US3425030A - Electrical connector having constrained spring means - Google Patents

Electrical connector having constrained spring means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3425030A
US3425030A US641550A US3425030DA US3425030A US 3425030 A US3425030 A US 3425030A US 641550 A US641550 A US 641550A US 3425030D A US3425030D A US 3425030DA US 3425030 A US3425030 A US 3425030A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
section
electrical connector
spring
area
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US641550A
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English (en)
Inventor
Edward Leal Hadden
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.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AMP Inc filed Critical AMP Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3425030A publication Critical patent/US3425030A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical connectors having constrained spring means.
  • Electrical connectors which have contactengaging sections provided with spring members which are not constrained against elongation correlative to leaftype deflection occurring during engagement with the mating contact element.
  • Such resilient contacts of low-rate spring-nature usually undergo a linear force/deflection arch-flattening phase which results in an increase in the arch radius.
  • the contacting area between the cooperating connector elements proceeds from a theoretical line (or point) contact at the tangent to a theoretical wider line contacting area.
  • the broad objective of this invention is to achieve a high rate compliant spring contact system wherein the spring rate increases exponentially and there is a concomitant exponential increase in the contacting area so as to result in a force/area (pressure) relationship that tends to remain substantially constant.
  • the force/ area exponentials would be identical.
  • the relationship of the exponents is dependent upon the progressive geometric relationship of any particular spring.
  • the force/area exponents will be difierent and, chart-wise, there will be a cross-over point. It is expected in practice that a usable zone enveloping this cross-over point will provide an optimum electrical contact system with high current carrying capability, long life over repeated matings and unmatings and minimum contact electrical resistance. It is not intended that the present contact system be limited to this optimum zone.
  • An object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector having spring means in the connection area constrained against elongation.
  • Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrical connector having spring means in the connection area providing a large area of contact.
  • a further object is to provide an electrical connector that provides uniform contact pressure along the connection area.
  • An additional object is the provision of an electrical connector having one or more elliptical spring members in the connection area constrained against elongation during electrical engagement with a contact element.
  • a still further object is to provide an electrical connector having a compensatory action during the initial engagement between the contact-engaging section of the electrical connector and a contact element resulting in a constant pressure range and therefore a relatively great wear life of repeated cycling.
  • Still an additional object is to provide an electrical connector having a ferrule member oifset with respect to the contact section to obtain greater density when applied onto a contact element.
  • an electrical connector including a support section having a connection section for engagement with conductive means and a contact-engaging area, the contact-engaging area having end sections and connecting-section means connecting the end sections together, the connecting-section means including contact spring means disposed between the end sections and di rected towards an insertion axis of the contact-engaging area, and means provided by the connecting-section means and the support section maintaining the end sections in position thereby preventing the contact spring means from elongating during engagement with a contact element upon movement thereof within the contact-engaging area.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of electrical connectors in position on a contact element
  • FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical conductor, electrical connector and contact element
  • FIGURE 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG- URE 4;
  • FIGURE 4 is a view taken along line 44 of FIG- URE 3;
  • FIGURES 5a and 5b are diagrammatic views respectively illustrating the spring means of the electrical connector prior to engagement with a contact element and after engagement of the spring means with the contact elements;
  • FIGURE 6 is a view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 2 illustrating an embodiment of the electrical connector.
  • an electrical connector EC which comprises a support section 1 from which a ferrule member 2 and a contact section 3 extends.
  • the connector is susceptible to mass production by automatic machinery and is conveniently formed by shaping a sheet metal blank or strip of suitable electrically conductive metal such as, brass, bronze, or the like in successive forming steps.
  • the metal is sufliciently hard and resilient to impart to the contact section a spring-like character, yet it is sufficiently malleable to permit coldforging or crimping of the ferrule member onto a conductor to provide an excellent electrical and mechanical connection.
  • Ferrule member 2 includes a conductor-engaging section and an insulation-engaging section crimpable by conventional crimping dies (not shown) onto electrical conductor 4.
  • Support section 1 includes an extension 5 disposed at right angles therewith to provide rigidity to the support section.
  • Support section 1 also includes an elongated opening 6.
  • Contact section 3 includes end sections 7 and 8 and their connecting sections 1a, 9, 10 and 11 which extend between end sections 7 and 8 and connect them together to form a receptacle.
  • Connecting section 10 includes lugs 12 which extend through an elongated opening 6 and are bent into engagement with support section 1 by a coining operation to complete the formation of the receptacle as well as to maintain end sections 7 and 8 in position thereby precluding movement thereof because lugs 12 are disposed adjacent the ends of opening 6. Lugs 12 also lock the contact section in the formed configuration.
  • Connecting sections 9 and 11, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, are disposed opposite each other and provide contact springs of semi-elliptic configuration for engagement with contact element 13.
  • Contact section 3 may be formed with one or more contact springs as desired. As illustrated, contact section 3 has a generally rectangular configuration to conform to the similar configuration of mating contact element 13; however, contact section 3 can take any geometrical configuration to achieve the electrical connection with a contact element for insertion therein.
  • End section 8 constitutes the entrance to contact section 3 and includes a beveled surface 14 to facilitate the insertion of contact element 13 therein.
  • FIGURES 5a and 5b which illustrate only the operation of spring contact 9
  • contact element 13 is inserted within contact section 3 causing spring contact 9 to engage a large area of contact element 13 because end sections 7 and 8 are constrained from any movement. The same action occurs with respect to spring contact 11.
  • Contact section 3 takes advantage of the conformity of the spring members to the surface of the contact element to engage therewith thereby increasing contact area therebetween with a concomitant increase in spring force.
  • the relationship of the area to first of contact section when being electrically engaged with a contact element is governed by different factors which are not compensatory but have a cooperating relationship tending to retard an increase of pressure as the force increases. At the early stage of this area to force relationship, a small range of action where the area to force relationship is compensatory occurs whereby resulting in a constant pressure range and therefore a relatively great wear life of repeated cycling.
  • a geometrical relationship may exist wherein the elliptical spring contacts operate like a toggle linkage and can generate an excessive compressive force within the spring contact or contacts causing failure as a column and to buckle during engagement with a contact element.
  • the compressive strength approaches the compression limit of the bending stress (arch prestress)
  • the contact force at the center of the elliptical spring approaches zero.
  • the center of the elliptical spring is likely to move rapidly away from contact with the contact element until the stresses contained in the ellipitical spring provide an equilibrious couple.
  • FIGURE '6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein lugs 12 have their ends subjected to a swagin-g operation to rivet the lugs in corresponding openings in support section 1' of electrical connector EC; otherwise the electrical connector of FIGURE 6 is the same as the electrical connector of FIGURES 1 through 4.
  • ferrule member 2 is offset with respect to contact section 3 in such a manner so that the ferrule member of the leading electrical connector when disposed on contact element 13 is disposed adjacent the contact section of the next succeeding electrical connector on the same element 13 to provide greater density and this is accomplished by placing one electrical connector on contact element 13 and rotating the other electrical connector 180 before insertion onto contact element 13. Insulation means may be applied to ferrule members 2 of the electrical connectors to provide insulation means therefor.
  • An electrical connector including a support section having a connection section for engagement with conductive means and a contact-engaging area, the contactengaging area having end sections and connecting-section means connecting the end sections together, the connecting-section means including contact spring means disposed between the end sections and directed towards an insertion axis of the contact-engaging area, first means provided by the connection-section means, second means provided by the support section, said first and second means coact to maintain said end sections in position thereby preventing the contact spring means from elongating during engagement with a contact element upon relative movement therebetween.
  • An electrical connector for electrical engagement with a mateable contact element comprising a support section, a conductor-engaging section extending outwardly from said support section for electrical engagement with electrical conductor means, said support section having a contact-engaging area extending outwardly therefrom, said contact-engaging area including end sections and a connecting section extending between said end sections, said connecting section being disposed adjacent said support section, spring means extending between said end sections and being directed inwardly toward an insertion axis of said contact-engaging area, and securing means provided by both said support section and said connecting section, said securing means coact to maintain said end sections in substantially stationary positions to prevent said spring means from elongating during engagement with said contact element upon relative movement therebetween.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
US641550A 1967-05-26 1967-05-26 Electrical connector having constrained spring means Expired - Lifetime US3425030A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US64155067A 1967-05-26 1967-05-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3425030A true US3425030A (en) 1969-01-28

Family

ID=24572870

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US641550A Expired - Lifetime US3425030A (en) 1967-05-26 1967-05-26 Electrical connector having constrained spring means

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3425030A (es)
JP (1) JPS521111B1 (es)
BE (1) BE715132A (es)
DE (1) DE1765470C3 (es)
ES (1) ES149985Y (es)
FR (1) FR1564338A (es)
GB (1) GB1161279A (es)
NL (2) NL6807153A (es)
SE (1) SE329659B (es)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601785A (en) * 1968-11-04 1971-08-24 Amp Inc Detachable electrical connectors
US3853388A (en) * 1972-10-17 1974-12-10 Prod Inc Van Cluster assembly and connector clip therefor
US4448477A (en) * 1982-03-19 1984-05-15 General Motors Corporation Electric socket terminal
US4466684A (en) * 1981-12-17 1984-08-21 Texas Instruments Incorporated Low insertion force connector
US4606599A (en) * 1981-12-17 1986-08-19 Texas Instruments Incorporated Low insertion force connector
US4720277A (en) * 1985-11-30 1988-01-19 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Receptacle
US4721484A (en) * 1986-01-29 1988-01-26 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Integrated circuit package with terminals having receptacles with elastic contacts
US4781628A (en) * 1987-10-22 1988-11-01 General Motors Corporation Female electrical terminal
US4927788A (en) * 1987-04-08 1990-05-22 Dowa Mining Co., Ltd. Monolithic female connector
US4945192A (en) * 1988-03-16 1990-07-31 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Connector terminal
US4963699A (en) * 1988-04-12 1990-10-16 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Apparatus for connecting sets of electric wires to lead wires
US5259796A (en) * 1992-01-27 1993-11-09 Yazaki Corporation Electrical socket contact
US10189424B2 (en) * 2016-11-11 2019-01-29 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Structure for connecting electric wires and wire harness
CN113678321A (zh) * 2019-04-17 2021-11-19 住友电装株式会社 阴端子、连接器模块、带连接器的通信电缆以及连接器组件
CN114883833A (zh) * 2022-06-21 2022-08-09 奇瑞商用车（安徽）有限公司 接线端子
WO2023208934A1 (de) * 2022-04-26 2023-11-02 Hirschmann Automotive Gmbh Seitlicher abgang eines rundkontaktes

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20118773U1 (de) * 2001-11-20 2003-04-03 Weinhuber, Konrad, 81371 München Wickelvorrichtung
US7938694B2 (en) * 2007-03-29 2011-05-10 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Connector terminal and connector with the connector terminal

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3188606A (en) * 1963-10-21 1965-06-08 Amp Inc Electrical connector
US3262087A (en) * 1964-04-27 1966-07-19 Berg Electronics Inc Pin connector
US3317887A (en) * 1964-12-16 1967-05-02 Amp Inc Contact socket
US3363224A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-01-09 Amp Inc Electrical connector
US3369212A (en) * 1965-11-24 1968-02-13 Amp Inc Electrical connector

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3188606A (en) * 1963-10-21 1965-06-08 Amp Inc Electrical connector
US3262087A (en) * 1964-04-27 1966-07-19 Berg Electronics Inc Pin connector
US3317887A (en) * 1964-12-16 1967-05-02 Amp Inc Contact socket
US3363224A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-01-09 Amp Inc Electrical connector
US3369212A (en) * 1965-11-24 1968-02-13 Amp Inc Electrical connector

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601785A (en) * 1968-11-04 1971-08-24 Amp Inc Detachable electrical connectors
US3853388A (en) * 1972-10-17 1974-12-10 Prod Inc Van Cluster assembly and connector clip therefor
US4466684A (en) * 1981-12-17 1984-08-21 Texas Instruments Incorporated Low insertion force connector
US4606599A (en) * 1981-12-17 1986-08-19 Texas Instruments Incorporated Low insertion force connector
US4448477A (en) * 1982-03-19 1984-05-15 General Motors Corporation Electric socket terminal
US4720277A (en) * 1985-11-30 1988-01-19 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Receptacle
US4721484A (en) * 1986-01-29 1988-01-26 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Integrated circuit package with terminals having receptacles with elastic contacts
US4927788A (en) * 1987-04-08 1990-05-22 Dowa Mining Co., Ltd. Monolithic female connector
US4781628A (en) * 1987-10-22 1988-11-01 General Motors Corporation Female electrical terminal
US4945192A (en) * 1988-03-16 1990-07-31 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Connector terminal
US4963699A (en) * 1988-04-12 1990-10-16 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Apparatus for connecting sets of electric wires to lead wires
US5259796A (en) * 1992-01-27 1993-11-09 Yazaki Corporation Electrical socket contact
US10189424B2 (en) * 2016-11-11 2019-01-29 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Structure for connecting electric wires and wire harness
CN113678321A (zh) * 2019-04-17 2021-11-19 住友电装株式会社 阴端子、连接器模块、带连接器的通信电缆以及连接器组件
WO2023208934A1 (de) * 2022-04-26 2023-11-02 Hirschmann Automotive Gmbh Seitlicher abgang eines rundkontaktes
CN114883833A (zh) * 2022-06-21 2022-08-09 奇瑞商用车（安徽）有限公司 接线端子

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1765470C3 (de) 1974-09-12
BE715132A (es) 1968-09-30
SE329659B (es) 1970-10-19
GB1161279A (en) 1969-08-13
DE1765470B2 (de) 1974-02-07
ES149985Y (es) 1970-06-01
JPS521111B1 (es) 1977-01-12
NL136974B (es)
DE1765470A1 (de) 1971-07-29
NL6807153A (es) 1968-11-27
FR1564338A (es) 1969-04-18
ES149985U (es) 1969-11-16

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