WO1999023721A1 - Substrate-based female connector component - Google Patents

Substrate-based female connector component Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999023721A1
WO1999023721A1 PCT/US1998/023145 US9823145W WO9923721A1 WO 1999023721 A1 WO1999023721 A1 WO 1999023721A1 US 9823145 W US9823145 W US 9823145W WO 9923721 A1 WO9923721 A1 WO 9923721A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
projection
connector component
substrate
electrical connector
amended
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/023145
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mel J. Conway
Original Assignee
Bourns, Inc.
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 Bourns, Inc. filed Critical Bourns, Inc.
Publication of WO1999023721A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999023721A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/55Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals
    • H01R12/57Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals surface mounting terminals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors
  • the present invention is relates to a female connector component for use with a compliant male
  • Such connectors are used, for example, as battery connectors and
  • the present invention is an electrical connector ⁇ o component formed on a substrate, comprising at least one planar ⁇ conductive contact element formed on a major surface of the substrate,
  • substrate has substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and the is conductive termination is formed on a substrate projection having an
  • 19 termination is formed as a contiguous metallization on the top, bottom
  • Figure 1 is a top plan view of a strip comprising a plurality of
  • FIG. 29 Figure 2 is an end elevational view of a single female connector
  • Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a single female connector
  • Figure 5 is cross-sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of Figure 1;
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 of Figure
  • Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 - 7 of Figure
  • the connector component 10 comprises a is substrate 12 which is preferably an insulative material, such as a ceramic
  • the substrate 12 is metallic, however, the is conductive components to be described below must be insulated from it.
  • a plurality of the substrates 12 may be formed as a continuous strip 14,
  • Each substrate 12 has a pair of substantially parallel major
  • each substrate 12 has an integral
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be applied to the upper ⁇ surface 20 of the substrate 12 by any of a number of methods well
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable materials known in the art.
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable materials known in the art.
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable materials known in the art.
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable materials known in the art.
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable materials known in the art.
  • the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable for example, the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be any suitable materials known in the art.
  • terminations 30 may be formed by the same techniques used
  • each of the tabs 24 has a top surface (coplanar with the top surface 20
  • the terminations 30 must be formed on at
  • the terminations 30 may also be formed on the
  • the terminations 30 are used to connect the connector
  • the present invention is provides a female connector component that easily permits the

Abstract

A planar female electrical connector component (10) is formed on a substrate (12). The connector component includes at least one planar conductive contact element (26) formed on a major surface of the substrate, and a conductive termination (30) integral with the substrate and electrically connected to the contactelement (26). In a preferred embodiment, the substrate has substantially parallel top (20) and a bottom (22) surface, and the conductive termination is formed on a substrate projection (24) having an end surface (30d), a top surface (30a), and a bottom surface. The projection top surface (30) and the projection bottom surface (30b) are substantially coplanar with the substrate top (20) and bottom (22) surfaces, respectively. The termination is formed as a contiguous metallization on the top, bottom and end surfaces of the projection (24) and is electrically connected to the contact element (26) by a conductive trace (28) formed on a major surface of the substrate.

Description

ι SUBSTRATE-BASED FEMALE CONNECTOR COMPONENT
2
3 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
4 This Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S.
5 Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/064,246; filed November 4, e 1998.
7
8 FEDERALLY-FUNDED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
9 Not Applicable
10 ιι BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
12 The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors,
13 and more specifically to the class of electrical connectors that employ
14 male and female components. In particular, the present invention is relates to a female connector component for use with a compliant male
16 connector component, such as a spring-loaded male connector
17 component. is Compliant electrical connectors are used in a wide variety of
19 products that employ electronic components and circuit boards that are
20 removable or that must be installed with a surface-to-surface contact
21 only. Such connectors are used, for example, as battery connectors and
22 board-to-board connectors in cellular telephones, and as connectors in
23 removable computer peripherals.
24 Prior art connectors of this type frequently employ solid metal
25 parts that are often supplied on a lead frame. An insulative (plastic)
26 part or housing then holds or forms the metal part in its operational
27 position. This structure does not easily permit the integration of other
28 components or circuitry without significantly increasing the costs of
29 production.
30 It would therefore be advantageous to provide a female connector
31 component, for use with a compliant male connector component, that ι easily permits the integration of other components. Further, it would be
2 advantageous to provide such a female connector component that can
3 be economically manufactured, that exhibits goods qualities of durability
4 and reliability, that is readily adaptable for surface mounting by
5 conventional methods on printed wiring boards, and that is compatible
6 with conventional automation equipment and packaging.
7
8 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
9 Broadly, the present invention is an electrical connector ιo component formed on a substrate, comprising at least one planar ιι conductive contact element formed on a major surface of the substrate,
12 and a conductive termination integral with the substrate and electrically
13 connected to the contact element. In a preferred embodiment, the
14 substrate has substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and the is conductive termination is formed on a substrate projection having an
16 end surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The projection top
17 surface and the projection bottom surface are substantially coplanar is with the substrate top and bottom surfaces, respectively. The
19 termination is formed as a contiguous metallization on the top, bottom
20 and end surfaces of the projection, and it is electrically connected to the
21 contact element by a conductive trace formed on a major surface of the
22 substrate.
23
24 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
25 Figure 1 is a top plan view of a strip comprising a plurality of
26 substrate-based female connector components, in accordance with the
27 present invention, prior to separation into separate, individual
28 components;
29 Figure 2 is an end elevational view of a single female connector
30 component, taken from the right side of Figure 1; ι Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a single female connector
2 component, taken along line 3 - 3 of Figure 1;
3 Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a single female connector
4 component;
5 Figure 5 is cross-sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of Figure 1;
6 Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 of Figure
7 2; and β Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 - 7 of Figure
9 1.
10 ιι DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
12 Referring now to the drawings, a substrate-based female
13 connector component 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
14 the invention is shown. The connector component 10 comprises a is substrate 12 which is preferably an insulative material, such as a ceramic
16 or a plastic, with ceramic being most preferred. A metallic substrate 12
17 may also be used. If the substrate 12 is metallic, however, the is conductive components to be described below must be insulated from it.
19 A plurality of the substrates 12 may be formed as a continuous strip 14,
20 as shown in Figure 1, with adjacent pairs of substrates 12 being
21 delineated by score lines 16, as is well known in the art. The connector
22 components 10 can be fabricated while the substrates 12 are connected
23 together in the strip 14, and then separated (singulated) into individual
24 components 10 along the score lines 16. Proper orientation of the strip
25 14 during the fabrication process, and of the substrates 12 during the
26 end user's assembly procedures, is assured by the provision of an
27 orientation notch 18 adjacent each score line 16.
28 Each substrate 12 has a pair of substantially parallel major
29 surfaces, i.e., an upper surface 20 and a lower surface 22. The specific
30 dimensions and shape (in plan view) of the substrate 12 may be varied ι to suit any number of applications. Each substrate 12 has an integral
2 tab or projection 24 extending from at least one end, or, preferably,
3 from each of two opposite ends, as shown in the drawings. The upper
4 surface 20 is provided with one or more conductive contacts 26, and
5 with a desired number of conductive traces 28. Formed on each of the e projections 24 is a conductive termination 30. The traces 28 are located
7 so as to provide electrical interconnections between the contacts 26, and
8 to provide electrical connections between the contacts 26 and each of
9 the conductive terminations 30. ιo The contacts 26 and the traces 28 may be applied to the upper ιι surface 20 of the substrate 12 by any of a number of methods well
12 known in the art. For example, the contacts 26 and the traces 28 may
13 be formed by electroplating a conductive metal, or by thick film
14 deposition of a conductive ink, or by a combination of these techniques, is among others. While the contacts 26 and the traces 28 are shown in the
16 illustrated embodiment as being formed only on the upper surface 20,
17 they may also be formed on the lower surface 22, if desired. is The terminations 30 may be formed by the same techniques used
19 to form the contacts 26 and the traces 28, except that the terminations
20 30 must be formed on at least three contiguous surfaces. Specifically,
21 each of the tabs 24 has a top surface (coplanar with the top surface 20
22 of the substrate 12), a bottom surface (coplanar with the bottom surface
23 22 of the substrate 12), an end edge surface, and a pair of side edge
24 surfaces. Of these surfaces, the terminations 30 must be formed on at
25 least the top surface, the bottom surface, and the end edge surface, as
26 shown in Figure 6, to form, respectively, a top termination portion 30a,
27 a bottom termination portion 30b, and an end edge termination portion
28 30c. Advantageously, the terminations 30 may also be formed on the
29 side edge surfaces, as shown in Figure 5, to form a pair of side edge
30 termination portions 30d. ι The terminations 30 are used to connect the connector
2 component 10, both electrically and mechanically, to a printed wiring
3 board (not shown) by means of solder or conductive epoxy. Typically,
4 the connection is made at the bottom termination portion 30b, but the
5 other termination portions 30a, 30c, 30d may also be used in specific
6 applications.
7 The particular pattern of contacts 26 and traces 28 shown in the β drawings is exemplary only. The number and arrangement of these
9 elements can be varied to suit a wide variety of applications. ιo Furthermore, the pattern and arrangement of the contacts 26 and traces ιι 28 can be adapted to accommodate one or more surface mount
12 components (not shown) on the top substrate surface 20 and/or the
13 bottom substrate surface 22.
14 From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention is provides a female connector component that easily permits the
16 integration of other components, that can be economically
17 manufactured, that exhibits good qualities of durability and reliability,
18 that is readily adaptable for surface mounting by conventional methods
19 on printed wiring boards, and that is compatible with conventional
20 automation equipment and packaging.
21 While a preferred embodiment has been described above, it will
22 be appreciated that a number of variations and modifications will
23 suggest themselves to those skilled in the pertinent arts. Many such
24 modifications and variations have been discussed or suggested above.
25 Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the spirit
26 and scope of the invention, as described in the claims that follow.

Claims

╬╣ WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
2 1. An electrical connector component formed on a substrate,
3 comprising:
4 a planar conductive contact element formed on a major
5 surface of the substrate; and
6 a conductive termination integral with the substrate and
7 electrically connected to the contact element.
8
9 2. The electrical connector component of Claim 1, wherein the ╬╣o substrate includes a projection that is substantially coplanar with the ╬╣╬╣ major surface, and wherein the termination is formed on the substrate
12 projection.
13
14 3. The electrical connector component of Claim 2, wherein the is projection has an end surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and
16 wherein the termination comprises a contiguous metallization on the top
17 projection surface, the bottom projection surface, and the end is projection surface.
19
20 4. The electrical connector component of Claim 3, wherein the
21 projection has a pair of opposed side surfaces, and wherein the
22 termination comprises a contiguous metallization on the projection top
23 surface, the projection bottom surface, the projection end surface, and
24 the projection side surfaces.
25
26 5. The electrical connector component of Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4,
27 wherein the contact element is electrically connected to the termination
28 by a conductive trace on the major surface.
29 30 ╬╣ 6. The electrical connector component of Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4,
2 wherein the contact element is formed of electroplated metal.
3
4 7. The electrical connector component of Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4,
5 wherein the contact element is formed of a thick film conductive ink.
6
7 8. An electrical connector component, comprising: s a substrate having substantially parallel top and bottom
9 surfaces and first and second opposed ends; o a projection extending from at least one of the substrate 1 ends and having top and bottom surfaces that are substantially 2 coplanar with the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the 3 substrate; 4 a planar conductive contact element disposed on at least 5 one of the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate; and 6 a conductive termination on the projection and electrically
17 connected to the contact element.
18
19 9. The electrical connector component of Claim 8, wherein the 0 projection has an end surface, and wherein the termination comprises a
21 metallization comprises a contiguous metallization on the top projection
22 surface, the bottom projection surface, and the end projection surface.
23
24 10. The electrical connector component of Claim 9, wherein the
25 projection has a pair of opposed side surfaces, and wherein the
26 termination comprises a contiguous metallization on the projection top
27 surface, the projection bottom surface, the projection end surface, and
28 the projection side surfaces.
29 30
11. The electrical connector component of Claims 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the contact element is electrically connected to the termination by a conductive trace on the major surface.
12. The electrical connector component of Claims 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the contact element is formed of electroplated metal.
13. The electrical connector component of Claims 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the contact element is formed of a thick film conductive ink.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 22 March 1999 (22.03.99) ;
I orig inal cl aims 2 ,3 and 9 cancel led ; original c l aims 1 ,4-8 , 10 ,
1 1 -13 amended ; (3 pages ) ]
3 1. (Amended) An electrical connector component formed on a substrate
4 that includes a major surface and a projection that is substantially coplanar with
5 the major surface, the projection having an end surface, a top surface, and a
6 bottom surface, the component comprising:
7 a planar conductive contact element formed on the major surface of the
8 substrate; and
9 a conductive teππination formed on the substrate projection and
10 electrically connected to the contact element, wherein the teπnmation comprises
I I a contiguous metallization on the top projection surface, the bottom projection 12 surface, and the end projection surface.
13
14 2. (Canceled)
IS
16 3. (Canceled)
17
18 4. (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claim 1 , wherein
19 the projection has a pair of opposed side surfaces, and wherein the termination
20 comprises a contiguous metallization on the projection top surface, the
21 projection bottom surface, the projection end surface, and the projection side
22 surfaces. 23
24 5, (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claims 1 or 4,
25 wherein the contact element is electrically connected to the termination by a
26 conductive trace on the major surface.
6. (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claims 1 or 4, wherein the contact element is formed of electroplated metal.
7. (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claims 1 or 4, wherein the contact element is formed of a thick film conductive ink.
8. (Amended) An electrical connector component, comprising: a substrate having substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces and first and second opposed ends; a projection extending from at least one of the substrate ends and including top and bottom surfaces that are substantially coplanar with the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the substrate, die projection further including an end surface; a planar conductive contact element disposed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate; and a conductive termination on the projection and electrically connected to the contact element, wherein the termination comprises a contiguous metallization on the top projection surface, the bottom projection surface, and the end projection surface.
9. (Canceled)
10. (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claim 8, wherein the projection has a pair of opposed side surfaces, and wherein the termination comprises a contiguous metallization on the projection top surface, the projection bottom surface, the projection end surface, and the pair of opposed projection side surfaces, 11 , (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claims 8 or 10, wherein the contact element is electrically connected to the termination by a conductive trace on the major surface.
12. (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claims 8 or 10, wherein the contact element is formed of electroplated metal.
13, (Amended) The electrical connector component of Claims 8 or 10, wherein the contact element is formed of a thick film conductive ink.
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
The replacement sheets submitted herewith include pages 1 and 6-8.
Page 1 has been changed to correct a typographical error in the priority date set forth at lines 5-6. The correct date of November 4, 1997 is now stated.
The claims on pages 6-8 have been amended as follows;
Page 6: Claim 1 has been amended to include the subject matter of claims 2 and 3, which have been canceled. Claim 4 has been amended to depend from claim 1, and claim 5 has been amended to depend from claims 1 or 4.
Page 7: Claims 6 and 7 have been amended to depend from -daims 1 or 4. Claim 8 has been amended to include the subject matter of claim 9, which has been canceled. Claim 10 has been amended to depend from claim 8.
Page 8: Claims 11-13 have been amended to depend from claims 8 or
10.
PCT/US1998/023145 1997-11-04 1998-10-29 Substrate-based female connector component WO1999023721A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6424697P 1997-11-04 1997-11-04
US60/064,246 1997-11-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999023721A1 true WO1999023721A1 (en) 1999-05-14

Family

ID=22054586

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1998/023145 WO1999023721A1 (en) 1997-11-04 1998-10-29 Substrate-based female connector component

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1999023721A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4018495A (en) * 1975-10-02 1977-04-19 Sperry Rand Corporation Connector device
US4770645A (en) * 1983-08-05 1988-09-13 Antes Jack E Cable conductor to printed wiring board conductor clamp
US5044963A (en) * 1989-04-12 1991-09-03 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Surface connector for radio frequency signals

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4018495A (en) * 1975-10-02 1977-04-19 Sperry Rand Corporation Connector device
US4770645A (en) * 1983-08-05 1988-09-13 Antes Jack E Cable conductor to printed wiring board conductor clamp
US5044963A (en) * 1989-04-12 1991-09-03 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Surface connector for radio frequency signals

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