Inventors:
Tillmann, Hans-peter (Bruxelles, BE)
De Vuyst, Hugo Richard N. (Kasteeldreef, BE)
Field of Search:
339/17E,17F,17L,17LC,17LM,49,176M,176MF,176MP,192M,195M,198,218M,219
Description:
The present invention is related generally to electrical connectors and in particular to electrical connections which must extend to a plane surface as, for example, a circuit board.
It is based on the discovery that it is desirable to form such electrical connections using contact elements which engage with each other perpendicularly.
In accordance with the invention the connector is distinguished in that a first series of contact elements is arranged in such a manner as to be supported perpendicularly to a plane surface and in that contact elements of a second series are supported being parallel to the plane surface in such a manner as to engage the contact elements of the first series.
The invention has many advantages.
For example, it permits fixed electrical connections to be effected between the printed circuit board and a series (plurality) of contacts providing the maximum strength and with the minimum use of space.
Establishing separable connections with these fixed contacts, strain and wear exercised on the printed circuit board are reduced to the minimum.
On the other hand, the work of connecting and disconnecting external conductors with the printed circuit board is greatly simplified.
In order to make the invention better understood, a nonlimitative example of embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first contact support;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second contact support;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are views in plan and side elevation respectively of a spring contact element which is mounted in the second support represented by FIG. 2;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are sections along lines V--V and VI--VI respectively in FIG. 3;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the first contact element support;
FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the second contact element support;
The connector shown in the drawings comprises a first support element 1 (FIGS. 1 and 7-8) of a dielectric material serving to receive in holes 2.1-2.2 arranged in rows (FIGS. 7 and 8) contact elements 3.1-3.2 which are disposed next to each other and juxtaposed being arranged in a parallel manner in each row as well as a second support element 4 (FIG. 2 and 9-10) also of a dielectric material receiving in slots 5.1-5.2 (FIGS. 9-10) contact elements 6.1-6.2 arranged in the same manner as the contact elements 3.1-3.2.
Considering FIGS. 1 and 2 and 7-8 and 9-10 together, it will be realized that a series of contact elements 3.1-3.2 determines the formation of a common plane which is substantially perpendicular to a plane surface 7 integral with the support 1 and that likewise a series of contacts 6.1-6.2...of the support 4 also forms a common plane. In the position for use, the plane of the contacts 6.1...is in an alignment substantially parallel to the plane face 8 of the support 4 in such a way that the contact elements 6.1... are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the contacts 3.1-3.2....
As FIG. 3 shows, each of the contact elements 6 can comprise a substantially rectilinear flat part 13 which is provided at one end with elastic fingers 9 which, extending in a straight line and facing each other make the prongs of a fork.
The position of the elastic fingers 9 relative to the support 4 is shown clearly in FIG. 2. The fingers of each contact are of a material, which conducts electricity and is elastic, are spaced at a distance which permits them to receive with friction between them one of the contact elements 3.1-3.2.
The contact elements 3.1-3.2 are preferably round rectilinear rods but other forms can be adopted.
Part 13 of the contacts 3.1-3.2 is provided with projections 10-11-12 which ensure the maintenance of the contacts in the support 4 of dielectric material. These projections are shaped in such a manner as to catch in the support 4 in order to resist the forces which tend to displace the contacts in relation to the support during the engagement and the separation of the parts coming into play in the connection.
It will be realized that the space between the adjacent contact elements 6 must coincide with the spacing between the contact elements 3 in such a manner as to ensure the engagement of corresponding contact elements when the support members 1 and 4 are placed in their cooperation position.
The engagement of the contact elements 6 which are in the same plane with the contact elements 3 which are also in the same plane has been described.
It will be understood that in any connection place the number of contact elements can be increased thanks to the "staged" arrangement shown in FIGS. 7-10, that is to say, that one series of rod contacts 3.1 is arranged in a common plane and that other rod contacts 3.2 are arranged in another plane which is parallel to and spaced from the contacts 3.1. Likewise, the contacts 3.1 which are in the same plane extend in length beyond the end of the contacts 3.2 which are in the other plane in such a manner to permit a suitable engagement with the corresponding contact elements 6.1-6.2.
The arrangement of the contact elements 3.1-3.2 in the support 1 can be made in such a manner as to be in harmony with the "staged" arrangement described above. In this case the contact elements 6.1 would be arranged in a plane and the contact elements 6.2 would be arranged in another parallel plane and spaced by the contacts 6.1. Likewise, the contacts 6.1 would be arranged in such a manner as to extend in length beyond the end of the contacts 6.2 in order to catch the corresponding contacts 3.1-3.2.
In the drawings, the contacts supported by the support 1 are shown aligned in such a manner that each of the elements 3.1 are directly behind a similar element 3.2. The contacts 6.1-6.2 are aligned in the same manner.
Although this arrangement is shown as being an advantageous embodiment of the invention, alternative arrangements can be used.
For example, contact elements of a support in the same plane could be arranged in quincunx in relation to the other plane.
This arrangement gives rise to numerous advantages: for example, a greater density of contact elements and a greater facility for the assembly of contact elements in a support.
In the practical application of the invention, the support 1 could be fixed to a printed circuit board (not shown) mounting the plane face 7 of the support on one of the faces of the board. The terminal parts 14 of the contacts 3.1-3.2 could extend through holes formed to begin with in the panel forming the circuit and through corresponding parts forming terminals of the conductors printed on the surface of the panel.
Electrical connections between the terminal parts 14 and the conductors of the board would be effected in any appropriate manner, for example, by soldering. Conductors exterior to the contacts 6.1-6.2 can be provided by fixing electrically or mechanically conducting wires to the exterior terminal parts 15 of the contacts 3.2--3.2. Such connections can be made in any appropriate manner.
In the embodiment described a form of conductor suitable for wrapping (wirewrap) has been shown.
An electrical path between the exterior conductors fixed to the contacts 6.1-6.2 and the conductors of the board of the printed circuit which are fixed to the contacts 3 can then be established by moving the supports 1 and 4 together. As the parts lodged in the supports are placed in contact, the front ends of the contacts 3.1-3.2 will engage in the fingers 9 of the contact elements 6.1-6.2 to complete the electrical path.
In the manner described, there can be established an electrical connection at right angles between the rodform contacts 3.1-3.2 and the contacts 6.1-6.2 in the form of a fork. A separable, sure, appropriate, and tough connection can be formed between a certain number of exterior conductors and the conductors of a printed circuit board.