i~ loaded adjacent the corners 16, there is a 26 preferential tendency for -the outer contour of the 27 zones ll, 12 to adap-t to the inner con-tour of the bore 28 ~ (see Fig. 8) even when the bore 9 is over-size.
29 If a pin having the cross section shown in Figure 7 is pre~sed in-to an under-size bore 9, as 31 shown in Figure 9, the cross piece 13', in addition -to 32 being elastically deformed,
As mentioned above, the pressing together of the cross piece in the embodiment o Figure 4, when the pin is inserted into a bore, tends to spread the upper ends ~as illustrated) of legs or beams 11, 12 outwardly relative to one another, whereby the cross section of the deformable zone of the pin tends to assume a W-shape. Nevertheless, when the pin is pressed into place the 1~
01 M-shape is substantially retained because of the 02 elas-ticity of the zones ll, 12 which act as a support 03 that is clamped below and loaded above, and which has 04 the tendency to adapt the configuration oE the 05 deformable zone to the wall of the bore 9. Much the 06 same operation occurs in the embodiment of Figure 7, 07 i.e., pressing -together of the cross piece 13' tends 08 to cause the upper free ends of the legs 11, 12 to 09 bend outwardly, but since the legs 17 of cross piece 13' originate at middle por-tions of the zones 11, 12, 11 these zones ll, 12 act as a support in the middle of 12 the deformable region, which support is loaded at both 13 ends, i.e., adjacent the edges 16.
14 As can be seeIl from Figure 8, the corners 16 grip uniformly into the conductive layer 2 of bore 16 9, even when the bore 9 is over~size. When the pin is 17 pressed into place the cross piece 13' is elastically 18 deformed, and the angle between the legs 17 becomes l9 less than 120. There is also an elas-tic def~rmation of the zones ll, 12, with the deformation in the upper 21 portion of each of these zones being less than that in 22 the lower portion of the respec-tive zone. Since this 23 ca~lses the zones ll, 12 to act as a support in the ~4 middle o~ the deformable region, as described above, which i~ loaded adjacent the corners 16, there is a 26 preferential tendency for -the outer contour of the 27 zones ll, 12 to adap-t to the inner con-tour of the bore 28 ~ (see Fig. 8) even when the bore 9 is over-size.
29 If a pin having the cross section shown in Figure 7 is pre~sed in-to an under-size bore 9, as 31 shown in Figure 9, the cross piece 13', in addition -to 32 being elastically deformed,
3~
~.
01 is plastically deformed to a limited extent. '~his 02 plastic deforma-tion takes place mainly at ~he apex 20 03 of -the V-shape cross piece 13'. The zones 11, 12 of 04 the pin are, in this case, deformed elastically to a 05 greater extent than in the case of an over-size bore 06 (Fic~o 8) or a standard bore (Fig. 6) with the res-ult 07 that the corners 16 penetrate completely through the 08 conductive layer 2 and into the copper tube 3. Thus 09 the entire outer per.iphery of the zones ll, 12 comes into contact with the conductive layer 2, while the 11 corners 16 come into contact with copper tube 3.
12 As men-tioned previously, the thickness of 13 the cross pieces 13 and 13' is preferably equal to 14 that of the zones 11, 12. Pin configurations having such equal thicknesses are especially suitable for 16 joining several conductor pla-tes 10 together through 17 their respective bores 9. If desired, however, the 18 cross piece 13 or 13' may be thicker than the outer 19 zones 11, 12. On the other hand, if the pin is to be se-t in-co a thin plate having a tight bore, then it is 21 preferable tha-t the cross piece 13 or 13' be thinner 22 than the outer zones 11, 12. In any of these 23 arrangemen-ts, the pin i5 produced by a s-tamping 24 operation as previously described; and in the form of the invention shown in Figure 7, it has been found 26 especially advantageous to make -the displacement of 27 material of the lower V-shaped stamping equal to the 28 material displacement of the upper W-shaped stamping, 29 i.e., -the stamping by which the cross piece 13' is formed.
31 In a still further embodiment of the 32 invention, shown in Figure 10, the deformable region 33 of the pin consists of an elonga-ted tubular member 27 34 one side of which is slotted at 28 in .~
the direction of elongation of the pin. The opposlte sid~ of the tube ~7 is provided with a stamping 29, semi-circular in cross section, which extends inwardly of tubular rnember 27 toward slot 28 and which is joined to the side legs of tube 27 by means of rounded sections 30. The semi-circular region 29, together with th~ rounded sections 30, correspond in effect to the cross piece 13 or 13', and the outer arcuate zones 11' and 12' shown in Figure 1~ are comparable to the outer zones or beam members 11, 12, of the earlier described embodiments of the invention. To obtain a gripping into or penetration through the conductive layer 2 of ~he Dore, the free ends of the zones 11'l 12l are spread outwardly as ~t 2Ç, to produce edges 25 which are comparable to the edges 16 in the earlier described embodiments.
~.
01 is plastically deformed to a limited extent. '~his 02 plastic deforma-tion takes place mainly at ~he apex 20 03 of -the V-shape cross piece 13'. The zones 11, 12 of 04 the pin are, in this case, deformed elastically to a 05 greater extent than in the case of an over-size bore 06 (Fic~o 8) or a standard bore (Fig. 6) with the res-ult 07 that the corners 16 penetrate completely through the 08 conductive layer 2 and into the copper tube 3. Thus 09 the entire outer per.iphery of the zones ll, 12 comes into contact with the conductive layer 2, while the 11 corners 16 come into contact with copper tube 3.
12 As men-tioned previously, the thickness of 13 the cross pieces 13 and 13' is preferably equal to 14 that of the zones 11, 12. Pin configurations having such equal thicknesses are especially suitable for 16 joining several conductor pla-tes 10 together through 17 their respective bores 9. If desired, however, the 18 cross piece 13 or 13' may be thicker than the outer 19 zones 11, 12. On the other hand, if the pin is to be se-t in-co a thin plate having a tight bore, then it is 21 preferable tha-t the cross piece 13 or 13' be thinner 22 than the outer zones 11, 12. In any of these 23 arrangemen-ts, the pin i5 produced by a s-tamping 24 operation as previously described; and in the form of the invention shown in Figure 7, it has been found 26 especially advantageous to make -the displacement of 27 material of the lower V-shaped stamping equal to the 28 material displacement of the upper W-shaped stamping, 29 i.e., -the stamping by which the cross piece 13' is formed.
31 In a still further embodiment of the 32 invention, shown in Figure 10, the deformable region 33 of the pin consists of an elonga-ted tubular member 27 34 one side of which is slotted at 28 in .~
the direction of elongation of the pin. The opposlte sid~ of the tube ~7 is provided with a stamping 29, semi-circular in cross section, which extends inwardly of tubular rnember 27 toward slot 28 and which is joined to the side legs of tube 27 by means of rounded sections 30. The semi-circular region 29, together with th~ rounded sections 30, correspond in effect to the cross piece 13 or 13', and the outer arcuate zones 11' and 12' shown in Figure 1~ are comparable to the outer zones or beam members 11, 12, of the earlier described embodiments of the invention. To obtain a gripping into or penetration through the conductive layer 2 of ~he Dore, the free ends of the zones 11'l 12l are spread outwardly as ~t 2Ç, to produce edges 25 which are comparable to the edges 16 in the earlier described embodiments.
Claims (12)
1. An elongated connector pin fabricated of an electrically conductive material and adapted to be pressed into a metallized bore in at least one electrically conductive plate thereby to make a solder-free electrical connection between the pin and plate, said pin having an elongated deformable region of M-shaped cross section located between the opposing ends of said pin, said deformable region comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel, elastically deformable beam members extending in the direction of elongation of said pin and interconnected to one another by an elastically deformable cross member of substantially V-shaped cross section, said deformable cross member being integral with each of said elastically deformable beam members and being disposed between said pair of beam members to provide said M-shaped deformable region, said pair of beams defining four outer corners which are adapted to mechanically penetrate and electrically contact the metallized side walls of the bore in the plate as a result of the elastic forces generated within said beam members and cross member when said connector pin is pressed into said bore, thereby to effect said connection.
2. The connector pin of claim 1 wherein each of said beam members is also elastically deformable.
3. The connector pin of claim l wherein said cross member is substantially V-shaped in cross section, said deformable region, consisting of said beam members and cross member, being substantially M-shaped in cross section.
4. The connector pin of claim 3 wherein said V-shaped cross member has a pair of legs which are oriented at substantially 120° to one another, each of said legs merging into one of said beam members respectively at an angle of substantially 60° to said beam member.
5. The connector pin of claim 4 wherein each of said legs merges into its associated beam member at a position located between and spaced from the opposing transverse edges of said beam member.
6. The connector pin of claim 1 wherein said deformable region, consisting of said beam members and cross member, is W-shaped in cross section.
7. The connector pin of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said cross member is substantially equal to the thickness of each of said beam members.
8. The connector pin of claim 1 wherein the width of said cross member between said beam members is substantially equal to the combined thicknesses of said beam members.
9. The connector pin of claim 3 wherein the cross-sectional length of each of said beam members is substantially 2.5 times the cross sectional thickness of said beam member.
10. The connector pin of claim 1 wherein one end of said pin comprises an elongated wire-wrap post, said post merging into one end of said deformable region via a conical transition portion of said pin.
11. The connector pin of claim 1 wherein said deformable region comprises an elongated tubular member one side of which is slotted in the direction of elongation of said pin, the side of said tubular member opposite to said slot comprising said deformable cross member and being shaped to define a semi-circular section that extends inwardly of said tubular member toward said slot, and the free edges of said tubular member adjacent said slot being directed outwardly to provide edges which are adapted to indent the metallized bore into which said pin is pressed.
12. The connector pin of claim 11 wherein the portions of said tubular member between said semi-circular section and said slot comprise said beam members and are arcuate in cross section.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP81103663 | 1981-05-13 | ||
| DE81103663.1 | 1981-05-13 | ||
| DE82101521.1 | 1982-02-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1184987A true CA1184987A (en) | 1985-04-02 |
Family
ID=8187709
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000402485A Expired CA1184987A (en) | 1981-05-13 | 1982-05-07 | Solderless connector pin for electrical circuits |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS57194470A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1184987A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4691979A (en) * | 1983-08-04 | 1987-09-08 | Manda R & D | Compliant press-fit electrical contact |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS58169988A (en) * | 1982-01-19 | 1983-10-06 | アライド・コ−ポレイシヨン | Press-fitting pin |
| JPS58123678A (en) * | 1982-01-19 | 1983-07-22 | 日本電気株式会社 | Electric contact pin |
| JPS5923483A (en) * | 1982-07-29 | 1984-02-06 | 日本電気株式会社 | Electric contact pin |
| JPH0628174B2 (en) * | 1985-12-13 | 1994-04-13 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Press fitting pins |
| JPH049748Y2 (en) * | 1986-06-18 | 1992-03-11 | ||
| JP2542078Y2 (en) * | 1989-07-14 | 1997-07-23 | 第一電子工業 株式会社 | Electrical connector |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3783433A (en) * | 1971-01-18 | 1974-01-01 | Litton Systems Inc | Solderless electrical connection system |
| US3824554A (en) * | 1972-08-28 | 1974-07-16 | G Shoholm | Spring-type press-fit |
| JPS5919416B2 (en) * | 1978-04-27 | 1984-05-07 | イ−・アイ・デユポン・デ・ニモアス・アンド・カンパニ− | electrical terminal |
| US4223970A (en) * | 1979-02-26 | 1980-09-23 | Electronics Stamping Corporation | Compliant backplane electrical connector |
-
1982
- 1982-05-07 CA CA000402485A patent/CA1184987A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-05-13 JP JP57079259A patent/JPS57194470A/en active Granted
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4691979A (en) * | 1983-08-04 | 1987-09-08 | Manda R & D | Compliant press-fit electrical contact |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6157663B2 (en) | 1986-12-08 |
| JPS57194470A (en) | 1982-11-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |