EP0510808A2 - Press fit solder cup - Google Patents
Press fit solder cup Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0510808A2 EP0510808A2 EP92302442A EP92302442A EP0510808A2 EP 0510808 A2 EP0510808 A2 EP 0510808A2 EP 92302442 A EP92302442 A EP 92302442A EP 92302442 A EP92302442 A EP 92302442A EP 0510808 A2 EP0510808 A2 EP 0510808A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shank
- solder cup
- electrical connector
- recited
- solder
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Images
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
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
- H01R4/18—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping
- H01R4/20—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping using a crimping sleeve
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/02—Soldered or welded connections
Definitions
- This invention relates to providing solder cups on the shank of contacts for electrical connectors and in particular to providing a stamped and formed solder cup that is press fitted onto the shank of contacts for an electrical connector to reliably secure the solder cup thereto and make electrical engagement therebetween
- a known prior art contact disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,717,154 has a solder cup that is stamped and formed with the solder cup integral with the mating portion of the contact.
- prior art contacts include a solder cup that is machined then crimped onto the shank of a contact.
- This prior art solder cup was not only expensive to manufacture, but had to be individually crimped onto the shank of a contact. This additional manufacturing step further increased the cost of utilizing a machined solder cup.
- a solder cup adapted to be secured to the shank of a contact received in a connector has a generally cylindrical body sized to receive the shank of the contact therein.
- the body has at least one retention feature proximate a first end that defines an effective diameter within the shank that is less than the cross section measurement of a contact to be received therein.
- FIG. 1 An electrical connector 20 having contacts 22 with press fit solder cups 24, in accordance with the present invention, secured thereto is shown in Figure 1 in an offset cross sectional view.
- the illustrated connector is a subminiature D connector having one or more contacts 22 in the upper row of contacts 26 than in the lower row of contacts 28, and with the contacts 22 in the lower row 28 being spaced below and laterally between contacts in the upper row 26.
- the illustration in Figure 1 shows that the present invention can be used with either pin or receptacle contacts, although likely all contacts in a given connector housing would be of only one type.
- connector 20 is a shielded connector having a dielectric forward housing member 30 and a dielectric rear housing member 32 both molded of a suitable plastic material.
- Forward housing member 30 has a shroud portion 34 in the shape of a subminiature D extending forward to a mating face 36.
- Mating face 36 has a plurality of contact receiving apertures 38 extending therethrough which may have tapered lead-in surfaces 40 to receive terminals of a mating complementary connector (not shown).
- Contacts 22 have a forward mating portion 42, an intermediate shank 44 and a press fit solder cup 24 secured on shank 44.
- Contacts 22 may have filters 46 passed axially over shank 44.
- Filters 46 are typically soldered to shank 44 at solder fillet 48 to secure filter 46 mechanically thereto as well as to complete an electrical path between a contact 22 and a first portion 50 of filter 46.
- a second portion 52 of filter 46 is soldered to ground plate 54 at fillets 56.
- Fillets 56 mechanically secure filters 46 to ground plate 54 and provide an electrical path to ground. Filters 46 filter out high frequency, high voltage components in the signal being conducted over contacts 22 and pass these high frequency components to ground through ground plate 54.
- Forward housing member 30 is surrounded by forward shield member 58 having a portion shaped to surround shroud portion 34.
- a rear shield member 62 is secured to forward shield member 58, such as by clinch tabs 60, and extends rearward therefrom.
- Ground plate 54 engages the inner surface of rear shield member 62 at location 64 thereby being electrically commoned therewith, and through forward shield member 58 is connected to ground when a shielded complementary connector is mated with connector 20.
- Rear housing member 32 has apertures 66 in a rear wall 68 for receiving solder cups 24. Apertures 66 are provided with tapered lead-in surfaces 70 on the inner surface 72 of rear wall 68.
- Rear housing member 12 has a peripheral flange 74 at its forward end. Flange 74 has a forward surface 76 that engages ground plate 54. The rear surface 78 of forward housing member 10 engages ground plate 54 when rear surface 78 of flange 72 latches behind resilient latch members 80.
- Latch members 80 are formed by bending a sheared portion of rear shield member 62 inwardly.
- Figure 2 shows a stamped and formed press fit solder cup 24 in accordance with the present invention.
- Solder cup 24 is elongate, substantially cylindrical having an axial bore 90.
- a shank receiving first end 92 has a flared flange 94 adjacent to end surface 96 to assist in concentrically positioning shank 44 in bore 90 during assembly so as to avoid stubbing.
- a conductor receiving second end 98 has a scalloped upper region 100 extending along solder cup 24 from end surface 102 to facilitate receiving a conductor (not shown) for soldering in bore 90.
- stop tabs 106 At a midpoint along solder cup 24 between end surfaces 96 and 102 are inwardly extending stop tabs 106 extending into bore 90. Between stop tabs 106 and end surface 96 are inwardly extending retention features 108, also extending into bore 90. Retention features 108 retain solder cup 24 on shank 44 when pressed axially thereon, and assure electrical continuity therebetween. Outwardly extending protrusions 110 provide an anti-rotation feature to prevent solder cup 24 from rotating in the assembled electrical connector.
- Figure 3 shows a stamped blank 112 integral with carrier strip 114 which, when completely formed will become solder cup 24. While solder cups 24 are typically stamped and formed from a phosphor bronze, the invention is not limited thereto.
- Stop tabs 106 are defined by shear segments 116 which results in a sheared member 122 being sheared on three sides and secured to blank 112 along an edge.
- the free end of sheared member 122 is formed at bend 118 to be out of the plane of blank 112 in the direction, when blank 112 is completely formed, to extend into bore 90.
- Stop tabs 106 in press fit solder cup 24 extend into bore 90 to provide an effective stop diameter 120 that is less than the diameter of shank 44, as best seen in Figures 5, 9 and 13.
- Retention features 108 are defined by a shear segment 126 transverse to what will be the axis of press fit solder cup 24.
- Features 108 are formed to be out of the plane of blank 112 in the direction, when blank 112 is completely formed, from shear segment 126 to arcuate segment 128 such that at least a portion of the sheared surface 110 extends into bore 90.
- Retention features 108 extend into bore 90 to provide an effective retention diameter 132 that is less than the diameter of shank 44, as best seen in Figures 6, 7-9 and 11-13.
- Retention protrusions 110 are formed as dimples extending out the plane of blank 112 in the opposite direction to stop tabs 106 or retention features 108. In this manner, when press fit solder cup 24 is formed, the distal ends of protrusions 110, possibly along with other points on the exterior of press fit solder cup 24, provide an effective exterior diameter that is greater than the exterior diameter of solder cup 24 and greater than the diameter of the aperture 66 in which the solder cup is received.
- solder cups 24 are shown in Figure 4 on a carrier strip 114. Solder cups 24 may be stamped on or off the centerlines spacing of contacts 22 in connector 20, as spacing and materials requirements permit. During the assembly of connector 20, solder cups 24 are sheared from carrier strip 114, such as along dotted line 140.
- Figures 7-10 show a sequence of partial sectional views as press fit solder cup 24 is pressed axially onto the shank 44a of a receptacle contact 144.
- Shank 44a is axially aligned with bore 90.
- Shank 44a and solder cup 24 are moved toward, relatively, each other.
- Shank 44a has a taper contour 146 at its leading end 148 to facilitate being received in flange 94 and bore 90 without stubbing. Since retention features 108 are formed inwardly to an effective diameter that is less than the diameter of shank 44a, features 108 will engage along the tapered contour 146 to resist further movement of shank 44a into bore 90, as shown in Figure 7.
- shank 44a may compress slightly or cause solder cup 24 to open at the seam 118 slightly or both.
- Edges 150 of sheared surface 110 of retention features 108 are biased into engagement with shank 44a to secure solder cup 24 on shank 44a.
- Retention features 108 are formed inwardly into bore 90, tapering from the circumference of solder cup 24 to a smaller effective diameter from proximate end surface 96 toward end surface 102 and stop tabs 106. The edge 150 frictionally engages shank 44a and may bite into the exterior surface of shank 44a to retain solder cup 24 on shank 44a.
- FIG. 10 is a cross section view of a solder cup 24 on the shank 44a of a receptacle contact showing how shank 44a is substantially centered in bore 90 with seam 138 opened slightly and edges 150 engaging shank 44a to retain solder cup 24 on shank 44a and provide electrical engagement therewith.
- the retention feature used in the preferred embodiment provides a limited length along edge 150 that engages shank 44a multiple retention features enhance the retention of solder cup 24 on shank 44.
- Figures 11-13 show a sequence of partial sectional views as press fit solder cup 24 is pressed axially onto the shank 44b of a pin contact 154.
- a contact 22 in which the mating portion 42 is a pin, resulting in pin contact 154 is shown in the lower half of Figure 1.
- Pin contacts may be stamped but are more economically manufactured from drawn wire. Regardless of how they are manufactured, the shank 44b thereof is a solid member and thus functions slightly differently than the hollow stamped and formed shank 44a of receptacle contact 144.
- Shank 44b is axially aligned with bore 90. Shank 44b and solder cup 24 are moved toward each other, relatively.
- Shank 44b has a tapered contour 156 at its leading end 158 to facilitate being received in flange 94 and bore 90 without stubbing.
- Shank 44b has substantially the same outer diameter as does shank 44a. Since retention features 108 are formed inwardly to an effective diameter that is less than the diameter of 44b, features 108 will engage along tapered contour 156 to resist further movement of shank 44b into bore 90, as shown in Figure 11.
- solder cup 24 may open slightly at seam 138.
- Figure 14 is a cross section showing a solder cup on a shank 44b of a pin contact 154 wherein the shank is substantially centered in bore 90 with seam 138 opened slightly and edges 150 frictionally engaging shank 44b to retain solder cup 24 on shank 44b.
- Connector 20 is assembled by positioning a filter 46 on the shank 44 of each contact 22 and in respective apertures of ground plate 54 and soldered. This subassembly is inserted into the open back of forward housing member 30. Ground plate 54 is soldered to rear shield member 62 at solder fillets 86. Shield member 58 is positioned over housing member 30 and secured to shield member 60. At this stage of assembly, a number of solder cups 24 required for one of rows 26 or 28 of contacts 22 are grasped while still on carrier strip 114 thence sheared from carrier strip 114. This "row" of solder cups 24 are aligned with then simultaneously pressed onto the respective shanks 44, as described above, of the selected row of contacts already in the housing.
- solder cups required for the other row of contacts is subsequently grasped while still on carrier strip 114 thence sheared from carrier strip 114.
- This "row" of solder cups are rotated 180°, aligned with then simultaneously pressed onto the respective shank 44 of the contacts in the selected row of contacts already in housing member 30.
- Rear housing member 32 is then pressed over solder cups 24 with each solder cup end surface 102 first being received in a respective aperture.
- the peripheral flange of rear housing member 32 latches under latch members 80 to secure rear housing member 32 thereto.
- Each solder cup 24 passes into and partially through a respective aperture 66, with at least portion of second end 98 extending beyond rear face 68 of rear housing member 32 as shown in Figure 1.
- Flange 94 is received in tapered lead-in 70, prevents solder cup 24 from passing completely through apertures 66 and may engage the tapered lead-in surface to provide a centering effect. In this manner, conductors can be easily soldered thereon. When the conductor is soldered in a solder cup 24 the retention of solder cup 24 on shank 44 may be enhanced by the solder joint.
- Protrusion 110 typically pass beyond taper lead-in surfaces to provide an interference fit in the wall 160 forming aperture 66, as shown in Figure 15. This interference fit prevents solder cup 24 from rotating on shank 44 within aperture 66.
- solder cup can be used for the shank of both contacts having a hollow structure and a solid cross section.
- the solder cup was stamped and formed from .0085 inch (0.216 mm.) thick phosphor bronze to have a nominal inside diameter of .0575 inches (1.461 mm.).
- the nominal outside diameter of the contact shank was .040 inches (1.016 mm.).
- the retention features were formed inwardly to an effective diameter of .036 inches (0.914 mm.).
- protrusions 110 extended .003 inches (0.076 mm.) beyond the surrounding exterior surface of solder cup 24. This increased the effective diameter of the most distant points, such that when combined with the expansion of the solder cup upon receiving a shank therein, to assure an interference fit in aperture 66 having a nominal hole diameter of .070 inches (1.78 mm).
- Figure 16 shows a prior art solder cup 200 securable to a contact.
- solder cups 200 that were manufactured separately from the contacts were machined from brass or phosphor bronze material.
- Solder cups 200 had a substantially cylindrical exterior and substantially coaxial bore 202. A contact shank was received in the bore 202 of a first end 204 as far as restriction 206 would permit. Each solder cup 200 was crimped onto a contact to secure the solder cup thereto.
- a second end of the solder cup 200 when the contact was in a connector, extended rearward of the connector housing to receive and be soldered to a conductor.
- Aperture 208 permitted observing whether the conductor was sufficiently inserted into bore 202 as well as the solder joint.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to providing solder cups on the shank of contacts for electrical connectors and in particular to providing a stamped and formed solder cup that is press fitted onto the shank of contacts for an electrical connector to reliably secure the solder cup thereto and make electrical engagement therebetween
- A known prior art contact disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,717,154 has a solder cup that is stamped and formed with the solder cup integral with the mating portion of the contact.
- Other prior art contacts include a solder cup that is machined then crimped onto the shank of a contact. This prior art solder cup was not only expensive to manufacture, but had to be individually crimped onto the shank of a contact. This additional manufacturing step further increased the cost of utilizing a machined solder cup.
- A solder cup adapted to be secured to the shank of a contact received in a connector has a generally cylindrical body sized to receive the shank of the contact therein. The body has at least one retention feature proximate a first end that defines an effective diameter within the shank that is less than the cross section measurement of a contact to be received therein. Upon insertion of the shank of a contact into the bore of the solder cup, an interference fit is achieved between the shank and the solder cup to provide electrical engagement therebetween and to secure the solder cup on the shank.
- The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIGURE 1 is an offset side sectional view of a connector showing socket contacts in the upper row and pin contacts in the lower row, each having solder cups secured thereto in accordance with the present invention;
- FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the press fit solder cup in accordance with the present invention;
- FIGURE 3 is a blank of the solder cup during the stamping process;
- FIGURE 4 is a top view of two solder cups on a carrier strip;
- FIGURE 5 is a cross section through a solder cup showing the stop tabs;
- FIGURE 6 is a cross section through a solder cup showing the retention features;
- FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial cross section of a solder cup being pressed axially onto the shank of a socket contact at the point where the shank engages the retention features;
- FIGURE 8 is an enlarged partial cross section of a solder cup being pressed axially farther onto the shank of a socket contact then shown in Figure 7;
- FIGURE 9 is an enlarged partial cross section of the solder cup of Figure 7 pressed onto the shank of a socket contact to the point where the shank engages the stop features to precisely position the solder cup on the shank;
- FIGURE 10 is a cross section through the shank of a receptacle contact received in a solder cup, taken along the lines of 10-10 in Figure 9;
- FIGURE 11 is an enlarged partial cross section of a solder cup being pressed axially onto the shank of a pin contact at the point where the shank engages the retention features;
- FIGURE 12 is an enlarged partial cross section of a solder cup being pressed axially farther onto the shank of a pin contact then shown in Figure 7;
- FIGURE 13 is an enlarged partial cross section of the solder cup of Figure 7 pressed onto the shank of a pin contact to the point where the shank engages the stop features to precisely position the solder cup on the shank;
- FIGURE 14 is a cross section through the shank of a pin contact received in a solder cup, taken along the lines 14-14 in Figure 13;
- FIGURE 15 is a cross section through the rear housing member, taken along the lines 15-15 of Figure 1; and
- FIGURE 16 is a top view of a prior art solder cup.
- An
electrical connector 20 havingcontacts 22 with pressfit solder cups 24, in accordance with the present invention, secured thereto is shown in Figure 1 in an offset cross sectional view. The illustrated connector is a subminiature D connector having one ormore contacts 22 in the upper row ofcontacts 26 than in the lower row ofcontacts 28, and with thecontacts 22 in thelower row 28 being spaced below and laterally between contacts in theupper row 26. The illustration in Figure 1 shows that the present invention can be used with either pin or receptacle contacts, although likely all contacts in a given connector housing would be of only one type. - In the preferred embodiment,
connector 20 is a shielded connector having a dielectricforward housing member 30 and a dielectricrear housing member 32 both molded of a suitable plastic material.Forward housing member 30 has ashroud portion 34 in the shape of a subminiature D extending forward to amating face 36.Mating face 36 has a plurality ofcontact receiving apertures 38 extending therethrough which may have tapered lead-insurfaces 40 to receive terminals of a mating complementary connector (not shown).Contacts 22 have aforward mating portion 42, an intermediate shank 44 and a pressfit solder cup 24 secured on shank 44. -
Contacts 22 may havefilters 46 passed axially over shank 44.Filters 46 are typically soldered to shank 44 at solder fillet 48 to securefilter 46 mechanically thereto as well as to complete an electrical path between acontact 22 and afirst portion 50 offilter 46. - A
second portion 52 offilter 46 is soldered toground plate 54 atfillets 56.Fillets 56 mechanically securefilters 46 toground plate 54 and provide an electrical path to ground.Filters 46 filter out high frequency, high voltage components in the signal being conducted overcontacts 22 and pass these high frequency components to ground throughground plate 54. -
Forward housing member 30 is surrounded byforward shield member 58 having a portion shaped to surroundshroud portion 34. Arear shield member 62 is secured to forwardshield member 58, such as byclinch tabs 60, and extends rearward therefrom. -
Ground plate 54 engages the inner surface ofrear shield member 62 at location 64 thereby being electrically commoned therewith, and throughforward shield member 58 is connected to ground when a shielded complementary connector is mated withconnector 20. -
Rear housing member 32 hasapertures 66 in arear wall 68 for receivingsolder cups 24.Apertures 66 are provided with tapered lead-insurfaces 70 on theinner surface 72 ofrear wall 68. Rear housing member 12 has aperipheral flange 74 at its forward end. Flange 74 has aforward surface 76 that engagesground plate 54. Therear surface 78 offorward housing member 10 engagesground plate 54 whenrear surface 78 offlange 72 latches behindresilient latch members 80.Latch members 80 are formed by bending a sheared portion ofrear shield member 62 inwardly. - Figure 2 shows a stamped and formed press
fit solder cup 24 in accordance with the present invention.Solder cup 24 is elongate, substantially cylindrical having anaxial bore 90. A shank receivingfirst end 92 has a flaredflange 94 adjacent toend surface 96 to assist in concentrically positioning shank 44 inbore 90 during assembly so as to avoid stubbing. A conductor receivingsecond end 98 has a scallopedupper region 100 extending alongsolder cup 24 fromend surface 102 to facilitate receiving a conductor (not shown) for soldering inbore 90. - At a midpoint along
solder cup 24 betweenend surfaces stop tabs 106 extending intobore 90. Betweenstop tabs 106 andend surface 96 are inwardly extendingretention features 108, also extending intobore 90. Retention features 108 retainsolder cup 24 on shank 44 when pressed axially thereon, and assure electrical continuity therebetween. Outwardly extendingprotrusions 110 provide an anti-rotation feature to preventsolder cup 24 from rotating in the assembled electrical connector. - Figure 3 shows a stamped blank 112 integral with
carrier strip 114 which, when completely formed will becomesolder cup 24. Whilesolder cups 24 are typically stamped and formed from a phosphor bronze, the invention is not limited thereto. -
Stop tabs 106 are defined byshear segments 116 which results in asheared member 122 being sheared on three sides and secured to blank 112 along an edge. The free end ofsheared member 122 is formed atbend 118 to be out of the plane of blank 112 in the direction, when blank 112 is completely formed, to extend intobore 90.Stop tabs 106 in pressfit solder cup 24 extend intobore 90 to provide aneffective stop diameter 120 that is less than the diameter of shank 44, as best seen in Figures 5, 9 and 13. -
Retention features 108 are defined by ashear segment 126 transverse to what will be the axis of pressfit solder cup 24.Features 108 are formed to be out of the plane of blank 112 in the direction, when blank 112 is completely formed, fromshear segment 126 toarcuate segment 128 such that at least a portion of thesheared surface 110 extends intobore 90. Retention features 108 extend intobore 90 to provide aneffective retention diameter 132 that is less than the diameter of shank 44, as best seen in Figures 6, 7-9 and 11-13. -
Retention protrusions 110 are formed as dimples extending out the plane of blank 112 in the opposite direction to stoptabs 106 or retention features 108. In this manner, when pressfit solder cup 24 is formed, the distal ends ofprotrusions 110, possibly along with other points on the exterior of pressfit solder cup 24, provide an effective exterior diameter that is greater than the exterior diameter ofsolder cup 24 and greater than the diameter of theaperture 66 in which the solder cup is received. -
Side edges 136 of blank 112 whensolder cup 24 is formed, substantially touch each other definingseam 138. - Completely formed press fit solder cups 24 are shown in Figure 4 on a
carrier strip 114. Solder cups 24 may be stamped on or off the centerlines spacing ofcontacts 22 inconnector 20, as spacing and materials requirements permit. During the assembly ofconnector 20, solder cups 24 are sheared fromcarrier strip 114, such as along dottedline 140. - Figures 7-10 show a sequence of partial sectional views as press
fit solder cup 24 is pressed axially onto the shank 44a of areceptacle contact 144. Acontact 22 in which themating portion 42 is a receptacle, resulting inreceptacle contact 144, is shown in the upper half of Figure 1. Since themating portion 42 of thereceptacle contact 144 is stamped and formed, typically the shank 44a thereof is also stamped and formed. Thus, shank 44a is a hollow cylindrical shape. - To press
solder cup 24 onto shank 44a, shank 44a is axially aligned withbore 90. Shank 44a andsolder cup 24 are moved toward, relatively, each other. Shank 44a has ataper contour 146 at itsleading end 148 to facilitate being received inflange 94 and bore 90 without stubbing. Since retention features 108 are formed inwardly to an effective diameter that is less than the diameter of shank 44a, features 108 will engage along the taperedcontour 146 to resist further movement of shank 44a intobore 90, as shown in Figure 7. - Further movement of shank 44a into
bore 90 requires increased force and causes retention features 108 to resiliently deflect outwardly as shank 44 passes farther intobore 90. Concomitantly, shank 44a may compress slightly or causesolder cup 24 to open at theseam 118 slightly or both. - Insertion of shank 44a continues until leading
end 148 engages stoptabs 106 to properly positionsolder cup 24 on shank 44a to the proper location.Edges 150 of shearedsurface 110 of retention features 108 are biased into engagement with shank 44a to securesolder cup 24 on shank 44a. Retention features 108 are formed inwardly intobore 90, tapering from the circumference ofsolder cup 24 to a smaller effective diameter fromproximate end surface 96 towardend surface 102 and stoptabs 106. Theedge 150 frictionally engages shank 44a and may bite into the exterior surface of shank 44a to retainsolder cup 24 on shank 44a. - While a
single stop tab 106 and asingle retention feature 108 will suffice, it has been found that three stop tabs and three retention features substantially equally spaced around the periphery have a centering effect to substantially center shank 44a inbore 90. Figure 10 is a cross section view of asolder cup 24 on the shank 44a of a receptacle contact showing how shank 44a is substantially centered inbore 90 withseam 138 opened slightly and edges 150 engaging shank 44a to retainsolder cup 24 on shank 44a and provide electrical engagement therewith. Furthermore, depending on the shape that may be given to retention features, since the retention feature used in the preferred embodiment provides a limited length alongedge 150 that engages shank 44a multiple retention features enhance the retention ofsolder cup 24 on shank 44. - Figures 11-13 show a sequence of partial sectional views as press
fit solder cup 24 is pressed axially onto the shank 44b of apin contact 154. Acontact 22 in which themating portion 42 is a pin, resulting inpin contact 154 is shown in the lower half of Figure 1. Pin contacts may be stamped but are more economically manufactured from drawn wire. Regardless of how they are manufactured, the shank 44b thereof is a solid member and thus functions slightly differently than the hollow stamped and formed shank 44a ofreceptacle contact 144. Shank 44b is axially aligned withbore 90. Shank 44b andsolder cup 24 are moved toward each other, relatively. Shank 44b has a taperedcontour 156 at itsleading end 158 to facilitate being received inflange 94 and bore 90 without stubbing. Shank 44b has substantially the same outer diameter as does shank 44a. Since retention features 108 are formed inwardly to an effective diameter that is less than the diameter of 44b, features 108 will engage along taperedcontour 156 to resist further movement of shank 44b intobore 90, as shown in Figure 11. - Further movement of shank 44b into
bore 90 requires increased force and causes retention features 108 to resiliently deflect outwardly as shank 44b passes. Simultaneously,solder cup 24 may open slightly atseam 138. - Insertion of shank 44b continues until leading
end 158 engages at least onestop tab 106 to properly positionsolder cup 24 on shank 44b at the proper location.Distal edges 150 of retention features 108 are biased into engagement with shank 44b to securesolder cup 24 on shank 44b. Since retention features 108 are formed inwardly intobore 90, tapering from the circumference ofsolder cup 24 to a smaller effective diameter than the diameter 44b,edges 150 frictionally engage shank 44b and may bite into the exterior surface of shank 44b to retainsolder cup 24 on shank 44b. - Figure 14 is a cross section showing a solder cup on a shank 44b of a
pin contact 154 wherein the shank is substantially centered inbore 90 withseam 138 opened slightly andedges 150 frictionally engaging shank 44b to retainsolder cup 24 on shank 44b. -
Connector 20 is assembled by positioning afilter 46 on the shank 44 of eachcontact 22 and in respective apertures ofground plate 54 and soldered. This subassembly is inserted into the open back offorward housing member 30.Ground plate 54 is soldered torear shield member 62 atsolder fillets 86.Shield member 58 is positioned overhousing member 30 and secured to shieldmember 60. At this stage of assembly, a number of solder cups 24 required for one ofrows contacts 22 are grasped while still oncarrier strip 114 thence sheared fromcarrier strip 114. This "row" of solder cups 24 are aligned with then simultaneously pressed onto the respective shanks 44, as described above, of the selected row of contacts already in the housing. A number of solder cups required for the other row of contacts is subsequently grasped while still oncarrier strip 114 thence sheared fromcarrier strip 114. This "row" of solder cups are rotated 180°, aligned with then simultaneously pressed onto the respective shank 44 of the contacts in the selected row of contacts already inhousing member 30. -
Rear housing member 32 is then pressed over solder cups 24 with each soldercup end surface 102 first being received in a respective aperture. The peripheral flange ofrear housing member 32 latches underlatch members 80 to securerear housing member 32 thereto. - Each
solder cup 24 passes into and partially through arespective aperture 66, with at least portion ofsecond end 98 extending beyondrear face 68 ofrear housing member 32 as shown in Figure 1.Flange 94 is received in tapered lead-in 70, preventssolder cup 24 from passing completely throughapertures 66 and may engage the tapered lead-in surface to provide a centering effect. In this manner, conductors can be easily soldered thereon. When the conductor is soldered in asolder cup 24 the retention ofsolder cup 24 on shank 44 may be enhanced by the solder joint. -
Protrusion 110 typically pass beyond taper lead-in surfaces to provide an interference fit in thewall 160 formingaperture 66, as shown in Figure 15. This interference fit preventssolder cup 24 from rotating on shank 44 withinaperture 66. - It has been found that a single solder cup can be used for the shank of both contacts having a hollow structure and a solid cross section. The solder cup was stamped and formed from .0085 inch (0.216 mm.) thick phosphor bronze to have a nominal inside diameter of .0575 inches (1.461 mm.). The nominal outside diameter of the contact shank was .040 inches (1.016 mm.). The retention features were formed inwardly to an effective diameter of .036 inches (0.914 mm.). In a
preferred embodiment protrusions 110 extended .003 inches (0.076 mm.) beyond the surrounding exterior surface ofsolder cup 24. This increased the effective diameter of the most distant points, such that when combined with the expansion of the solder cup upon receiving a shank therein, to assure an interference fit inaperture 66 having a nominal hole diameter of .070 inches (1.78 mm). - Figure 16 shows a prior
art solder cup 200 securable to a contact. Typically the prior art solder cups 200 that were manufactured separately from the contacts were machined from brass or phosphor bronze material. Solder cups 200 had a substantially cylindrical exterior and substantiallycoaxial bore 202. A contact shank was received in thebore 202 of afirst end 204 as far asrestriction 206 would permit. Eachsolder cup 200 was crimped onto a contact to secure the solder cup thereto. - A second end of the
solder cup 200, when the contact was in a connector, extended rearward of the connector housing to receive and be soldered to a conductor.Aperture 208 permitted observing whether the conductor was sufficiently inserted intobore 202 as well as the solder joint.
Claims (10)
- An electrical connector (20) including a housing (30,32) having at least one contact (22) secured in said housing, said contact (22) having a mating section (42) and a shank (44) extending therefrom to a distal end and a solder cup (24) secured to said shank (44) at said distal end, said solder cup (24) having a generally hollow body defining a bore (90) sized to receive the shank (44), characterized in that the solder cup (24) is a press fit solder cup, the body of the solder cup having at least one inwardly directed resilient retention feature (108), said at least one inwardly directed retention feature (108) extending into said bore (90) and engaging the shank (44) to secure the solder cup on the shank.
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that the engagement between the retention feature (108) and the shank (44) is an interference fit.
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said at least one inwardly directed retention feature (108) comprises three equiangularly spaced retention features (108).
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 1,2 or 3,wherein the body is further characterized by a seam (138) along the length thereof, said seam adapted to open slightly when the solder cup is received on the shank of a contact.
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 1,2, 3 or 4, further characterized by at least one inwardly directed stop member (106) extending into said bore (90), said stop member (106) positioned along said body to define the insertion depth of the shank (44) within the bore (90).
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that said at least one inwardly directed stop member (106) comprises three equidistantly spaced stop members (106).
- An electrical connector (20)as recited in any one of the preceding claims,further characterized in that said housing (30,32) has a rear wall (68) with at least one aperture (66) therein to receive a respective one of the at least one contact (22), said at least one aperture (66) defining an aperture wall.
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one aperture (66) further comprise a tapered lead-in (70) proximate an inner surface of said rear wall (68).
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 8, further characterized in that a first end (92) of the solder cup (24) received on the shank (44) is flared forming a flange (94), said flange (94) being larger than said at least one aperture (66) in size, said flange (94) received in said tapered lead-in (70), whereby the flange prevents the solder cup from passing through said at least one aperture.
- An electrical connector (20) as recited in claim 8, further characterized in that the solder cup (24) further comprises at least one outwardly directed anti-rotation protrusion (110), said protrusion (110) engaging the aperture wall to prevent rotation of the solder cup (24) in said at least one aperture (66).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US67701291A | 1991-03-28 | 1991-03-28 | |
US677012 | 1991-03-28 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0510808A2 true EP0510808A2 (en) | 1992-10-28 |
EP0510808A3 EP0510808A3 (en) | 1993-06-16 |
EP0510808B1 EP0510808B1 (en) | 1996-08-14 |
Family
ID=24716950
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92302442A Expired - Lifetime EP0510808B1 (en) | 1991-03-28 | 1992-03-20 | Press fit solder cup |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0510808B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH05129041A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69212691T2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4024616A1 (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2022-07-06 | Turck Inc. | Electrical contact, system and method for manufacturing an electrical contact |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102130384A (en) * | 2010-10-26 | 2011-07-20 | 苏州瀚德光伏科技有限公司 | Conductor with U-shaped welded junction |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1465686A1 (en) * | 1964-10-17 | 1969-04-17 | Harting Elektro W | Contact socket for electrical plug connections |
FR2498827A1 (en) * | 1981-01-26 | 1982-07-30 | Bendix Corp | Four-piece female connector for wire terminations - has slotted one piece inner sheath to allow radial deformation at both ends |
US4717354A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1988-01-05 | Amp Incorporated | Solder cup connector |
-
1992
- 1992-03-20 EP EP92302442A patent/EP0510808B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-03-20 DE DE69212691T patent/DE69212691T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-03-27 JP JP4100227A patent/JPH05129041A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1465686A1 (en) * | 1964-10-17 | 1969-04-17 | Harting Elektro W | Contact socket for electrical plug connections |
FR2498827A1 (en) * | 1981-01-26 | 1982-07-30 | Bendix Corp | Four-piece female connector for wire terminations - has slotted one piece inner sheath to allow radial deformation at both ends |
US4717354A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1988-01-05 | Amp Incorporated | Solder cup connector |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4024616A1 (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2022-07-06 | Turck Inc. | Electrical contact, system and method for manufacturing an electrical contact |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0510808A3 (en) | 1993-06-16 |
DE69212691D1 (en) | 1996-09-19 |
JPH05129041A (en) | 1993-05-25 |
DE69212691T2 (en) | 1997-03-13 |
EP0510808B1 (en) | 1996-08-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4453796A (en) | Coaxial connector plug | |
US4412717A (en) | Coaxial connector plug | |
EP0001701B1 (en) | Electrical connector for terminating coaxial cable | |
US4362350A (en) | Contact retention assembly | |
US5322453A (en) | RF connector jack and plug assembly | |
EP0626104B1 (en) | Power port terminal | |
US5021010A (en) | Soldered connector for a shielded coaxial cable | |
EP0294419B1 (en) | Low profile press fit connector | |
EP1791226B1 (en) | Ground shield for coaxial cable connector | |
US5362244A (en) | Socket having resilient locking tabs | |
US4690481A (en) | Coaxial coupling | |
US3966292A (en) | Phonojack with grounding tab clamping means | |
US4749373A (en) | Crimp snap retention system | |
EP0562652B1 (en) | Electrical terminal | |
JPH07192819A (en) | Coaxial connector | |
US4461530A (en) | Socket contact for electrical connectors and method of manufacture | |
EP0027393A1 (en) | Electrical contact assembly and method of making same | |
US5061207A (en) | Connector for a shielded coaxial cable | |
EP0568927A1 (en) | Electrical socket terminal | |
EP0510808B1 (en) | Press fit solder cup | |
US5199911A (en) | Press fit solder cup | |
EP0305729A2 (en) | Connector for printed circuit board | |
US4270825A (en) | Electrical connector assembly | |
EP1063732A1 (en) | Press pin ground | |
US5691251A (en) | Connector kit, and connector assembly |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): DE GB NL |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): DE GB NL |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19931206 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19950324 |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE GB NL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19960814 |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69212691 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19960919 |
|
NLV1 | Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19990330 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20010103 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20010202 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020320 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20020320 |