GB2024539A - Electrical Contact Assembly for Printed Circuit Board Connector - Google Patents
Electrical Contact Assembly for Printed Circuit Board Connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2024539A GB2024539A GB7922360A GB7922360A GB2024539A GB 2024539 A GB2024539 A GB 2024539A GB 7922360 A GB7922360 A GB 7922360A GB 7922360 A GB7922360 A GB 7922360A GB 2024539 A GB2024539 A GB 2024539A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cavity
- contact
- contact element
- flanges
- pair
- 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- Withdrawn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
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
- H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
- H01R12/724—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits containing contact members forming a right angle
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/04—Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets
- H01R13/05—Resilient pins or blades
- H01R13/052—Resilient pins or blades co-operating with sockets having a circular transverse section
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/405—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
- H01R13/41—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting by frictional grip in grommet, panel or base
Abstract
A contact of a printed circuit board connector has a pair of laterally extending flanges 46, 48 for preventing axial displacement when mounted in a cavity 24 in the connector housing, the flanges 46, 48 forming longitudinal channels in the cavity side wall 50 as the contact is inserted into the cavity 24. A second pair of flanges 56, 58 move within the channels as the contact is inserted and prevent lateral and rotational movement of the inserted contact. The portion 30 projecting from the cavity 24 for engagement with a printed circuit board extends in a channel formed in the housing to preclude rotational movement of the contact within the cavity 24. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Electrical Contact Assembly for printed Circuit
Board Connector
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to electrical connectors and contact elements therefor and more particularly to electrical connectors for use with printed circuit boards. Specifically, the present invention relates to improved contact elements for mounting in printed circuit board connectors.
Background of the Prior Art
Printed circuit (P.C.) boards and the circuits carried thereon may be interconnected with a wide variety of electrical connectors in a number of different manners. One such manner of interconnection includes inserting a side edge of the P.C. board into a receiving slot of a mating connector. Another manner of interconnecting the circuits of a P.C. board to a connector is to provide a connector having a plurality of projecting contact elements adapted for insertion into a plurality of apertures disposed in the circuit board, each aperture being electrically connected to a circuit on the board. Each of these latter connectors commonly include a plurality of tubular cavities aligned in spaced rows and a gang of contact elements mounted in the cavities.
The terminal portions of such contact elements project from the connector body and are generally oriented at right angles relative to the active contact portions disposed in the connector cavities to provide the connector housing with a low profile when connected to a circuit board.
Furthermore, the terminal ends of all the contact elements of one connector are generally aligned in a single plane for simultaneous connection to a circuit board, thereby requiring that the contact elements in one row of cavities have lengths different from the contact elements in a spaced row of cavities.
The above-described P.C. board connectors and contact elements are generally quite small, and a common problem with such connectors is to securely and firmly engage the contact elements within the connector housing cavities.
Furthermore, another problem with such connectors arises from the fact that each contact element is frequently smaller in transverse dimension than the diameter of the rear portion of the mounting cavity to permit easy insertion and mounting of the contact element within the cavity. Thus, the rear portion of each contact element projecting from the end opening of the cavity is free to flex by moving laterally as well as rotationally within the cavity. When a plurality of such thin, flexible contact elements extend from a connector, the alignment and simultaneous insertion of the contact elements into a plurality of closely spaced apertures in a circuit board becomes quite difficult.
In order to properly align prior P.C. board connectors of the above type, some of the contact elements of each connector frequently had to be hand-positioned over the appropriate apertures in the P.C. board due to the lateral and rotational flexibility of the thin contact elements. Such an insertion procedure is time-consuming and costly.
However, when such careful alignment is not performed, some of the contact elements become improperly aligned with their appropriate receiving apertures, thereby preventing full engagement of the connector with the P.C. board or causing damage to some of the contact elements upon attempted insertion thereof into the P.C. board apertures.
Brief Summary of the Invention
Therefore, the present invention is directed to an improved contact element for use in printed circuit board connectors which overcomes the above-described deficiencies and problems of prior circuit board connector contact elements.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a contact element for P.C. board connectors which is securely mountable within the connector so as to prevent axial displacement therewithin and is stabilized against lateral and rotational movement relative to the connector housing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a printed circuit board connector having a plurality of contact elements projecting therefrom which are readily alignable and insertable within receiving apertures in a printed circuit board without significant flexing of the contact elements relative to the connector.
Accordingly, the present invention includes a novel contact element adapted for mounting within a tubular cavity disposed in a connector housing. The contact element includes an active contact portion for mounting within the cavity and a terminal contact portion for projecting from the connector housing and for insertion into a P.C.
board receiving aperture. The contact element is preferably adapted to be bent to align the terminal portion thereof substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector mounting cavity and the active contact portion. At least part of the bent terminal portion may extend through a channel in the adjacent housing wall whereby rotation of the active contact portion in the housing cavity is affirmatively precluded. The active contact portion is preferably in the form of a pin contact member disposed within the connector cavity for engagement with a female contact member of a mating connector component.
The contact element of the present invention includes means for securely maintaining the contact element within the connector housing by securing the contact element against axial displacement within the connector cavity. In the preferred form, such maintaining means include first lateral projection members disposed intermediate the active and terminal portions of the contact element for engagement with the sidewall of the connector mounting cavity. The first lateral projection members are adapted to form channels within the cavity sidewall when the contact element is inserted into the cavity.
The contact element of the invention also includes means for stabilizing the contact element within the connector housing to prevent lateral and rotational displacement of the contact element within the cavity. This feature significantly reduces the flexibility of the projecting terminal portion of the contact element. In preferred form, the stabilizing means include second lateral projection members spaced from the first lateral projection members and disposed between the first lateral projection members and the terminal contact portion. The second lateral projection members are adapted for engagement with the mounting cavity sidewall proximate the end opening of the cavity and for movement within the channels created by the first projection members during insertion of the contact element into the cavity.
In preferred form, the contact element is bent adjacent the end opening of the connector cavity so that the distance between such bend in the contact element and the second lateral projection members which engage the cavity sidewall and thereby anchor the contact element is very small.
This arrangement creates a very small moment arm which significantly reduces the flexibility of the terminal contact portion projecting from the connector. In addition, a portion of the terminal contact portion may extend through a channel having a width generally the same as the width of the contact portion whereby rotation of the active contact portion is precluded.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, will become apparent and best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, setting forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of the invention in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a P.C.
board connector with the contact elements of the present invention inserted therewith in;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the P.C.
board connector illustrated in Figure 1 taken substantially along line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a contact element constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the contact element illustrated in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is an end plan view taken substantially along line 7-7 of Figure 3;
Figure 8 is a side elevation view substantially similar to Figure 3 but showing the contact element in its bent position as inserted within a connector housing;
Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the bent contact element of Figure 8; and
Figure 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view through one cavity of the connector illustrated in
Figure 1 and showing a top plan view of the bent contact element mounted therewithin.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 10, an electrical connector 10 is shown which is particularly suitable for connection to a printed circuit board of a conventional type. The connector 10 includes a housing 12 which has a forward mating portion 14, a terminal contact receiving portion 16, and a mounting flange portion 18. The forward mating portion 14 is adapted for connection to a mating connector member (not illustrated) to interconnect the electrical circuits thereof with electrical circuits of the circuit board (not illustrated). The housing terminal portion 1 6 is adapted to mount a plurality of contact elements 20 as discussed in greater detail below.The mounting flange portion 1 8 preferably includes at least two mounting and alignment pins 22 for engagement within appropriate spaced openings in the printed circuit board. In preferred form, the connector housing 12 may be constructed from any known electrically insulating, thermoplastic material.
The housing terminal portion 1 6 preferably includes a plurality of elongated, tubular cavities 24 aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis 26 of the connector 10. Each cavity 24 has a reduced diameter forward portion 25 for receiving the active contact portion of the contact element 20, and a rear end opening 27.
The contact element 20 projects initially outwardly from the opening 27 parallel with the axis 26 and then immediately downwardly, substantially perpendicular to the axis 26. The downwardly extending portion of the contact element 20 passes through a corresponding channel 11 formed in the side of the housing portion 16. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, channels 11 are formed to extend downwardly through a raised portion 1 3 in the housing sidewall. The cavities 24 and the contact elements 20 are arranged such that when the connector 10 is mounted to a printed circuit board with the pins 22 engaging the appropriate openings therein, each contact element 20 becomes aligned and inserted within an aperture in the circuit board (not illustrated), as is well known in the art.
Conventionally, each aperture in the circuit board is electrically connected to a printed circuit thereon so that the engagement of a contact element 20 within such an aperture electrically interconnects the contact element 20 with that particular printed circuit of the board.
As previously mentioned, a distinct problem with such P.C. board connectors is that the contact elements projecting therefrom have a transverse dimension "a" (Figure 4) which is less than the diameter "b" (Figure 10) of the rear portion of the contact element mounting cavity.
Thus, the contact elements of prior connectors have substantial flexibility due to their capability of movement in both lateral and rotational directions relative to the connector housing. This is particularly disadvantageous when attempting to engage a gang of contact elements projecting from such a connector into a plurality of apertures in a circuit board, for the contact elements are usually quite thin and the apertures closely spaced. The slightest lateral or rotational movement of such a contact element when it is being engaged with a circuit board will generally misalign that particular element with its appropriate receiving aperture. In addition, the flexibility of the contact elements permits them to be readily bent during the process of engaging the connector with the circuit board.
To overcome this problem, and with reference to Figures 3-10, the contact element 20 of the present invention includes both means for securely maintaining the contact element 20 within the connector housing 12 as well as means for stabilizing the contact element 2Q against both lateral displacement and rotational movement within the cavity 24. More specifically, the contact element 20 is preferably an elongated integral member having an active contact portion 28, a terminal contact portion 30, and an intermediate contact portion 32. The contact element 20 is preferably stamped and formed from a single sheet of electrically conductive metal and then bent to take the form as described below. The active contact portion 28 is preferably in the form of a single, rounded pin contact member 29 having its edges tightly abutting each other along a seam 31.The pin contact member 29 is sized and shaped for secure insertion within the forward portion 25 of the cavity 24 and is adapted for mating engagement with a female contact member of a mating connector component (not illustrated) when the mating connector component is engaged with the forward mating portion 14 of the connector 10.
Referring more particularly to Figures 3-9, the terminal contact portion 30 includes an elongated member 34 having substantially flat, parallel side edges 36 and a raised central portion 38 having a substantially V-shaped cross section with a vertex 39. The member 34 terminates in a fiat, pointed end flange 40. This arrangement for the terminal portion 30 permits the member 34 to be engaged within an appropriate sized square or round aperture, the side members 36 and the vertex 39 engaging the circular sidewall of a round aperture. The flat, pointed end flange 40 aids in locating and centering the elongated member 34 within a connector board aperture during insertion. In addition, the V-shaped raised portion 38 provides strength for the relatively thin terminal portion 30, which preferably has a width "a" of approximately .035 inch.
The intermediate portion 32 of contact element 20 includes an elongated member 34' which is an extension of the elongated member 34 of the terminal portion 30. The elongated member 34', however, includes two wide, flat side edges 42, 43, and a raised arcuate center portion 44. The flat side edges 42, 43 extend substantially the entire width of the rear portion of the cavity 24 and function to strengthen the contact element 20 as well as provide a base structure for the maintaining means and stabilizing means, to be described below. The arcuate portion 44 is adapted to be an extension of a portion of the rounded pin contact member 29 which, as described above, is sized to securely fit within the forward, reduced diameter portion 25 of the cavity 24.
Disposed proximate the rear end of the intermediate portion 32 immediately at the beginning of the terminal portion 30 is a narrow flat section 45. As can be particularly seen in
Figures 8 and 9, the flat section 45 provides the location for bending of the contact element 20 to orient the terminal contact portion 30 substantially perpendicular to the active contact portion 28 and the intermediate contact portion 32. Furthermore, the section 45 controls the bending of the contact element 28 by providing a small area between the raised portion 44 and the raised portion 38. In this manner, the contact element 20 may be stamped and formed and then readily bent at the section 45 either prior to or after its insertion within a cavity 24. As will be described in more detail below, the flat section 45 also defines the small moment arm of the bent contact element 20.
The means for maintaining the contact elements within the cavities 24 as well as the means for stabilizing the contact elements against lateral and rotational displacement within the cavities 24 are preferably disposed along the intermediate portion 32. In addition, or alternatively, the passage of the downwardly extending terminal contact portion through the housing sidewall channel 11 immediately below the bent section 45 stabilizes the contact against rotational displacement within the cavity 24. In preferred form, each contact element maintaining means includes a pair of laterally extending integral flanges 46 and 48 which are substantially wing-shaped and project outwardly from the flat side edges 42, 43, respectively.As can be particularly seen in Figure 10, the distal ends of the wing flanges 46 and 48 are sized and shaped to be embedded in the inner surface 50 of the cavity 24 when the contact element 20 is mounted therewithin. As the contact element 20 is inserted within the cavity 24, the flanges 26 and 48 form a pair of channels in the cavity sidewall 50 by engaging the sidewall 50. Once the contact element 20 has been fully inserted within the cavity 24, the thermoplastic material of the connector housing 12 tends to cold flow behind the rear edges 52, 54 of the wing flanges 46 and 48 to thereby firmly secure the contact element 20 within the cavity 24 and prevent axial displacement therewithin.
It should be noted that the pair of flanges 46, 48 are preferably located toward the rear portion of the intermediate section 32 to minimize the distance the flanges 46, 48 must be inserted into the cavity 24. In addition, the slope of each forward edge of the wing flanges 46, 48 is preferably at an angle of approximately 10-1 5 degrees to permit relatively easy insertion of the contact element 20 within the cavity 24. While the slope angle may be greater than this, the insertion force required to fully insert the contact element 20 within the cavity 24 increases commensurately with the slope angle, and a low insertion force is preferred.Finally, while a piurality of smaller teeth may be utilized in lieu of each wing flange 46, 48, the manufacture and maintenance of the die utilized to form the contact element 20 having such pluralities of teeth would be considerably more complicated and expensive. Therefore, it is preferred that the maintenance means comprise merely one pair of flanges 46, 48, having sufficient size to retain the contact element 20 within the cavity 24 against the axial force created during engagement of the connector 10 with a mating connector component (not illustrated) as well as any other force which would tend to axially displace the contact element 20 from within the cavity 24.
Means for stabilizing the contact element 20 against lateral displacement and rotational movement within the cavity 24 are also located on the intermediate portion 32 of the contact element 20. In preferred form, such stabilizing means include a second pair of wing-shaped flanges 56, 58 projecting laterally from the side edges 42, 43, respectively. Similar to the first pair of flanges 46, 48, the second pair of flanges 56, 58 are adapted for engagement with the cavity sidewall 50 so that the distal ends of the flanges 56, 58 become embedded therewithin.In preferred form, the second pair of flanges 56, 58 are aligned longitudinally with the first pair of flanges 46, 48, thereby permitting the flanges 56 and 58 to follow within the channels formed in the sidewall 50 by the flanges 46 and 48 as the contact element 20 is inserted into the cavity 24.
In as much as the insertion of the contact element 20 within the cavity 24 is extremely rapid, the cold flow of the thermoplastic housing material behind the rear edges 52, 54 does not take place until after the flanges 56, 58 have been fully inserted within the cavity 24. This arrangement provides guidance for the second pair of flanges 56, 58 during insertion into the cavity 24 as well as reduces the force required for insertion of the flanges 56, 58.
In the preferred form, the rear edges 60, 62 of the second pair of flanges 56, 58, respectively, are aligned adjacent to the end opening 27 of the cavity 24 so that the edges 60, 62 are at least proximate to and preferably flush with the outer surface of the connector housing 12. This configuration results in a very small distance between the bend at the section 45 of the contact element 20, which is proximate the end opening 27, and the rear edges 60, 62, which are anchored to the cavity sidewall 50 at the end opening 27. Such a small distance creates a very small moment arm, which in turn increases the amount of force required to flex the contact element 20 at the end 40 of the terminal contact portion 30.Such a small distance also permits the downwardly extending contact portion to extend through the housing sidewall channel 11 below bend 45. Since the contact cannot rotate when received in the channel, the latter serves to stabilize the contact against rotation as do flanges 56 and 58. Therefore, this configuration significantly reduces the flexibility of the terminal contact portion 30 projecting from the connector housing 12. In addition, this configuration simplifies the assembly of the connector 1 0, for the rear edges 60, 62 preferably function as loading surfaces for pushing the contact element 20 into the cavity 24 using a conventional contact insertion tool.In this manner, the dielectric connector housing 12 acts as a stop for the insertion tool when the edges 60, 62 become flush therewith, the contact element 20 then being in its fully inserted position.
The second pair of wing flanges 56, 58 anchor the contact element 20 within the cavity 24 at the end opening 27 so as to prevent any lateral movement of the contact element 20 relative to its longitudinal axis within the cavity 24. The flanges 56, 58 also prevent rotational movement of the contact element 20 within the cavity 24. In preferred form, the wing flanges 56 and 58 are aligned in a piane substantially parallel with a P.C.
board (not illustrated) to which the connector 10 is mounted. Thus, the flanges 56 and 58 add considerable stability to the contact element 20, especially with respect to vertical lateral movement of the contact element 20 relative to the P.C. board. Such stability is of particular importance when the connector 10 is being engaged with a P.C. board, for it significantly reduces the flexibility of the contact element 20.
This, in turn, permits easy alignment and insertion of the contact elements 20 within the closely spaced receiving apertures of the P.C. board.
It should be noted that the distal ends of the first pair of flanges 46, 48 are preferably relatively sharp to enable ready information of the channels within the sidewall 50 when the contact element 20 is inserted into the cavity 24. The distal ends of the flanges 56, 58, however, are preferably elongated to provide a large surface for engagement within the sidewall 50, the distal ends of the flanges 56 and 58 following in the channels formed by the flanges 46, 48. In addition, it is preferred that the first pair of flanges 46,48 and the second pair of flanges 56, 58 be formed relatively close together to provide as much guidance as possible for the second pair of flanges 56, 58 within the channels formed by the flanges 46, 48.
It can be seen from the above that the present invention provides a contact element for use in a printed circuit board connector which includes integral means for firmly maintaining the contact element within the connector to prevent axial displacement thereof when engaging the connector 10 with a mating connector component. The contact element of the invention also includes integral means for stabilizing the contact element within the connector 10 to prevent lateral and rotational displacement of the contact element when the connector 10 is being engaged with a printed circuit board.In this manner, the plurality of contact elements projecting from the connector 10 will be firmly maintained in alignment with the receiving apertures of the printed circuit board and will permit easy engagement of the connector 10 with the circuit board without bending, damaging or misaligning the contact elements. Thus, the two pair of integral wing flanges, when engaged at the appropriate locations within the connector housing mounting cavity, and the passage of the contact terminal portion through the stabilizing channel 11 referred to above provide a stable and firmly mounted contact element within the connector and a projecting terminal contact portion which has considerably less flexibility than heretofore known.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. An electrical connector comprising: a connector housing having a plurality of longitudinal cavities; and a plurality of elongated contact elements each disposed within one of said cavities, each said contact element including a contact member having an active contact portion at one end, a terminal contact portion at the opposite end, maintenance means for securely maintaining said contact element against axial displacement, and stabilization means for stabilizing said contact element against lateral displacement and rotational movement, said active contact portion and said maintenance means being disposed within one said cavity and said terminal contact portion of each said contact member projecting from a rear end opening of said cavity, said stabilization means comprising a plurality of channels defined by said connector housing corresponding in number to said cavities and being disposed adjacent to said rear end openings, and each said active contact portion having at least a portion thereof correspondingly extending through one of said channels whereby lateral and rotational movement of said active contact portion within said cavity is affirmatively prevented.
2. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each said maintenance means comprises at least one pair of first laterally extending flanges disposed intermediate said active and terminal contact portions and engaged with said cavity sidewall to prevent rearward axial displacement of said contact element, andwherein said stabilization means further comprises at least one pair of second laterally extending flanges disposed intermediate said pair of first flanges and said terminal contact portion and engaged with said cavity sidewall, the rearmost edges of said pair of second flanges being aligned proximate the rear end opening of said cavity to prevent lateral and rotational displacement of said contact element within said cavity.
3. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said connector housing is formed from thermoplastic material, and wherein each flange of said pair of first flanges is substantially wingshaped and includes a distal end adapted to form a longitudinal channel in said sidewall as said contact element is inserted into said cavity, and each flange of said pair of second flanges is substantially wing-shaped and includes a distal end adapted to move within one said channel as said contact element is inserted within said cavity, said thermoplastic material tending to flow into said channels between said pairs of first and second flanges when said contact element is fully inserted within said cavity to thereby maintain said flanges in firm engagement with said cavity sidewall.
4. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said terminal contact portion is bent at a substantial angle to said active contact portion so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing through which said terminal contact portion passes.
5. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said terminal contact portion is disposed at an angle of substantially 90 degrees with respect to active contact portion.
6. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said connector housing includes a raised portion on the surface thereof immediately adjacent said rear end openings and said channels extend through said raised portion and are defined thereby.
7. An electrical contact element for insertion mounting within an elongated cavity in a connector housing, said contact comprising: a contact member having an active contact portion at one end and a terminal contact portion at the opposite end; maintenance means for securely maintaining said contact element against axial displacement within said housing cavity, said maintenance means comprising first lateral projection means for engagement with a side wall defining said cavity; and stabilization means for stabilizing said contact element against lateral movement within said housing cavity, said stabilization means comprising second lateral projection means axially spaced from said first lateral projection means and adapted for engagement with said cavity side wall, said first lateral projection means comprising a first pair of opposed, substantially planar wing-shaped, laterally extending flanges disposed intermediate said active and terminal contact portions and having distal ends adapted to form longitudinal channels in said side wall as said contact element is inserted within said cavity, said first pair of flanges preventing axial displacement of the inserted contact element within said cavity, and wherein said second lateral projection means comprises a second pair of opposed, substantially planar wing-shaped, laterally extending flanges disposed between said first pair of flanges and said terminal contact portion and having distal ends positioned to move within said channels as said contact element is inserted within said cavity, said second pair of flanges having rearmost edges disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said active contact portion and adapted for alignment substantially adjacent the end of said cavity when said contact element is fully inserted within said cavity, said second pair of flanges preventing lateral and rotational displacement of said contact element within said cavity.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US92060578A | 1978-06-29 | 1978-06-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2024539A true GB2024539A (en) | 1980-01-09 |
Family
ID=25444044
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7922360A Withdrawn GB2024539A (en) | 1978-06-29 | 1979-06-27 | Electrical Contact Assembly for Printed Circuit Board Connector |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5533787A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2925590A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2430166A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2024539A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7905030A (en) |
Cited By (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0148037A1 (en) * | 1984-01-04 | 1985-07-10 | François Robert Bonhomme | Contact connection device and a method of mounting said contacts in the device |
| EP0176761A2 (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1986-04-09 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrical connector block |
| EP0182077A2 (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1986-05-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multi-pin connector suitable for automatic board insertion |
| US4609242A (en) * | 1984-11-06 | 1986-09-02 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Electrical connector apparatus |
| EP0228194A1 (en) * | 1985-12-06 | 1987-07-08 | Amp Incorporated | Surface mount connector |
| GB2185157A (en) * | 1985-11-22 | 1987-07-08 | Re An Products Limited | Electrical socket |
| US4717354A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1988-01-05 | Amp Incorporated | Solder cup connector |
| US4775336A (en) * | 1987-02-06 | 1988-10-04 | Amp Incorporated | Contact insertion feature |
| US5094634A (en) * | 1991-04-11 | 1992-03-10 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector employing terminal pins |
| US5100342A (en) * | 1990-03-30 | 1992-03-31 | Amp Incorporated | High density flat cable connector |
| US5157827A (en) * | 1990-03-30 | 1992-10-27 | Amp Incorporated | Method of inserting teminals into the housing of an electrical connector |
| EP1107400A1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2001-06-13 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector with improved terminal configuration |
| EP2073317A1 (en) * | 2007-12-18 | 2009-06-24 | Tyco Electronics AMP K.K. | Terminal fitting insertion guide structure and electrical connector |
| EP2073318A1 (en) * | 2007-12-18 | 2009-06-24 | Tyco Electronics AMP K.K. | Terminal fitting insertion guide structure and electrical connector |
| US8083554B2 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2011-12-27 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Connector assembly having a unitary housing |
| EP2472677A3 (en) * | 2010-12-28 | 2013-06-26 | Tyco Electronics Japan G.K. | Circuit board assembly, board device, and method for assembling a circuit board assembly |
| US8506336B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2013-08-13 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Stamped and formed contact |
| EP3093925A1 (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2016-11-16 | Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited | Connector |
| WO2021116300A1 (en) * | 2019-12-10 | 2021-06-17 | Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh | Electrical contact device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4225209A (en) * | 1979-05-18 | 1980-09-30 | Amp Incorporated | Electrical connector receptacle |
| US4710132A (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1987-12-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrical plug connector strip |
| DE8901559U1 (en) * | 1989-02-10 | 1990-06-13 | Grote & Hartmann Gmbh & Co Kg, 5600 Wuppertal, De | |
| JP2595011Y2 (en) * | 1992-12-11 | 1999-05-24 | ホシデン株式会社 | Socket type multi-pole connector |
| DE102006055086B3 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-06-19 | Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh | Press-in pin for electrical contacts made of wire material |
| DE102021105913A1 (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2022-09-15 | HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA | Sensor in particular angle of rotation or torque sensor with a support for the stator against rotation |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2911460A (en) * | 1956-08-03 | 1959-11-03 | Robert F Oxley | Fittings for attachment to perforated members |
| US2928066A (en) * | 1956-11-28 | 1960-03-08 | Gordon James | Electrical terminal block |
| US2995617A (en) * | 1958-11-03 | 1961-08-08 | Malco Mfg Co | Self-locking terminal |
| NL130848C (en) * | 1964-02-27 | |||
| US3431545A (en) * | 1967-05-18 | 1969-03-04 | United Carr Inc | Connector with bus bar |
| US3585636A (en) * | 1967-11-30 | 1971-06-15 | United Carr Inc | Indicator light terminal |
| US3566343A (en) * | 1968-08-26 | 1971-02-23 | Amp Inc | Electrical connectors for terminating leads of micro-modular components or the like |
| US3768068A (en) * | 1972-02-04 | 1973-10-23 | Bunker Ramo | One piece free standing terminal |
| US3848952A (en) * | 1973-07-27 | 1974-11-19 | Amp Inc | Zero insertion force edge card connector |
| FR2263615A1 (en) * | 1974-03-07 | 1975-10-03 | Radiall Sa | Multiple pin connector with coiled contacts - has pins prevented from rotating by square collars with sprung radial flaps |
| US4054345A (en) * | 1976-01-29 | 1977-10-18 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Connector assembly |
-
1979
- 1979-06-25 DE DE19792925590 patent/DE2925590A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-06-27 GB GB7922360A patent/GB2024539A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-06-28 NL NL7905030A patent/NL7905030A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1979-06-28 FR FR7917286A patent/FR2430166A1/en active Pending
- 1979-06-29 JP JP8153479A patent/JPS5533787A/en active Pending
Cited By (26)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0148037A1 (en) * | 1984-01-04 | 1985-07-10 | François Robert Bonhomme | Contact connection device and a method of mounting said contacts in the device |
| EP0176761A2 (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1986-04-09 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrical connector block |
| EP0176761A3 (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1987-10-21 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Berlin Und Munchen | Electrical connector block |
| US4609242A (en) * | 1984-11-06 | 1986-09-02 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Electrical connector apparatus |
| EP0182077A2 (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1986-05-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multi-pin connector suitable for automatic board insertion |
| US4717354A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1988-01-05 | Amp Incorporated | Solder cup connector |
| EP0182077A3 (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1988-09-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multi-pin connector suitable for automatic board insertion |
| GB2185157A (en) * | 1985-11-22 | 1987-07-08 | Re An Products Limited | Electrical socket |
| GB2185157B (en) * | 1985-11-22 | 1990-02-28 | Re An Products Limited | Electrical sockets |
| EP0228194A1 (en) * | 1985-12-06 | 1987-07-08 | Amp Incorporated | Surface mount connector |
| US4775336A (en) * | 1987-02-06 | 1988-10-04 | Amp Incorporated | Contact insertion feature |
| US5100342A (en) * | 1990-03-30 | 1992-03-31 | Amp Incorporated | High density flat cable connector |
| US5157827A (en) * | 1990-03-30 | 1992-10-27 | Amp Incorporated | Method of inserting teminals into the housing of an electrical connector |
| US5327641A (en) * | 1990-03-30 | 1994-07-12 | The Whitaker Corporation | Tool for positioning terminals in an electrical connector |
| US5094634A (en) * | 1991-04-11 | 1992-03-10 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector employing terminal pins |
| EP1107400A1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2001-06-13 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector with improved terminal configuration |
| SG95610A1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2003-04-23 | Molex Inc | Electrical connector with improved terminal configuration |
| EP2073318A1 (en) * | 2007-12-18 | 2009-06-24 | Tyco Electronics AMP K.K. | Terminal fitting insertion guide structure and electrical connector |
| EP2073317A1 (en) * | 2007-12-18 | 2009-06-24 | Tyco Electronics AMP K.K. | Terminal fitting insertion guide structure and electrical connector |
| US8083554B2 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2011-12-27 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Connector assembly having a unitary housing |
| EP2472677A3 (en) * | 2010-12-28 | 2013-06-26 | Tyco Electronics Japan G.K. | Circuit board assembly, board device, and method for assembling a circuit board assembly |
| US8616901B2 (en) | 2010-12-28 | 2013-12-31 | Tyco Electronics Japan G.K. | Circuit board assembly, board device, and method for assembling circuit board assembly |
| US8506336B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2013-08-13 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Stamped and formed contact |
| EP3093925A1 (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2016-11-16 | Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited | Connector |
| CN106159510A (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2016-11-23 | 日本航空电子工业株式会社 | Adapter |
| WO2021116300A1 (en) * | 2019-12-10 | 2021-06-17 | Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh | Electrical contact device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NL7905030A (en) | 1980-01-03 |
| DE2925590A1 (en) | 1980-01-17 |
| JPS5533787A (en) | 1980-03-10 |
| FR2430166A1 (en) | 1980-01-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |