EP0927440A2 - Edge-mounted electrical connector - Google Patents
Edge-mounted electrical connectorInfo
- Publication number
- EP0927440A2 EP0927440A2 EP97933579A EP97933579A EP0927440A2 EP 0927440 A2 EP0927440 A2 EP 0927440A2 EP 97933579 A EP97933579 A EP 97933579A EP 97933579 A EP97933579 A EP 97933579A EP 0927440 A2 EP0927440 A2 EP 0927440A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- circuit board
- board
- edge
- contact
- front opening
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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
- H01R12/50—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
- H01R12/57—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals surface mounting terminals
-
- 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
- H01R12/721—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the field of electrical connectors. More specifically, it relates to connecting devices that provide electrical connection between a printed circuit board and a separate electrical component, or between first and second printed circuit boards.
- PC boards printed circuit boards
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connecting device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the establishment of electrical contact between a PC board and an end-terminal electrical component;
- Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a spring contact element of the type employed in the device of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of the first preferred embodiment, showing the establishment of electrical contact between a PC board and a side-terminal component;
- Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the form of the invention shown in Figure 2, in contact with the PC board and the side-terminal component;
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another modified form of the first preferred embodiment, showing the establishment of electrical contact between a PC board and a side-terminal component;
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connecting device of Figure 1 , showing the device being connected to a flush-edged PC board;
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a connecting device in accordance with the first preferred embodiment, but slightly modified for use with a tab-edged PC board, illustrated therewith;
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the connecting device of Figure 1, showing the device being connected to a recessed-edge PC board;
- Figure 8 is a perspective view of a connecting device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment, showing the device being connected to a flush-edged PC board;
- Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the second the board.
- the apertures are located in one of the housing walls that lies substantially parallel to the plane of the fixed board.
- the external contacts extend outwardly from the plane of the board, thereby providing contact points that lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the board.
- the internal contacts can be configured either for a solder connection to the terminations on the fixed board, or a "slip- on", spring-biased frictional connection thereto, depending upon whether it is desired to create a permanent connection or a temporary, removable connection between the fixed board and the connecting device.
- the connecting device can optionally be removable secured to the fixed board either by removable fasteners (e.g., screws), or by means of integral clips provided on the housing on opposite ends of the longitudinal front opening, whereby the clips are engageable with registering apertures in the board.
- the longitudinal opening along the front of the housing can be configured for any of several different edge configurations for the fixed board: a straight (flush) edge, an edge with a central recess, or an edge with a central protruding tab.
- a straight (flush) edge an edge with a central recess
- an edge with a central protruding tab an edge with a central protruding tab.
- each of the spring contact elements 26 is formed of a strip of conductive metal that is bent to form an acute angle having an apex 27. When so bent, each contact element 26 has a shorter leg 28 terminating in a first or free end 30, and a longer leg 32, the end portion of which is turned down to form a substantially horizontal internal contact 34. A pair of upturned tabs 36 are advantageously provided on the longer leg 32.
- the housing 16 has a thick upper wall portion 38 into which the contact elements 26 may be installed, as by molding the housing 16 around the tabs 36, or by crimping the tabs 36 into conforming recesses 40 in the upper wall portion 38, as shown in Figure 1.
- each contact element 26 extends rearwardly through one of the elongated apertures 24 in the rear wall 22 of the housing 16, thereby forming an external contact that is positioned for establishing electrical contact with a terminal 41 on the electrical component 14 ( Figure 1).
- the external contacts 27 extend outwardly or rearwardly from the edge of the board 12, whereby the external contacts 27 provide contact points that lie in substantially the same plane as the board, tangentially to the edge of the board.
- the internal contacts 34 of the contact elements 26 are bent rearwardly, toward the interior cavity 18 of the housing 16 to form an array of substantially flat contact surfaces enclosed within the cavity 18.
- the internal contacts 34 are suitable for being connected by solder junctions (not shown) with termination pads 42 ( Figures 5 and 7) on the board 12.
- the preferred embodiment along with a flush-edged PC board to which the connecting device is being attached;
- Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting device in accordance with the second preferred embodiment, showing a first contact configuration
- Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting device in accordance with the second preferred embodiment, showing a second contact configuration
- Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting device in accordance with the second preferred embodiment, showing a third contact configuration
- Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device of Figure 8, showing the device attached to a PC board;
- Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device of Figure 9, showing the device attached to a PC board.
- an electrical connecting device 10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown providing an electrical connection between a printed circuit board or printed wiring board 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "board 12") and an electrical component 14, which may be, as shown in Figure 1, and end-terminal battery.
- the connecting device 10 comprises a hollow insulative housing 16 defining an interior cavity 18 accessed by a longitudinal opening or slot 20 that extends along the entire length of its front side.
- the housing 16 has a pair of opposed side walls 21 (only one of which is shown in the drawings), and the front opening or slot 20 extends through the side walls 21.
- the housing 16 has a rear wall 22 that is provided with an array of elongate apertures 24, the longer dimension of which is 8
- Figure 4 shows another connector device 10" that is substantially identical to the above-described devices, except for the configuration of the connector elements.
- the modified connector device 10" of Figure 4 includes modified contact elements 26", wherein the longer leg 32 of each contact element 26" terminates in an internal contact that is bent forwardly to form a flat, forwardly-extending termination 50 that is adapted for electrical connection to the termination pad 42 by a solder junction (not shown).
- the modified connector device 10" can be used with straight-edged, recessed-edge, and tab-edged boards, although, with the last- named, the solid-sided housing 16' of Figure 6 is advantageously used.
- the modified connector device 10" is shown with its external contact 27 establishing electrical contact with a side terminal 41" on a side- terminal electrical component 14". It should be noted that all of the above described connector devices 10, 10', and 10" can be used with either end-terminal or side-terminal electrical components, depending on the application.
- the term "electrical component” should be construed in its broadest context, to include discrete components, IC's, and removable circuit boards.
- FIGS 8-14 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- a connector device 60 in accordance with the second embodiment, is shown with a printed circuit board or printed wiring board 62.
- the connector device 60 comprises a hollow insulative housing 64 defining an interior cavity 66 accessed by a longitudinal opening or slot 68 that extends along the entire length of its front side.
- the housing 64 has a solid rear wall 70 and a pair of opposed side walls 72 (only one of which is shown in the drawings), with the front opening or slot 68 extending through the side walls 72.
- the housing 64 has a top wall 74 that is provided with an array of elongate apertures 76, the internal contacts can be installed so as to have a spring bias, whereby they can establish a "slip-on/slip-off ' frictional contact with the termination pads 42.
- the board 12 has a straight or flush edge 44, while in Figure 7, the board 12 has an edge with a central recess 46.
- the device 10 can be dimensioned to fit onto the board edge so as to establish electrical contact between the internal contacts 34 and the termination pads 42.
- Figure 6 shows a modified housing 16', in which the front slot 20 (not shown in this figure) does not extend all the way across the front of the housing 16', so that the housing 16' has solid, unbroken side walls 21 '.
- This housing configuration is best suited for a board 12 with an edge having a protruding central tab or extension 48.
- Figures 2 and 3 show a connector device 10' that is substantially identical to the connector device 10 described above, except for having modified contact elements 26'.
- the longer leg of each modified contact element 26' terminates in an extended internal contact portion that is bent to extend first rearwardly, then downwardly, and then forwardly to form an internal contact in the configuration of a terminal clip 49.
- the terminal clips 49 are thus configured for frictional engagement with the edge of the board 12 so as to establish electrical contact with the termination pads 42 thereon.
- the modified connector device 10' can establish good electrical connections with the termination pads without the use of solder, so that the connector device 10' is readily removable.
- the modified connector device 10' is thus well-suited for applications in which a permanent connection the board 12 is not desired.
- the modified connector device 10' can be used with straight-edged, recessed-edge, and tab-edged boards, although, with the last-named, the solid-sided housing 16' of Figure 6 is advantageously used.
- the modified connector device 10' is shown with its external contact 10
- the board 62' has a pair of holes 98 located so that, when the board 62' is fully inserted into the housing cavity through the front slot 68' so as to abut against the step 90', they are aligned with the countersunk holes 92 and the threaded holes 94. With the board holes 98 so aligned with the housing holes 92, 94, a screw 100 may be installed through each aligned set of holes 92, 94, 98 to secure the connector device 60' to the board 62' in the proper position.
- Both the connector device 60 of Figures 8 and 13 and the modified connector device 60' of Figures 9 and 14 include a plurality of spring contact elements 102 mounted in the interior of the housing so that a central portion of each contact element 102 extends upwardly from one of the elongate apertures 76 to form an external contact 104 that is positioned for establishing electrical contact with a terminal on an electrical component (not shown).
- the external contacts 104 extend outwardly or upwardly from the plane of the board 62, thereby providing contact points that lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the board 62.
- each spring contact element 102 comprises a bent strip of conductive metal having a first or forward portion 106 that extends forwardly and downwardly from the above-mentioned longer dimension of which is substantially parallel to the side walls 72.
- the housing 64 includes a pair of clips 78, that are advantageously formed integrally with opposite ends of the rear wall 70.
- Each of the clips 78 extends forwardly from the rear wall 70, substantially parallel to the adjacent one of the side walls 72.
- Each clip 78 terminates in a downwardly-depending finger 80 (only one of which is shown in the drawings).
- each of the fingers 80 has a leading edge 82 that slopes downwardly and rearwardly, and a trailing edge 84 that is substantially vertical.
- the clips 78 may be formed as discrete metal or plastic elements that can be attached to the housing 64 by any suitable means, as would be well-known in the art.
- the board 62 has a pair of holes or recesses 86 on opposite sides of its edge 88. As shown in Figure 13, when the board 62 is inserted into the front slot 68 of the connector device 60, the board edge 88 pushes against the leading edges 82 of the fingers 80, thereby pushing the clips 78 upwardly to allow the full forward insertion of the board edge 88 into the housing cavity 66 through the slot 68.
- the interior of the housing 64 has a step 90 against which the board edge 88 abuts when it is fully inserted. At this position, the holes or recesses 86 underlie the fingers 80, whereby the clips 78 are permitted to snap resiliently back downwardly so as to engage each of the fingers 88 in its associated recess or hole 86.
- a modified connector device 60' includes a modified housing 64' that has a pair of countersunk holes 92 through the top wall 74' near the side walls 72' (only one of which is shown).
- the countersunk holes 92 are aligned with a pair of internally-threaded holes 94 (only one of which is shown) in a portion of 12
- rearward portion 108 Extending rearwardly and downwardly from the central portion is rearward portion 108 that terminates in a free end 110 that is spring-biased to resiliently abut against the underside of a lip 112 that defines the rear end of the elongate aperture 76.
- the forward portion 106 terminates in an end that forms an internal contact 114, which, as shown in Figure 10, comprises a substantially flat, rearwardly-extending contact surface lying substantially within the slot 68.
- the internal contacts 114 are suitable for being connected by solder junctions (not shown) with termination pads 1 16 on the board 62.
- Figure 11 shows a modified spring contact element 102', which includes a modified internal contact 114'.
- the modified internal contact 114' is formed as a forwardly-extending resilient spring contact, situated for at least most of its length within the slot 68. This modified internal contact
- Another modified spring contact element 102 shown in Figure 12, includes a modified internal contact 114" that is formed as a rearwardly- extending resilient spring contact, situated almost entirely within the housing cavity 66.
- This second modified internal contact 1 14" is also suitable for frictional engagement with the termination pads 116.
- 26" of the first preferred embodiment may be readily modified to provide an internal contact on both of the planar surfaces of the board 12.
- An electrical connecting device attachable to a circuit board having an edge and a plurality of termination pads adjacent the edge comprising: an insulative housing having a front opening configured to receive the edge of the circuit board, and a rear wall with an array of apertures; and a plurality of discrete contact elements mounted in the housing, each of which has a first portion formed as an internal contact located within the front opening so as to establish electrical contact with one of the termination pads when the edge of the circuit board is inserted into the front opening, and a second portion that extends through one of the apertures to form a spring-biased external
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US68157496A | 1996-07-29 | 1996-07-29 | |
PCT/US1997/013158 WO1998005093A2 (en) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-07-25 | Edge-mounted electrical connector |
US681574 | 2003-10-08 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0927440A2 true EP0927440A2 (en) | 1999-07-07 |
Family
ID=24735862
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97933579A Withdrawn EP0927440A2 (en) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-07-25 | Edge-mounted electrical connector |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0927440A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998005093A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100640365B1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-10-30 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Antenna apparatus for portable terminal |
GB2498536B (en) * | 2012-01-17 | 2016-03-09 | Control Tech Ltd | Electrical assembly |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS618982U (en) * | 1984-06-21 | 1986-01-20 | 沖電気工業株式会社 | Board connection mechanism |
JPS6111284U (en) * | 1984-06-26 | 1986-01-23 | 沖電線株式会社 | Board connection connector |
GB2225492A (en) * | 1988-10-14 | 1990-05-30 | Itt Ind Ltd | Electrical connector for PCB |
-
1997
- 1997-07-25 EP EP97933579A patent/EP0927440A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-07-25 WO PCT/US1997/013158 patent/WO1998005093A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9805093A3 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1998005093A3 (en) | 1998-03-05 |
WO1998005093A2 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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