IE42522B1 - Improvements in electrical connection devices - Google Patents

Abstract

1480721 Electrical connectors F R BONHOMME 12 March 1976 [20 March 1975 6 Feb 1976] 10053/76 Heading H2E An electrical connection device comprises resilient contact members 3 fixed at one end to a first rigid insulating support, e.g. frame 1, which in use resiliently contact at an active region 4 of each member 3 a respective conducting track of a second insulating board, e.g. printed circuit board 2. The device further includes at least one slide 10, 11, a movable end 3f of each member 3 being embedded in the, or a respective, slide, movement of the slide causing opening of the contacts in one sense and closing in a second sense. The contact members each comprise two substantially rectilinear portions 3d, 3e situated between movable end 3f and a hinge portion 3c, the junction of portions 3d, 3e constituting the active regions 4. As described, slides 10, 11 are provided with pins 21 having rollers 22, thereon which engage in curved slots 18 in metal slides 16, 17. Thus movement of the slides 16, 17 effected by a lever 25 causes pins 21 to move along the slots 18 and hence open or close the contacts depending upon the direction of slide 16, 17 movement. Further, pins 23 engaging in slots 19 of the slides 16, 17 are fixed to end plates 20 defining a chamfered entry aperture 32 for the second insulating board. The directions of curvature of the slots 18, 19 is such that the board 2 cannot enter aperture 32 if the contacts are in their closed position and is locked in position upon contact closing, a recess 39 in the board 2 being engaged by a respective end plate 20. The hinge portion 3c may comprise a single turn as shown or two arcs of opposite curvature, the hinge portion 3c producing a prestressing force that maintains the movable end 3f engaged in position. The end portion 3f may be soldered in a hole or crimped around the edge of the slide. The contact members may be of round wire as shown or of metal strip (Fig. 9, not shown). During closing of the contacts, the active region 4 slides along its respective conducting track with increasing pressure. A plurality of active regions 4 may be produced by forming undulation in the wire of the members 4 or by twisting wires together &c.

Description

This invention relates to electrical Connection devices. More particularly, the invention relates to electrical connection devices of the kind comprising a first rigid insulating support adapted to receive a second rigid insulating support provided with conducting tracks, the first support carrying resilient contact members each having one end fixed in relation thereto and each being adapted to engage resiliently, through an active region of the contact member, a respective one of the conducting tracks on the second support when the two supports are connected together, the first support also carrying a control mechanism operable to act on the resilient contact members alternately in a sense causing opening of the contacts and a sense causing closing of the contacts.

The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to connection devices for printed circuit boards, the first support then consisting of a frame in which there can be guided a printed circuit board forming the second support. In order to simplify the description, the invention will be described hereinafter essentially in this mode of application.

The above-mentioned mechanism provides a Solution to the problem of opening” the contact members just before and during the introduction of any board into the connection device and just before and during the extraction of such a board from the device, that is to say the problem of removing the active regions of the contact members from the volume then swept by this board, in such a manner as to make substantially zero the force necessary for the introduction or the extraction of the board and to relieve from all wear by friction the protective coverings both of the contact members and of the conducting tracks of the board. Of course, once the board has 43522 re.-iched ί!.:.; working position, tho mechanism in question closes tho oonlart member:;, that is to nay cannon them to hear· resiliently through their active regions against the corresponding connecting tracks of' the board, which tracks are generally provided on o both faces of the board.

Connection devices of the type defined above have already been described in the United States journal IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin volume 10, No. 11, April 1968, page 1656 and in United States Patent Specification No. 3 744 005. In both cases each resilient contact member is grasped with play by a pressure member movable in translation. In view of the fact that the direction of action of this pressure member is perpendicular to the mean plane of the frame, that is to say to the mean plane of the board when this is in the working position, the active region of l’J the contact member (consisting of its free end according to tiie first document and of an intermediate portion according to the second document) comes to bear against the connecting track of the board without wiping this track locally, that is to say without heing able to dislodge, by a relative movement, the insulating dust which may have been able to settle on this track and /or on the active region of the contact member.

Now such dust is liable to prevent the passage of currents of low intensity. This is why these known connection devices do not meet the present requirements of users of printed circuit fs boards because they do not ensure self-cleaning of the contact regions. Moreover, the piny to which the contact members are subjected relative to the pressure member may cause difficulties in operation if the connection device is exposed to vibrations which, being transmitted to the contact members, risk removing those momentarily from the connecting tracks which they should bear against permanently - 3 435 22 through their active region with a constant resilient force.

An object of this invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the known devices.

According to this invention there is provided an elects rical connection device comprising a first rigid insulating support adapted to receive a second rigid insulating support provided with conducting tracks, the first support carrying resilient contact members each having one end fixed in relation thereto each being adapted to engage resiliently, through an active region of the contact member, a respective one of the conducting tracks on the second support when the two supports are connected together, the first support also carrying a control mechanism operable to act on the resilient contact members alternately in a sense causing opening of the lb contacts and a sense causing closing of the contacts, in which the control mechanism comprises at least one slide movable in the translation relative to the first support and each contact member comprises, between a portion forming a hinge and a movable end connected to the slide or to an associated one of the slides so as to be movable with the slide in each direction of translation thereof without any substantial play between the movable end and the slide, two substantially rectilinear portions which are inclined to one another and to the direction of translation of the associated slide and which are guided transversely by the associated slide, the junction of the two rectilinear portions constituting the active region of the contact member.

Preferably, the movable end of each contact member is held engaged in a co-operating seating in the associated slide, under the effect of a prestressing force stored in the portion of said member forming the hinge. This portion forming the hinge may consist of a loop or a single turn.

It 1;; then possible to construct on the contact member ol' the device of this invention a deformable triangle, two sides of which are constituted by its two substantially rectilinear portions and the third side of which, which is imaginary, j connects the portion forming a hinge to the embedded end.

The first two sides have a length which is substantially constant while the third or imaginary side has a variable length depending on the position of the slide. In the opening condition of the contacts, tho slide occupies such a position that the imaginary side of the triangle has its maximum length and, in consequence the height of the triangle based on this imaginary side is at a minimum. In otner words in the open condition of the contacts, the apex of tne triangle opposite to this imaginary side (that is to say the active region of the contact member) is relatively close to the lo slide, and hence relatively far away from the printed circuit board. If the slide is now displaced in the required direction, it pushes against the embedded end of the contact member, which shortens the imaginary side of tho triangle and lengthens the height dropped on this imaginary side. The active region of the contact member then progressively approaches the board to come first into contact with the corresponding connecting track, then to spread out while sliding on this track, which ensures the self-cleaning of the contact regions. In embodiments of the invention in 2b which the portion forming the hinge consists of a loop or turn, this self-cleaning effect, due to the displacement of the active region of the contact member, is enhanced by the oresence of the loop or turn, which increases in diameter. The branch of the contact member adjacent to the loop coils slightly in ο n said loop, which shortens its free length and therefore encourages - ‘j 42522 the displaeoment of the active region of the contact member. At the end of the movement of tho slide, tho active region of the contact member is bearing against the connecting track with a force which depends,inter alia, on the amplitude of the displacement of b the slide. if tlie 3lide is now displaced in the opposite direction, it pulls on the embedded end of the contact member, which simultaneously causes the branch adjacent to the loop to resume its initial length (which loop diminishes in diameter on account, on the one hand of the energy stored in this loop in the course of the previous closing operation and, on the other hand, of the action of the slide which tends to close this loop further), enlarges the imaginary side of the triangle and sets back the active region of the contact member in relation to the connecting track. It should be noted that the deformation of the contact member is caused solely by the displacement of the slide without involving the resilience of the metal of the contact member. In the course of the movements of the slide, the loop or turn tightens the hinge against the adjacent branch of the contact member.

It may be noted that the British Patent Specification No. 1,113,236 describes a connection device, for printed circuit boards, the contact members of which comprise a slightly curved portion between a fold serving as a fixed support and a free end on which a slide acts solely by thrust. The displacement of this slide 2u in one direction increases the curvature of said portion and therefore causes the centre of this portion to project to bear against the corresponding connecting track. Although this Patent does not make any referenoe to the manner in which the contact members open, it may be assumed that it is under the effect of their own resilience since the slide can only act by thrust. In such a connection ~ 6 ~ 48522 device, It 1:: difficult to master the deformations of the contact member in view, in pai-tieular, of the tow value of the initial curvature and the absence of a loop or turn forming a hinge.

Moroever, since the opening of each contact member is apparently only due to it.; own resilience, this limits considerably the amplitude of tbe deformation to which such a member can be subjected; consequently, this limits to the same extent the resilient force apolying its active reqion on the connecting track and, what io even more important, the seif-cleaning action which can be expected of It, In contrast, according to tho invention, the amplitude of deformation ctm be much greater and may even exceed the limit of permanent deformation because the slide acts in both directions on the embedded end of the contact member, the resilience of which is utilized essentially to exert the resilience contact force on the active region, A preferred feature of the invention enables an improvement in the self-cleaning capacity of the contact members.

For this purpose, the slide and the contact member are adapted in such a manner that, when the slide executes a displacement in the direction tending to close the contact members, it grasps, in the course of this displacement, a portion of the contact member and entrains it with it during the end of this displacement. Preferably, the two inclined portions of each contact member are connected by o single turn which form:: both the active region and a supporting surface for a shoulder carried by the slide to enable it to grasp and entrain this turn. According to a modification, the contact member comprises successively, between its fixed end and the portion forming a hinge, a flexibility fold and a portion embedded in a support which is guided in translation parallel to the abide and which is urged towards a stop in the dix'ection - 7 425 22 of the opening movement of the elide, the whole being such that, during the closing movement of the slide, the support first rests on its stop until the active region of tho contact member touches the connecting track of the board, after which the slide entrains the insulating support by thrust while retaining the relative position of the two inclined branches in relation to the slide.

As is apparent from the above, the invention renders it possible to produce not only connectors for printed circuit boards, but also cylindrical or rectangular plug-in connectors, with similar advantages.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a connection device constructed according to the invention, showing a printed circuit board positioned in the device, Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 1, Figure > shows, in perspective, with parts broken away, the portion of the connection device of Figure 1 which is framed at III in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows, on a larger scale, with parts in section, the upper portion of the left-hand sliding strip of Figure 1, but in its other extreme position, Figure 5 shows, in cross section, the essential elements of Figure 3, in two different positions of operation, the upper half of Figure 5 corresponding to the closing of the contact members and the lower half to their opening, - 8 42522 Figure:; Οι and 6b show diagrammatically, in crons see lion, a connector constructed substanti ally in accordance with Figure 5, in two different positions of operation, Figures 7, 8 and 9 show in perspective, partly in 3 section,three connectors constructed in accordance with three furthei· embodiments of the invention, Figures 10a and 10b illustrate, in diagrammatic cross section, in two different positions of operation, the deformation of the contact member oi' the connector 10 of Figure 7, Figures Ila and lib show, in diagrammatic cross section, a connector constructed in accordance witii a fifth embodiment of the invention, in two different positions of operation, Figures 12a, 12b and 12£ show, in diagrammatic cross b section, a connector constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention, in three different positions of operation.

Figures lj5a and lj5b show, in diagrammatic cross section, a connector constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of 20 the invention, in two different positions of operation.

The connection device, which is illustrated as a whole in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a rectangular frame I, the only part of which illustrated, at the top of Figure 1, is the side opposite to the side for the introduction of 2‘J the pi’inted circuit boards sucli as the board 2.

The direction of introducl-ion and extraction of these boards is indicated diagrammatically by.the double arrow A in Figure 1. Apart from the introduction side, the frame - 8a 42522 has three sides, at least one of which carries at least one connector equipped with resilient contact members 3 (see Figures 3 and 5) orientated transversely with respect to the side of the frame in question. According· to the form of embodiment in Figure 1, the two sides of the frame parallel to the direction Λ each carry two connectors 6, 7, on the one hand and p·, 9 on the other hand. She contact members 3 are adapted to touch, through an active repion 4, conducting connection tracks 6 leadinn· transversely to the adjacent side of the board, when the board occupies its working position shown in Fipure 1 and at the top of Figure 5 Associated with each connector are two slides 10 and 11 of insulating material, which are symmetrical in relation to the mean plane of the frame, which plane is Id designated by P-P in Figures 2 and 5- These slides each have two dovetail tenons 12 (only one of which is visible in Figure 3) which can slide in mortises 13 of corresponding shape formed in a U-shaped case 14, made of insulating material. This body is made in one piece for each of.the 20 connectors 6 to 9· Because of the dovetail shape of the tenons 12 and mortises 13, these slides 10, 11 are held automatically in the body 14 and cannot, in any circumstances fall inside .t'-is. The co tact members 3 therefore have no influence on the hoikin'- of the slides 10 and 11. 2S Provided on each of the upper and lower faces of each body 14 is a longitudinal groove 15 in which there can slide a siidin- strip 16 or 17, generally of metal. As Figure 1 shows, each sliding strip is common to the connectors 7, 6 or 3, 9 situated at one and the same side of the _ 0 _ 43523 frame. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 5, at the level of their tenons 12, the slides 10, 11 are in direct contact with the sli-lin· strin 16 or 1? whereas elsewhere they are in contort with the bottom of the groove 15· At the level of each connector 6 to 9, each sliding strip 16 or comprises two guide grooves 18 adarted for the displacement of the slides 10, 11 and two guide grooves 19 adaoted for the disolacement of end-plates 20 which frame each connector 6 to 9· As Figure 4 shows, each groove 18 and IO 19 has an inclined portion 18a or 19a in relation to the longitudinal direction of the sliding strip 16 or 17, which portion extends away from the interior of the frame 1, and a portion 18b or 19b parallel to this direction.

Engaged in each groove 18 is a pin 21 which is rigidly Is connected to a slide 10 or 11 and carries a roller 22. Similarly, engaged in each groove 19 is a pin 23 rigidly connected to an end-plate 20, which may be of metal, and carrying a roller 24. Each end-plate 20 is eouipned with a pin 25 at each side of the mean plane P. The whole, is adaoted in such a manner that, depending on the position of each sliding strip 16 or 17, either (as shown in Figure 1) all the nins 21 are in an inclined portion 18a of the groove 18 of the slidinm strin in question while all the pins 23 are in a parallel portion 19b of tho groove 19 of 2s this sliding strip, or (as shown in Figure 4) all the pins 21 are in a parallel portion 18b of the groove 18 while all the pins 23 are in an inclined portion 19a of the groove 19. The end-plates 20 cooperate with guide means which enable them to be displaced in translation in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sliding strips 16, 17 and parallel to the mean plane P. Moreover, each pair of sliding strips 16, 17 is enuipped with a manipulating member, illustrated diagrammatically by a lever 25 ia Figure 1, which enables the operator to displace it longitudinally with a view to displacing the slides 10, 11 and the end-plates 20 transversely, as will be exnlained in detail hereinafter.

At each side, the sliding strips 16, 1^ of the connectors 6, 7 and 8, 9 are held by a pair of metal plates 26 (not shown in Figure 1 but visible in Figure 5> as in Figure 5 for one of them). Between the flanges of the two plates 26 there is a gap, the height of which is greater than the thickness of the thickest printed circuit board 2, the latter being able to carry on each edge two gripping !□ plates 27 which respectively have flanges 27a adapted to penetrate into said gap with a view to guiding the board 2. Figures 1 to J and 5 also illustrate an insulated plate 28, called a mother board, on which there emerge the tails 3=} of the contact members 3· According to the form of embodiment in Figures 3 and 5, each contact member 3 is made of wire, of spring metal, generally round in section.

By a rectilinear portion 3b belonging to the tail 3a, each member 3 ia fixed to the body -pi through which it passes and ends against the plane bottom ?9a of a notch 29 of rectangular section which is formed in the slide 10 or 11. The bottoms 29a of the slides 10 and those of the slides 11 are situated respectively in planes parallel to the mean plane F of the frame 1. The rectilinear portion ?b is adapted so that the bottom ?9a con si ifie against it during the disnlace··ents of the slider. Acsociated with each mentor· 3 in a notch 29 w'-.ich in orientated orthogonally in relation to tho longitudinal direction of the sliding strips 16, I*7 and the width of which is only slightly greater then the width of the contact member 3, at least close to the active region 4. Each notch 29 is limited by the lateral faces of two teeth 30 of rectangular section, clearly visible in Figure 3· Between the tweth 30 of the slides 10 and those of the slides dd, there is a gap sufficient to receive the of the board 2. 'Ihe rectilinear nortion 3b terminates in a loon or single turn 3c, after which the member 3 leaver, the bottom 293 the notch 29 by an oblique portion 3d which forms an obtuse arrmle with the rectilinear portion 3b· The oblique portion 3d is followed by a rounded portion which constitutes the active region 4, then by an oblique portion 3e substantially symmetrical with the obliaue portion 3d in relation to a perpendicular on the bottom 29a. Finally, t'is oblique portion 3e ends with a short portion 3f substantially pernendicular to the bottom 29a. The terminal portion 3£ is engaged in a blind hole 31 which is formed in this bottom 29a. Because of the presence of its loop 3d in particular, the contact member 3 has a resilient nrestress, so that its terminal portion 3£ is constantly urged towards the bottom of the hole 3d, whatever the displacements which are imposed thereon by the slides 10, 11. According to whether the slide 10 or dd occupies its opening position (bott< of Figure [>) or closing position (ton of Figure 5), the active region d is set back or projects in relation to - 12 42522 tho apex of fche teeth 50, by reason of fche greater or lesser snacin>T existing hetween the loop 3c (fixed) and the fceninal portion 3£ (movable with the slide Ί0 or 11).

As Figure 3 shows, each end-plate 20 has an opening 3? orientated towards the centre of tne frame 1. The outer edge 5¾ of each openin'·· 52, as well as its unper 32b and lower 32c edges are chamfered or rounded at the side where the hoard 2 is introduced (lower side accordin':- to Figure 1) with a view to facilitating the introduction and centring of the board 2. In each pair of end-plates 20 situated in the same vertical plane (plane perpendicular to the direction A of Figure 1), the distance between the outer edges 32a, is greater or less than the width of the hoard depending on the position imposed on the end-plates 20 by the sliding strips 15, 1?. la Thus a connection device is obtained, the operation of which i.s as follows. Let it he assumed first of all that the sliding· strips 16, 17 occupy the position shown in Figure 1 for which, on the one hand the nins 21 are at the bottom of the oh]jcue portions 1fla of the grooves 18 associated with the slides 10, 11 and,on the other hand the pins 23 are at the bottom of the parallel portions 19b of the grooves 19 associated with the end-plates 20. Let it be assumed, likewise, that contrany to what is illustrated in Figure 1, no board has been introduced into the connection device. The pins 21 and consequently the slides 10, 11 are therefore in their position furthest away from the inside of the frame 1, as illustrated in the upper portion of Figure 5· In other words, for each contact member 3, - 13 42522 the ti istnnce between the loop 3c and the terminal portion 3f ir, minimum: the active region 4 is; therefore at the maximum distance from the bottom 29a of the notch 99 arid it projects in relation to the teeth 30 of the slider. ii’or the reasons explained above, it is therefore darve-ous, for the maintenance of the contact members 3 and of the tracks of the board 2, to introduce this board into the connection device. But, at the same time, the end-plates 20 are in their position closest to the interior of the frame. )0 Between the out» edges 32a of the openings 3?» considered in pairs, there is a gap which is smaller than the width of the hoard 2, makine it impossible to introduce by mistake.

By displacin'·' the levers 25 in the direction of the Is arrows in Figure 1, or by actuating any other similar control member, the operator therefore first has to displace the sliding strips 16, 1? upwards in Figure 1, into the position illustrated in Figure 4. In the course of the first part of this movement, the pins 23 travel throurd) 2θ the parallel portion 19b of the grooves 19 so that the end-plates 20 remain immobile. At the same time, the pins 21 travel through the inclined portions 18a of the -rooves 1R, which displaces the slides 10 and 11 towards the interior of the frame; thus the slides 10, 11 pass from the bos it.ion at the ton of Figure 5 to that at the bottom of the same Figure, for which the distance between loop 3c and ter-Inal portion 3£ Is maximum, which retracts t-c active region 4 completely inside the notches ?9· The contact members 3 are necessarily all open. In the course o' the second part of said movement, the pins 21 travel through the parallel portions 18b of the grooves 18 so that the slides 10, 11 remain immobile. At the same time, the pins 23 travel through the oblique portions 19a of the grooves 19, which causes the end-plates 20 to occupy their position furthest away from the centre of the frame. The operator can therefore introduce the board 2, which is facilitated by the chamfered or rounded shape of the edges 32a, 32b, 3?c of the openings 32 in the end10 plates 20 (see Figure 3)· Once the board has arrived in the working position illustrated in Figure 1, the operator displaces the levers 25 in the opposite direction to that of the arrows in Figure 1. The result is the same movements as those described above but in the reverse lb order and direction. In other words, the end-plates 20 are first brought towards one an ther in such a manner as to lock the board which has notches 39 for this purpose (Figure 1) into which the end-plates 20 can penetsate, then the slides 10, 11 are moved away from the centre of the frame in such a mannor as to close the contact members 3 (as shown a'; the top of Figure 6). These contact members are therefore all forcibly closed with a resilient force which is determined in advance hy their geometrical and resilient characteristics and by the amplitude of the 25 travel or the slides 10, 11.

Heedless to say, in order to extract the hoard 2 later, at least the first part of the manoeuvres which have just been described in effected: opening of the contacts 3, then unlocking by moving apart of the end30 plates 20. - 15 42522 The self-cleaning action obtained accorlin”· to the invention is il'ustrated in i’igures 6a and 6b. Figure 6a represents the contact member J in the open position and Figure 6b in the closed position.

If a triangle is itr.ar-lned, two sides of which are constituted by the branches or oblique portions 3d and 3e, it will be found ’hat tho displacement of the slide such as 10, from the position of Figure 6a to that of Fi-ure 6b, shorten;; tho length of tiie third side (call imaginary side in th·· preamble) from the value 1, to the value 1., and at the same time lengthens the height dropped on this third side from the value h to the value H. This lengthening of the hei’-ht first causes the active region 4 to be brought into contact with the corresponding con15 ducting connection track (position in chain line in Figure 6b), then a slight displacement of this active region 4 in relation to the track in question, accompanied by an increase in the contact pressure (un to the position in full lines in Pi-ure 6b). This is explained hy the fact that the turn Ie, under the effect of the thrust which is transmitted thereto by the nortion 3d, moves closer to the illustrated portion of the body 14 in passing from the oren position (i’i-ure 6a) to the closed position (Pir-ure 6b), and nt the same 'ime increases in diameter.

The portion 3j therefore becomes shorter, which enables the portion 3s, terminated by the active region 4, to be displaced subs», nt icily without 1 ein deformed, from the position represented in chain line to that represented in full linos in I’i-ure 6b, that is t.o say, enables the active region 4 to wipe the co ducting track of the board P - 16 42522 ovor tho distance d separating these last two positions.

In order to facilitate the deformation of the turn 7>c, it is preferable, contrary to the illustration of Figures 3 and 5, for it not to hear against the slide 10.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 represent three forais of embodiment which are different from one another and from that of the precedin'- figures. In Figures 7 to 9, the elements or portions similar to those which are designated by 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3θ, 3£ and 4 in Figures 3, 5, 6a and fib IO are designated by the same reference numerals increased respectively by 40, 50 and 60.

Contrary to the various preceding forms of embodiment, the contact members 43, 55 and 63 do not have loops or turns such as 3c, which may have disadvantages when the la electric currents which traverse the contact members are of very high frequency, but what ib .is agreed to call flexibility folds 43£, 53c and 63c each consisting of the succession of at least two arcs of. opposite curvature. Such flexibility folds, which are portions forming a hinge according to the terminology adopted in the preamble, have, among other advantages, that of a narrower width than the loops or turns. At the level of the flexibility folds 43c, r3c and 63c the case 14 may be equipped with a channel 14a, perpendicular to the mortises 13, to prevent these flexibility folds from touching the case and thus losing their deformation freedom. For the same reason, the assembly Of the slide 10 and of the contact member is adapted in such a manner that bhe bottom 29a of the grooves 29 remains spaced apart from the adjacent branch 43d, 53d, 63d of the contact member. - <7 42523 According to the form of embodiment of Figure 7, the contact member 4Ί in formed by a round wire (sin-lc of* twisted), the end 43f of ivhich in '.imbedded in a blind hole 31 formed in the slide, in the name manner as in Firures 3, 5, 6a and 6b. Accord in· to a modification (not illustrated) relatin'- to the case where no provision is made for possible dismounting and remounting of the either contact member 43, the end 43f may be fixed/by soldering, using the holes 31 which have previously been metallised for this purpose, or by crimeing the end 43/ over the edge of the slide 10.

Accordin'·· to the form of embodiment of Figure 8, the contact member 53 is likewise formed by a round wire, but its end in embedded in a different manner. For this Is purnose it has, at its free end, two tightened turns 55 forming two lateral projections which frame a rib 56 projectin'- inside the groove 29, perpendicular to the bottom 29a of this. In a similar manner to the preceding case, the prestressing to which the contact member 53 is subjected tends to hold .its tightened turns 55 against the bottom ?9a of the groove 29.

Accordinr to the form of embodiment of Figure 9, the contact member 63 is formed by a metal strip. At its embedded end, this contact member has a lateral openin'” 64a into which there penetrates a rib 65 similar to the rib 56 of Figure 6. The metal strip forming the contact member 6'5 preferably has a plurality of continuous longitudinal slits 66 nt the level of the active region 64 and of a portion of the oblipue portions 63d and 63e, in such a manner an to afford, with the conducting track of the board 2, as many contact regions as there are 1-minations hounded by these slits 66.

As in the case of Figures 6a and 6b, th? contact member 43, 53 or 63 of Figures 7, 8 and 9 is subjected to a prestressing in such a manner that its embedded end is always under pressure against the bottom 29a of the groove 29 belonging to the slide 10. This, on the one hand, prevents this end from escaping from its embedding seating and, on the other hand, facilitates the placing in position or the replacement of the contact members in the connector. In snite of the absence of the turn 3c of Figures 7>, % f,a and 6b, self-cleaning is ensured in the connector of each of the Figures 7, 8 and 9, as will 1ϋ he explained with reference to Figures 10a and 10b. It is simply to simplify the description that only the reference of Figure 7 have been included in Figures 10a and 10b.

When the slide 10 is displaced from the position of Figure 10 to that of Figure 10b, a raising of the active region 44 is first caused, as already explained with reference to Figures 6a and 6b, until it touches the conducting track of the board 2 (as shown in chain line in Figure 10b), after which the contact member 43 is deformed essentially at the level Of the flexibility fold 43c, Which ensiles the portion 43e, terminated by tho active region 44, to be displaced in translation, ensuring the self-cleaning of the contact surfaces.

With reference to Figures 11a and 11b on the one hand and 12a, 12b and 12c, on the other hand, improvements - 19 42522 will now be described, according to which, when the slide such as 10 executes a displacement in the direction tending to close the contact members, it grasrs a portion of the contact member in tho course of this displacement and entrains it with it durinr the end of this displacement.

Figures 11a and 11b illustrate an embodiment of these improvements which is applied, hy way of example, to a connector which, otherwise, is identical to that of Figures 9, 10a and 10b. ..ccordin to this embodiment, the two inclined Ιθ portions 4 id nud 4^e °Γ contact member A7, are connected by a turn 46 which simultaneously forms the active region 44 and a bearing surface for a shoulder 47 carried by the slide 10 to enable it to grass and entrain this turn 46.

The shoulder !'f is preferably inclined in such'a manner as to be lb substantially perpendicular to the portion 43e of the contact member 43.

Tne positions of iig.«res 11a and 11b correspond respectively to these of Figures 10a and 10b, In the course of its displacement in the closing direction (from the position of Figure 11a to that of Figure 11b), the shoulder 47 automatically entraans the turn 46, the active region 44 of which sweeps the connectin'” track of the board 2 with an increasing pressure. The turn 46, the advantage of which is to ensure a double contact with the connecting track, mav be replaced by another deformation or any other system adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 47. The inclination of the latter increases the thrust of the turn 46 towards the connecting track.

Firures 12a, 1°b and 12c il'lust ate. a modification of the precedin' F-'gures. The elements similar to these - 20 4 25 22 of Figures dOa and 10b are there designated by the same reference numerals increased b.y 30. In addition to the flexibility fold 93c, the contact member 73 of Figures d2a, d2b, 19c has a flexibility fold 7¾ the originality of which is to be situated between the body dd and an insulating support 79, guided in translation, parallel to the oath of tho slide dO. Between the Cold 73b and the portion 73d, the contact member 73 has a portion 73q embedded in the insulating support 75· 1’he latter is urged, either hy the resilience of the fold 73h, or by external resilient means, towards a stop 75, in the opening direction of movement of the slide d0. The insulating suoport 75 is situated in the path of tho slide d0 in such a manner ns to be entrained by this during its closing movement.

Figure d2a represents the con ector in its open position, the active region 7d being consequently snaced apart from the board 2. If the slide dO is displaced from left to right, the support 75 remains at first held resiliently against the stop 76 and the portion of the, member 73 which comprises the branches 73d and 73e therefore begins to be deformed in tho same manner as in Figures dOa and dOb, until the position of Figure d2b where the active region 74 has first come to touch resiliently the connecting track of the board.2 with an initial self-cleaning, then 2b where the slide dO has come to touch the suoport 75· In continuing its movement, the slide dO reaches the position of Figure d2c. Between Figures d?b and d2c, the assembly of the branches 73d and 73a is not subjected to any deformation, the active region 74 therefore remaining bearing with the same resilient forpe against the connection - 2d track. At the same time, the insulating support ”5 is entrained towards the right hy the slide 10, slightly flattening the flexibility fold 73h, and enabling the active region to be dis ol seed by the same di.stanee, therefore ensuring the self-cleaning., In the above, the portions formin'· bin--es have been described in the form of loops or tn-ns 3c or of flexibility folds A3c, 53c, 63c or 73c. Another embodiment of these portions formin'» a hin^e is illustrated by way of example in Figures 13a and 13b· Tn these Fi'-ures, the elements similar to those of Figures 6a and 6b have been designated by the same reference numerals, increased by 80. In this case, the portion w3d, adjacent to the tody 1-'1, is vi en a gr-ater length combined with a certain initial lo curvature (see Figure 13a), hence a greater flexibility than the branch 83e adjacent; to the embedded end. 83f, which is ori-inally rectilinear. In this manner, when the slide 10 is displaced from the position of Figure 132 -° that of Figure 13b, the active region 84 first comes into contact with the connection track of the board 2, then slides against this, increasin'- the curvature of the portion 83d of which the origin 83c thus const'Lutes a portion foi·· Jug a hinge.

In short, as stated in tho preamble, in all the forms of embodiment described above with reference to the accompany3.0-- drawiiii's, the connectors have been desi'T.ed to connect the conductl π - tracks of a printed circuit board 2 to resilient eortac* members such as 3, 43, 63, 53, 73, 83, carried by a fram·; rb’i’lv connected to the body I21 and adapted to mide said board. The frame and the board 2 - 22 42522 may be replaced respectively by two rigid insulating supports, one of which carries the resilient contact members and the other of which carries the connecting tracks, these supports being adapted to fit together so that one can be introduced into and extracted from the other by movement in a straight line. The supports could thus take the form of a rectangular or cylindrical cross-section plug fitting into a corresponding socket. Since these plug-in connectors are of known type, the application of the contact members according to the invention to such connectors does not involve any difficulty to those skilled in the art; it has therefore not been considered necessary to illustrate the connectors thus improved in the accompanying drawings.

The invention is not restricted to the forms of embodiment described and illustrated. Thus, for example, it would be possible to have a number of connectors other than two on at least one of the sides of the frame parallel to the direction of Figure i. Moreover, conventional connectors or those according to the invention could be mounted on the side of the frame opposite the introduction side, that is to say the side situated at the top of Figure 1.

Finally, the gap between the flanges of the two plates could have a height not only greater than the thickness of the thickest board 2 (as explained above), but sufficiently great to permit the passage of the contact members 3 with a view to their replacement.

According to the majority of forms of embodiment described above, the active region (contact region) 4 is single for each contact member 3. It would, however, be possible to multiply these contact regions by one of the following means: 42523 - either by a wire, the curvature cf which is such that in bhe c urns of niacin· in position, this curvature tends to become a straight line over a certain length, thus leadinr to linear contact; - or by a wire comrrisin ' undulati-'ns, the crests of which would each come to touch the track 5; - or by such an embodiment of these undulations that, after placing in position, a linear contact can develop between the two crests of the undulations; - or by a twisted wire, the general profile of which remains constant, this wire bein - of round, rectangular, square section etc.; - or by using two or more wires, twisted or not, and always having the same general profile; - or in accordance with one of the solutions illustrated in Figures 9 and 11a, 11b.

Claims (10)

1. An electrical connection device, comprising a first rigid insulating support adapted to receive a second rigid insulating support provided with conducting tracks, the first support carrying resilient contact members each having one end fixed in relation thereto and each being adapted to engage resiliently, through an active region of the contact member, a respective one of the conducting tracks on the second support when the two supports are connected together, the first support also carrying a control mechanism operable to act on the resilient contact members alternately in a sense causing opening of the contacts and a sense causing closing of the contacts, in which the control mechanism comprises at least one slide movable in translation relative to the first support and each contact member comprises, between a portion forming a hinge and movable end connected to the slide or to an associated one of the slides so as to be movable with the slide in each direction of translation thereof without any substantial play between the movable end and the slide, two substantially rectilinear portions which are inclined to one another and to the direction of translation of the associated slide and which are guided transversely by the associated slide, the junction of the two rectilinear portions constituting the active region of the contact member.

2. A connection device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the movable end of each contact member is held engaged in a cooperating seating in the associated slide, under the effect of a prestressing force stored in the portion of said member forming the hinge.

3. A connection device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the first support consists of a frame which can receive a printed circuit board which constitutes the second support.

4. A connection device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which each contact member and the associated slide are adapted in such a manner that, when the slide executes a displacement in the direction tending to close the contact member, it engages a portion of the contact member in the course of the displacement and entrains it with it during the latter part of the displacement. 5. A connection device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the two inclined portions of the contact member are connected by a single turn which simu!taneously forms the active region and a bearing surface for a shoulder carried by the associated slide to enable it to engage and entrain said turn.

5. A connection device as claimed in Claim 5, in which the shoulder of the slide has an operative face substantially perpendicular to that one of the inclined portions of the contact member which is adjacent the movable end thereof.

6. 7. A connection device as claimed in Claim 4, in which each contact member comprises successively, between its fixed end opposite to the movable end and the portion forming the hinge, a flexibility fold formed by the succession of two arcs of opposite curvature and a portion embedded in an auxiliary support which is guided in translation parallel to the slide associated with the contact member and which is urged towards a stop in the direction of the opening movement of the slide, the whole being such that, in use, during the closing movement of the slide, the auxiliary support remains at first against its stop until the active region of the contact member comes into contact with a conducting track of a second support received by the first support, after which the slide entrains the auxiliary support by thrust while maintaining the relative position of the two inclined portions in relation to the slide.

7. 8. A connection device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the portion of each contact member forming the hinge consists of a single turn.

8. 9. A connection device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the portion of each contact member forming a hinge consists of the succession of at least two arcs of opposite curvature.

9. 10 TO. An electrical connection device for printed circuit boards, constructed adapted· and arranged to operate substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 6, or Figures 1 to 6 as modified by Figures 7, 10a and 10b, or by Figure 8, or by Figure 9, or by

10. 15 Figures Ila or lib, or by Figures 12a, 12b and 12c, or by Figures 13a and 13b.