EP0710406B1

EP0710406B1 - Reverse din connector assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0710406B1
Application number: EP94903313A
Authority: EP
Inventors: In-Sun Song
Original assignee: FCI SA; Framatome Connectors International SAS
Current assignee: FCI SA
Priority date: 1992-11-30
Filing date: 1993-11-29
Publication date: 2003-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-29
Also published as: EP0710406A1; KR950001463Y1; EP0710406A4; DE69332806D1; DE69332806T2; KR940013700U

Abstract

A pin connector assembly with an earth for electronic switching apparatus comprises a female connector member (B) and a male connector member (A), an improvement comprising a contact member (1) having a bolt (12), L-shaped earth pin (20) extending parallel to the bolt (12), a pair of contact tongues extending in the same plane of the head of the bolt and extending perpendicularly from both sides at which the L-shaped earth pin is positioned but oppositely to the insertion direction of the bolt; and a coupling means (C) provided with a bolt (6) and an earth bar (4) coaxially extending with the bolt through a large diameter portion (5) formed at the border with the bolt.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pin connector assembly, and particularly, to a pin connector assembly with a ground member for electronic switching apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional pin connector assemblies used for communication systems, including electronic switching apparatus, can only provide an electronic connection between terminals of related systems.
Connector assemblies are usually manufactured in accordance with the German Industry Standard, DIN. One typical type of pin connector assembly for electronic switching apparatus is a 96 pin reverse DIN type connector assembly. This conventional type of connector assembly is used only for switching electric signals.
Since such a connector assembly itself has neither a ground function nor a power supply function, ground and power supplies are not provided in a sequential manner, but rather are provided in a simultaneous manner when a female member is connected to a male member. This often results in frequent malfunctions of the system or other related sensitive electronic elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improve structure of a pin connector assembly which fulfils requirements of the purchasers.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pin connector assembly which is provided with both earth and power supply functions, protection from static electricity, as well as switching of electronic signals.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pin connector assembly which can simplify the design of printed circuit boards.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a pin connector which can electrically stabilize the operation of telecommunication systems such as electronic switching apparatus and transmission apparatus.
GB-A-2187603 describes a two-part electrical coupling with male and female connectors connected to respective circuit boards. The connectors have matable electrical contacts as well as additional conductive elements associated with means for securing the connectors to the circuit boards. The conductive elements make additional electrical connection for earthing or for supply of power to the circuit boards.
US-A-5022863 describes an apparatus for establishing electrical connection between a printed circuit board inserted into a channel of a guide and a module rail.
According to the invention there is provided a pin connector assembly comprising a female connector member and a male connector member, both connector members being provided with a hole through which a bolt for connecting a respective circuit board is insertable, a contact member associated with one of the members, the contact member having one of the bolts, an L-shaped earth pin one leg of which extends substantially parallel to said bolt and a pair of spaced-apart contact tongues integral with the earth pin, the tongues being composed of an electrically conductive material and extending generally perpendicular to the bolt and the leg of the earth pin and coupling means associated with the other of the members, the coupling means providing the other bolt, an earth bar coaxially extending with said other bolt and a large diameter portion between the bolt and the earth bar, the arrangement being such that when the bolts are inserted in the holes to connect the circuit boards with the connector member the leg of the pin establishes earthing electrical connection with the circuit board associated therewith and the earth bar of the coupling means is grasped by the tongues to establish earthing connection between the boards.
Other preferred features of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described herein below in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a pin connector assembly of the present invention; and
Fig. 2 shows the assembled pin connector assembly; and
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a prior art pin connector assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a prior art reverse DIN type pin connector assembly comprising a female connector member AA and male connector member BB. The connector member AA is provided at the top with a supporting member having a hole through which a mounting bolt can be inserted for mounting the connector member AA to a circuit board. The connector member BB is also provided at the top with a supporting member with a hole for mounting the connector member BB to a circuit board. These types of conventional pin connectors are mounted to circuit boards without providing earth and power supply functions, nor preventing the occurrence of static electricity.
A pin connector assembly in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 1. The pin connector assembly comprises a female connector member A, a male connector member B, and a coupling means C.
A portion of the structure of the connector members A and B are similar to that of the prior art connector member AA and BB mentioned above. However, the connector assembly of the invention is different from the prior art connector in their mounting arrangement to printed circuit boards. Particularly, the female connector member A of the assembly of the invention has a thin flange 15 and a wall 16 extending from the upper end of the flange 15 in parallel with a longitudinal end 17 of the female member A. The flange 15 is provided with a stopping groove 18 which prevents a contact member 1 described hereinbelow from rotating.
In order to ensure proper engagement to the circuit board, the contact member 1 is provided with an L-shaped earth pin 20, one leg of which extends substantially parallel with a bolt 12 for engaging the pin with the circuit board. The head of the bolt 12 is seated on another leg of the earth pin 20. The contact member 1 is also provided with two contact tongues. The contact tongues are integral with the earth pin 20 and made of an electrically conductive material. Each of the two contact tongues include base ends 21 which respectively extend in pair from the upper and lower sides of the earth pin 20 at a portion adjacent to its bent point and perpendicular with respect to the head of the bolt 12. The contact tongues also include stems 23 which extend from the base ends 21 to the opposite ends 22, where the distance between the two tongues is gradually decreased toward the ends 22, such that an earth bar 4 can be elastically grasped by the two tongues at the ends 22. The distance between the two ends 21 must be suitable for the insertion of the tongues into the space defined between the longitudinal end 17 and the wall 16.
The coupling means C comprises an earth bar 4, a large diameter portion 5, and a bolt 6, which are coaxially disposed. The bolt 6 cooperates with a nut 14 and a washer 13 through a hole formed in the printed circuit board in order to combine the male member B with the printed circuit board. The earth bar 4 and the bolt 6 are each made of an electrically conductive material.
Thus, the bolt 6 provides connection among respective grounds formed in the printed circuit boards. By this configuration, ground connection and power supply connection are made before the male connector member A and the female connector member B of the pin connector are coupled. Since the pins of the connector members are coupled after ground connection and power supply connection, electrical shock is prevented and the whole system can be protected. This connecting method is called the "First Make, Last Break (FMLB) Method." The connection of the male connector member and the female connector member is shown in Fig. 2.
Since the configuration of the male connector member B is the same as that of the conventional ones, its detailed description is omitted here.
As described hereinbefore, the pin connector assembly of this invention provides improved power supply and grounding and prevents static electricity through the FMLB method. By sequential connection of power, ground and electric signal, the stability of the whole system can be maintained.
In addition to the above specific embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed by a person who has ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the following claims.

Claims

A pin connector assembly comprising a female connector member (A) and a male connector member (B), both connector members being provided with a hole through which a bolt (6, 12) for connecting a respective circuit board is insertable, a contact member (1) associated with one of the members (A, B), the contact member (1) having one of the bolts (12), an L-shaped earth pin (20) one leg of which extends substantially parallel to said bolt (12) and a pair of spaced-apart contact tongues (21, 22, 23) integral with the earth pin (20), the tongues being composed of an electrically conductive material and extending generally perpendicular to the bolt (12) and the leg of the earth pin (20); and coupling means (C) associated with the other of the members (B, A), the coupling means (C) providing the other bolt (6), an earth bar (4) coaxially extending with said other bolt (6) and a large diameter portion (5) between the bolt (6) and the earth bar (4), the arrangement being such that when the bolts (12, 6) are inserted in the holes to connect the circuit boards with the connector member, the leg of the pin (20) establishes earthing electrical connection with the circuit board associated therewith and the earth bar (4) of the coupling means (C) is grasped by the tongues to establish earthing connection between the boards.
A pin connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the contact member (1) is associated with the female connector member (A) and the coupling means (C) is associated with the male connector member (B), the bolt (12) of the contact member (1) has a head joined to the other leg of the earth pin, each of said contact tongues has a base end (21), an opposite end (22) and a stem (23) between the ends, the base ends of the tongues extending from upper and lower sides of a junction between the legs of said L-shaped earth pin (20) and said tongues converging inwardly from the base ends to the opposite ends and towards the male connector (B).
A pin connector assembly of claim 2, wherein said female connector member (A) is provided with a wall (16) extending from an upper end of a flange (15) in parallel with a longitudinal end (17) of said female connector member and the coupling means and the contact member extend within the wall (16).