EP0717468A2 - Zuerst Polkontakte zuletzt Erdkontakt unterbrechender Steckverbinder - Google Patents

Zuerst Polkontakte zuletzt Erdkontakt unterbrechender Steckverbinder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0717468A2
EP0717468A2 EP95308237A EP95308237A EP0717468A2 EP 0717468 A2 EP0717468 A2 EP 0717468A2 EP 95308237 A EP95308237 A EP 95308237A EP 95308237 A EP95308237 A EP 95308237A EP 0717468 A2 EP0717468 A2 EP 0717468A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
blade
contacts
housing
receptacle
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
Application number
EP95308237A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0717468A3 (de
EP0717468B1 (de
Inventor
Randoph Lee Buchter
William Edward Veith
Timothy Lee Kocher
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.)
Whitaker LLC
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
Priority claimed from US08/356,620 external-priority patent/US5582519A/en
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0717468A2 publication Critical patent/EP0717468A2/de
Publication of EP0717468A3 publication Critical patent/EP0717468A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0717468B1 publication Critical patent/EP0717468B1/de
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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
    • H01R12/724—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits containing contact members forming a right angle
    • 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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/652—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding   with earth pin, blade or socket
    • 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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6581—Shield structure
    • H01R13/6585—Shielding material individually surrounding or interposed between mutually spaced contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/55—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals
    • H01R12/58—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals terminals for insertion into holes
    • H01R12/585—Terminals having a press fit or a compliant portion and a shank passing through a hole in the printed circuit board
    • 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
    • H01R13/113—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section
    • 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
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/405—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
    • H01R13/41—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting by frictional grip in grommet, panel or base

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to make-first-break-last ground connections and relates in particular to a pair of mating ground contacts for this purpose, an electrical connector assembly and an electrical blade contact.
  • the invention is further directed to contacts having features for securely positioning the contacts within a housing passageway and to contacts that are self-polarizing.
  • an electrical connector assembly comprising mating electrical connectors and having a power or signal circuit and a ground circuit
  • the ground circuit should be made before the power or signal circuit when the connectors are mated and that when the connectors are unmated the power or signal circuit should be broken before the ground circuit.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,116,230 teaches that a make-first-break-last facility may be provided by making ground pins of a pin header longer than signal pins of the header so that the ground pins engage ground contacts of a mating connector, before the signal pins engage signal contacts thereof.
  • French Patent No. 1,374,648 discloses a receptacle contact for receiving a contact blade.
  • the receptacle contact comprises a rearward base from which extend forwardly, first and second contact springs having bowed the contact surfaces for engaging opposite faces of the blade.
  • the first contact spring is in the form of a cantilever arm, the second contact spring comprising a pair of spring arms extending from the base, one on either side of the first contact spring.
  • the spring arms of the second contact spring are connected at their ends by a strap.
  • the contact surfaces of the second contact spring are formed on the spring arms thereof and so are divided by a slot defined by the spring arms of the second contact spring.
  • the slot is substantially narrower than the contact blade throughout its length.
  • Right angle electrical connectors are often used in the electronic industry to connect daughter cards to mother boards or the like.
  • the daughter card connectors are mounted along the edge of a board such that the mating portion of the connector housing extends outwardly from and also partially below the board. This arrangement is often used when components are to be added to both sides of the daughter card.
  • Some of the electrical connectors or modules used in such interconnections may carry power and/or signal circuits and a ground circuit. Power and ground circuits in particular may be carried by flat blade like contacts, which are stamped from strips of metal.
  • the power as well as signal contacts used in the connectors be ones that can be press-fit into through-holes of a board thereby avoiding the extra steps needed for soldering the connections.
  • the power contact connector or module be one that provides a plurality of current paths to the mating interface as well as to the traces on the circuit board.
  • Polarization features can include for example, molding asymmetrical posts on the bottom of a connector housing, inserting one or more specialized contacts at selected locations in a connector housing or using a separate metal or plastic member disposed in the housing.
  • An object of the invention is to provide improved economy in the manufacture of electrical ground contacts for a make-first-break-last grounding connection in the electrical connector assembly having ground and power or signal contacts.
  • a pair of mating electrical ground contacts comprises a blade contact having a rearward blade support for retention in a first insulating housing, a contact blade projecting forwardly from the blade support and a tab which is substantially narrower than the contact blade projecting forwardly from a forward edge of the contact blade.
  • the pair of ground contacts further comprises a receptacle contact having a rearward base for retention in a second insulating housing, and first and second contact springs projecting forwardly from the base.
  • the first contact spring has a first transverse contact surface, the second contact spring having a transverse contact surface which is substantially wider than the tab.
  • the contact surfaces of the contact springs cooperate to apply contact forces initially to the tab and then to the contact blade as the ground contacts are being mated.
  • the second contact spring defines a rearward opening for receiving the tab.
  • the contact blade of the blade contact need not, where the ground contacts are used in a make-first-break-last connector assembly, be any longer than, and is preferably of the same length as, power or signal contact blades of the assembly. Since the tab is substantially narrower than the contact blade of the ground blade contact, there is afforded economy of metal in the manufacture of the ground blade contact. At the same time, where the contact blades of the power or signal blade contacts, are of the same effective length as the ground contact blade of the ground blade contact, all of the contact blades can engage their receptacles substantially simultaneously in order to handle the full current load.
  • the first contact spring of the receptacle contact is substantially narrower than the contact surface of the second contact spring
  • the first contact spring can, in manufacture, be economically struck out from the stock which is used to form the second contact spring, at the same time leaving the second contact spring with a wide and continuous contact surface supported from the base of the receptacle contact by a pair of spring arms one on each side of the first contact spring and providing said rearward opening for receiving the tab.
  • all the contacts of the connector assembly can conveniently be identical excepting that the contact blade of the ground blade contact is provided with the tab, whereas the remaining contact blades are not.
  • one of the other contact blades also may be provided with a tab that is shorter in length than the tab on the ground blade contact, thereby establishing a make-first, make-second, and a make-last arrangement.
  • an electrical connector assembly comprises mating electrical connectors having a ground blade contact for mating with a ground receptacle contact and current transmitting blade contacts, that is to say power or signal contacts, for mating with respective current transmitting receptacle contacts.
  • the ground blade contact has a contact blade with a projecting tab which is narrower than the contact blade, for engaging with the ground receptacle contact before the contact blade engages with the ground receptacle contact.
  • Each current transmitting blade contact has a contact blade for engaging with the respective current transmitting receptacle contact as the contact blade of the ground blade contact engages with the ground receptacle contact which has an opening for receiving the tab as the contact blades are being mated with the receptacle contacts.
  • the connector assembly can thus handle a full current load.
  • each contact blade may be formed, according to another aspect of the invention, with elongate, parallel raised areas extending towards the forward edge of the contact blade and terminating back therefrom.
  • the raised areas project in opposite directions from the plane of the contact blade for engaging opposed contact surfaces of the mating receptacle contact as the contact blade is inserted therebetween.
  • the thickness of the metal stock from which the blade contact is made need not be determined by the extent of the minimum gap between the contact surfaces of the receptacle contact, which is dictated in practice by forming and plating requirements. Also, the elongate raised areas serve to wipe any fouling, or metal oxide which may be present on the contact surfaces.
  • the present invention is directed to a right angle electrical connector having a housing with a mating face adapted to mate with a complementary connector, an assembly face adapted to receive at least one electrical contact therein and a third face adapted for establishing electrical connection with a circuit board or complementary electrical article; and an electrical contact disposed in a contact-receiving passageway and having a first connecting portion exposed to the mating face for electrical engagement with the complementary connector and a second connecting portion extending from the third face of the housing and outwardly therefrom for electrical connection to the electrical article.
  • the assembly face of the housing is opposed from the mating face thereof and the third face is at right angles to the mating face.
  • the contact-receiving passageway further includes a contact-receiving slot open to the third face and to the assembly face.
  • the second connecting portion of the contact is at right angles to the first connecting portion.
  • the contact also includes a retention section remote from and opposite to the second connecting portion and associated with a cooperable housing portion.
  • the cooperable housing portion is opposite from the third face and defines a channel extending forwardly from the assembly face toward the mating face.
  • the channel is adapted to receive the contact retention section thereinto when the contact is received in the assembly face of the housing.
  • the contact retention section includes a barb at the leading end thereof receivable in the forward portion of the channel and is dimensioned to create an interference fit such that the contact resists rearward movement after full assembly into the housing.
  • the contact retention section further includes an outwardly extending lance or alternatively an embossment, which is received in a cooperable portion of the housing channel to stabilize the contact against the opposite side wall of the passageway thereby stabilizing the contact in the housing.
  • the body of the contact includes an embossment which extends outwardly from the surface of the intermediate contact body in the same direction as lance. The embossment assures that the contact body is positioned in the contact-receiving passageway against the sidewall proximate the mating face end of the passageway. By holding the contact securely against the sidewall of the contact-receiving passageway, alignment of the first connecting portion of the contact at the mating face is assured. Furthermore, the use of an embossment on the body allows the width of the passageway to be greater than the thickness of the contact thereby permitting the first connecting portion to move freely through the passageway thus avoiding damage to any plating thereon.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates manufacturing and assembly of the connectors by providing a power or ground contact that is can be press-fit into through-holes of a board thereby avoiding the need to solder the terminal leads.
  • the contacts and connector of the present invention further provide a plurality of contact paths to the mating interface and to the circuit board traces.
  • the connector assembly of the present invention in addition allows the mating blade to overhang the circuit board while securely positioning the contact in the housing.
  • the present invention is also directed to an electrical contact that is self-polarizing.
  • the electrical contact includes a body portion having first and second connection sections at opposite ends thereof and at least three legs extending from a common end of the body portion all together comprising one of the first and second connecting sections of the contact.
  • the first of the at least three legs is spaced from the second leg a selected first distance and the second leg is spaced from the third leg a selected second distance, the first distance being different from the second.
  • the at least three legs are adapted to be received in respective through-holes of a circuit board in a polarized arrangement.
  • the invention is further directed to a connector assembly including a housing having at least one electrical contact disposed therein that includes the polarized arrangement defined above.
  • the housing may further include additional self-polarizing contacts or a variety of other contacts.
  • the self-polarizing electrical contact is particularly suitable for use with power and ground contacts which typically have a plurality of contact tails.
  • the contact of the present invention further is cost effective to manufacture and eliminates the need for other polarizing features for a connector to be mounted to a circuit board.
  • An electrical connector assembly in the form of an electrical power module 2 comprises a blade connector 4 and a receptacle connector 6.
  • the blade connector 4 comprises an insulating housing 8 having a body 10 and a shroud 12 projecting forwardly from a mating face 14 of the body 10.
  • the body 10 defines a central, contact receiving cavity 16.
  • the body 10 has two outer, contact receiving cavities 17, which are indicated in broken lines in Figure 1, one cavity 17 being disposed on each side of the cavity 16. Since the cavities 16 and 17 are identical, only the cavity 16 will be described here.
  • the cavity 16 has a rearward, contact receiving, open side 18 and a laterally open side 20 adjacent thereto.
  • the body 10 has an end wall 22 opposite to the open side 20 and opposite side walls 24 adjacent to the side 20.
  • the cavity 16 has opposite side walls 25, only one of which is shown ( Figures 7 and 8). There projects rearwardly, from a forward rudimentary wall 27 of the body 10, rearwardly into the cavity 16, a contact retention rib 26. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the shroud 12 projects rightwardly (as seen in Figures 7 and 8), beyond the open side 20 of the cavity 16 to define, in cooperation with the body 10, a recess 29.
  • Each cavity 16 and 17 opens forwardly into an internal cavity 28 of the shroud 12.
  • the shroud 12 has opposite side walls 30 and opposite side walls 32, having respective guide chamfers 34 and 36 at their forward ends.
  • a substantially uniplanar ground blade contact 38 which is best seen in Figure 5, is secured in the central cavity 16.
  • the blade contact 38 best seen in Figure 5, comprises a rearward blade support plate 40 and a forwardly projecting contact blade 42 connected to the blade 40 by a transition neck 44.
  • the plate 40 has a rectilinear rear edge 46, from which extends at right angles thereto, a lateral edge 48. There extend normally, from a lateral edge 50 of the plate 40, opposite to the edge 48, compliant contact tails 52.
  • the plate 40 has a latching tongue 54 proximate to the edge 48 and the transition neck 44 has a retention boss 56 projecting in the same direction as the tongue 54.
  • the contact blade 42 has a tab 64 projecting forwardly from the forward edge 66 of the blade 42.
  • the width of the tab 64 is approximately one third of the overall width of the blade 42.
  • the ground blade contact 38 was inserted through the open side 18 of the cavity 16 with the tab 64 leading, so that the boss 56 pressed against the proximate side wall 25, the latching tongue 54 engaging a shoulder (not shown) of the side wall 25 and the barb 62 biting into the retention rib 26, the blade contact 38 being thereby secured in the cavity 16 with the contact tails 52 projecting from the open side 20 of the cavity 16 into the recess 29 and the contact blade 42 projecting forwardly into a cavity 28 of the shroud 12.
  • the connector 4 further comprises a pair of power blade contacts 68, one of which is shown in Figure 6. Those parts of the contact 68 which are identical with corresponding parts of the contact 38 bear the same reference numerals as in the contact 38.
  • Each contact 68 differs from the contact 38 in that the contact blade 70 of the contact 68 is devoid of the tab 64, having a rectilinear forward edge 71.
  • Each power blade contact 68 is retained in a respective one of the cavities 17 in the same manner and in the same orientation as the ground blade contact 38 is retained and oriented in its cavity 16.
  • the contact blades 70 project forwardly into the cavity 28 of the shroud 12 and the contact tails 52 of each contact 68 project from the housing body 10 in parallel relationship with the contact tails of the ground contact 38.
  • the connector 4 is mounted to the edge of a first circuit board CB1 such that board CB 1 is positioned in the recess 29 with the contact tails 52 of the ground contact 38 extending through plated holes in the board CB1 and electrically connected to a ground conductor or ground conductors (not shown) thereon by means of a compliant portion, solder or other means as known in the art.
  • the contact tails 52 of the power contacts 68 extending through further plated through holes in the board CB1 and electrically connected to power conductors thereon.
  • the receptacle connector 6 comprises an insulating housing 72 for mating reception to the shroud 12 of the connector 4.
  • the housing 72 has a mating face 74, a contact receiving face 76 opposite thereto, opposite side walls 78 and opposite end walls 80.
  • the housing 72 defines a central contact receiving cavity 82 and a lateral contact receiving cavity 84 on each side thereof.
  • Each cavity 82 and 84 opens at its forward end into a contact blade guide slot 86 in the mating face 74, and opens at its rear end into the contact receiving face 76.
  • the central cavity 82 is separated from cavities 84 by partitions 88.
  • each end wall 80 has a vertical slot 98 extending between the faces 74 and 76 and a chamfered outer edge 100 proximate to the face 76.
  • each contact 96 comprises a rearward elongate base 102 having at each end thereof a retention boss 104. There depend from the rear edge of the base 102 compliant contact tails 106 identical with the contact tails 52 of the contacts 38 and 68. There upstands from the forward edge of the base 102, a contact spring 108 having an inwardly bowed, smoothly arcuate, transverse contact surface 110 surmounting a forwardly extending spring arm 112.
  • the contact surface 110 is of substantially the same width as the tab 64.
  • a further contact spring 114 comprises a pair of spring arms 116 each extending from the forward edge of the base 102, on opposite sides of the contact spring 108 and being joined at their forward ends by a strap 118 having an inwardly bowed, smoothly arcuate, transverse contact surface 120, spaced slightly forwardly of the contact surface 110.
  • the contact surface 120 is of substantially the same width as the contact blade 42.
  • Each spring arm 116 has a bent portion 122 proximate to the base 102 laterally offsetting the arm 116 from the contact spring 108, whereby an opening 124 is provided near the base 102, between the contact springs 108 and 114.
  • Contact springs 108 and 114 converge slightly in the forward direction.
  • Each contact 96 is inserted into its cavity in the housing 72 by way of the contact receiving face 76, with the end portions of the base 102 received in the rear end portions of the slots 98, and the bosses 104 engaged against the slot walls.
  • the contact 96 is thereby temporarily retained in position in their cavities while the contact tails 106 are inserted through plated through holes in a second circuit board CB2 and are electrically connected to respective conductors (not shown) thereon.
  • the contact tails of the receptacle contact in the cavity 82 are electrically connected to a ground conductor or ground conductors on the board CB2, while the contact tails of the contacts 92 in the cavities 84 are electrically connected to respective power conductors in the board CB2.
  • each blade 42 and 70 is aligned with contact surfaces 110 and 120 of a respective receptacle contact 96.
  • the forward edge 71 of each blade 70 then enters the guide slot 86 of a respective cavity 84 and the forward edge 66 of the blade 42 enters the guide slot 86 of the cavity 82.
  • the tab 64 which projects forwardly from the edge 66 of the blade 62 engages between both of the contact surfaces 110 and 120 of the ground receptacle contact 96 in the central cavity 82 of the housing 72.
  • the ground circuit of the power module 2 is therefore made before the power circuit thereof, since the blades 70 are, at this time, spaced from the power contacts 96.
  • each of the blades 42 and 70 passes between the contact surfaces 110 and 120 of a respective contact 96, whereby the power circuit of the module 2 is also made.
  • the tab 64 then lies between spring arms 112 and 116 of the ground contact 96 in the cavity 82.
  • the connector 4 is retracted between the positions of Figures 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively.
  • the blade 42 by way of its tab 64, enters between the contact surfaces 110 and 120 of the contact 96 in the cavity 82 after the blades 70 have been retracted from the contacts 96 in the cavities 84.
  • the ground circuit of the module 2 remains made, until after the power circuit of the module has been broken.
  • the contact blades disengage from their receptacle contacts substantially simultaneously the power module no longer has its full current load.
  • the spring arms 112 and 116 of the contacts 96 are cammed resiliently apart as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
  • the blade insertion forces are, however, reduced because the contact surfaces 110 and 120 are offset from each other in the mating direction.
  • the contacts in the cavities 84 need not be identical with the contact 96 in the cavity 82, but may be conventional contacts of the tulip type, for example. In the interest of manufacturing, inventory keeping, and convenience, however, all of the receptacle contacts are preferably identical.
  • the connectors 4 and 6 may have a greater number of power and ground contacts and in other arrangements than those described above, and furthermore may be used other than as a power module, the current transmitting contacts being signal contacts instead of power contacts, for example.
  • the contacts 38, 68 and 96 are stamped from sheet metal stock by means of progressive die stamping and forming operations and at least their contact surfaces will usually be plated, for example, with gold or tin, in accordance with the field of use of the contacts.
  • the contact springs 108 and 114 must be spaced by a certain minimum gap in the interest of forming and plating requirements.
  • the blade must be of a maximum thickness which is compatible with said gap. Nevertheless, in the interest of economy of metal, the thickness of the metal stock from which the blade contacts are stamped, is preferably less than said maximum thickness.
  • a blade contact 38' shown in Figures 9 to 14 differs from the blade contact 38, described above, in that the part of the blade 42' which passes between the contact surfaces 110 and 120 of the receptacle contact 96 is formed with elongate, laterally aligned raised areas 140, 142 and 144 which extend longitudinally of the blade 42' all to the same extent, and which are evenly spaced laterally of the blade 42'. Each raised area terminates back from the forward edge 66 of the contact blade 42'.
  • the raised areas 140 and 144 project from the plane of the blade 42' in the opposite sense to the raised area 142 which is located between the areas 140 and 144.
  • Figures 9 and 12 show the receptacle contact 96 before the tab 64 is inserted between the contact springs 108 and 114, with the contact surfaces 110 and 120 thereof defining said minimum gap.
  • Figures 10 and 13 show the tab 64 inserted between the contact surfaces 110 and 120, the contact springs 108 and 114 being thereby resiliently deflected to produce a moderate normal contact force between the tab 64 and the contact surfaces 110 and 120.
  • the raised areas 140, 142 and 144 engage the contact surfaces 110 and 120 to produce a greater resilient deflection of the contact springs 108 and 114 thereby providing a substantially higher normal contact force between the tab 64' and the contact surfaces 110 and 120.
  • the raised areas 140 and 144 wipe the contact surface 120 near the ends of the strap, in line with spring beams 114. and the raised area 142 wipes the contact surface 110.
  • the raised areas 140, 142 and 144 are sufficiently elongate in the mating direction to provide effective wiping of the contact surfaces 110 and 120 to remove any fouling or metal oxide, as the case may be, from the contact surfaces. Similar raised areas are preferably also provided on the contact blades 70 of the blade contacts 68.
  • the blade contact 38' also differs from the blade contact 38 in that its support plate 40 is formed with a retention rib 146 instead of with the latching tongue 54.
  • Figure 15 illustrates an arrangement of blade connectors 4 and signal receptacles 5 mounted to daughter board CB3 and a complementary arrangement of receptacle connectors 6 and headers 7 mounted to mother board CB4.
  • the arrangements also show guide modules 90,92, which aid in aligning the modules as the respective connectors 4,5 on daughter board CB3 are mated with the complementary connectors 6,7 on mother board CB4.
  • Figure 15 also illustrates that housing 8 of blade connector 4 extends beyond the housing 9 of receptacles 5 and that the housing 72 of connector 6 is shorter that housing 73 of header 7.
  • the leading edge of housing 8 is beveled at 34 to minimize stubbing of housing 8 with the corner 75 of housing 73 as the respective connectors are mated.
  • each connector could be provided with both blade contacts and receptacle contacts.
  • the housing 8 has a mating face 14 adapted to mate with a complementary electrical connector such as connector 6 shown in Figure 23, an assembly face 15 adapted to receive at least one electrical contact 38 therein and a third face 23 adapted for establishing electrical connection with a complementary electrical article such as circuit board 90 shown in Figure 23.
  • the assembly face 15 is opposed from the mating face 14 and the third face 23 is at right angles to the mating face 14.
  • Housing 8 includes at least one contact-receiving passageway 16 extending from the assembly face 15 to the mating face 14.
  • the passageway 16 further has a contact-receiving slot 20 open to the third face 23 and to the assembly face 15 as best seen in Figure 20.
  • Electrical contact 38 as best seen in Figures 16, 18 and 19, includes a first connecting portion 42 exposed at the mating face 14 for an electrical engagement with complementary connector, a second connecting portion 52 being at right angles to the first connecting portion 42 and adapted for electrical connection to an electrical article and an intermediate body portion 35.
  • first connecting portion 42 is a blade and the second connecting portion 52 is a plurality of compliant tails, which can be press fit into respective through-holes of a circuit board.
  • the compliant section of the contact tails may be of the ACTION PIN design available from AMP Incorporated, which can be press fit into position. It is to be understood that other press-fit or compliant tail designs may also be used as well as solder tails, if so desired.
  • intermediate body portion 35 includes an embossment 56 which is used to position contact 38 against sidewall 37 within contact-receiving passageway 16 proximate the mating face end of the passageway 16.
  • embossment 56 By holding the contact 38 securely against the sidewall 37 of the contact-receiving passageway 16, alignment of the first connecting portion 42 of the contact 38 at the mating face 14 is assured.
  • embossment 56 on the body portion 35 allows the width of the passageway 16 to be greater than the thickness of the contact 38 thereby permitting the first connecting portion 42 to move freely through the passageway 16 during connector assembly, thus avoiding damage to any plating thereon.
  • Connector 38 further includes a retention section or arm 53 remote from and opposite the second connecting portion 42 and associated with a cooperable housing portion 33 when the contact 38 is assembled into passageway 16 via the assembly face 15.
  • Cooperable housing portion 33 is opposite from the third face 23 and includes a respective contact-retention channel 16a in communication with a corresponding one of the contact-receiving passageways 16.
  • the contact retention channels 16a extend forwardly into housing 8 from the assembly face 15 toward the mating face 14 and ending rearwardly thereof.
  • Each retention channel 16a has a width corresponding generally to the thickness of the contact 38 so that channel 16a is adapted to receive a retention section 53 of contact 38.
  • the retention channel 16a of the housing further includes a shorter contact positioning channel 21 at the rearward end 40 thereof extending from the assembly face 15 toward the mating face 14 and into an adjacent sidewall 37 of contact-receiving passageway 16.
  • Channel 21 is adapted to receive a cooperable portion of contact 38 as more fully explained below.
  • the contact retention section 53 of contact 38 has a barb 62 at the leading end 58 thereof which is receivable in the forward end 16b of the housing channel 16a, the barb 62 being dimensioned to create an interference fit with the forward channel end 16b when the contact 38 is assembled into the housing 8.
  • the barb 62 causes the contact 38 to resist rearward movement after full assembly of the contact 38 into the contact-receiving passageway 16.
  • the first connecting portion shown here as a blade 42, which is wider that the rearward portion of the housing 8, is received into and passes through slot 20 and enters the forward housing portion or shroud 12.
  • the second connecting portion 52 shown in this example as four compliant contact sections or tails, is received in the respective slot 20 as the contact is moved forward into the housing.
  • the retention section 53 enters the channel 16a until the contact stop surface 60 engages housing stop surface 31 within the housing 8.
  • the leading end 58 of retention section 53 is disposed in forward channel section 16b and embossment 56 holds the contact body 35 against sidewall 37.
  • the retention barb 62 engages the interior portion of slot portion 16b to secure the contact 38 in the contact-receiving 16 and resist rearward movement of the contact 38 from the housing 8.
  • retention section 53 of the contact 38 further includes an outwardly directed lance 54, which extends outwardly in the same direction as embossment 56 and is received in contact-positioning channel portion 21.
  • the contact-positioning channel 21 is adapted to receive the outwardly extending lance 54 of the contact 38 and as shown in Figures 20, 21 and 22.
  • the lance 21 and embossment 56 assure that the planar surface of contact 38 is held securely against inner wall 37 of passageway 16 thereby securely positioning contact 38 within passageway 16 and preventing contact 38 from moving sideways in passageway 16, thus keeping the first connecting portion 42 in alignment for mating with complementary contacts 96 in complementary connector 6, as seen in Figure 23.
  • contact 38 is retained and positioned within the respective contact-receiving passageway 16 and is substantially "hung” or suspended from contact-retention channel 16a by the retention portion 53 with the second connecting portion 52, with the plurality of contact tails extending outwardly of the housing 8 through the slot 20.
  • Figure 20 shows the assembly face of a connector adapted to receive three contacts of the type 38, one of contact-receiving passageways 16 having a contact 38 disposed therein.
  • Figures 21 and 22 are sectional views illustrating channel 16a, and contact-positioning channel 21 and the positions of the contact-retention section 58 in channel 16a and lance 54 in contact-positioning channel 21. These figures further show one contact 38 forced against the sidewall 37 of contact-receiving passageway 16 to stabilize the position of the contact 38 within the housing 8.
  • Figure 23 is a sectional view of connector 4 and one contact 38 secured in housing 8 with the four contact tails of second connecting portion 52 engaged in and respective through holes 92 of circuit board 90.
  • the forward portion of housing 8 defines a shroud 12 for receiving the mating connector 6, a portion of the shroud 12 extending beyond and below the circuit board 90.
  • Mating connector 6 is mounted to circuit board 250 via a plurality of contact tails.
  • Figure 24 is an alternative embodiment 438 of the contact made in accordance with the invention in which the second connecting portion 452 is a tabular like member which is received into contact-receiving slot 20 upon assembly to the housing 8.
  • Contact 438 includes an embossment 56 on the contact body 35, and a barb 462 and an outwardly directed embossment 454 on the retention section, which are received in the housing passageway 16 and channel 16a in the same manner as embossment 56 and barb 62 and lance 54 respectively, and help to stabilize first connecting portion 442 of the contact 438 in the same manner as previously described.
  • the present invention will be illustrated with reference to a receptacle contact 96 of the type suitable for use when conducting power, ground or signals. It is to be understood that the self-polarizing feature may be used with contacts of other configurations.
  • the electrical contact 96 of Figures 5, 6 and 25 includes a body portion 102 having first and second connecting sections 106, 115 at opposite ends thereof.
  • the body portion 102 has opposed first and second major surfaces 101, 103 and edges 105a, 105b, 105c and 105d.
  • the first connecting section 106 includes a plurality of contact legs 132, 134, 136 and 138 extending from edge 105a of the body portion 102.
  • the first leg 132 of this array of contact legs is spaced from a second leg 134 at a first selected distance d 1 .
  • the second leg 134 is spaced from the third leg 136 by a selected second distance d 2 and the third and fourth legs 136, 138 are respectively separated by a distance d 3 .
  • the first distance d 1 is different from the second distance d 2 .
  • the distance d 2 is identical to d 3 although it need not be as long as the contact legs are not all equally spaced apart but are asymmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the contact legs.
  • the first, second, third and fourth legs 132, 134, 136 and 138 are adapted to be received in corresponding first, second third and fourth through-holes 152, 154, 156 and 158 respectively on a circuit board 150.
  • the second connecting section is shown as an arrangement of spring arms 116 and 112 adapted to receive a blade contact, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. It is to be understood that the second connecting section is not to be limited by this configuration.
  • the contact of the present invention is preferably stamped and formed from a flat strip of metal such as phosphor bronze or other suitable materials having the desired spring characteristics.
  • the contact 96 being a substantially flat member is readily reversed in a housing arrangement to provide a different polarization arrangement for a different pattern on the circuit board.
  • Figures 26 and 27 show a representative electrical connector 6 including a housing 72 having a mating face 74, a mounting face 76 and a contact receiving cavity 83 configured to receive electrical contact 96. These figures show a connector assembly 6 mounted to respective circuit boards 150, 250 with the contact 96 in its two polarized orientations.
  • Figure 26 shows electrical contact 96 in a first orientation with the assembly mounted to board 150 with the first terminal leg 132 disposed in through-hole 152 and the second, third and fourth contact legs 134, 136 and 138 disposed in through-holes 154, 156 and 158, respectively.
  • the contact terminal 96 is shown oriented to circuit board 250 with the first terminal leg 132 disposed in through-hole 252 and the second, third and fourth terminal legs 134, 136, and 138 disposed in through-holes 254, 256 and 258 respectively.
  • Figure 28 illustrates a power receptacle connector 6 exploded from a circuit board 150.
  • Connector 6 has two contacts 96 disposed in respective cavities 83 and one contact 96 exploded from housing 72 and in alignment with respective through-holes in circuit board 150.
  • the three contacts 96 and specifically the first leg 132 of each of the three identical contacts orient the connector 6 in a specific way to assure proper positioning of the connector on the circuit board.
  • Figure 29 shows an alternative embodiment 6' of a connector assembly having one contact 96 and a plurality of signal contacts 370.
  • the receptacle connector 6' includes a housing 172 having a mating face 274, a mounting face 276, a cavity 283 configured to receive terminal 96, and a plurality of cavities 383 configured to receive respective contacts 370.
  • Circuit board 350 includes a column of through-holes 352, 354, 356 and 358 for receiving respective contact legs 132, 134, 136, 138 of contact 96 in a polarized orientation and an array of signal through-holes 372 for receiving the array of pin terminals 370.
  • Figure 30 shows an alternative embodiment 296 of a contact made in accordance with the invention.
  • This contact includes a body 202 having first and second connecting portions 206, 215 and three legs 232, 234 and 236 extending from a common edge 205a of body 202.
  • First leg 232 is spaced a distance d 1 ' from second leg 234, which in turn is spaced a distance d 2 ' from third leg 236.
  • the contact terminals of the present invention are self polarizing, cost effective to manufacture and eliminate the need for additional polarization features for mounting a connector to a circuit board.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
EP95308237A 1994-12-15 1995-11-17 Zuerst Polkontakte zuletzt Erdkontakt unterbrechender Steckverbinder Expired - Lifetime EP0717468B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US356620 1994-12-15
US08/356,620 US5582519A (en) 1994-12-15 1994-12-15 Make-first-break-last ground connections
US41217795A 1995-03-28 1995-03-28
US41204495A 1995-03-28 1995-03-28
US412177 1995-03-28
US412044 1995-03-28

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0717468A2 true EP0717468A2 (de) 1996-06-19
EP0717468A3 EP0717468A3 (de) 1998-01-28
EP0717468B1 EP0717468B1 (de) 2002-01-23

Family

ID=27408275

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95308237A Expired - Lifetime EP0717468B1 (de) 1994-12-15 1995-11-17 Zuerst Polkontakte zuletzt Erdkontakt unterbrechender Steckverbinder

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0717468B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3647951B2 (de)
KR (1) KR100406182B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69525138T2 (de)

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DE19726856C1 (de) * 1997-06-24 1998-10-08 Siemens Ag Flachstecker für elektrische Steckverbindungen
EP1248325A2 (de) * 2001-04-06 2002-10-09 Northrop Grumman Corporation Isolatorgehäuse und Kontaktanordnung für das Vermeiden von Schäden in der Kehle der Kontakte eines Stimmgabelverbinders
WO2004019455A1 (en) * 2002-08-21 2004-03-04 Tyco Electronics Corporation Multi-sequenced contacts from single lead frame
CN102025050A (zh) * 2009-09-10 2011-04-20 安费诺有限公司 用于电路板的多通路连接器
EP2355254A1 (de) * 2010-02-02 2011-08-10 Wilo Se Anschlusselement mit Messerkontakt und Pressfit-Kontakt
EP2508902A1 (de) * 2011-04-07 2012-10-10 Yamaichi Electronics Deutschland GmbH Testkontaktor für eine Leiterplatte, Verwendung und Verfahren zum Prüfen
CN111490420A (zh) * 2019-01-28 2020-08-04 泰连公司 母线的电力连接器

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US5980321A (en) * 1997-02-07 1999-11-09 Teradyne, Inc. High speed, high density electrical connector
KR100496165B1 (ko) * 1997-09-04 2005-09-08 삼성전자주식회사 하드디스크드라이브의션트콘넥터지그
DE60005956T2 (de) * 1999-06-29 2004-08-12 3M Innovative Properties Co., Saint Paul Verbinder fuer stromversorgung mit fuehrungsanordnung
JP2002063960A (ja) * 2000-08-16 2002-02-28 Taiko Denki Co Ltd 大電流接続端子とそれを用いたコネクタ
DE102005010704B4 (de) * 2005-03-09 2011-05-12 Erni Electronics Gmbh Federbuchse für Miniatur-Steckverbinder
JP4814730B2 (ja) * 2006-08-30 2011-11-16 株式会社マックエイト プリント基板間の接続具
JP4960324B2 (ja) * 2008-09-24 2012-06-27 ケル株式会社 嵌合型コネクタ
JP5586192B2 (ja) * 2009-09-03 2014-09-10 矢崎総業株式会社 コネクタ用ターミナル
CN102157825B (zh) * 2011-01-13 2013-03-20 中航光电科技股份有限公司 电源孔接触件及其接触片以及电连接器
JP5466679B2 (ja) * 2011-09-13 2014-04-09 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 電動アクチュエータの電子回路装置
JP2014147311A (ja) * 2013-01-31 2014-08-21 Makita Corp 操作棹を有する作業機
JP6990203B2 (ja) * 2019-03-07 2022-01-12 ヒロセ電機株式会社 端子及び該端子を有する電気コネクタ
JP7321878B2 (ja) * 2019-10-15 2023-08-07 ヒロセ電機株式会社 コネクタ

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US5116230A (en) 1991-04-09 1992-05-26 Molex Incorporated Coaxial cable connector

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19726856C1 (de) * 1997-06-24 1998-10-08 Siemens Ag Flachstecker für elektrische Steckverbindungen
EP1248325A2 (de) * 2001-04-06 2002-10-09 Northrop Grumman Corporation Isolatorgehäuse und Kontaktanordnung für das Vermeiden von Schäden in der Kehle der Kontakte eines Stimmgabelverbinders
EP1248325A3 (de) * 2001-04-06 2003-12-10 Northrop Grumman Corporation Isolatorgehäuse und Kontaktanordnung für das Vermeiden von Schäden in der Kehle der Kontakte eines Stimmgabelverbinders
US6709298B2 (en) 2001-04-06 2004-03-23 Litton Systems, Inc. Insulator coring and contact configuration to prevent pin stubbing in the throat of tuning fork socket connector contacts
WO2004019455A1 (en) * 2002-08-21 2004-03-04 Tyco Electronics Corporation Multi-sequenced contacts from single lead frame
US6890214B2 (en) 2002-08-21 2005-05-10 Tyco Electronics Corporation Multi-sequenced contacts from single lead frame
CN102025050A (zh) * 2009-09-10 2011-04-20 安费诺有限公司 用于电路板的多通路连接器
EP2355254A1 (de) * 2010-02-02 2011-08-10 Wilo Se Anschlusselement mit Messerkontakt und Pressfit-Kontakt
EP2508902A1 (de) * 2011-04-07 2012-10-10 Yamaichi Electronics Deutschland GmbH Testkontaktor für eine Leiterplatte, Verwendung und Verfahren zum Prüfen
CN111490420A (zh) * 2019-01-28 2020-08-04 泰连公司 母线的电力连接器
CN111490420B (zh) * 2019-01-28 2024-05-28 泰连公司 母线的电力连接器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69525138T2 (de) 2002-08-22
EP0717468A3 (de) 1998-01-28
KR960027070A (ko) 1996-07-22
KR100406182B1 (ko) 2004-03-18
DE69525138D1 (de) 2002-03-14
JP3647951B2 (ja) 2005-05-18
JPH08255658A (ja) 1996-10-01
EP0717468B1 (de) 2002-01-23

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