EP0308068B1 - Système de contact à faible usure - Google Patents

Système de contact à faible usure Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0308068B1
EP0308068B1 EP19880307553 EP88307553A EP0308068B1 EP 0308068 B1 EP0308068 B1 EP 0308068B1 EP 19880307553 EP19880307553 EP 19880307553 EP 88307553 A EP88307553 A EP 88307553A EP 0308068 B1 EP0308068 B1 EP 0308068B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pin portion
electrical terminal
contact
terminal
wing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19880307553
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0308068A1 (fr
Inventor
Hermanus Petrus Johannes Gilissen
Lucas Soes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0308068A1 publication Critical patent/EP0308068A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0308068B1 publication Critical patent/EP0308068B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
    • H01R13/11—Resilient sockets

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical contact system comprising an electrical terminal and a pin portion which is matable therewith, and which allows for many insertions and withdrawals of the pin portion relative to the electrical terminal.
  • the electrical contact system is configured such that as the pin portion is inserted and withdrawn relative to the electrical terminal, only minimal wear occurs on the surfaces of the contact areas of the pin portion and the electrical terminal.
  • US-A-3 836 947 and US-A-4 030 804 are representative of what is available in the market place today. Both of these documents relate to a system in which the male terminal is plugged into the female terminal. As the insertion occurs, the contact section of the female terminal engages the contact surface of the male terminal. This results in the contact sections of the male terminal being slidably engaged with the contact section of the female terminal. This sliding engagement of the surfaces of the contact sections results in wear of the surfaces of the contact sections. This wear also results during withdrawal of the male terminal from the female terminal. As the insertion and withdrawal are repeated many times, the wear on the surfaces of the contact sections become significant, which could result in the contacts not being placed in electrical engagement as insertion occurs.
  • the present invention consists in an electrical terminal and a pin portion, as defined in claim 1.
  • DE-A-31 10 609 discloses an electrical terminal and a pin portion according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Figures 1 through 3 show an electrical connection system which has a male terminal 2 and a female terminal 4.
  • the system allows for many insertions and withdrawals of female terminal 4 from male terminal 2 with only minimal wear occurring at contact sections 6, 8 of terminals 2, 4 respectively.
  • Male terminal 2 has a cylindrical configuration, as shown in Figures 1 through 3. Proximate a top end 10 of male terminal 2 is a recessed section 12. Recessed section 12 has a rectangular cross section as viewed from top end 10. Opposed side surfaces 13 of recessed section 10 defines contact section 6 of male terminal 2. A bottom end (not shown) of terminal 2 is placed in electrical engagement with a circuit board or the like in a manner well known in the industry.
  • Female terminal 4 is stamped and formed from a piece of sheet metal having the desired resilient and electrical characteristics.
  • Female terminal 4 has a base plate 14 and two resilient arms 16, 18.
  • a support portion 20 of base plate 14 extends from one resilient arm 16 to the other resilient arm 18, thereby providing the support necessary to maintain resilient arms 16, 18 in position.
  • a curved portion 22 of base plate 14 extends from support portion 20 outwardly.
  • a mating portion 24 is provided at the end of curved portion 22 which is opposite support portion 20. Mating portion 24 is provided to allow a mating connector or the like to be placed in electrical engagement with female terminal 4.
  • resilient arms 16, 18 Positioned on either side of support portion 20 of base plate 14 and integrally attached thereto, are resilient arms 16, 18.
  • Resilient arms 16, 18 extend in a plane which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of support portion 20 of base plate 14.
  • Resilient arms 16, 18 also extend from support portion 20 in the opposite direction as does mating portion 24.
  • resilient arms 16, 18 are not parallel to each other. Free ends 26 of resilient arms 16, 18 are positioned closer to each other than the ends of resilient arms 16, 18 which are integrally attached to support portion 20.
  • Resilient arms 16, 18 have wide sections which are positioned proximate to support portion 20 of base plate 14.
  • Narrow contact sections 30 are provided on resilient arms 16, 18 proximate free ends 26 thereof.
  • Gradual transition sections 32 are provided between wide sections 28 and narrow contact sections 30.
  • Slots 34 are provided in wide sections 28, proximate mating portion 24. Slots 34 are provided to cooperate with a mating connector (not shown). The mating connector is inserted onto mating portion 24 and maintained in position by the frictional engagement of the mating connector with surfaces of slots 34. It should be noted that the other mating connectors may be attached to mating portion 24 in any number of different ways.
  • Wing members 36 extend from narrow contact sections 30, in the opposite direction as wide sections 28. Wing members 36 are wider than narrow contact sections 30, and extend at an angle from narrow contact sections 30. This angle allows wing members 36 to act as a lead in surface when female terminal 4 is inserted onto male terminal 2, as will be discussed. It should be noted that wing members 36 are wider than recessed section 12 of male terminal 2.
  • Each narrow contact section 30 has a first major surface 38 and a second major surface 40.
  • Resilient arms 16, 18 of a respective female terminal 4 has first major surface 38 of narrow contact sections 30 facing each other.
  • Plating is performed on first major surface 38 of each narrow contact section 30, the plating providing the enhanced electrical characteristics required to insure a reliable electrical connection.
  • These plated first major surfaces 38 define contact sections 8 of female terminals 4.
  • FIGS 1 through 3 The operation of the connector system is shown in Figures 1 through 3.
  • female terminal 4 is positioned proximate male terminal 2, such that narrow contact sections 30 of female terminal 4 are essentially in alignment with recessed section 12 of male terminal 2.
  • a force is then applied to female terminal 4, causing female terminal 4 to engage male terminal 2.
  • wing members 36 of female terminal 4 engage the outside circumference of male terminal 2. Consequently, as wing members 36 are wider than recessed section 12, wing members 36 do not engage side surfaces 13 of recessed section 12 as insertion of female terminal 4 onto male terminal 2 occurs.
  • wing members 36 are slid past the surface of male terminal 2.
  • the resilient nature of resilient arms 16, 18 forces wing members 36 to spring back toward their original position, as shown in Figure 3.
  • the resilient nature of resilient arms 16, 18 insures that first major surfaces 38 of narrow contact sections 30 are positioned in electrical engagement with side surfaces 13 of recessed section 12 of male terminal 2.
  • Wing members 36 are positioned proximate recessed section 12, but do not engage any surface of male terminal 2. Therefore, narrow contact section 30 and the surfaces of recessed section 12 are placed in electrical engagement.
  • the cooperation of wing members 36 with the outside surface of male terminal 2 allows female terminal 4 to be easily inserted onto male terminal 2. However, even more important is the fact that nothing slidably engages narrow contact surfaces 38 or the surfaces of recessed section 12. As these are the only plated surfaces, this lack of engagement prevents wear to the plated areas, allowing reliable use of this system over many cycles.
  • connection system which is capable of withstanding 10,000 insertions/withdrawals without the need for a thick layer of very costly plating material.
  • Figures 4 through 6 show another form of male terminal.
  • the configuration of female terminal 104 is essentially the same as the female terminal 4 described above. However, when viewed from above, male terminal 102 has a square shape rather than a round shape, as was previously described.
  • the insertion of female terminal 104 onto male terminal 102 is essentially identical to the operation described above.
  • the reference numerals used in Figures 4 through 6 are identical to those used in the previous description, with the exception that one hundred has been added to each numeral.
  • Figure 7 shows a male and a female terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the connection system has a male terminal 202 and a female terminal 204.
  • the overall operation is very similar to that previously described. However, differences are present.
  • Female terminal 204 is essentially identical to female terminal 4 described previously. However, wing members 236 extend from narrow contact portion 230 in a different direction to wing member 36. As shown in Figure 7, wing members 236 also extend inward, toward each other, rather than away from each other. Resilient arms 216,218 have the same configuration as was previously described, except that resilient arms 216,218 are essentially parallel to each other.
  • Male terminal 202 has many differences to male terminal 2 previously described.
  • Male terminal 202 of this embodiment has a right angle provided therein.
  • Contact surfaces 213 are provided proximate an end 215 of male terminal 202.
  • Contact surfaces 213 are not of reduced width, but rather are positioned below a cavity 212 positioned in a top surface 210 of male terminal 202.
  • wing engagement surfaces 217 Positioned between cavity 212 and end 215 are wing engagement surfaces 217.
  • Wing engagement surfaces 217 have lead in surfaces 219 provided at the end thereof.
  • female terminal 204 is positioned proximate male terminal 202, as shown in Figure 7.
  • a force is applied to female terminal 204, causing wing members 236 to engage lead in surfaces 219 of wing engagement surfaces 217.
  • wings slide along the surfaces of wing engagement surface causing wing members 236 and resilient arms 216, 218 to open.
  • the insertion and removal process of the terminals insures that only a very small amount of sliding motion occurs in the contact areas of the terminals.
  • the lack of sliding motion across the contact areas significantly reduces the amount of wear in these areas.
  • Low wear allows thin layers of plating to be used in the contact areas, even if many insertions and removals are planned for the terminals. This is a significant cost savings, as current terminals have a large portion of the cost associated with the thick plating layers which must be used in order to insure a positive electrical connection in the high wear contact areas.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) pouvant être accouplée avec elle, la borne électrique (204) ayant une plaque de base de laquelle partent des éléments élastiques (216, 218), chaque élément élastique (216, 218) ayant une première surface principale et une seconde surface principale qui lui est opposée, les éléments élastiques (216, 218) ayant des extrémités fixes adjacentes à la plaque de base et des extrémités libres qui possèdent des sections de contact (230) située à proximité, les sections de contact (230) coopérant avec la partie à broche complémentaire (202), la borne électrique (204) étant caractérisée en ce que :
       des moyens à ailes (236) sont prévus aux extrémités libres des éléments élastiques (216, 218), à proximité immédiate des sections de contact (230), les moyens à ailes (236) s'étendant depuis les sections de contact (230) en formant un angle, la hauteur des moyens à ailes (236) étant supérieure à la hauteur des sections de contact (230) ; et en ce que la partie à broche complémentaire (202) est d'une largeur sensiblement uniforme, la partie à broche (202) ayant des surfaces avant (217) d'engagement des ailes alignées avec lesdits moyens à ailes (236) pour ouvrir lesdits bras de contact (216, 218), ladite partie à broche (202) présentant une cavité (212) en arrière desdites surfaces d'engagement des ailes et décalée transversalement de ladite section de contact (230), profilée pour recevoir lesdits moyens à ailes (236) déplaçant lesdites sections de contact (230) jusqu'en engagement de conduction avec des surfaces de contact (213) sur ladite partie à broche (202) ; la borne électrique (204) pouvant être accouplée avec la partie à broche (202), les moyens à ailes (236) coopérant avec la partie à broche (202) pour empêcher un contact entre les sections de contact (230) de la borne (204) et les surfaces de contact (213) de la partie à broche (202) jusqu'à ce que les moyens à ailes (236) se soient déplacés au-delà des surfaces (217) d'engagement des ailes.
  2. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 1, caractérisées en ce que deux éléments élastiques (216, 218) sont prévus dans chaque borne électrique (204).
  3. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 2, caractérisées en ce que les premières surfaces principales des éléments élastiques (216, 218) d'une borne respective (204) sont positionnées de façon à se faire face.
  4. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 2, caractérisées en ce que les éléments élastiques (216, 218) sont essentiellement perpendiculaires au plan de l'élément de base (20).
  5. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 1, caractérisées en ce que les sections de contact (230) ont une- métallisation sur leur première surface principale, la métallisation étant prévue pour améliorer les caractéristiques électriques de la borne (204).
  6. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 1, caractérisées en ce que les sections de contact (230) des bras élastiques (216, 218) sont plus rapprochées l'une de l'autre que les extrémités fixes des bras élastiques.
  7. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 6, caractérisées en ce que chacun des moyens à ailes (236) s'étend depuis la section de contact (230) dans une direction s'éloignant du bras élastique opposé (216, 218), permettant ainsi aux moyens à ailes (236) d'agir en tant que surface d'entrée lorsque la borne électrique (204) est insérée sur la borne électrique complémentaire (202).
  8. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 1, caractérisées en ce que les bras élastiques (216, 218) sont essentiellement parallèles entre eux.
  9. Borne électrique (204) et partie à broche (202) selon la revendication 8, caractérisées en ce que chacun des moyens à ailes (236) s'étend depuis la section de contact (230) dans une direction orientée vers le bras élastique opposé (216, 218), permettant ainsi aux moyens à ailes (236) de coopérer avec une surface d'entrée (219) de la partie à broche complémentaire (202) pendant que la borne électrique (204) est insérée sur la partie à broche complémentaire (202).
EP19880307553 1987-09-14 1988-08-15 Système de contact à faible usure Expired - Lifetime EP0308068B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB878721575A GB8721575D0 (en) 1987-09-14 1987-09-14 Low wear contact system
GB8721575 1987-09-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0308068A1 EP0308068A1 (fr) 1989-03-22
EP0308068B1 true EP0308068B1 (fr) 1995-11-02

Family

ID=10623744

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880307553 Expired - Lifetime EP0308068B1 (fr) 1987-09-14 1988-08-15 Système de contact à faible usure

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0308068B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3854638T2 (fr)
GB (1) GB8721575D0 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6083024A (en) * 1997-04-25 2000-07-04 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector assembly with reduced wear and mating forces

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT236068Y1 (it) * 1997-06-13 2000-07-26 Framatome Connectors Italia Terminale elettrico
US6000975A (en) * 1997-12-12 1999-12-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Canted beam electrical contact and receptacle housing therefor
DE29805021U1 (de) * 1998-03-19 1999-07-29 Siemens AG, 80333 München Kontaktfeder für eine steckbare Kontaktiereinrichtung
DE202016106423U1 (de) * 2016-11-16 2018-02-19 Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG Steckverbindung aus Kontaktstift- und Kontaktbuchse, Kontaktstift Kombination aus Stiftleiste und Buchsenleiste
JP7117485B2 (ja) * 2018-04-27 2022-08-15 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 コネクタ

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3110609A1 (de) * 1981-03-18 1982-10-07 Siemens Ag Mechanisch-elektrische steckverbindung
DE8207036U1 (de) * 1982-03-12 1984-02-16 Ramel, Elisabeth, 8190 Wolfratshausen Elektrischer Steckverbinder

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6083024A (en) * 1997-04-25 2000-07-04 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector assembly with reduced wear and mating forces

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8721575D0 (en) 1987-10-21
DE3854638T2 (de) 1996-06-20
DE3854638D1 (de) 1995-12-07
EP0308068A1 (fr) 1989-03-22

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