CA1256924A - Material for electric contacts - Google Patents
Material for electric contactsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1256924A CA1256924A CA000485551A CA485551A CA1256924A CA 1256924 A CA1256924 A CA 1256924A CA 000485551 A CA000485551 A CA 000485551A CA 485551 A CA485551 A CA 485551A CA 1256924 A CA1256924 A CA 1256924A
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- contacts
- metal layers
- metal
- metals
- springiness
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- Treatments Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
Abstract
59-139,499 MATERIAL FOR ELECTRIC CONTACTS
Abstract A material for forming contacts for use in connectors, switches and the like for electronic appliances. The material comprises a first metal layer having a conductivity, a second metal layer having a springiness and a plastic layer interposed between these metal layers. With this arrangement, the two metal layers take charge of the conductivity and the springiness, respectively, so that the contacts according to the invention are small-sized and inexpensive in comparison with prior art contacts made of copper alloys under the same current capacity and contact pressure. Moreover, the contacts according to the invention can eliminate disadvantages of the prior art contacts made of two directly contacted metals, such as separation between them due to difference in coefficient of thermal expansion and elongation, deterioration of the contacts due to diffusion therebetween, and disintegration of the contacts due to electrochemical corrosion resulting from difference in electric potential between two metals.
Abstract A material for forming contacts for use in connectors, switches and the like for electronic appliances. The material comprises a first metal layer having a conductivity, a second metal layer having a springiness and a plastic layer interposed between these metal layers. With this arrangement, the two metal layers take charge of the conductivity and the springiness, respectively, so that the contacts according to the invention are small-sized and inexpensive in comparison with prior art contacts made of copper alloys under the same current capacity and contact pressure. Moreover, the contacts according to the invention can eliminate disadvantages of the prior art contacts made of two directly contacted metals, such as separation between them due to difference in coefficient of thermal expansion and elongation, deterioration of the contacts due to diffusion therebetween, and disintegration of the contacts due to electrochemical corrosion resulting from difference in electric potential between two metals.
Description
59-13~ 99 MArrERi~L F~R ELECTRIC CONTACTS
This invention relates to a material for for~ing electric contacts whlch are used in connectors, switches, relays or the like for electronic equipment and which are inexpensive and have high conductivity 05 and spring:iness which could not be achieved by nowadays widely used copper alloys such as phosphor bronze.
In these days, there is generally a -tendency for articles or goods substantially in all fields to become lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller to fulfil the requirements in the presen-t age in view of economy and saving of resources. In elec-tronic products, par-ticularly, manu~acturers endeavor to make srnall-sized and high-performance products. In order to fulfil the requirements, it is essential to realize -the minia-turiza-tion of parts including contacts such as connectors,switches and the like a great number of which are used in the electronic equipmen-t, thereby enabling these parts to be applied into the electronic appliances in highly compacted manner. However, it is almost impossible for the contacts rnade of presently widely ~Lsed copper alloys to realize -the miniaturization of the parts including the contacts to remarkable extents.
In more details, the contacts for use in connectors, switches and the like are required to have ~ .
; 6 ~ 2 high conductivity ancl springiness in their nature.
ITI gene:ral! however, metals l1aving the higher cond-uc-tivity are e~hibit the lower springiness, while metals having the higher springiness exhibit the lower cond-uctivity.
05 There has been no metal fulfiling the -two req-uirements, that is, the high conductivity and springiness simul-taneously.
Therefore, copper alloys such as phosphor bronze are generally usecl, which fulfil the above requirements to a certain extent with which al-though dissatisfied. ~lowever, even such a copper alloy which is generally recognized to be most suitable :Eor this purpose has only a much lower conductivity than that of pure copper and silver. In order to ob-tain contacts of high conductivity having the required springiness, therefore, sectional areas of the contacts should be made large to improve their conductivity, so -that the contacts unavoidably become large. Accordingly 3 the miniaturization of contacts would encounter a limitation due to these factors. ~oreover, copper alloys to be used as spring materials are generally not only very expensive but also very -troublesome in production processes, inasmuch as they need high accuracy heat trea-tment by precisely con-trolling temperature, time and atmosphere. Contac-ts made of swch alloys are naturally expensive.
In order to eliminate the above disadvantages, it has been attempted to joint or laminate a high ~ ~5 ~
springiness met~l an(l a hi~h conduct:iv:ity metal by pressure welding, electrolytic process or vapor deposition to obtain contacts having high conductivity an~ springiness. ~lowever, the contacts thus obtained 05 have the following disadvantages which are not adopted in practical use. For example, w:ith this method directly jointing the different metals, diffusion between them progresses step by step with the lapse of time to change compositions and conditions of the metals, so that the initial characteristics of the metals change so as to lower the performance of the contact. In case that a stainless steel is used as a spring material and is coated thereon with silver, copper or gold having high conductivity, oxide films on the stainless steel for preventing its rust should be removed in order to ensure the coating of the conductive metal. Therefore, the superior corrosion-resistance of the stainless steel is los-t to cause serious corrosion when p;in-holes, cracks or -the like occur in -the coating metal. In this case, electric potential of the stainless steel is quite different from that of the copper, silver or gold, so that there is a risk of electrochemically promoting the corrosion of the stainless. ~or example, moreover, the composite body consisting of the two different metals closely jointed sometimes encounters a difficulty in that upon variation in temperature the closely contacted metals tend to separate from each other so as to break due to thermal stresses resulting ~ ~5 ~
from ~he di~`ference in their coefficient of thermal e~pansion.
tt is therefore impossible for the contacts of the prior art to realize the miniaturization and low 05 cost of connectors or the like and to improve the performance of the existing con-nectors or the like.
Moreover, it is almost impossible to reali7e the miniaturiz~tion and low cost of electronic appliances by very cornpactly arranging therein the connectors or the like. It is therefore eagerly expected to realize contact fulfiling the above re~uirements.
It is a principal object of -the invention to provide an improved electric contact forming material which elim-inate all the disadvantages of the prior art.
In order to achieve this object, the electric contact forming material according to the invention comprises a first metal layer for providing a conduc-tivity, a second metal layer for providing a springiness and a plastic layer interposed between the irst and second metal layers to form a lamina-ted material.
In a preferred embodiment, the plastic layer has insula-ting property or conductivity.
In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second metal layers consists of at least two layers, between which a plastic layer is interposed.
Either one of the first and seconcl metal layers consists of two metal layers which are arranged on one side of the other of the first and second metal layers ~s~
or arrangecl one on each side of the other metal layer.
In a Eurther embodiment, at least one of the ~irst and second metal layers is at 1east partially provided with a coat:ing layer by metal plating, chemical 05 treatment or coating with an oil, a paint or a coating agent in order to improve environment-resistance, wear-resistance, stability of electric connection, weldability, solderability or -the :Like.
The invention will be more fully wnderstood by referring to the following detailed specification and claims taken in connection with the appended drawings.
Fig. l is a sectional view illustrating the principal constitution of the contact forming material according to the invention;
Fig. 2a is a perspective view of one strip cut from the contact forming material according to the invention;
Fig. 2b is a perspective view of the strip shown in Fig. 2a, which has ~een formed into a contac-t;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a contact forming material according to the invention;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a connector using contacts made from the material shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 illustrates various shapes of contac-ts (a~-(Q) formed from the material shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6a illustrates a contac-t forming material according to the inven-tion, -formed with a number of first metal layers by etching;
~5 ~
~ ig. 6b is a pers~pective view :illustrating the contact :forming material shown in Fig. 6a, which has been foldecl;
Fig. 6c is a perspective view of a male 05 connector including the folcled material shown in Fig. 6a;
Fig. 7a illus-trates two contac-t forming materials ~or forming a female connector;
Fig. 7b is a perspective view illustrating the material shown in Fig. 7a which is forrned so as to e~tending a contacting portion;
Fig. 7c is a perspective view illustrating male and female connectors made from the materials shown in Figs. 6a and 7a;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the connector consisting of the male and female connectors shown in Figs. 6c and 7;
Fig. 9a is a sectional view illws-~rating a fwrther embodiment of the material according to the invention including one metal layer consisting of two metal layers which are arranged on one side of the other metal layer; and Fig. 9b is a sectional view illwstrating a still further embodiment of the material according to the inven-tion inclwding one metal layer consisting of two metal layers which are arranged one on each side of the other metal layer.
Fig. 1 illwstrates in section one embodiment of a material for forming a con-tac-t according to the ~ 2~
invent:ion. This material. essentially comprises a first metaL l.ayer l having a desirecl cond~ctivity and a second ~etal layer 2 having a required springiness selected from the existing metals and a plastic layer 3 05 interposed therebetween for supporting the two laminated metal layers 1 and 2 one above the other. This composite material is produced in the following manner.
One metal havi.ng a required cond-uc-tivity for forming the first metal layer 1 is selected from a group of the existing metals such as copper, silver, gold, aluminium and the :Like and alloys of these metals.
Then, one metal having a required spring force fo:r forming the second metal layer 2 is selected from a group of the existing metals such as iron alloys as spring stainless steel, copper alloys as spring beryllium-copper alloy, a metal containing spring reinforcing agent such as whisker and the like, amorphous metal and the like. These metals are formed in pla-tes, strips or foils according to required current capacity, spring force, shapes of the con-tact to be made, manufacturing method and the like. ~etween the thus formed metals 1 and 2 is attached a plate or sheet like plastic material. 3 having a required thickness coated with -thermoplastic or heat bonding adhesive by heating and pressure welding or with the aid of a rubber adhesive or polymerization setting adhesive. ~he plastic material may be, for example, epoxy, polyester, polyimide, polyamide or polyolefin resin. As an alternative, on the plastic layer 3 n~ly be ~ormed the ~irst and second metal layers 1 and 2 by means of e'Lectropla-ting, chemicalplating, vapor deposition or spattering.
In th:is manner, the present invention takes a 05 step out of the prior art attempted to do inherently impossible matter, that is, to make a single 'body fulfil both the conductivity and springiness. According to the invention, there are provided the first metal layer :L taking charge of the conductivity and the second metal layer 2 taking charge of the springiness to effectively utilize the respective characteristics wi-thout compromising both the conductivity and springi-ness. ~ccordingly, for example, a contac-t forming material 4 in a strip shape produced according -to the invention as showing in Fig. 2a is cut and formed into a contact S as shown in Fig. 2b which is small-sized and inexpensive in comparison with those of the prior art made of the copper alloys under the same current capacity ancl con-tact pressure. The contacts 5 are -used for a connector as shown in Fig. 4. Moreover, for example, a contact forming material 4 in a plate shape produced according to the invention as shown in Fig. 3 may be cut ancl formed or punched into various shapes of contacts as shown in Fig. 5(a)-(Q).
Moreover, according to the invention 'between the first and second metal layers 1 and 2 is securely held by means of advanced adhesion teehnique the plastic layer 3 to which required insulating or conductive property .-lncl desi~ed pl.iabi:lity or Elexibility can be easi-Ly given in man-lfacture according to used conditions, thereby eliminating the disadvantages in two directly contacted metals oE the prior art. According to the 05 invention, therefore, there is no risk of damage of contacts clue to separation of metals because the pliability of the plastic material absorbs the strains due to difference in coe.Efi.cient of -thermal expansion of the two metals and due to difference in elongation caused by bending in forming and -using the contacts.
Moreover, the interposed plastic l.ayer 3 prevents -the change in composition of the metal layers due to dif:Eusion with the lapse of time whi.ch would occur in -two directly contacted metals of the prior art, thereby preventing the deterioration of the contacts. F-urthermore, if the plastic layer 3 having insulating property is ~sed, the two metal layers 1 and 2 are electrically insulated from each other to prevent a local cell or battery caused by the difference in electric potential between two metals, thereby preventing the disintegration due to electrochemical corrosion. ~n this manner, all the disadvantages of the prior art including two direct].y contacted metals are comple-tely eliminated.
The following significant advantages for constituting connectors can be accomplished by the contacts comprising the interposed plastic layers 3 according to the invention. For example, as shown in Fig. 6a, firs-t metal layers 1 of a contact forming ~2~
mater:ia1 ~1 in a plate shape accordi1lg to the invention is etched or t-reated by any other method to Eorm a half-~inishecl product inclwding groups of contacts 5 of desirecl size and number with desired intervals.
05 This obtained product is folded substantially along its center line and formed so as to ha-ve contacting portions extending outwardly as shown in Fig. 6b. Thus formed product is fixed to an i,nsulator bocly 6 as shown in Fig. 6c. On the o-ther hand, two contaet forming materi,als 4 and 4' as s~hown in Fig. 7a are formed so as to have contacting portions of gro-ups of contacts 7 ex-tending outwardly as shown in Fig. 7b. These materials 4 and ~l1 are then fixed to an insulator bocly 8 as shown in Fig. 8. In this manner, a multi contact connector is obtained which comprises groups of contacts 5 and 7 as male ancl female contacts, respectively.
Therefore, the invention provides a con-tact group eomprising a great number of contae-ts not deformable) fine and inexpensive and arranged at high density and with high accuracy in an inexpensive manner, which could not be accomplished by con-tacts of the prior art made by pressing expensive beryllium-copper alloy or the like. By fixing -the contact groups onto insulating bloeks, connectors having less number oE
parts can 'be simply produced.
Aecording to the invention, thereEore, small-sized multi contact connectors can be produced with low cost, inasmueh as it is not req~1ired to take aecount of cleformations o~ contacts and manu:Eacturing accuracy or tolerance o:~ distance between ape-rtures :Eor mounting which are required in the pr:ior art including a grea-t number of contacts formed by pressing and inserted and 05 ~ixed into corresponding apertures -formed in insulating blocks.
Although the invention has been shown with the first and seconcl metal layers and the plastic layer, this is only by way of example, and any materials, shapes, th:icknesses and laminated numbers could be provided as necessary so long as the contact forming material comprises a concluctive ma-terial, a spring material and a plas-tic material. For example, it may comprise a first high conductive metal layer l, two metal layers 2a and 2b having a high springiness, and two plastic layers 3a and 3b interposed -therebetween as shown in Fig. 9a. As shown in Fig. 9b, moreover, a metal layer l having the conductivity may be formed by two metal layers la and lb, and between these metal layers is interposed a spring metal layer 2. Between these metal layers may be inserted plastic layers 3a and 3b having an insulating property or a conductivity to form laminated contact. In this manner, various changes can be made without departing -from the scope of the invention.
~ oreover, without providing the independent plastic layer, for example, a copper foil and a stainless steel foil may be join-ted by a heat-welding plastic adhesive which serves as the plastic layer 3. As an alternative, a s~ainless steel foil is coated on its one s~lrface with a plastic material which is in turn provided on its surface with a metal such as copper, 05 silver or the like by vapor deposition, ion plating or the like. In order to improve environment-resistance, wear-resistance, stability of elec-tric connection, weldability, solderability or the like, moreover, the first and/or second metal layer or its required partial and may be provided with a layer (not shown) by metal plating, chemical treatment such as oxidizing or coating with an oil, a paint or a coating agent.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodi-ments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the foregoing and other changes in ~orm and details can be made therein wi-thout departing ~rom the spirit and scope of the invention.
This invention relates to a material for for~ing electric contacts whlch are used in connectors, switches, relays or the like for electronic equipment and which are inexpensive and have high conductivity 05 and spring:iness which could not be achieved by nowadays widely used copper alloys such as phosphor bronze.
In these days, there is generally a -tendency for articles or goods substantially in all fields to become lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller to fulfil the requirements in the presen-t age in view of economy and saving of resources. In elec-tronic products, par-ticularly, manu~acturers endeavor to make srnall-sized and high-performance products. In order to fulfil the requirements, it is essential to realize -the minia-turiza-tion of parts including contacts such as connectors,switches and the like a great number of which are used in the electronic equipmen-t, thereby enabling these parts to be applied into the electronic appliances in highly compacted manner. However, it is almost impossible for the contacts rnade of presently widely ~Lsed copper alloys to realize -the miniaturization of the parts including the contacts to remarkable extents.
In more details, the contacts for use in connectors, switches and the like are required to have ~ .
; 6 ~ 2 high conductivity ancl springiness in their nature.
ITI gene:ral! however, metals l1aving the higher cond-uc-tivity are e~hibit the lower springiness, while metals having the higher springiness exhibit the lower cond-uctivity.
05 There has been no metal fulfiling the -two req-uirements, that is, the high conductivity and springiness simul-taneously.
Therefore, copper alloys such as phosphor bronze are generally usecl, which fulfil the above requirements to a certain extent with which al-though dissatisfied. ~lowever, even such a copper alloy which is generally recognized to be most suitable :Eor this purpose has only a much lower conductivity than that of pure copper and silver. In order to ob-tain contacts of high conductivity having the required springiness, therefore, sectional areas of the contacts should be made large to improve their conductivity, so -that the contacts unavoidably become large. Accordingly 3 the miniaturization of contacts would encounter a limitation due to these factors. ~oreover, copper alloys to be used as spring materials are generally not only very expensive but also very -troublesome in production processes, inasmuch as they need high accuracy heat trea-tment by precisely con-trolling temperature, time and atmosphere. Contac-ts made of swch alloys are naturally expensive.
In order to eliminate the above disadvantages, it has been attempted to joint or laminate a high ~ ~5 ~
springiness met~l an(l a hi~h conduct:iv:ity metal by pressure welding, electrolytic process or vapor deposition to obtain contacts having high conductivity an~ springiness. ~lowever, the contacts thus obtained 05 have the following disadvantages which are not adopted in practical use. For example, w:ith this method directly jointing the different metals, diffusion between them progresses step by step with the lapse of time to change compositions and conditions of the metals, so that the initial characteristics of the metals change so as to lower the performance of the contact. In case that a stainless steel is used as a spring material and is coated thereon with silver, copper or gold having high conductivity, oxide films on the stainless steel for preventing its rust should be removed in order to ensure the coating of the conductive metal. Therefore, the superior corrosion-resistance of the stainless steel is los-t to cause serious corrosion when p;in-holes, cracks or -the like occur in -the coating metal. In this case, electric potential of the stainless steel is quite different from that of the copper, silver or gold, so that there is a risk of electrochemically promoting the corrosion of the stainless. ~or example, moreover, the composite body consisting of the two different metals closely jointed sometimes encounters a difficulty in that upon variation in temperature the closely contacted metals tend to separate from each other so as to break due to thermal stresses resulting ~ ~5 ~
from ~he di~`ference in their coefficient of thermal e~pansion.
tt is therefore impossible for the contacts of the prior art to realize the miniaturization and low 05 cost of connectors or the like and to improve the performance of the existing con-nectors or the like.
Moreover, it is almost impossible to reali7e the miniaturiz~tion and low cost of electronic appliances by very cornpactly arranging therein the connectors or the like. It is therefore eagerly expected to realize contact fulfiling the above re~uirements.
It is a principal object of -the invention to provide an improved electric contact forming material which elim-inate all the disadvantages of the prior art.
In order to achieve this object, the electric contact forming material according to the invention comprises a first metal layer for providing a conduc-tivity, a second metal layer for providing a springiness and a plastic layer interposed between the irst and second metal layers to form a lamina-ted material.
In a preferred embodiment, the plastic layer has insula-ting property or conductivity.
In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second metal layers consists of at least two layers, between which a plastic layer is interposed.
Either one of the first and seconcl metal layers consists of two metal layers which are arranged on one side of the other of the first and second metal layers ~s~
or arrangecl one on each side of the other metal layer.
In a Eurther embodiment, at least one of the ~irst and second metal layers is at 1east partially provided with a coat:ing layer by metal plating, chemical 05 treatment or coating with an oil, a paint or a coating agent in order to improve environment-resistance, wear-resistance, stability of electric connection, weldability, solderability or -the :Like.
The invention will be more fully wnderstood by referring to the following detailed specification and claims taken in connection with the appended drawings.
Fig. l is a sectional view illustrating the principal constitution of the contact forming material according to the invention;
Fig. 2a is a perspective view of one strip cut from the contact forming material according to the invention;
Fig. 2b is a perspective view of the strip shown in Fig. 2a, which has ~een formed into a contac-t;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a contact forming material according to the invention;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a connector using contacts made from the material shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 illustrates various shapes of contac-ts (a~-(Q) formed from the material shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6a illustrates a contac-t forming material according to the inven-tion, -formed with a number of first metal layers by etching;
~5 ~
~ ig. 6b is a pers~pective view :illustrating the contact :forming material shown in Fig. 6a, which has been foldecl;
Fig. 6c is a perspective view of a male 05 connector including the folcled material shown in Fig. 6a;
Fig. 7a illus-trates two contac-t forming materials ~or forming a female connector;
Fig. 7b is a perspective view illustrating the material shown in Fig. 7a which is forrned so as to e~tending a contacting portion;
Fig. 7c is a perspective view illustrating male and female connectors made from the materials shown in Figs. 6a and 7a;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the connector consisting of the male and female connectors shown in Figs. 6c and 7;
Fig. 9a is a sectional view illws-~rating a fwrther embodiment of the material according to the invention including one metal layer consisting of two metal layers which are arranged on one side of the other metal layer; and Fig. 9b is a sectional view illwstrating a still further embodiment of the material according to the inven-tion inclwding one metal layer consisting of two metal layers which are arranged one on each side of the other metal layer.
Fig. 1 illwstrates in section one embodiment of a material for forming a con-tac-t according to the ~ 2~
invent:ion. This material. essentially comprises a first metaL l.ayer l having a desirecl cond~ctivity and a second ~etal layer 2 having a required springiness selected from the existing metals and a plastic layer 3 05 interposed therebetween for supporting the two laminated metal layers 1 and 2 one above the other. This composite material is produced in the following manner.
One metal havi.ng a required cond-uc-tivity for forming the first metal layer 1 is selected from a group of the existing metals such as copper, silver, gold, aluminium and the :Like and alloys of these metals.
Then, one metal having a required spring force fo:r forming the second metal layer 2 is selected from a group of the existing metals such as iron alloys as spring stainless steel, copper alloys as spring beryllium-copper alloy, a metal containing spring reinforcing agent such as whisker and the like, amorphous metal and the like. These metals are formed in pla-tes, strips or foils according to required current capacity, spring force, shapes of the con-tact to be made, manufacturing method and the like. ~etween the thus formed metals 1 and 2 is attached a plate or sheet like plastic material. 3 having a required thickness coated with -thermoplastic or heat bonding adhesive by heating and pressure welding or with the aid of a rubber adhesive or polymerization setting adhesive. ~he plastic material may be, for example, epoxy, polyester, polyimide, polyamide or polyolefin resin. As an alternative, on the plastic layer 3 n~ly be ~ormed the ~irst and second metal layers 1 and 2 by means of e'Lectropla-ting, chemicalplating, vapor deposition or spattering.
In th:is manner, the present invention takes a 05 step out of the prior art attempted to do inherently impossible matter, that is, to make a single 'body fulfil both the conductivity and springiness. According to the invention, there are provided the first metal layer :L taking charge of the conductivity and the second metal layer 2 taking charge of the springiness to effectively utilize the respective characteristics wi-thout compromising both the conductivity and springi-ness. ~ccordingly, for example, a contac-t forming material 4 in a strip shape produced according -to the invention as showing in Fig. 2a is cut and formed into a contact S as shown in Fig. 2b which is small-sized and inexpensive in comparison with those of the prior art made of the copper alloys under the same current capacity ancl con-tact pressure. The contacts 5 are -used for a connector as shown in Fig. 4. Moreover, for example, a contact forming material 4 in a plate shape produced according to the invention as shown in Fig. 3 may be cut ancl formed or punched into various shapes of contacts as shown in Fig. 5(a)-(Q).
Moreover, according to the invention 'between the first and second metal layers 1 and 2 is securely held by means of advanced adhesion teehnique the plastic layer 3 to which required insulating or conductive property .-lncl desi~ed pl.iabi:lity or Elexibility can be easi-Ly given in man-lfacture according to used conditions, thereby eliminating the disadvantages in two directly contacted metals oE the prior art. According to the 05 invention, therefore, there is no risk of damage of contacts clue to separation of metals because the pliability of the plastic material absorbs the strains due to difference in coe.Efi.cient of -thermal expansion of the two metals and due to difference in elongation caused by bending in forming and -using the contacts.
Moreover, the interposed plastic l.ayer 3 prevents -the change in composition of the metal layers due to dif:Eusion with the lapse of time whi.ch would occur in -two directly contacted metals of the prior art, thereby preventing the deterioration of the contacts. F-urthermore, if the plastic layer 3 having insulating property is ~sed, the two metal layers 1 and 2 are electrically insulated from each other to prevent a local cell or battery caused by the difference in electric potential between two metals, thereby preventing the disintegration due to electrochemical corrosion. ~n this manner, all the disadvantages of the prior art including two direct].y contacted metals are comple-tely eliminated.
The following significant advantages for constituting connectors can be accomplished by the contacts comprising the interposed plastic layers 3 according to the invention. For example, as shown in Fig. 6a, firs-t metal layers 1 of a contact forming ~2~
mater:ia1 ~1 in a plate shape accordi1lg to the invention is etched or t-reated by any other method to Eorm a half-~inishecl product inclwding groups of contacts 5 of desirecl size and number with desired intervals.
05 This obtained product is folded substantially along its center line and formed so as to ha-ve contacting portions extending outwardly as shown in Fig. 6b. Thus formed product is fixed to an i,nsulator bocly 6 as shown in Fig. 6c. On the o-ther hand, two contaet forming materi,als 4 and 4' as s~hown in Fig. 7a are formed so as to have contacting portions of gro-ups of contacts 7 ex-tending outwardly as shown in Fig. 7b. These materials 4 and ~l1 are then fixed to an insulator bocly 8 as shown in Fig. 8. In this manner, a multi contact connector is obtained which comprises groups of contacts 5 and 7 as male ancl female contacts, respectively.
Therefore, the invention provides a con-tact group eomprising a great number of contae-ts not deformable) fine and inexpensive and arranged at high density and with high accuracy in an inexpensive manner, which could not be accomplished by con-tacts of the prior art made by pressing expensive beryllium-copper alloy or the like. By fixing -the contact groups onto insulating bloeks, connectors having less number oE
parts can 'be simply produced.
Aecording to the invention, thereEore, small-sized multi contact connectors can be produced with low cost, inasmueh as it is not req~1ired to take aecount of cleformations o~ contacts and manu:Eacturing accuracy or tolerance o:~ distance between ape-rtures :Eor mounting which are required in the pr:ior art including a grea-t number of contacts formed by pressing and inserted and 05 ~ixed into corresponding apertures -formed in insulating blocks.
Although the invention has been shown with the first and seconcl metal layers and the plastic layer, this is only by way of example, and any materials, shapes, th:icknesses and laminated numbers could be provided as necessary so long as the contact forming material comprises a concluctive ma-terial, a spring material and a plas-tic material. For example, it may comprise a first high conductive metal layer l, two metal layers 2a and 2b having a high springiness, and two plastic layers 3a and 3b interposed -therebetween as shown in Fig. 9a. As shown in Fig. 9b, moreover, a metal layer l having the conductivity may be formed by two metal layers la and lb, and between these metal layers is interposed a spring metal layer 2. Between these metal layers may be inserted plastic layers 3a and 3b having an insulating property or a conductivity to form laminated contact. In this manner, various changes can be made without departing -from the scope of the invention.
~ oreover, without providing the independent plastic layer, for example, a copper foil and a stainless steel foil may be join-ted by a heat-welding plastic adhesive which serves as the plastic layer 3. As an alternative, a s~ainless steel foil is coated on its one s~lrface with a plastic material which is in turn provided on its surface with a metal such as copper, 05 silver or the like by vapor deposition, ion plating or the like. In order to improve environment-resistance, wear-resistance, stability of elec-tric connection, weldability, solderability or the like, moreover, the first and/or second metal layer or its required partial and may be provided with a layer (not shown) by metal plating, chemical treatment such as oxidizing or coating with an oil, a paint or a coating agent.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodi-ments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the foregoing and other changes in ~orm and details can be made therein wi-thout departing ~rom the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (7)
1. An electric contact forming material comprising a first metal layer for providing a conductivity, a second metal layer for providing a springiness and a plastic layer interposed between the first and second metal layers to form a laminated material.
2. An electric contact forming material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plastic layer has insulating property.
3. An electric contact forming material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plastic layer is conductive.
4. An electric contact forming material as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second metal layers consists of at least two layers, between which a plastic layer is interposed.
5. An electric contact forming material as set forth in claim 1, wherein either one of said first and second metal layers consists of two metal layers which are arranged on one side of the other of said first and second metal layers, between which two metal layers is interposed a plastic layer.
6. An electric contact forming material as set forth in claim 1, wherein either one of said first and second metal layers consists of two metal layers which are arranged one on each side of the other of said first and second metal layers.
7. An electric contact forming material as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second metal layers is at least partially provided with a coating layer for improving a property of the metal layer.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP13949984A JPS6119080A (en) | 1984-07-05 | 1984-07-05 | Electric contactor forming material |
| JP139499/84 | 1984-07-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1256924A true CA1256924A (en) | 1989-07-04 |
Family
ID=15246697
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000485551A Expired CA1256924A (en) | 1984-07-05 | 1985-06-27 | Material for electric contacts |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6119080A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1256924A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS61284075A (en) * | 1985-06-10 | 1986-12-15 | 第一電子工業株式会社 | Multilayer-structure electric connection terminal |
| JP4621147B2 (en) * | 2005-03-16 | 2011-01-26 | アルプス電気株式会社 | Contact and connection device using the contact |
| JP2011181194A (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-15 | Chichibu Fuji Co Ltd | Measuring terminal and method of manufacturing the same |
| US10868384B1 (en) * | 2019-06-07 | 2020-12-15 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | Self-insulating contacts for use in electrolytic environments |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5710181Y2 (en) * | 1977-07-19 | 1982-02-26 | ||
| DE2931642A1 (en) * | 1979-08-01 | 1981-02-05 | Siemens Ag | Joint sleeve for electrical cables - has inner sleeve of high electrical conductivity material and outer-sleeve of high mechanical strength |
-
1984
- 1984-07-05 JP JP13949984A patent/JPS6119080A/en active Granted
-
1985
- 1985-06-27 CA CA000485551A patent/CA1256924A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6119080A (en) | 1986-01-27 |
| JPH0361313B2 (en) | 1991-09-19 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |