GB2070349A - Interconnecting means - Google Patents

Interconnecting means Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2070349A
GB2070349A GB8106188A GB8106188A GB2070349A GB 2070349 A GB2070349 A GB 2070349A GB 8106188 A GB8106188 A GB 8106188A GB 8106188 A GB8106188 A GB 8106188A GB 2070349 A GB2070349 A GB 2070349A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
projection
means according
article
articles
recovery
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB8106188A
Other versions
GB2070349B (en
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.)
Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH
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 Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH filed Critical Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH
Publication of GB2070349A publication Critical patent/GB2070349A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2070349B publication Critical patent/GB2070349B/en
Expired 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
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/30—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor
    • H05K3/306—Lead-in-hole components, e.g. affixing or retention before soldering, spacing means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/70—Insulation of connections
    • H01R4/72—Insulation of connections using a heat shrinking insulating sleeve
    • H01R4/726—Making a non-soldered electrical connection simultaneously with the heat shrinking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/18—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components
    • H05K1/189—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/01—Dielectrics
    • H05K2201/0104—Properties and characteristics in general
    • H05K2201/0129—Thermoplastic polymer, e.g. auto-adhesive layer; Shaping of thermoplastic polymer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10431—Details of mounted components
    • H05K2201/10568—Integral adaptations of a component or an auxiliary PCB for mounting, e.g. integral spacer element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10431—Details of mounted components
    • H05K2201/10598—Means for fastening a component, a casing or a heat sink whereby a pressure is exerted on the component towards the PCB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits covered by H05K3/00
    • H05K2203/16—Inspection; Monitoring; Aligning
    • H05K2203/167—Using mechanical means for positioning, alignment or registration, e.g. using rod-in-hole alignment

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

Two electrical components (2, 14) are interconnected, for example Figure 1, by placing a portion (6) of one of them on a projection (16) of the other. The projection (16) is partially made from a heat-recoverable material that on recovery is shaped to oppose removal of the portion (6) therefrom, thereby securing the articles together. Alternatively, Figure 3, a plurality of spaced portions 42 may be provided which, upon recovery, may extend across component 30 or over sector 34. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Interconnecting means This invention relates to means for interconnecting articles and may be used, for example, to mount an electrical component on a substrate orto provide mechanical interconnection between electrical components or between two electrically-conductive members.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided means for mechanically securing electrical connection between first and second articles, comprising an integral projection that projects in a first sense from a surface of the first article, and a co-operating integral portion of the second article that is relatively movable towards said surface in a second sense, that is generally opposite to the first sense, to dispose the co-operating portion adjacent the projection, wherein the projection or said cooperating portion is at least partially formed of recoverable (preferably heat-recoverable) material so arranged that on heat recovery thereof breaking of the electrical connection is opposed by engagement of the recovered projection or co-operating portion with respectively the recovered portion or projection. We prefer that it is the projection that is recoverable.It is possible that both the projection and the co-operating portion be recoverable. The recoverable material may be a plastics material, for example a heat-recoverable cross-linked polymer, metal or alloy.
The projection may be a stud, and the sense in which it projects from the surface may be substantially normal to that surface. The co-operating portion may be an aperture through which the stud projects. When we refer to the projection and co-operating portion being integral, what we mean is that they form part of the articles and are not discrete elements. The co-operating portion of the second article may be disposed around or at the side of the projection.
Afurther projection, at least partially formed of heat-recoverable material, may project from the surface of the first article, and the two projections may co-operate to oppose, on heat recovery, removal of the second member from the first member in a sense other than said first sense, for example transversely thereto. Alternatively, the further projection can be formed on the second article. The mechanical interconnection may itself produce the electrical connection, or separate electrical contacts may be provided. In such instance the second article may be located on the said surface of the first article by means of interengagement of respective electrical contacts, prior to heat recovery of the projection.
Alternatively, the projection and co-operating portion of the respective articles may themselves be or form part of electrical conductors such that electrical interconnection is itself effected by the mechanical interconnection.
Two embodiments of interconnecting means, each in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure lisa perspective view of the first embodiment, showing the two articles prior to interconnection; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a direction of arrow A, showing the two articles after the interconnection has been completed; Figure 2a shows a modification of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second embodiment showing the two articles prior to interconnection; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 3 in the direction of arrow B, showing the two articles after the interconnection has been completed.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an electrical component 2 comprises a substantially flat electrical lead 4 terminating in a circular portion 6. Four conductive bands 8 extend along the upper surface of the component 2 and terminate in conductive apertures 10 in the circular portion 6. An oval shaped aperture 12 is located at the centre of the circular portion 6 of the component 2.
The electrical component 2 is to be connected to a substrate 14, e.g. a printed circuit board, that has a projection 16, of corresponding shape to the aperture 12, projecting centrally from an upper surface 18 thereof.
The circular portion 6 of the electrical component 2 is disposable over the projection 16, and electrical terminals 20 extending upwardly from the surface 18 pass through and engage conductive apertures 10, to provide electrical interconnection between the component 2 and the substrate 14. The projection 16 is formed, at least towards its free end 22, of a heat-recoverable plastics material. When the component 2 has been placed on to substrate 14, making electrical connection therewith and with the projection 16 extending throuqh the aperture 12. the projection end 22 is heated so as to recover its original shape. As can be seen from Figure 2. the recovered end 22 overlaps the circular portion 6 of the component 2, thereby preventing withdrawal of the component 2 from the projection 16. If desirable.
the heat-recoverable portion of the prolection 16 can be arranged to urge the circular portion 6 of the component 2 down on to the upper surface 18 of the substrate 14.
Figure 2a shows a modification of the interconnecting means of Figure 2, wherein the recovery on heating of a projection 16 is such that it expands radially along its length to bulge out around a component 2.
The co-operating aperture 12 and projection 16 are shown as oval-shaped and located symmetrically with respect to the component 2 and substrate 14 respectively. However, it is envisaged that other shapes, for example circular or triangular, could be employed. It is also envisaged that asymmentrical location could be employed. Locating the projection and co-operating for the electrical interconnection, since it allows the two parts to be interconnected in one way only. That is to say, with reference to Figure 1 for example, if the component 2 and substrate 14 were so modified and the component 2 turned upside-down, it would not then be mountable on the substrate 14, thus positively preventing incorrect electrical interconnection.
It will thus be appreciated that any strain put on the combination of the component 2 and the substrate 14 is taken up by the mechanical interengagement between the projection 16 and the aperture 12 rather than at the electrical interengagement between the conductive apertures 10 and the terminal 20.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, an electrical component 30 comprises an elongate flat lead 32 terminating in a sector portion 34. Three conductive bands 36 extend along the upper surface of the component 30 and terminate in respective conductive apertures 38 in the sector 34. The component 30 is to be connected to a substrate 40 that has two projections 42 extending upwardly from a circular upper surface 44 thereof. Electrical terminals 46 extend upwardly from the surface 44 for engagement with the conductive aperture 38 as the component 30 is brought down on to the upper surface 44.
The upper portions 47 of the projections 42 are made from heat recoverable plastics material, and after the component 30 has been placed down on the substrate 40, heat is applied to the portions 47 to cause then to recover over the lead 32, and shown in Figure 4, thus preventing removal of the component 30 upwardly away from the substrate 40. Alternatively, the whole length of the projections 42 may be heat recoverable and arranged to recover to the shape shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, shoulders 48 of the sector 34 engage sides 50 of the projections 42, thereby providing additional mechanical interconnection of the component 30 and the substrate 40. It will be appreciated that the heat-recoverable portion 47 of the projections 42 may be arranged to engage the upper surface of the sector 34, on recovery, thus urging the component 30 on to the surface 44 of the substrate 40.
It is envisaged that only one of the projections 42 may be provided whilst still providing adequate interconnection in some instances. Alternatively, it may be desirable to provide three, or more, recoverable projections.
Although in the embodiments described the mechanical and electrical interconnections are provided by separate features of the articles, it is envisaged that, with reference to Figure 1 for example, at least the edge of the aperture 12 and at least the outer surface of the contacting portion of the projection 16 could be electrically conductive and thus provide electrical interconnection between the component 2 and the substrate 14 when mounted as shown in Figure 2, regardless of the apertures 10 and terminals 20. For example, the projection 16 could be of metal and used to earth the component 2, or at least part of it. Other electrical connections, such as the terminals 20 could be electrically insulated from the projection 16.
It is further envisaged that heat recoverable metal or alloy may be used in the projections, rather than plastics material referred to above. In such case, the material sold under the Raychem trade mark BETAL LOY, may be suitable.
It is also envisaged that the interconnecting means of the present invention may be used to interconnect members other than those that give rise to simultaneous electrical interconnecting. For example boxlike or other shaped articles may be secured together using the present interconnecting means.

Claims (20)

1. Means for mechanically securing electrical connection between first and second articles, comprising an integral projection that projects in a first sense from a surface of the first article, and a co-operating integral portion of the second article that is relatively movable towards said surface in a second sense, that is generally opposite to the first sense, to dispose the co-operating portion adjacent the projection, wherein the projection or said cooperating portion is at least partially formed of recoverable material so arranged that on heat recovery thereof breaking of the electrical connection is opposed by engagement of the recovered projection or co-operating portion with respectively the portion or projection.
2. Means according to Claim 1, wherein the recoverable material is heat-recoverable.
3. Means according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the recoverable material is a plastics material.
4. Means according to Claim 3, wherein the plastics material is a cross-linked polymer.
5. Means according to Claim 1 or 2. wherein the recoverable material is a metal or alloy.
6. Means according to Claim 5, wherein the alloy is beta-brass or a nickel-titanium alloy.
7. Means according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection and the co-operating portion are shaped so as to prevent separation of the articles in a sense substantially normal to said first and second senses.
8. Means according to any preceding claim, wherein the co-operating portion of the second article comprises an aperture, and wherein prior to recovery of the projection can extend through the aperture and on recovery the projection is shaped to prevent its withdrawal through the aperture.
9. Means according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection is recoverable.
10. Means according to Claim 9. wherein prior to recovery the projection is of substantially regular shape.
11. Means according to any preceding claim wherein the co-operating portion of the second article comprises a substantially flat surface, and wherein the projection, on recovery, overlies said flat surface.
12. Means according to Claim 11, wherein a further projection projects in said first sense from said surface of the first article, or in said second sense from said surface of the second article, and is at least partially formed of heat-recoverable material, and wherein the two projections are arranged, on their recovery, to move towards each other and to overly said flat surface of the second article.
13. Means according to Claim 12, wherein said flat surface has a neck portion for disposal between said projections and a contiguous shoulder portion for abutting at least one of said projections.
14. Means according to any preceding claim, wherein the two articles carry respective electrical contacts that are interengaged when the cooperating portion of the second article is disposed adjacent the projection of the first article.
15. Means according to Claim 14, wherein in addition to the projection and co-operating portion each article carries a plurality of electrical contacts, the contacts on one article interengaging with those on the other article.
16. Means according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein the contacts are disposed relative to the projection and co-operating portion such that any strain tending to separate the first and second articles is borne substantially entirely by the projection and cooperating portion.
17. Means according to any of Claims 1-14, wherein at least part of the projection and at least part of the co-operating portion are electrically conductive such that an electrically conductive path is formed between the first and second articles on recovery of said recoverable material.
18. Means according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection and the co-operating portion are located asymmetrically with respect to their respective articles such that the first and second articles are interconnectable only in a predetermined manner.
19. Means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figures 1 and 2 as modified by Figure 2a, or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawing.
20. Two articles interconnected electrically by means in accordance with any preceding claim.
GB8106188A 1980-02-27 1981-02-27 Interconnecting means Expired GB2070349B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8006612 1980-02-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2070349A true GB2070349A (en) 1981-09-03
GB2070349B GB2070349B (en) 1983-08-10

Family

ID=10511720

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8106188A Expired GB2070349B (en) 1980-02-27 1981-02-27 Interconnecting means

Country Status (2)

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DE (1) DE3107552A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2070349B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2496281A (en) * 2011-11-04 2013-05-08 Rolls Royce Plc Flexible printed circuit (FPC) electrical harness and connector
US8932066B2 (en) 2011-11-04 2015-01-13 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US9731663B2 (en) 2013-05-03 2017-08-15 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US9818503B2 (en) 2013-05-03 2017-11-14 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US10180180B2 (en) 2013-09-25 2019-01-15 Medela Holding Ag Gear motor pump assembly

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3738249A1 (en) * 1986-11-18 1988-05-19 Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Electrical switching element for drives
DE102004014137A1 (en) * 2004-03-23 2005-10-20 Siemens Ag Arrangement with an electric motor and a main circuit board and mounting method

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2496281A (en) * 2011-11-04 2013-05-08 Rolls Royce Plc Flexible printed circuit (FPC) electrical harness and connector
US8932066B2 (en) 2011-11-04 2015-01-13 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US9139144B2 (en) 2011-11-04 2015-09-22 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US9472872B2 (en) 2011-11-04 2016-10-18 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness
US9731663B2 (en) 2013-05-03 2017-08-15 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US9818503B2 (en) 2013-05-03 2017-11-14 Rolls-Royce Plc Electrical harness connector
US10180180B2 (en) 2013-09-25 2019-01-15 Medela Holding Ag Gear motor pump assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2070349B (en) 1983-08-10
DE3107552A1 (en) 1982-01-28

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee