EP0880805B1 - Contact electrique matrice - Google Patents

Contact electrique matrice Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0880805B1
EP0880805B1 EP97905738A EP97905738A EP0880805B1 EP 0880805 B1 EP0880805 B1 EP 0880805B1 EP 97905738 A EP97905738 A EP 97905738A EP 97905738 A EP97905738 A EP 97905738A EP 0880805 B1 EP0880805 B1 EP 0880805B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
terminal
reference axis
socket
fingers
beams
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97905738A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0880805A1 (fr
EP0880805A4 (fr
Inventor
Christopher S. Pendleton
Ray C. Doutrich
Stuart Stoner
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.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
FCI SA
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FCI SA, Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical FCI SA
Publication of EP0880805A1 publication Critical patent/EP0880805A1/fr
Publication of EP0880805A4 publication Critical patent/EP0880805A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0880805B1 publication Critical patent/EP0880805B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • 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
    • H01R12/727—Coupling devices presenting arrays of contacts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a socket-type terminal for use in effecting a relatively high-amperage power connection with a male pin of any desired length.
  • a power port terminal for interconnecting a backplane with a male pin plug may be formed in any one of a variety of ways.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,702,707 illustrates a power terminal that includes a base to which a mating component having a socket may be attached. In this terminal the base and a portion of the mating component are formed as screw machined parts.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,749,357 shows a power connector in which a socket defined from a crown band of spring contact beams is inserted into a block of conductive material. In both of these arrangements the contact beams of the terminal extend around the entire 360° periphery of the male pin. However, since one end of the terminal is closed, the socket may accept a pin having only a predetermined limited axial dimension.
  • the power terminal shown at page 334, 335 of the Du Pont Electronics Interconnect and Packaging Catalog, August 1988, is also a machined part having a socket that may accept a pin having only a predetermined limited axial dimension.
  • This part also includes a snap-ring latch arrangement which is received about the socket of the terminal and which cooperates with a housing to retain the terminal.
  • the terminal shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,002,400, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, is formed from a stamped blank of conductive material. Again, however, it appears that the socket portion of the terminal is blocked at an axially rearward point by a wire crimp barrel and an insulation crimp barrel, effectively limiting the axial dimension of a pin receivable in the socket.
  • the power terminal forming a part of the Du Pont HPC Connector System is fabricated from a stamped blank of conductive material.
  • the length of the pin receivably by the socket is not limited, the socket region does not fully surround the pin when the same is received therein.
  • U.S. Patent 5,376,012 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a power port terminal which is formed by stamping from a blank of conductive material.
  • the socket includes a web with a plurality of beams. The inner surface of the beams define a substantially continuous cylindrical contact surface.
  • the trailing mounting portion has a set of mounting legs. While this contact provides a socket formed from a stamped conductive material that both surrounds a male pin over substantially 360° of its periphery and does not limit the axial length of pin receivable therein, it has been found that this contact may tend to pivot on its longitudinal axis when it is mounted in a through hole of an insulative housing.
  • the present invention relates to a power port terminal according to claim 1.
  • the terminal comprises a contact receiving socket portion and an integral mounting portion.
  • the terminal has a reference axis extending therethrough.
  • the contact receiving socket portion includes a web with a plurality of beams thereon. When the terminal is formed the beams cooperate to form an axially extending tubular socket region.
  • the inner surface of the beams on the bends thereof define a substantially continuous cylindrical contact surface at a predetermined point along the reference axis within the tubular region.
  • the contact surface is interrupted only by the spacing between the beams and is thus adapted to surround a male pin over 360° of its periphery.
  • the cylindrical contact surface has a predetermined constricted dimension measured in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis, this dimension of the substantially continuous cylindrical contact surface being the most constricted dimension along the reference axis of the terminal.
  • the terminal is thereby able to accommodate a pin of any desired axial length.
  • the trailing mounting portion has a set of mounting legs thereon.
  • the mounting legs depend from the lateral flanges of a curved hood portion.
  • the hood and flanges preferably surround substantially 270° of the periphery of the pin.
  • the mounting legs extend generally perpendicular to the reference axis of the terminal.
  • Lateral projections also depend from the hood to restrain the terminal from pivoting about its longitudinal axis.
  • One or more of the beams may have a latch tab thereon.
  • the latch tabs engage with ribs provided in the terminal housing to secure the terminal therewithin.
  • a power port terminal generally indicated by reference character 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the terminal 10 is formed by stamping from a blank of a suitable conductive material, such as beryllium copper material. A developed view of the blank is illustrated in Fig. 6.
  • the terminal 10 includes a contact receiving portion 12 and an integral mounting portion 14.
  • a reference axis 10A extends through the terminal 10.
  • the contact receiving portion 12 includes a web 16 from which extend a plurality of beams, or fingers, 20.
  • the beams are preferably equiangularly arranged about the axis 10A. In the embodiment illustrated five beams 20 are shown, each beam being angularly separated from the angularly adjacent beam by a gap 20G .
  • each of the beams 20 has a curved inside surface 20S with an inward bend 20B located axially therealong.
  • the beams 20 cooperate to form an axially extending tubular socket region 26.
  • the socket region 26 is thus adapted to surround a male pin guided therein over 360° of its periphery.
  • the inner surface 20S of the beams 20 define a substantially continuous cylindrical contact surface 28 lying at a predetermined point 30 along the reference axis 10A within the tubular socket region 26.
  • the contact surface 28 is, as may be best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, interrupted only by the gap 20G between angularly adjacent beams 20.
  • the cylindrical contact surface 28 defined by the bends 20B of each beam 20 defines a circle centered on the reference axis 10A of the terminal.
  • the surface 28 thus imparts a predetermined constricted dimension 36 (i.e., the diameter of the surface 28) measured in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis 10A.
  • This dimension 36 of the substantially continuous cylindrical contact surface 28 is the most constricted dimension along the reference axis 10A of the terminal.
  • the through bore of the socket region 26 of the terminal 10 is thus effectively unlimited.
  • the terminal 10 is thereby able to accommodate a pin of any desired axial length.
  • two of the beams 20 are provided with latch tabs 38.
  • the tabs 38 extend outwardly beyond the basic outer diametric dimension of the contact receiving portion 12.
  • the tabs 38 may be conveniently located on any of the beams 20.
  • the tab(s) 38 are formed as appendages disposed axially between the laterally outward beam(s) 20' and the mounting portion 14.
  • the tabs 38 may be additionally or alternately formed by punching through the material of the web 16.
  • the trailing mounting portion 14 extends rearwardly from the web 16.
  • the mounting portion 14 includes a hood region 40 melding into a pair of lateral flanges 42. As is best seen in Fig. 4 and 5 the hood 40 and the flanges 42 preferably extend substantially 270° about the reference axis 10A of the terminal 10.
  • a plurality of mounting legs 46 depending from each flange 42 defines a set of mounting legs for the terminal 10. The mounting legs 46 each extend downwardly a substantial distance below the contact receiving portion 12.
  • the mounting legs extend generally perpendicularly to the reference axis 10A of the terminal.
  • the mounting legs 46 may be received by plated through bores provided in the surface of a substrate whereby electrical interconnection may be effected between the terminal 10 and a backplane on the substrate. It should be understood that is within the contemplation of the present invention to arrange the legs 46 such that they align parallel to the reference axis 10A of the terminal.
  • the terminal 10 would preferably be formed from a blank (not shown).
  • the blank is attached to a carrier strip (not shown) by a tail (not shown).
  • the blank is made by a stamping operation and the terminal 10 is formed therefrom by bending the blank over a mandrel, as is understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the terminal 10 is received within a housing 50 formed from a block of a suitable insulating material.
  • the housing 50 has a through passage 52 therein. Locating guide members 54 extend axially along the walls of the passage 52 to position the terminal 10 within the housing. Locking ribs 56 are disposed about the rear end of the through hole 52.
  • the terminal 10 is inserted into the passage 52 in the housing 50 in the direction of the arrow 58.
  • the latches 38 on the beams 20 are resiliently deflected as the terminal 10 is inserted into the housing 50. Once axially past the locking ribs 56 the latches 38 snap into locking position behind the locking ribs 56.
  • the circumferential extend of the locking ribs 56 is such that the tabs 38 will engage against a rib 56 to retain the terminal 10, once inserted, within the housing 50.
  • a terminal 10 in accordance with the present invention presents no impediment to the axial advance of a male pin.
  • a pin having any desired length may be received coaxially with the reference axis of the terminal.
  • Such a capability is believed advantageous when using the terminal of the present invention in a so-called "first make-last break" interconnection system.
  • resilient lateral projections 60 extend from the hood 40 of the mounting portion 14. To the rear of these lateral projections 60 there are appendages 62. Referring particularly to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the resilient lateral projections 60 engage locking ribs 56. It will be understood that the lateral projections 60 on the opposed sides the opposed sides of the terminal 10 each engage a locking rib 56 so as to prevent or significantly reduce pivotal motion of the terminal 10 in the through hole 52 of the insulative housing 50. It will also be appreciated that the appendages 62 extend outwardly from the lateral projections 60 so as to abut the rear of the insulative housing and prevent the terminal 10 from being overextending into the though hole 52.
  • stamp power contact has been described which is not subject to undo pivoting motion in the through hole of an insulative housing in which it is mounted. It will also be appreciated that this stamp power contact is not subject to being overextended into the through hole of the insulative housing.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

Borne électrique formée par matriçage à partir d'un flan de matériau conducteur, comprenant une partie prise femelle recevant le contact (12) et une partie d'assemblage solidaire (14). La prise femelle comporte un réseau comportant une pluralité de nervures (20). La surface intérieure des nervures sur les courbes de celles-ci définit une surface de contact cylindrique sensiblement continue en un point prédéterminé le long de l'axe de référence de la borne. La surface de contact présente une dimension étranglée prédéterminée (36) mesurée dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de référence, cette dimension étant la dimension la plus étroite le long de l'axe de référence de la borne. La borne est ainsi en mesure de recevoir une broche d'une longueur axiale voulue quelconque. La partie d'assemblage traînante présente un ensemble de membres d'assemblage (46) fixés sur elle, qui, dans le mode préféré, s'étendent de façon généralement perpendiulaire à l'axe de référence de la borne. Des lames ressorts (38) peuvent être prévues sur une ou plusieurs des nervures. Des projections latérales (62) figurent sur la partie d'assemblage, et empêchent la borne de pivoter sur son axe longitudinal lorsqu'elle est montée dans un trou traversant (52) dans un logement isolant (50).

Claims (4)

  1. Une borne de type femelle pour un port d'alimentation (10), susceptible d'être mise en place dans un logement (50) avec au moins une nervure (56) à l'extrémité arrière d'un trou traversant (52), pour connexion à une fiche mâle dont les dimensions en longueur et en section s'étendent sur une large plage, comprenant :
    une partie réceptrice de contact (12) possédant une âme et une pluralité de doigts (20) qui sont unitaires avec cette âme (16), ces doigts (20) étant disposés pour former une douille s'étendant axialement qui est alignée autour d'un axe de référence (10A), chacun de ces doigts (20) possédant une extrémité libre et qui est distale par rapport à l'âme (16), les extrémités libres n'étant pas reliées entre elles sauf par l'âme (16), chacun de ces doigts (20) possédant en outre une courbure qui y est formée à proximité de l'extrémité libre, ces courbures définissant ensemble une surface de contact (28) qui est construite et disposée pour venir en contact avec une fiche mâle qui est insérée dans la douille, la surface de contact (28) étant le point le plus contraint le long de l'axe de référence (10A) dans la borne (10) ; et
    une partie de montage (14) qui est unitaire avec, et s'étend longitudinalement depuis, la partie réceptrice de contact (12) et qui est formée ensemble avec la partie réceptrice de contact (12) à partir d'un flan unique de matériau conducteur, cette partie de montage (14) comprenant une région de capot (40) qui est courbée autour de l'axe de référence (10A) de substantiellement 270° pour définir un volume qui est coextensif et aligné avec la douille, cette région de capot (40) étant ouverte au moins pour permettre à la fiche de passer à l'intérieur dudit volume, la partie de montage (14) comprenant en outre une pluralité de jambes de montage (46) formées dessus pour monter la borne sur un substrat ; de sorte que cette borne (10), du fait des extrémités libres non reliées, soit construite pour accepter les fiches mâles dans une large plage de dimensions en section et, du fait du volume ouvert défini par la région de capot (40), soit construite pour accepter une fiche mâle sur une large plage de longueurs (40), caractérisée en ce que
    la région de capot (40) comprend en outre une paire de saillies latérales opposées (60, 62) s'étendant depuis la région de capot (40) pour venir en butée contre l'extrémité arrière des nervures de verrouillage (56) pour empêcher ou réduire le mouvement de pivotement et linéaire de la borne (10) lors de l'accouplement et du découplement d'une prise mâle correspondante, et pour empêcher une extension excessive de la borne dans le trou traversant.
  2. La borne pour port d'alimentation (10) de la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les jambes de montage (46) possèdent un axe longitudinal s'étendant généralement perpendiculairement à l'axe de référence (10A).
  3. La borne pour port d'alimentation (10) des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins l'un des doigts (20) possède une patte de verrouillage (38) formée dessus, ou dans lequel au moins deux des doigts (20) possèdent une patte de verrouillage (38) formée dessus.
  4. Une douille pour connexion à une fiche mâle dont les dimensions en longueur et en section s'étendent sur une large plage, possédant un logement isolant (50) et une borne de type femelle pour port d'alimentation (10) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, qui est insérée dedans.
EP97905738A 1996-02-02 1997-01-31 Contact electrique matrice Expired - Lifetime EP0880805B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1106096P 1996-02-02 1996-02-02
US11060P 1996-02-02
PCT/US1997/001751 WO1997028579A1 (fr) 1996-02-02 1997-01-31 Contact electrique matrice

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0880805A1 EP0880805A1 (fr) 1998-12-02
EP0880805A4 EP0880805A4 (fr) 2000-04-26
EP0880805B1 true EP0880805B1 (fr) 2003-04-16

Family

ID=21748705

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97905738A Expired - Lifetime EP0880805B1 (fr) 1996-02-02 1997-01-31 Contact electrique matrice

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0880805B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2000504149A (fr)
KR (1) KR19990082240A (fr)
DE (1) DE69720968T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997028579A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6422885B2 (en) 1998-07-20 2002-07-23 The Whitaker Corporation Connector assembly adapted for axial realignment
DE19944705C2 (de) * 1999-09-17 2002-04-25 Tyco Electronics Logistics Ag Steckverbindungssystem

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3539965A (en) * 1968-06-28 1970-11-10 Dale Electronics Socket connector assembly
BE793445A (fr) * 1972-02-08 1973-04-16 Elco Corp Fiche femelle pour broche de contact de section carree
US4333702A (en) * 1980-03-24 1982-06-08 Amp Incorporated Low cost high voltage connector
US4597625A (en) * 1984-07-25 1986-07-01 North American Specialties Corporation Electrical connector
WO1993016509A1 (fr) * 1992-02-12 1993-08-19 Connector Systems Technology N.V. Borne femelle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2000504149A (ja) 2000-04-04
DE69720968T2 (de) 2004-01-29
WO1997028579A1 (fr) 1997-08-07
EP0880805A1 (fr) 1998-12-02
DE69720968D1 (de) 2003-05-22
EP0880805A4 (fr) 2000-04-26
KR19990082240A (fr) 1999-11-25

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