GB2132038A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Electrical connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2132038A
GB2132038A GB08333332A GB8333332A GB2132038A GB 2132038 A GB2132038 A GB 2132038A GB 08333332 A GB08333332 A GB 08333332A GB 8333332 A GB8333332 A GB 8333332A GB 2132038 A GB2132038 A GB 2132038A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
housing
connector
parts
finger
contact
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Withdrawn
Application number
GB08333332A
Other versions
GB8333332D0 (en
Inventor
John Shunon Wong
Norman Warburton
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.)
Balfour Beatty PLC
Original Assignee
BICC PLC
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
Priority claimed from GB838315581A external-priority patent/GB8315581D0/en
Application filed by BICC PLC filed Critical BICC PLC
Priority to GB08333332A priority Critical patent/GB2132038A/en
Publication of GB8333332D0 publication Critical patent/GB8333332D0/en
Publication of GB2132038A publication Critical patent/GB2132038A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H01R12/82—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force
    • 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
    • H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
    • H01R12/716—Coupling device provided on the PCB
    • 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
    • H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
    • H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
    • H01R13/113—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular 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
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts
    • 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
    • H01R4/02—Soldered or welded connections

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Abstract

A zero insertion force electrical connector (1) comprising a housing (2) of electrically insulating material comprising two parts (3, 4) joined by an integral hinge (5), the integral hinge having windows (6) of a predetermined size for a predetermined required stiffness of hinge; at least one resilient spring contact (11) positioned between the two parts of the housing which is deformed onto, and makes an electrical connection with, an inserted conductor (17) when the two parts of the housing are moved towards one another; and locking means (23) for locking the two parts of the housing together after they have been moved towards one another. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connector This invention relates to an electrical connector in which little or no insertion force is required to make an electrical connection between a contact in the connector and an inserted electrical conductor. Such a connector will hereinafter, for convenience, be referred to as "of the kind described". A connector of the kind described has particular use when connector ing the conductors (conductive ink or copper plates) on a printed circuit board, or exposed conductors of a flat cable, or discrete conductors, to the conductors on a (second) printed circuit board.
In a known connector of the kind described the connector housing comprising two separate parts which are hinged together. After hinging, the two parts are snap-locked together to deform resilient spring contacts within the housing onto inserted conductors to make an electrical connection with them. The locking arrangement comprises dimples on the end of one part of the housing remote from the hinge (the conductor entry end), which interengage with corresponding slots on the other part of the housing. This connector has the disadvantage that the two parts of the housing can become separated after manufacture and before use, and that to release the locking arrangement considerable force is required including the use of a flat blade (e.g.
a screw driver).
According to the present invention an electrical connector of the kind described comprises a housing of electrically insulating material comprising two parts joined by an integral hinge, the integral hing having windows of a predetermined size for a predetermined required stiffness of hinge; at least one resilient spring contact positioned between the two parts of the housing which is deformed onto, and makes an electrical connection with, an inserted conductor when the two parts of the housing are moved towards one another; and locking means for locking the two parts of the housing together after they have been moved towards one another.
The housing is preferably of nylon material.
The locking means is preferably capable of finger release, and preferably comprises a locking finger on one part of the housing, the finger being attached to the housing by a resilient member; a finger projection attached to the locking finger at the resilient member, the projection extending in the opposite direction to the locking finger; and an edge at or adjacent the free end of each locking finger which engages a corresponding edge on the other part of the housing to lock the two parts together. The locking means is released by pressing the finger projection towards the housing, thereby pivotting the locking finger about the longitudinal axis of its resilient member to move the finger away from the housing and to disengage the interlocked edges.
Alternatively the finger releasable locking means may comprise a locking finger on one part of the housing, the finger being attached to the housing by a resilient member at one end and having at least one edge at or adjacent the free end of the locking finger which can engage at least one corresponding edge on the other part of the housing to lock to two parts together. The locking means is released by moving the free end of the finger away from the other part of the housing.Preferably the finger on the other part of the housing has at least two edges such that the two parts of the housing can have three positions relative to one another; a first where the two parts are not latched together; a second where the two parts are latched together but are still separated enough to allow insertion of a conductor; and a third where the two parts are latched together and press a contact onto the inserted conductorto make an electrical connection therewith.
Preferably the or each edge on the locking finger is an inwardly projecting ledge which engages a corresponding outwardly projecting ledge on said other part of the housing. Alternatively the or each edge on said other part of the housing may be defined by a recess within which the or each edge (defined by, for example, a dimple) on the finger engages; or vice-versa.
Preferably the housing is substantially rectangular, and, in this case, there are preferably two locking fingers, one on each side of the housing adjacent the conductor entry end of the housing.
The or each contact preferably has an extension projecting away from the connector housing for making a permanent electrical connection with a (second) printed circuit board. In this case, the connector housing preferably has a latch which engages in an aperture in the (second) printed circuit board to secure the connector to the board. Alternatively, the connector housing may have locating pins for engaging in apertures in the (second) printed circuit board.
Preferably the housing has at least two locating pegs which project through corresponding apertures in an inserted printed circuit board or flat cable to ensure correct alignment of the board or cable within the housing, and to act as a strain relief for the board or cable. The locating pegs are preferably positioned inside the housing adjacent the or each contact.
Preferably one part of the housing has a heel adjacent the integral hinge which can engage a corresponding projection on the other part of the housing to restrict the angle to which the two parts will open.
One part of the housing defines a floor on which the base of the or each contact rests, and the other part of the housing defines a roof which engages the or each contact to deform it. Preferably the floor and/or the roof are substantially flat. Using this arrangement the pressure exerted by the or each contact on an inserted conductor is increased thereby giving an improved electrical connection. In this case the floor of the housing preferably has at least one notch into which a bent portion of the base of the or each contact projects to locate the or each contact in the housing.
Where the floor is substantially flat, preferably the part of the or each contact engaged by the roof has an aperture, and the roof has a corresponding ridge or ridges, such that on engagement of the roof with the or each contact, the or each ridge projects into the corresponding aperture in the or each contact, thereby locating the or each contact in the housing.
The invention is further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a preferred electrical connector in accordance with the invention, with the two parts of the connector housing locked together, and with only one contact shown for clarity; Figure2 is a cross-section on the line Il-Il in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are similar views of an alternate electrical connector in accordance with the invention; and Figures 5and 6 are side views of a further alternative electrical connector in accordance with the invention, showing the difference between the open (Figure 6) and closed (Figure 5) positions.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electrical connec tori comprises a housing 2 of electrical insulating material comprising two parts 3,4 joined by an integral hinge 5. The hinge 5 has spaced windows 6 which prevent the hinge being too stiff. One part 3 of the housing 2 has a heel 7 adjacent the hinge 5 which can engage a corresponding projection 8 on the other part 4 of the housing, thereby restricting the angle to which the two parts will open.
One part 3 of the housing 2 defines a substantially flat roof 9, and the other part 4 defines a substantialliy flat floor 10. Between the roof 9 and the floor 10, spring contacts 11 (only one is shown for clarity) are positioned. The floor 10 of the housing 2 has notches 12 into which a bent portion 13 of each contact 11 projects to locate each contact. Each contact 11 also has an extension 14 for soldering to a printed circuit board 15. An alternative contact extension 14' is also shown in Figure 2. Locating pins 16 on the housing 2 can also be used to secure the housing to the printed circuit board 15. When the two parts 3,4 of the housing 2 are in the open position (see Figure 6) a flexible printed circuit board 17 can be inserted into (or removed from) the housing between two sections 18, 19 of the contacts 11, without any insertion force.On locking the two parts 3,4 of the housing 2 together the two section 18,19 of the contacts 11 are pushed towards one another to make an electrical connection with the conductors on the flexible printed circuit board 17. Locating pegs 20 on the floor 10 of the housing 2 project through apertures in the flexible printed circuit board 17 to ensure correct alignment of, and to act as a strain relief for, the flexible printed circuit board. A projection 21 on the contacts 11 projects into recesss 22 in the housing 2 to restrict movement of the contacts away from printed circuit board 15.
The means for locking the two parts 3,4 of the housing 2 together comprises two locking fingers 23 attached to the upper part 3 of the housing by resilient member 24. Finger projections 25 are attached to the locking fingers 23 at the resilient members 24, and extend away from the resilient members in the opposite direction to the locking fingers. An inwardly projecting ledge 26 at the free end of each locking finger 23 engages a correspondingly outwardly projecting ledge 27 on the lower part 4 of the housing 2 to lock the two parts 3,4 together.
Pressing the finger projections 25 towards the housing 2 pivots the locking fingers 23 about the longitudinal axis of the resilient members 24 to move the locking fingers away from the housing and to disengage the interlocked ledges 26, 27.
In the alternative electrical connector 101 shown in Figures 3 and 4, where parts correspond to those in Figures 1 and 2 they have been designated the same reference numbers except for an additional prefix of 100. In this alternative arrangement, each contact 111 is further located in position by ridges 128 in the roof 109 of the housing 102 which project into corresponding apertures 129 in the contacts. The locking means comprises two locking fingers 130 attached to the lower part 104 of the housing 102 by resilient members 131. Each locking finger 120 has two inwardly projecting ledges 132, 133 adjacent its free end 134, which engage a corresponding outwardly projecting ledge 135 on the upper part 102 of the housing 102.The two parts 103, 104 of the housing 102 can therefore have three positions relative to one another; a first where none of the ledges 132, 133, 135 interengage; a second where the ledges 132 on the fingers 130 engage the ledges 135 on the housing 102 to latch the two parts 103, 104together, but still allow insertion of a flexible printed circuit board 117; and a third (as shown) where the ledges 133 on the fingers 130 engage the ledges 135 to latch the two parts 103,104 together and press the contacts 111 into electrical engagement with the conductors (not shown) on the flexible printed circuit board 117. The two parts 103, 104 of the housing 102 can be unlatched by moving the free ends 134 of the fingers 130 away from the housing 102.
A further alternative electrical connector 201 is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this case corresponding parts are given the prefix 200. Figure 5 shows the connector 201 with the two parts 203, 204 of the housing 202 latched together (the closed position), and Figure 6 the two parts unlatched (the open position); In this arrangement, the housing 202 is secured to the printed circuit board 215 by a latch 236 which engages in an aperture 237 in the printed circuit board 215.

Claims (25)

1. An electrical connector of the kind described comprising a housing of elecrically insulating material comprising two parts joined by an integral hinge, the integral hinge having windows of a predetermined size for a predetermined required stiffness of hinge; at least one resilient spring contact positioned between the two parts of the housing which is deformed onto, and makes an electrical connection with, an inserted conductor when the two parts of the housing are moved towards one another; and locking means for locking the two parts of the housing together after they have been moved towards one another.
2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the locking means is preferably capable of finger release.
3. An electrical connector of the kind described comprising a housing of electrically insulating material comprising two parts joined by an integral hinge; at least one resilient spring contact positioned between the two parts of the housing which is deformed onto, and makes an electrical connection with, an inserted conductorwhen the two parts of the housing are moved towards one another; and locking means for locking the two parts of the housing together after they have been moved towards one another, the locking means being capable of finger release.
4. A connector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the integral hinge has windows, the windows being a predetermined size for a required stiffness of the hinge.
5. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking means comprising a locking finger on one part of the housing, the finger being attached to the housing by a resilient member; a finger projection attached to the locking finger at the resilient member, the projection extending in the opposite direction to the locking finger; and an edge at or adjacent the free end of each locking finger which engages a corresponding edge on the other part of the housing to lock the two parts together.
6. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the finger releasable locking means comprises a locking finger on one part of the housing, the finger being attached to the housing by a resilient member at one end and having at least one edge at or adjacent the free end of the locking finger which can engage at least one corresponding edge on the other part of the housing to lock the two parts together.
7. A connector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the finger on the other part of the housing has at least two edges such that the two parts of the housing can have three positions relative to one another; a first where the two parts are not latched together; a second where the two parts are latched together but still separated enough to allow insertion of a conductor; and a third where the two parts are latched together and press the contact onto the inserted conductor to make an electrical connection therewith.
8. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the or each edge on the locking finger is an inwardly projecting ledge which engages a corresponding outwardly projecting ledge on said other part of the housing.
9. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the or each edge on said other part of the housing is defined by a recess within which the or each edge on the finger engages, or vice-versa.
10. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 9, wherein the housing is substantially rectangular.
11. A connector as claimed in Claim 10, wherein there are two locking fingers, one on each side of the housing adjacent the conductor entry end of the housing.
12. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is of nylon material.
13. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each contact has an extension projecting away from the conductor housing for making a permanent electrical connection with a (second) printed circuit board.
14. A connector as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the housing has a latch which engages in an aperture in the (second) printed circuit board to secure the connector to the board.
15. A connector as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the housing has locating pins for engaging in apertures in the (second) printed circuit board.
16. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has at least two locating pegs which project through corresponding apertures in an inserted printed circuit board or flat cable to ensure correct alignment of the board or cable within the housing, and to act as a strain relief for the board or cable.
17. A connector as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the locating pins are positioned inside the housing adjacent the or each contact.
18. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one part of the housing has a heel adjacent the integral hinge which can engage a corresponding projection on the other part of the housing to restrict the angle to which the two parts will open.
19. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one part of the housing defines a floor on which the base of the or each contact rests, and the other part of the housing defines a roof which engages the or each contact to deform it.
20. A connector as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the floor and/or the roof are substantially flat.
21. A connector as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the floor of the housing has at least one notch into which a bent portion of the base of the or each contact projects to locate the or each contact in the housing.
22. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 21, in which the floor of the housing us substantially flat, wherein a part of the or each contact engaged by the roof has an aperture, and the roof has a corresponding ridge or ridges, such that on engagement of the roof with the or each contact, the or each ridge projects into the corresponding aperture in the or each contact, thereby locating the or each contact in the housing.
23. An electrical connector substantially as herein before defined, with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
24. An electrical connector substantially as herein before defined, with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
25. An electrical connector substantially as herein before defined, with reference to, and as shown in, Figures Sand 6 of the accompanying drawings.
GB08333332A 1982-12-15 1983-12-14 Electrical connector Withdrawn GB2132038A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08333332A GB2132038A (en) 1982-12-15 1983-12-14 Electrical connector

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8235721 1982-12-15
GB838315581A GB8315581D0 (en) 1982-12-15 1983-06-07 Electrical connector
GB08333332A GB2132038A (en) 1982-12-15 1983-12-14 Electrical connector

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8333332D0 GB8333332D0 (en) 1984-01-18
GB2132038A true GB2132038A (en) 1984-06-27

Family

ID=27261880

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08333332A Withdrawn GB2132038A (en) 1982-12-15 1983-12-14 Electrical connector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2132038A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0312386A2 (en) * 1987-10-16 1989-04-19 THOMAS &amp; BETTS CORPORATION Electrical connector for connecting flat electronic components
SG83104A1 (en) * 1997-06-25 2001-09-18 Thomas & Betts Corp Electrical connector with a releasable housing
US6425771B1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-07-30 Tyco Electronics, Amp, K.K. IC socket

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0312386A2 (en) * 1987-10-16 1989-04-19 THOMAS &amp; BETTS CORPORATION Electrical connector for connecting flat electronic components
EP0312386A3 (en) * 1987-10-16 1990-04-25 THOMAS &amp; BETTS CORPORATION Electrical connector for connecting flat electronic components
SG83104A1 (en) * 1997-06-25 2001-09-18 Thomas & Betts Corp Electrical connector with a releasable housing
US6655997B2 (en) 1997-06-25 2003-12-02 Chua Sze Lam Electrical connector with a releasable housing
US6425771B1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-07-30 Tyco Electronics, Amp, K.K. IC socket

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8333332D0 (en) 1984-01-18

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)