GB1569733A

GB1569733A - Electrical sockets

Info

Publication number: GB1569733A
Application number: GB11008/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Preh GmbH
Current assignee: Preh GmbH
Priority date: 1977-03-24
Filing date: 1978-03-20
Publication date: 1980-06-18
Also published as: IT7821558A0; FR2385240A1; FR2385240B3; NL7802735A; DE2712946A1; JPS53145186U; IT1093618B

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL SOCKETS (71) We, WALTER PREH GESELL SCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG, a German Federal Republic body corporate, the sole responsible partner in Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke, Jakob Preh, Nachf. GmbH & Co., of Schweinfurter Strasse 5, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany (Fed. Rep.), formerly known as Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh, Nachf., do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to electrical sockets.

According to the invention there is provided an electrical socket adapted for insertion in a printed circuit and comprising a body of electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members supported by the body and at least one of which comprises: a contact portion which is situated in a respective recess in said body, the contact portion being a stamping for cooperation with an electrically conductive part of another electrical connector; and a terminal portion which is made of wire directly connected to said contact portion.

The electrically conductive member may have been introduced as a whole into its associated recess.

Preferably, the contact portion is so shaped as to cooperate resiliently with said electrically conductive part of another electrical connector.

Preferably, the contact portion is of springy material.

Preferably, the terminal portion is of soft round material.

The terminal portion may have one or more bends in it.

The wire of the terminal portion may be substantially at right angles to the surface of the contact portion to which it is directly connected.

The direct connection between the contact portion and the terminal portion may have been made by butt welding or by soldering with solder of high melting point or by pinching or pressing.

According to one embodiment, the contact portion is in the form of a symmetrical fork. In a development of this embodiment, the end of the wire of the terminal portion connects to the base of the fork in a direction extending substantially parallel to the axis of the fork and at a point either on or to one side of said axis.

Alternatively, the contact portion may be cup-shaped or may be a scraper spring.

Preferably, the contact portion has a coating of material with high electrical conductivity.

Preferably, the terminal portion has a coating of material with good solderability.

In a first method of making an electrical socket according to the invention, the electrically conductive member is introduced as a whole into the body.

In a second method, the terminal portion is connected to the contact portion only after the latter has been introduced into the body.

In either of these two methods the terminal portion may be bent one or more times, and in the first method this may take place after the electrically conducting member has been introduced into the body. In both methods, after the terminal portion has been bent, it may be cut to length if necessary.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a front elevation of an electrical socket; Figure 2 is a section through the socket of Figure 1; and Figures 3a to 3e illustrate by way of example five different forms of electrically conductive member.

Figures 1 and 2 show an electrical socket comprising an insulating body 1 consisting of plastics, wherein a central portion 3 is surrounded by an annular space 2. In the central portion 3, electrically conductive members 5 are disposed in recesses 4.

Situated in the lower portion of the insulating body 1 is an earthing spring 6, the free end 7 of which projects into the annular space 2, while its two soldering lugs 8 are electrically connected to conductor paths on a printed circuit board 16.

The plug with its plug pins for cooperation with the illustrated socket is not shown. In the illustrated form of construction the socket is of so-called P-construction. This means that the direction of introduction of the plug into the socket is parallel to the printed circuit board 16.

Although only one socket is shown in the figures, the invention is of course applicable to multiple arrangements. In addition, the number and position of the recesses may be varied.

Figure 3 illustrates five variations of an electrically conductive member 5. In each case an upper contact portion is a stamping in the form of a symmetrical two-pronged fork. Alternatively the upper contact portion may be a stamping which is cup-shaped or three-pointed or in the form of a scraper.

Each of the electrically conductive members of Figures 3a and b consists of an upper contact portion 9 and a lower terminal portion which is a wire portion 10.

Each upper contact portion 9 is made of springy material and is so shaped as to grip resiliently an electrically conductive part of a plug. In order to lower the contact resistance, the contact portion 9 is provided with a suitable surface coating, for example of silver or gold. There is preferably employed as the wire portion 10 soft round material which can be equally well deformed in all directions. Since the wire portion 10 is the terminal portion for the printed circuit board, there is chosen as a surface coating thereof a layer having good solderability, for example tin. In addition, this surface coating is cheaper to produce than the surface coating of the contact portion 9. The wire portion 10 may be taken from a roll and connected to the contact portion 9 in an automatic machine. Depending upon requirements, the wire portion 10 may be secured either symmetrically or unsymmetrically with respect to the axis of the contact portion 9. The length of the wire portion 10 may be adjusted on the automatic machine, so that substantially no material is wasted.

After the production of the electrically conductive members they are introduced in another automatic machine into the recesses 4 in the insulating body 1 and bent over one or more times. If still necessary, the wire portion 10 may be cut to the desired lengths.

Another form of construction of an electrically conductive member is illustrated in Figure 3c. The contact portion 11 has on its base an extension 12 which can project through a tapered portion of a recess 4 at the rear side of the insulating body 1. The contact portion 11 is first introduced into the recess as far as the stop. Thereafter, the wire portion 13 is secured to the contact portion 11. This may be done either in alignment with the contact portion 11 or at a right angle, as shown in Figure 3d.

In the case of the electrically conductive members illustrated in Figures 3a to 3d, the connection between the two portions is made by butt welding. Another possibility is illustrated in Figure 3e. The contact portion 14 has in its base an opening into which the wire portion 15 is introduced.

A head is preferably formed on the wire portion 15, this head being pressed from both sides after the introduction, so that a good mechanical and electrical connection is ensured.

In each of the illustrated electrically conductive members, the use of a stamping for the contact portion means that contact pressure exerted thereby is relatively high.

On the other hand, owing to the use of a wire portion as the terminal portion, uniform deformability in all directions is obtained. In addition, the wire portion may be secured symmetrically or unsymmetrically to the contact portion, depending upon requirements, without a new tool being required as would be the case if the entire member were a stamping. There is no waste of material, because the correct wire length can be set according to requirements by a roll on an automatic machine as already mentioned. Moreover, a suitable surface coating can be applied to any part, depending upon its intended use.

The illustrated and described electrically conductive members are cheap to produce and also compact.

Of course the invention is not limited to the constructional forms of electrically conductive members as illustrated in the figures.

Thus, for example, the contact portion may be additionally held fast in the insulating body by detents or barbs.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. An electrical socket adapted for insertion in a printed circuit and comprising a body of electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members supported by the body and at least one of which comprises: a contact portion which is situated in a respective recess in said body, the contact portion being a stamping for cooperation with an electrically conductive part of another electrical connector; and a terminal portion which is

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. central portion 3, electrically conductive members 5 are disposed in recesses 4. Situated in the lower portion of the insulating body 1 is an earthing spring 6, the free end 7 of which projects into the annular space 2, while its two soldering lugs 8 are electrically connected to conductor paths on a printed circuit board 16. The plug with its plug pins for cooperation with the illustrated socket is not shown. In the illustrated form of construction the socket is of so-called P-construction. This means that the direction of introduction of the plug into the socket is parallel to the printed circuit board 16. Although only one socket is shown in the figures, the invention is of course applicable to multiple arrangements. In addition, the number and position of the recesses may be varied. Figure 3 illustrates five variations of an electrically conductive member 5. In each case an upper contact portion is a stamping in the form of a symmetrical two-pronged fork. Alternatively the upper contact portion may be a stamping which is cup-shaped or three-pointed or in the form of a scraper. Each of the electrically conductive members of Figures 3a and b consists of an upper contact portion 9 and a lower terminal portion which is a wire portion 10. Each upper contact portion 9 is made of springy material and is so shaped as to grip resiliently an electrically conductive part of a plug. In order to lower the contact resistance, the contact portion 9 is provided with a suitable surface coating, for example of silver or gold. There is preferably employed as the wire portion 10 soft round material which can be equally well deformed in all directions. Since the wire portion 10 is the terminal portion for the printed circuit board, there is chosen as a surface coating thereof a layer having good solderability, for example tin. In addition, this surface coating is cheaper to produce than the surface coating of the contact portion 9. The wire portion 10 may be taken from a roll and connected to the contact portion 9 in an automatic machine. Depending upon requirements, the wire portion 10 may be secured either symmetrically or unsymmetrically with respect to the axis of the contact portion 9. The length of the wire portion 10 may be adjusted on the automatic machine, so that substantially no material is wasted. After the production of the electrically conductive members they are introduced in another automatic machine into the recesses 4 in the insulating body 1 and bent over one or more times. If still necessary, the wire portion 10 may be cut to the desired lengths. Another form of construction of an electrically conductive member is illustrated in Figure 3c. The contact portion 11 has on its base an extension 12 which can project through a tapered portion of a recess 4 at the rear side of the insulating body 1. The contact portion 11 is first introduced into the recess as far as the stop. Thereafter, the wire portion 13 is secured to the contact portion 11. This may be done either in alignment with the contact portion 11 or at a right angle, as shown in Figure 3d. In the case of the electrically conductive members illustrated in Figures 3a to 3d, the connection between the two portions is made by butt welding. Another possibility is illustrated in Figure 3e. The contact portion 14 has in its base an opening into which the wire portion 15 is introduced. A head is preferably formed on the wire portion 15, this head being pressed from both sides after the introduction, so that a good mechanical and electrical connection is ensured. In each of the illustrated electrically conductive members, the use of a stamping for the contact portion means that contact pressure exerted thereby is relatively high. On the other hand, owing to the use of a wire portion as the terminal portion, uniform deformability in all directions is obtained. In addition, the wire portion may be secured symmetrically or unsymmetrically to the contact portion, depending upon requirements, without a new tool being required as would be the case if the entire member were a stamping. There is no waste of material, because the correct wire length can be set according to requirements by a roll on an automatic machine as already mentioned. Moreover, a suitable surface coating can be applied to any part, depending upon its intended use. The illustrated and described electrically conductive members are cheap to produce and also compact. Of course the invention is not limited to the constructional forms of electrically conductive members as illustrated in the figures. Thus, for example, the contact portion may be additionally held fast in the insulating body by detents or barbs. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. An electrical socket adapted for insertion in a printed circuit and comprising a body of electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members supported by the body and at least one of which comprises: a contact portion which is situated in a respective recess in said body, the contact portion being a stamping for cooperation with an electrically conductive part of another electrical connector; and a terminal portion which is

made of wire directly connected to said contact portion.

2. A socket according to Claim 1, wherein said contact portion is so shaped as to cooperate resiliently with said electrically conductive part of another electrical connector.

3. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said contact portion is of springy material.

4. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal portion is of soft round material.

5. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal portion has one or more bends in it.

6. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wire of the terminal portion is substantially at right angles to the surface of the contact portion to which it is directly connected.

7. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the direct connection between the contact portion and the terminal portion was made by butt welding.

8. A socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the direct connection between the contact portion and the terminal portion was made by soldering with solder of high melting point.

9. A socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the direct connection between the contact portion and the terminal portion was made by pinching or pressing.

10. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion is in the form of a symmetrical fork.

11. A socket according to Claim 10, wherein the end of the wire of the terminal portion connects to the base of the fork in a direction extending substantially parallel to the axis of the fork and at a point either on or to one side of said axis.

12. A socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact portion is substantially cup-shaped.

13. A socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact portion is a scraper spring.

14. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion has a coating of material with high electrical conductivity.

15. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal portion has a coating of material with good solderability.

16. An electrical socket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

17. An electrical socket according to Claims 10, 11 or 16, or Claim 14 or 15 when appended to Claim 10, or 11, in which the electrically conductive member is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 3a to 3e of the accompanying drawing.

18. A method of making an electrical socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electrically conductive member is introduced as a whole into the body.

19. A method of making an electrical socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the terminal portion is connected to the contact portion only after the latter has ben introduced into its recess in the body.

20. A method according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the terminal portion is bent one or more times.

21. A method according to Claim 20, when appended to Claim 18, wherein said terminal portion is bent one or more times after the electrically conducting member has been introduced into the body.

22. A method according to Claim 20 or 21, wherein the terminal portion is cut to length after being bent.