JPH0316222Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (1) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a connector used for electrical connection of audio equipment including high-quality image display devices.

(2) Prior Art The current path in a conventional electrical connector, i.e.
Terminals, bolts and nuts for connecting terminals and wire conductors,
Components called spring switches are made of copper alloys such as phosphor bronze and brass that have relatively high spring properties but have lower conductivity than electrolytic copper, or metals whose surfaces are plated with metal such as tin or solder. It is formed by.

(3) Problems to be solved by the invention However, although conventional connectors using such materials for electrical paths are effective for electrical connections of ordinary electrical products, they do not require excellent characteristics. When used to electrically connect high-quality image display devices such as audio equipment, CATV, high-definition televisions, and VCRs, it has the disadvantage of degrading sound quality and reducing image clarity.

The reason why the sound quality and image clarity deteriorate in this way is thought to be due to the creation of a subtle phase difference in the waveform of the signal or power current. Therefore, Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-134877 uses a copper alloy that provides strength as a core material, forms an oxygen-free copper coating on at least one side of the core material, and furthermore, in order to prevent the oxygen-free copper from oxidizing, It is proposed to provide a thin layer of gold on the surface.

However, such a three-layer structure of copper alloy and oxygen-free copper-gold thin film is disadvantageous in terms of productivity and processability.

(4) Means for solving the problem In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention includes a component that serves as a current path between the electrical contact part of the connector and the wire conductor, which contains 1% or less chromium. It is made of a copper alloy with an electrical conductivity of 90% or more, and a precious metal coating layer is provided on the surface of the part. The electrical conductivity referred to here is determined by the formula λ/λ ₃ × 100 (λ is the electrical conductivity of the material of the present application, λ ₃
is the universal standard conductivity of annealed copper).

In other words, by using a chromium-containing copper alloy, the necessary strength can be secured without requiring the component to have a two-layer structure, and in addition, a material with lower current resistance and capacitor capacity than the electrical path material of conventional connectors is used. By doing so, it is possible to prevent phase differences from occurring in the current waveform, and also to use gold, which has high conductivity and does not easily form oxides, etc., which are insulators, on the surface of electrical path components.
A coating layer of a noble metal such as silver or platinum is provided to maintain the above effect for a long period of time, which is a feature of the present invention. The reason why the conductivity is limited to 90% or more is to suppress the specific resistance to 1.916 μΩ·cm or less, and if the conductivity is less than 90%, the effect of preventing phase differences in current waveforms, etc. will be insufficient.

(5) Examples The attached drawings show typical male connector shapes as examples. This connector consists of a male terminal 1, a bolt/nut 2 for connecting the conductor a of the electric wire A to the terminal, and a plastic case 3 for fixing two opposing case members with screws. The nut 2 is made of a copper alloy to which 0.5% chromium is added to maintain strength. Further, the surface of the terminal 1 is coated with a gold plating layer 4 as shown in FIG.

The connector of the above example was used in the power supply circuit of a stereo player to confirm its effectiveness.
Compared to using conventional connectors with brass terminals and soft iron connecting bolts and nuts, the sound was clearer and felt fresher.

Similarly, when the prototype connector was used in the power circuit of a TV equipped with a high-density image display (Brown, etc.), the image became clearer than when using a conventional connector, allowing confirmation of small characters and distant scenery projected on the CRT. It was easy.

Note that the terminal 1 of the illustrated connector is made by bending a plate material 1' punched out in the shape of FIG. 4 along the chain line.
Although the terminal 1 is finished in the shape shown in FIG. 3 and can be obtained at low cost, it may be formed by punching out a single plate in the conventional manner.

Furthermore, if the amount of chromium added exceeds 1%, the strength of the part increases, but it becomes difficult to ensure electrical conductivity of 90% or more, so it should be 1% or less.

Furthermore, although the illustrated connector is a male connector, the present invention is a female connector or a connector inserted between wires.
It can also be applied to ON/OFF switches, etc.

(6) Effects As explained above, in the connector for audio equipment of the present invention, the parts that serve as current paths are made of a strong copper alloy containing chromium and having an electrical conductivity of 90% or more.
In addition, by applying a precious metal coating layer to the surface, the AC or DC resistance and capacitor capacity of the current path are reduced, and the generation of oxides is prevented, so phase differences are less likely to occur in the waveform of signal or power current. Therefore, in audio equipment, the tone becomes better,
Moreover, clear images can be obtained in high-quality precious metal display devices, and the characteristics of such devices can be fully brought out. Furthermore, since the required strength can be ensured without making the main part of the component a two-layer structure, it is advantageous in terms of productivity and cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a connector according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the terminal, FIG. 3 is a side view of the terminal, and FIG. 4 is a developed view of the terminal. 1...terminal, 2...bolt/nut, 3...plastic case, 4...gold plating layer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) Parts that serve as a current path between the electrical contact part and the wire conductor are made of a copper alloy with a conductivity of 90% or more and containing chromium in the range of 1% or less. A connector for audio equipment, which is made of a metal alloy and has a noble metal coating layer on the surface of the component. (2) The connector for audio equipment according to claim 1, wherein the precious metal is gold, silver, or platinum.