EP4732378A1 - Dual row molded pcb connector - Google Patents

Dual row molded pcb connector

Info

Publication number
EP4732378A1
EP4732378A1 EP24736106.6A EP24736106A EP4732378A1 EP 4732378 A1 EP4732378 A1 EP 4732378A1 EP 24736106 A EP24736106 A EP 24736106A EP 4732378 A1 EP4732378 A1 EP 4732378A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
electrical
connector assembly
housing portion
bottom housing
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP24736106.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Joseph N. Castiglione
Steven A. Neu
John T. Cowher
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.)
3M Innovative Properties Co
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Co
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 3M Innovative Properties Co filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Co
Publication of EP4732378A1 publication Critical patent/EP4732378A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/77—Coupling devices for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/79—Coupling devices for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • B29C45/14639—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles for obtaining an insulating effect, e.g. for electrical components
    • 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
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
    • H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
    • H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/504—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces different pieces being moulded, cemented, welded, e.g. ultrasonic welding, or swaged together
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/34—Electrical apparatus, e.g. sparking plugs or parts thereof
    • B29L2031/36—Plugs, connectors, or parts thereof

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a bottom housing portion having major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length and a width and spaced apart along a thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines two parallel rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion. Each of the contact openings extends from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to receive and support an electrical contact terminal. Each of the contact openings is disposed between parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length, and parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width, of the major top surface. The first through the fourth sidewalls extend upwardly from the top surface away from the bottom surface. At least one of the third and fourth sidewalls extends only partially between the first and second sidewalls.

Description

DUAL ROW MOLDED PCB CONNECTOR
Summary
In some aspects of the present description, an electrical connector assembly is provided, the electrical connector assembly including an insulative bottom housing portion having opposing major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length and a width and spaced apart along a thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines two substantially parallel rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion. Each of the contact openings extends from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. Each of the contact openings is disposed between opposing substantially parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length, and between opposing substantially parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width, of the major top surface. The first through the fourth sidewalls extend upwardly from the major top surface away from the major bottom surface. At least one of the third and fourth sidewalls extends only partially between the first and second sidewalls.
In some aspects of the present description, an electrical connector assembly is provided, the electrical connector assembly including an insulative bottom housing portion having opposing major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length and a width and spaced apart along a thickness of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion defines substantially parallel first and second rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion. Each of the contact openings has a first width at the major top surface and extends from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion, and is configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. Substantially parallel first and second grooves are formed in the major top surface extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and passing through the contact openings of respective first and second rows of contact openings. At least one of the first and second grooves has a second width at the major top surface, the second width smaller than the first width.
In some aspects of the present description, a unitary electrical contact for use in a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector is provided, the unitary electrical contact having a unitary construction and including a substantially rectangular middle portion, an insulation displacement first connecting portion, and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion. The middle portion is bent to include a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally and extending between opposing first and second ends, a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from the first end toward the second end, and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end. The insulation displacement first connecting portion extends upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and is configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and to make electrical and physical contacts with the conductor. The substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extends downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and includes a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and is configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of the mating connector.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIGS. 1A-1C provide perspective views of a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;
FIGS. 2A-2C provide perspective views of an insulative bottom housing portion of an electrical connector assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;
FIGS. 3A-3B provide additional perspective views of an insulative bottom housing portion of an electrical connector assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;
FIGS. 4A-4D provide perspective views of a unitary electrical contact for use in a connector assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;
FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a connector assembly in a mating configuration with a mating connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description; and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly showing additional details on a unitary electrical contact, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description.
Detailed Description
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present description. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Existing designs for electrical connectors for ribbon cables in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly have limitations as the sizes of electrical/electronic components and electrical traces continue to shrink to accommodate more functionality. For example, some existing connector assemblies rely on “press-on” cap that is attached to a connector body by latches which add to the overall height of the assembly. There is a need in the art for an electrical connector assembly which combines and otherwise reduces features to create a smaller, more robust connector which minimizes PCB space and allows close stacking between components and PCB, enabling mating directly to a PCB.
According to some aspects of the present description, an electrical connector assembly may include a molded body portion with stamped metal contacts. In some embodiments, a cable (such as a ribbon cable) may be seated into the contacts and then an overmolded plastic body may be used incapsulate the contacts and cable, as well as provide strain relief for the cable. In some embodiments, for example, an electrical connector assembly may include an insulative bottom housing portion having a major top surface and an opposing major bottom surface extending along a length (e.g., along an x-axis of the bottom housing portion) and a width (e.g., along a y-axis of the bottom housing portion), and spaced apart along a thickness (e.g., along a z-axis of the bottom housing portion).
In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion may define two substantially parallel rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may extend from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion and may be configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal.
In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may be disposed between opposing substantially parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length, and between opposing substantially parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width, of the major top surface. In some embodiments, the first through the fourth sidewalls may extend upwardly from the major top surface away from the major bottom surface. In some embodiments, at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls may extend only partially between the first and second sidewalls.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted in the contact openings of the two substantially parallel rows of contact openings. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a cable assembled to the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the cable may include a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the electrical contact terminals. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include an insulative top housing portion molded onto the insulative bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.
In some embodiments, wherein the electrical connector assembly further includes the plurality of electrical contact terminals, each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals may include a substantially rectangular middle portion having a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally, a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion, a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion, an insulation displacement first connecting portion extending upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and making electrical and physical contacts with the conductor, and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and having a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of a mating connector. In some such embodiments, when each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of the insulative bottom housing portion of the connector assembly, the substantially rectangular middle portion of the electrical contact terminal seals the contact opening so that a molten material (e.g., an injection molding material) introduced into an upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into a lower portion of the contact opening.
According to some aspects of the present description, an electrical connector assembly may include an insulative bottom housing portion having a major top surface and an opposing major bottom surface extending along a length (e.g., along an x-axis) and a width (e.g., along a y-axis), and spaced apart along a thickness (e.g., along a z-axis) of the bottom housing portion.
In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion may define substantially parallel first and second rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings may have a first width at the major top surface and extending from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion and configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal. In some embodiments, substantially parallel first and second grooves are formed in the major top surface extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and passing through the contact openings of respective first and second rows of contact openings. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second grooves may have a second width at the major top surface, the second width smaller than the first width.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted in the contact openings of the two substantially parallel first and second rows of contact openings. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include a cable assembled to the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the cable may include a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the contact terminals. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include an insulative top housing portion molded onto the insulative bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.
In some embodiments of the electrical connector assembly, each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals may include a substantially rectangular middle portion having a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally, a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion, and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion.
In some such embodiments, each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals may be inserted in a corresponding contact opening of the insulative bottom housing portion of the connector assembly. In some such embodiments, the substantially rectangular middle portion of the electrical contact terminal may seal the contact opening so that a molten material introduced into an upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into a lower portion of the contact opening.
In other such embodiments, each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals may include an insulation displacement first connecting portion extending upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and making electrical and physical contacts with the conductor, and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and comprising a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of a mating connector.
According to some aspects of the present description, a unitary electrical contact for use in a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector has a unitary construction and may include a substantially rectangular middle portion, an insulation displacement first connecting portion, and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion.
In some embodiments, the substantially rectangular middle portion may be bent to include a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally and extending between opposing first and second ends, a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from the first end toward the second end, and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end.
In some embodiments, the insulation displacement first connecting portion may extend upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and may be configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and making electrical and physical contacts with the conductor.
In some embodiments, the substantially J-shaped second connecting portion may extend downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and may include a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of the mating connector.
In some embodiments, the horizontal base portion may include a stop portion between the first and second ends, such that when the contact is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of a connector housing of the connector assembly, the stop portion engages a corresponding stop portion in the contact opening to prevent further insertion of the contact into the contact opening.
In some embodiments, when the contact is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of a connector housing of the connector assembly, the middle portion may seal the contact opening so that a molten material (e.g., such as a molten plastic used in an injection molding process) introduced into an upper portion of the contact opening that houses the first connecting portion is prevented from flowing into a lower portion of the contact opening that houses the second connecting portion.
In some embodiments, a connector assembly may include an insulative bottom housing portion and a plurality of any of the unitary electrical contacts described herein. In some such embodiments, the insulative bottom housing portion may include opposing major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length (e.g., an x-axis) and a width (e.g., a y-axis), and spaced apart along a thickness (e.g., a z-axis), of the bottom housing portion. In some such embodiments, the bottom housing portion may define two substantially parallel rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, each of the contact opening may extend from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, the plurality of the unitary electrical contacts may be inserted in the contact openings of the two substantially parallel rows of contact openings.
In some embodiments of the connector assembly, the connector assembly may further include a cable assembled to the connector assembly. In some such embodiments, the cable may include a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the insulation displacement first connecting portion of the electrical terminals. In some such embodiments, the connector assembly may further include an insulative top housing portion molded onto the insulative bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.
Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1C provide perspective views of an embodiment of a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector, according to the present description. FIG. 1A shows an electrical connector assembly 300 about to be mated with a mating connector 400. In some embodiments, electrical connector assembly 300 includes an insulative bottom housing portion 10. In some embodiments, electrical connector assembly 300 may further include a cable 80 (e.g., a ribbon cable) assembled to electrical connector assembly 300. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector assembly may further include an insulative top housing portion 90 molded onto insulative bottom housing portion 10 and covering at least a portion of cable 80.
Looking at FIGS. IB and 1C, showing additional details on insulative bottom housing portion 10, together, insulative bottom housing portion 10 has a major top surface 11 and an opposing major bottom surface 12, each extending along a length (e.g., the x-axis shown in FIGS. IB and 1C) and a width (e.g., the y-axis), and spaced apart along a thickness (e.g., the z-axis), of the bottom housing portion. In some embodiments, bottom housing portion 10 may define two substantially parallel rows 20, 21 of contact openings 22 extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of bottom housing portion 10. In some embodiments, each of contact openings 22 may extend from major top surface 11 to the major bottom surface 12 of bottom housing portion 10 and may be configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal 30.
FIGS. 2A-2C provide additional views of insulative bottom housing portion 10 of the embodiment of an electrical connector assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C. FIGS. 2A-2C should be examined together for the following discussion. In some embodiments, bottom housing portion 10 includes a plurality of contact openings 22. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings 22 may be disposed between opposing substantially parallel first 13 and second 14 sidewalls extending along the length (e.g., along the x-direction of FIGS. 2A-2C), and opposing substantially parallel third 15 and fourth 16 sidewalls extending along the width (e.g., along the y-direction) of the major top surface. In some embodiments, the first through the fourth sidewalls 13, 14, 15, 16 may extend upwardly from the major top surface 11 away from the major bottom surface 12. In some embodiments, at least one of the third 15 and fourth 16 sidewalls may extend only partially between the first and second sidewalls. For example, looking at FIG. 2B, showing bottom housing portion 10 from a top angle of perspective, it can be seen that, in this embodiment, third sidewall 15 and fourth sidewall 16 start at second sidewall 14 and extend toward first sidewall 13, but fall short of extending all the way to sidewall 13.
FIGS. 3A-3B provide additional perspective views of insulative bottom housing portion 10 of the embodiment of an electrical connector assembly 300 of FIGS. 1A-1C. These figures provide an alternate description for the details of bottom housing portion 10 than that provided elsewhere herein.
As shown in the embodiment of insulative bottom housing portion 10 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, bottom housing portion 10 includes opposing major top 11 and bottom 12 surfaces extending along a length (e.g., an x-axis) and a width (e.g., a y-axis) and spaced apart along a thickness (e.g., a z-axis) of the bottom housing portion 10. Also, in some embodiments, bottom housing portion 10 may define substantially parallel first 20 and second 21 rows of contact openings 22 extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion 10. In some embodiments, each of the contact openings 22 may have a first width W1 at major top surface 11 and each contact opening 22 may extend from major top surface 11 to major bottom surface 12 of bottom housing portion 10 (i.e., may be a through-hole passing all the way through bottom housing portion 10). In some embodiments, each of the contact openings 22 may be configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal 30. In some embodiments, substantially parallel first 40 and second 41 grooves are formed in major top surface 11 and may extend along the length of bottom housing portion 10 and may pass through contact openings 22 of respective first 20 and second 21 rows of contact openings 22. In some embodiments, at least one of the first 40 and second 41 grooves may have a second width W2 at major top surface 11. In some embodiments, the second width W2 may be smaller than the first width W 1.
FIGS. 4A-4D provide perspective views of an embodiments of a unitary electrical contact for use in a connector assembly, such as connector assembly 300 of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 4A-4D provide various views of the same electrical contact 30 (e.g., rotated at different angles) and should be examined together for the following discussion. In some embodiments, unitary electrical contact 30 has a unitary construction (a single, integral piece). In some embodiments, the unitary electrical contact 30 includes a substantially rectangular middle portion 50, an insulation displacement first connecting portion 60, and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion 70.
In some embodiments, the substantially rectangular middle portion 50 may be bent to include a substantially planar horizontal base portion 51 oriented substantially horizontally and extending between opposing first 51a and second 51b ends, a substantially planar inclined base portion 52 extending upwardly and obliquely from the first end 51a toward the second end 51b, and a substantially planar vertical base portion 53 extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end 51b. In some embodiments, horizontal base portion 51 may include a stop portion 54 between first 51a and second 51b ends.
In some embodiments, the insulation displacement first connecting portion 60 may extend upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion 52 and may be configured to penetrate an insulating layer 81 of an insulated conductor 82 of a cable 80 assembled to connector assembly 300 (see, e.g., cable 80 and connector assembly 300 of FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, insulation displacement first connecting portion 60 may make electrical and physical contacts with a conductor 83 (e.g., a wire) within insulated conductor 82.
In some embodiments, the substantially J-shaped second connecting portion 70 may extend downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion 53 and may include a longer leg 71 attached to the vertical base portion 53 and a shorter leg 72 having a free end 73. In some embodiments, J-shaped second connecting portion 70 may be configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact 401 of the mating connector 400. For example, FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector assembly 300 in a mating configuration with a mating connector 400. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, shorter leg 72 of electrical contact 30 is making physical and electrical contact with mating contact 401 of the mating connector 400. Also, it can be seen that insulation displacement first connecting portion 60 of connector 30 is displacing the insulation of insulated conductor 82 and making physical and electrical contact with the conductor 83 (not shown in FIG. 5, but shown in FIG. 4D) of cable 80.
Finally, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly (and, specifically, bottom housing portion 10) showing additional details on an embodiment of unitary electrical contact 30. In some embodiments, the horizontal base portion 51 includes stop portion 54 between the first 51a and second 51b ends (see also FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, when contact 30 is inserted in a corresponding contact opening 17 of connector housing 10, stop portion 54 may engage a corresponding stop portion 18 in the contact opening 17 to prevent further insertion of contact 30 into contact opening 17 (i.e., contact 30 hits a physical stop and cannot be pushed in further). In some embodiments, when contact 30 is inserted in corresponding contact opening 17 of connector housing portion 10 of the connector assembly, the stop portion 54 seals contact opening 17 so that a molten material (e.g., an injection molded plastic) introduced into an upper portion 17a of the contact opening 17 that houses a first connecting portion (e.g., insulation displacement first connecting portion 60) is prevented from flowing into a lower portion 17b of the contact opening 17 that houses a second connecting portion (e.g., J-shaped second connecting portion 70).
Terms such as “about” will be understood in the context in which they are used and described in the present description by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the use of “about” as applied to quantities expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “about” will be understood to mean within 10 percent of the specified value. A quantity given as about a specified value can be precisely the specified value. For example, if it is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, a quantity having a value of about 1, means that the quantity has a value between 0.9 and 1.1, and that the value could be 1.
Terms such as “substantially” will be understood in the context in which they are used and described in the present description by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the use of “substantially equal” is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “substantially equal” will mean about equal where about is as described above. If the use of “substantially parallel” is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “substantially parallel” will mean within 30 degrees of parallel. Directions or surfaces described as substantially parallel to one another may, in some embodiments, be within 20 degrees, or within 10 degrees of parallel, or may be parallel or nominally parallel. If the use of “substantially aligned” is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “substantially aligned” will mean aligned to within 20% of a width of the objects being aligned. Objects described as substantially aligned may, in some embodiments, be aligned to within 10% or to within 5% of a width of the objects being aligned.
All references, patents, and patent applications referenced in the foregoing are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in a consistent manner. In the event of inconsistencies or contradictions between portions of the incorporated references and this application, the information in the preceding description shall control.
Descriptions for elements in figures should be understood to apply equally to corresponding elements in other figures, unless indicated otherwise. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed:
1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulative bottom housing portion comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length and a width, and spaced apart along a thickness, of the bottom housing portion, the bottom housing portion defining two substantially parallel rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion, each of the contact openings extending from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion and configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal, wherein, each of the contact openings is disposed between opposing substantially parallel first and second sidewalls extending along the length, and opposing substantially parallel third and fourth sidewalls extending along the width, of the major top surface, the first through the fourth sidewalls extending upwardly from the major top surface away from the major bottom surface, wherein at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls extends only partially between the first and second sidewalls.
2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted in the contact openings of the two substantially parallel rows of contact openings.
3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cable assembled to the connector assembly, the cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the contact terminals.
4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 3, further comprising an insulative top housing portion molded onto the insulative bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.
5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, wherein each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprises: a substantially rectangular middle portion comprising a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally; a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; an insulation displacement first connecting portion extending upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and making electrical and physical contacts with a conductor within insulated conductor; and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and comprising a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of a mating connector.
6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein when each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of the insulative bottom housing portion of the connector assembly, the substantially rectangular middle portion of the electrical contact terminal seals the contact opening so that a molten material introduced into an upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into a lower portion of the contact opening.
7. An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulative bottom housing portion comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length and a width, and spaced apart along a thickness, of the bottom housing portion, the bottom housing portion defining substantially parallel first and second rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion, each of the contact openings having a first width at the major top surface and extending from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion and configured to receive and support a corresponding electrical contact terminal, wherein, substantially parallel first and second grooves are formed in the major top surface extending along the length of the bottom housing portion and passing through the contact openings of respective first and second rows of contact openings, at least one of the first and second grooves having a second width at the major top surface, the second width smaller than the first width.
8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of electrical contact terminals inserted in the contact openings of the two substantially parallel first and second rows of contact openings.
9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising a cable assembled to the connector assembly, the cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the contact terminals.
10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9, further comprising an insulative top housing portion molded onto the insulative bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.
11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, wherein each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprises: a substantially rectangular middle portion comprising a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally; a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from a first end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion toward a second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion; and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end of the substantially planar horizontal base portion.
12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein when each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of the insulative bottom housing portion of the connector assembly, the substantially rectangular middle portion of the electrical contact terminal seals the contact opening so that a molten material introduced into an upper portion of the contact opening is prevented from flowing into a lower portion of the contact opening.
13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein each electrical contact terminal of the plurality of electrical contact terminals comprises: an insulation displacement first connecting portion extending upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and making electrical and physical contacts with the conductor; and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and comprising a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of a mating connector.
14. A unitary electrical contact for use in a connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector, the unitary electrical contact having a unitary construction and comprising: a substantially rectangular middle portion bent to comprise: a substantially planar horizontal base portion oriented substantially horizontally and extending between opposing first and second ends; a substantially planar inclined base portion extending upwardly and obliquely from the first end toward the second end; and a substantially planar vertical base portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the second end; an insulation displacement first connecting portion extending upwardly and substantially vertically from the inclined based portion and configured to penetrate an insulating layer of an insulated conductor of a cable assembled to the connector assembly and making electrical and physical contacts with a conductor of the insulated conductor; and a substantially J-shaped second connecting portion extending downwardly and substantially vertically from the vertical base portion and comprising a longer leg attached to the vertical base portion and a shorter leg having a free end and configured to make electrical and physical contact with a mating contact of the mating connector.
15. The unitary electrical contact of claim 14, wherein the horizontal base portion comprises a stop portion between the first and second ends, such that when the contact is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of a connector housing of the connector assembly, the stop portion engages a corresponding stop portion in the contact opening to prevent further insertion of the contact into the contact opening.
16. The unitary electrical contact of claim 14, wherein when the contact is inserted in a corresponding contact opening of a connector housing of the connector assembly, the middle portion seals the contact opening so that a molten material introduced into an upper portion of the contact opening that houses the first connecting portion is prevented from flowing into a lower portion of the contact opening that houses the second connecting portion.
17. A connector assembly, comprising an insulative bottom housing portion comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces extending along a length and a width, and spaced apart along a thickness, of the bottom housing portion, the bottom housing portion defining two substantially parallel rows of contact openings extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the bottom housing portion, each of the contact openings extending from the major top surface to the major bottom surface of the bottom housing portion; and a plurality of the unitary electrical contacts of claim 16 inserted in the contact openings of the two substantially parallel rows of contact openings.
18. The connector assembly of claim 17, further comprising a cable assembled to the connector assembly, the cable comprising a plurality of insulated conductors terminated at the insulation displacement first connecting portion of the electrical terminals.
19. The connector assembly of claim 18, further comprising an insulative top housing portion molded onto the insulative bottom housing portion and covering at least a portion of the cable.
EP24736106.6A 2023-06-26 2024-06-20 Dual row molded pcb connector Pending EP4732378A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202363523165P 2023-06-26 2023-06-26
PCT/IB2024/056042 WO2025003846A1 (en) 2023-06-26 2024-06-20 Dual row molded pcb connector

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EP4732378A1 true EP4732378A1 (en) 2026-04-29

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24736106.6A Pending EP4732378A1 (en) 2023-06-26 2024-06-20 Dual row molded pcb connector

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EP (1) EP4732378A1 (en)
CN (1) CN121569407A (en)
WO (1) WO2025003846A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4767352A (en) * 1986-08-28 1988-08-30 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Integrally molded cable termination assembly, contact and method
US5064383A (en) * 1990-11-14 1991-11-12 Amp Incorporated Multiple conductor cable connector with clip and towers

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WO2025003846A1 (en) 2025-01-02

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