US3818414A - Electrical connectors - Google Patents

Electrical connectors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3818414A
US3818414A US00230718A US23071872A US3818414A US 3818414 A US3818414 A US 3818414A US 00230718 A US00230718 A US 00230718A US 23071872 A US23071872 A US 23071872A US 3818414 A US3818414 A US 3818414A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
contacts
support member
electrical
row
electrical connector
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
US00230718A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
T Davies
R Quarmby
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.)
Plessey Overseas Ltd
Original Assignee
Plessey Handel und Investments AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Plessey Handel und Investments AG filed Critical Plessey Handel und Investments AG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3818414A publication Critical patent/US3818414A/en
Assigned to PLESSEY OVERSEAS LIMITED reassignment PLESSEY OVERSEAS LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: PLESSEY HANDEL UND INVESTMENTS AG, GARTENSTRASSE 2, ZUG, SWITZERLAND
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An electrical connector capable of interconnecting individual electrical contacts of a first row of contacts with corresponding electrical contacts in a second row of contacts spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first row, the connector including a support member of a resilient electrically insulating material, and a plurality of substantially C-shaped electrically conductive members formed around and secured to the support member.
  • the C-shaped members are spaced apart along the length of the support member at a pitch which is equal to the pitch of the electrical contacts of the said rows.
  • the electrical connector is interposed between superposed electrically insulating boards on which the first and second rows of contacts are carried, the insulating boards and the electrical connector being clamped together by at least one spring clip.
  • SHEET 2 (1F 3 ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS
  • the invention relates to electrical connectors, to methods of producing the electrical connectors, and to electrical interconnecting arrangements which utilise the electrical connectors for the electrical interconnection of opposed sets of electrical contacts that are carried by superposed electrically insulating boards.
  • the invention provides an electrical connector capable of interconnecting individual electrical contacts of a first row of contacts with corresponding electrical contacts in a second row of contacts spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first row, the connector including a support member of a resilient electrically insulating material; and a plurality of substantially C- shaped electrically conductive members formed around, and secured to the support member, the G shaped members being spaced apart along the length of the support member at a pitch which is equal to the pitch of the electrical contacts of the said rows.
  • This connector is suitable for the interconnecting of electrical contacts with a spacing therebetween of smaller than 0.001 inches.
  • the invention also provides a method of producing an electrical connector capable of interconnecting individual electrical contacts of a first row of contacts with corresponding electrical contacts in a second row of contacts spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first row, the method including the steps of providing a support member of a resilient electrically insulating material; forming a spiral of an electrically conductive material around, and along the length of the support member such that it is securely attached thereto, the pitch of the spiral being equal to the pitch of the electrical contacts of the said rows; and completely severing each turn of the spiral to provide a plurality of substantially C-shaped electrically conductive members which are spaced apart along the length of the support member.
  • the invention further provides an electrical interconnecting arrangement for interconnecting individual electrical contacts of a first row of contacts with corresponding electrical contacts in a second row of contacts spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first row, the first and second rows of contacts being carried by superposed electrically insulating boards, the arrangement including an electrical connector as outlined in a preceding paragraph interposed between the first and second rows of contacts such that the C-shaped members thereof are in register with the rows of contacts; and at least one spring clip for clamping together the insulating boards and the electrical connector.
  • FIGS. 1 to 5 diagrammatically illustrate the various stages of the methods of producing an electrical connector according to the invention
  • FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates in a crosssectional side elevation a partly completed electrical connector according to the invention
  • FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) diagrammatically illustrate respectively in a cross-sectional front elevation and side elevation part of an electrical interconnecting arrangement according to the invention.
  • FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates in a pictorial view another part of an electrical interconnecting arrangement according to the invention.
  • FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates in a side elevation an electrical interconnecting arrangement according to the invention.
  • the first stage of the methods of producing an electrical connector according to the invention involves the provision of a support member of a resilient electrically insulating material of a length at least equal to the length ofa surface ofa substrate which carries the electrical contacts to which it is desired to make electrical connections.
  • the support member is preferably of circular cross-section although cross-sections-which are other than circular, for example square or rectangular. can, as will be subsequently outlined, be utilised.
  • the diameter of the support member is not critical but for an electrical connector utilised to inter connect contacts with a spacing therebetween of the order of 0.020 inches, the diameter can conveniently be of the order of 0.125 inches.
  • FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings The next stages in the production method for a support member of circular cross-section are diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings.
  • a spiral groove 1 is cut in the periphery of the support member 2 along its entire length by any known technique.
  • the pitch of the groove 1 is made equal to the spacingbetween the centres of the electrical contacts that are to be interconnected.
  • the width of the groove 1 is of the order of one half of the contact centre spacing and the depth of the groove should preferably be equal to or less than one half of its width.
  • a wire 3 of an electrically conductive material and of a diameter which is comparable with the width of the groove 1, is then anchored by any suitable means to one end of the support member 2 and is wrapped around the support member such that it is located by and lies in the groove 1 to give the structure diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.
  • the free end of the wire 3 is then anchored by any suitable means to the other end of the support member 2.
  • the wire 3 is then permanently attached to the support member 2, along its entire length in a manner diagrammatically illustrated in either FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 of the drawings.
  • longitudinally extending grooves 4 are cut in the periphery of the support member 2 along its entire length by any known technique prior to the wire wrapping operation.
  • a suitable glue 5 is then applied to the grooves 4 at appropriate points along the length of the support member 2 such that on completion of the wire wrapping operation and when the glue 5 sets, the wire 3 is permanently attached at these points to the support member 2.
  • the support member 2 and wire 3 are partially embedded in a block 6 of an electrically insulating potting material such as an epoxy base resin, which will be in a liquid state before it sets to form the block 6.
  • the shape of the block 6 is determined by a mould 7.
  • the mould 7 will be such that the entire length of the wire wrapped section of the support member 2 can be accommodated therein, and such that the support member 2 can be supported in the desired position whilst the embedding material is in an initial liquid state. Whilst the embedding material is in the liquid state it will, due to capillary attraction, partially fill the gaps between successive turns of the wire 3.
  • This method of attachment can be aided by the utilisation of a hollow support member 2 which is open ended.
  • the embedding material when in its liquid state will flow into the bore of the ho]- low member 2 from the open ends thereby embedding completely part of the wall of the hollow member and giving a more secure fixing of the hollow member to the block 6.
  • the mould 7 is removed.
  • the wire 3 can be permanently attached to the support member 2 by ultrasonic bonding.
  • the provision of the groove 1 in the support member 2 can be eliminated by utilising two wires of approximately equal diameter but of different materials,.one of the wires being suitable for forming the C- shaped electrically conductive members in a manner to be subsequently outlined.
  • the two wires are anchored at one end of the support member 2 and are then simultaneously wrapped around the periphery, and along the length of the support member 2 such that the turns of the two wires are in an abutting relationship.
  • the free ends of the wires are then secured to the other end of the support member 2.
  • the other wire is selected such that it can be dissolved away preferentially by a chemical process after the wires have been permanently attached to the periphery of the support member, for example in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
  • the glue that is utilised to effect the attachment and the material of the support member 2 must, therefore, be such that they are not affected by the chemical process.
  • the spiral of an electrically conductive material is formed around, and along the length of the support member 2 by the selective deposition of an electrically conductive material by any known technique onto the periphery of the member 2.
  • the selective deposition being effected by masking the periphery to expose only a spiral strip thereof of the desired width and pitch.
  • the whole surface area of the periphery could be exposed to the deposition process and the spiral formed by a machining operation which would remove the unwanted electrical conductive material.
  • each turn of the spiral is completely severed to provide a plurality of substantially C-shaped electrically conductive members.
  • This can be achieved in a number of ways, for example in a manner as illustrated in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(8) wherein a longitudinally extending radial slot 8 is cut into the support member 2 and thereby through each turn of the spiral to provide the substantially C-shaped members 9.
  • the shape of the slot is not critical, it could for example be V- shaped, providing the turns of the spiral are completely severed.
  • each turn of the spiral can be completely severed by removing, by any suitable machining operation, those parts of the support member 2 and spiral on the left-hand side of the broken line 10 in FIG. 5(A).
  • FIG. 6 of the drawings An electrical connector having a support member of square cross-section is diagrammatically illustrated in a cross-sectional side elevation in FIG. 6 of the drawings.
  • an interrupted spiral groove is cut around and along the length of the support member 2 i.e., the depth of the groove is arranged such that the groove is contained in only the corner sections of the support member 2.
  • the wire 3 is wrapped around and along the support member it is located by the groove and is such that a gap 18 is provided between each face of the support member and the wire.
  • a resilient electrically conductive material such as beryllium copper for the wire 3
  • the gaps 18 will allow the wire 3 to be compressed when the connector is in use.
  • the attachment of the wire 3 to the square support member 2 and the severing of the turns of the wire spiral can be effected by any one of the techniques outlined in preceding paragraphs.
  • FIGS. 7(A) and 7(8) An electrical interconnecting arrangement which utilises the electrical connector of FIGS. 5(A) and 5(8) is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(8) respectively in a cross-sectional front elevation and a cross-sectional side elevation through Y-Y.
  • the electrical connector is sandwiched under pressure between two superposed electrically insulating boards 11 of say a plated-wire memory stack assembly, and is used to interconnect the eiectrical contacts such as the contacts 4, 5 and 6 which are carried by each of the boards 11 and which are in the case of a memory stack assembly associated with the memory elements and facilitate the making of electrical connections thereto.
  • the electrical contacts would be printed circuit contacts having, in the case of a memory stack assembly, a spacing between contact centres of less than 0.030 inches but greater than 0.0012 inches. It should, however, be noted that the electrical connector can be used to interconnect contacts with a spacing therebetween of greater than 0.030 inches or smaller than 0.0012 inches.
  • FIG. 7(A) Three C-shaped electrical conductive members 9a, 9b and 9c are illustrated in FIG. 7(A) which are respectively used to interconnect the pairs of electrical contacts 4, 5 and 6 in the manner indicated. It should be noted that for successful interconnection to be effected it is essential for the electrical contacts of one of the boards 11 to be offset with respect to the electrical contacts on the other one of the boards 11 by an amount equal to one half of the pitch of the wire spiral.
  • Accurate register of the C-shaped members with the electrical contacts being interconnected can only be achieved by the utilisation of locating means associated with the support member 2 and the superposed boards on which the contacts are formed or supported.
  • a tolerance in lateral location between the various parts of the arrangement of i 0.002 inches can be accommodated for contacts spaced at intervals of 0.020 inches or greater, whereas a location tolerance no greater than 0.0003 inches is advisable for contacts spaced at intervals of 0.0012 inches.
  • the locating means which can take many different forms, may typically be provided by the arrangement diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings in a pictorial view.
  • This locating means which would be provided at each end of the support member includes a member 12 which is connected to or forms an integral part of the support member, and which has two apertures 13 therein, and two pin members 14 which are each secured at one end to a separate one of the superposed boards 11.
  • the pin members 14 are located in the apertures 13 when the connector is sandwiched between the boards 11 thereby accurately registering the C-shaped members of the electrical connector with the electrical contacts carried by the boards 11.
  • the contact force between the various members can, as is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, be effected by two locking springs 15 which also effectively prevent the interconnecting arrangement from rocking" or see-sawing.
  • one of the boards 11 can be a so-called take-off member having terminal pins, such as the pin 16, associated with the electrical contacts 17 carried by the board.
  • the electrical contacts 17 will each be connected to a printed wire which is formed on the board, and which extends in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing.
  • the terminal pins are set into the back of the board and make contact through the board with the printed lead wires such that one terminal pin is connected to one printed wire and thereby to one electrical contact 17.
  • the position of the terminal pins along the length of the lead wires are staggered from lead wire to lead wire so that the distance between them are large enough to enable conventional connection techniques, for example, wire wrapping, or crimping, or soldering techniques, to be employed in the connecting of wires, such as the wire 19, to the appropriate terminal pins.
  • connection techniques for example, wire wrapping, or crimping, or soldering techniques
  • the lead wires would be extended into a flexible wiring strip.
  • the contact surfaces of the component parts utilised in the interconnecting arrangements will employ conventional contact materials.
  • the C-shaped members can be of gold or a gold plated material.
  • An electrical connector capable of interconnecting individual electrical contacts of a first row of contacts with corresponding electrical contacts in a second row of contacts spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first row, the connector including a support member of a resilient electrically insulating material; and a plurality of substantially C-shaped electrically conductive members formed around, and secured to the support member, the C-shaped members being spaced apart along the length of the support member at a pitch which is equal to the pitch of the electrical contacts of the said rows, each of the C- shaped members being located in a spiral groove in the periphery of the support member, the spiral groove being of a pitch equal to the pitch of the electrical contacts of the said rows, wherein the support member has a number of longitudinally extending grooves in the periphery thereof, and wherein a glue contained in the longitudinally extending grooves secures each of the C-shaped members to the support member.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
US00230718A 1971-03-12 1972-03-01 Electrical connectors Expired - Lifetime US3818414A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB679171 1971-03-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3818414A true US3818414A (en) 1974-06-18

Family

ID=9820828

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00230718A Expired - Lifetime US3818414A (en) 1971-03-12 1972-03-01 Electrical connectors

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3818414A (es)
DE (1) DE2211218A1 (es)
FR (1) FR2129553A5 (es)
GB (1) GB1343451A (es)
IT (1) IT950124B (es)
SE (1) SE388749B (es)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3851297A (en) * 1972-06-17 1974-11-26 Amp Inc Substrate connector
US3930308A (en) * 1973-05-29 1976-01-06 Amp Incorporated Substrate connectors
US3951493A (en) * 1974-08-14 1976-04-20 Methode Manufacturing Corporation Flexible electrical connector and method of making same
US3952411A (en) * 1974-09-30 1976-04-27 Litton Systems, Inc. Multi-wire wiper contact for potentiometers and other electromechanical devices and method for making same
US4142780A (en) * 1974-03-29 1979-03-06 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Exchangeable liquid crystal panel
DE3123675A1 (de) * 1980-06-16 1982-04-08 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd., Tokyo Verfahren zur herstellung eines elektrischen verbindungsstuecks
EP0001477B1 (en) * 1977-09-24 1983-03-30 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) Method of manufacture of an electrical multi-contact connector
US4453309A (en) * 1981-11-20 1984-06-12 Amp Incorporated Manufacture of dense, flat conductor connectors
US4577918A (en) * 1984-05-01 1986-03-25 International Business Machines Corporation Copper and dual durometer rubber multiple connector
US4688864A (en) * 1985-04-05 1987-08-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Electronic circuit constituted by stackable modules
US4734045A (en) * 1987-03-27 1988-03-29 Masterite Industries, Inc. High density connector
US4834660A (en) * 1987-06-03 1989-05-30 Harris Corporation Flexible zero insertion force interconnector between circuit boards
US5035628A (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-07-30 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector for electrically interconnecting two parallel surfaces
US6454601B1 (en) 2001-06-27 2002-09-24 Andrew Corporation Connector for coaxial cables
US20060253982A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 2006-11-16 Kummer Joseph A Bed having electrical communication network

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE794428A (fr) * 1972-01-29 1973-07-23 Amp Inc Connecteur electrique et son procede de fabrication
US3795884A (en) * 1973-03-06 1974-03-05 Amp Inc Electrical connector formed from coil spring
EP0160262A3 (en) * 1984-05-01 1988-06-01 International Business Machines Corporation Electrical connector for multiple connection of lands on circuit boards

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2662148A (en) * 1953-01-06 1953-12-08 George R Stibitz Ganged circuit element
US3173732A (en) * 1962-02-09 1965-03-16 Brown Engineering Company Inc Printed circuit board connector
US3506949A (en) * 1967-12-29 1970-04-14 John T Venaleck Electrical connector clip device
US3638163A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-01-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Connector for electrically interconnecting two parallel surfaces

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2662148A (en) * 1953-01-06 1953-12-08 George R Stibitz Ganged circuit element
US3173732A (en) * 1962-02-09 1965-03-16 Brown Engineering Company Inc Printed circuit board connector
US3506949A (en) * 1967-12-29 1970-04-14 John T Venaleck Electrical connector clip device
US3638163A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-01-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Connector for electrically interconnecting two parallel surfaces

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3851297A (en) * 1972-06-17 1974-11-26 Amp Inc Substrate connector
US3930308A (en) * 1973-05-29 1976-01-06 Amp Incorporated Substrate connectors
US4142780A (en) * 1974-03-29 1979-03-06 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Exchangeable liquid crystal panel
US3951493A (en) * 1974-08-14 1976-04-20 Methode Manufacturing Corporation Flexible electrical connector and method of making same
US3952411A (en) * 1974-09-30 1976-04-27 Litton Systems, Inc. Multi-wire wiper contact for potentiometers and other electromechanical devices and method for making same
DK153261B (da) * 1977-09-24 1988-06-27 Amp Inc Fremgangsmaade til fremstilling af et elektrisk forbindelsesorgan
EP0001477B1 (en) * 1977-09-24 1983-03-30 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) Method of manufacture of an electrical multi-contact connector
DE3123675A1 (de) * 1980-06-16 1982-04-08 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd., Tokyo Verfahren zur herstellung eines elektrischen verbindungsstuecks
US4453309A (en) * 1981-11-20 1984-06-12 Amp Incorporated Manufacture of dense, flat conductor connectors
US4577918A (en) * 1984-05-01 1986-03-25 International Business Machines Corporation Copper and dual durometer rubber multiple connector
US4688864A (en) * 1985-04-05 1987-08-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Electronic circuit constituted by stackable modules
US4734045A (en) * 1987-03-27 1988-03-29 Masterite Industries, Inc. High density connector
US4834660A (en) * 1987-06-03 1989-05-30 Harris Corporation Flexible zero insertion force interconnector between circuit boards
US5035628A (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-07-30 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector for electrically interconnecting two parallel surfaces
US20060253982A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 2006-11-16 Kummer Joseph A Bed having electrical communication network
US7451506B2 (en) 1995-08-04 2008-11-18 Hil-Rom Services, Inc. Bed having electrical communication network
US20090064416A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 2009-03-12 Kummer Joseph A Inflatable mattress for a bed
US7802332B2 (en) 1995-08-04 2010-09-28 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Inflatable mattress for a bed
US20100306924A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 2010-12-09 Kummer Joseph A Inflatable mattress for a bed
US8056165B2 (en) 1995-08-04 2011-11-15 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Inflatable mattress for a bed
US8286282B2 (en) 1995-08-04 2012-10-16 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bed frame and mattress synchronous control
US6454601B1 (en) 2001-06-27 2002-09-24 Andrew Corporation Connector for coaxial cables

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE388749B (sv) 1976-10-11
GB1343451A (en) 1974-01-10
IT950124B (it) 1973-06-20
DE2211218A1 (de) 1972-09-14
FR2129553A5 (es) 1972-10-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3818414A (en) Electrical connectors
US4322120A (en) Plug-in connector with improved spring contact
KR100326283B1 (ko) 고밀도전기상호접속시스템
US3731254A (en) Jumper for interconnecting dual-in-line sockets
US3216089A (en) Method of connecting electrical components to spaced frame containing circuits and removing the frames
US3028573A (en) Cross-connecting board
US3633189A (en) Cable structure for magnetic head assembly
US3151278A (en) Electronic circuit module with weldable terminals
US3751801A (en) Method and apparatus for terminating electrical ribbon cable
US4414741A (en) Process for interconnecting components on a PCB
US4255853A (en) Method for interconnecting the terminals of electrical assemblies
US5281150A (en) Method and apparatus for connecting cable to the surface of printed circuit boards or the like
US4181384A (en) Flat cable connector having wire deployment means
JPH08510860A (ja) 平形ケーブルアレー
US3697818A (en) Encapsulated cordwood type electronic or electrical component assembly
JPH05205832A (ja) フレキシブルテープ構造及びフレキシブルテープ形成プロセス
US4679872A (en) Cylindrical back plane structure for receiving printed circuit boards
US4343084A (en) Method for making printed circuit boards with connector terminals
US3829817A (en) Electrical connection devices
US3399452A (en) Method of fabricating electrical connectors
US3418535A (en) Interconnection matrix for dual-in-line packages
US4087150A (en) Quick connect wiring system for breadboard circuits
JPS643031B2 (es)
US3733574A (en) Miniature tandem spring clips
CA1139858A (en) Flat cable assembly and methods of terminating and connectorizing the cable of same