22-12-2012, 03:04 PM
Electrical Connector Patent
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ABSTRACT
An electrical connector characterized by a receptacle containing a plurality of female contacts having redundant contact portions and wiping capabilities with respect to male pins adapted to be inserted into the receptacle. Depending contact portions on the female contacts allow the receptacle to be separably electrically connected to a printed circuit board.
SEPARABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention pertains generally to electrical connectors. More specifically, the invention relates to an electrical connector for electrical association with a printed circuit board. The connector includes a unique receptacle containing a plurality of dual-in-line female contacts which perform both wipe and contact functions with respect to the male pin contacts of a plug member adapted to be mated with the receptacle. The connector is further provided with separable contact points for establishing electrical communication with a printed circuit board by means of standard plated through holes or solder pads provided on the printed circuit board.
The invention possesses numerous benefits and advantages over known electrical connectors. In particular, the invention utilizes a reliable gas tight separable contact principle between the receptacle and the printed circuit board which allows the number of through holes in the printed circuit board to be reduced, thereby affording component placement flexibility as well as user cost reductions. Moreover, the separable connector does not require hole masking for the connector pads on the printed circuit board and, therefore, diminishes assembly labor requirements and its associated costs. Because of its flexibility and simplicity in use and installation, the electrical connector of the instant invention realizes a reduction in tooling costs and in the costs of ongoing maintenance.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
It is known in the prior act to provide a dual-in-line electrical connector including a receptacle which contains socket contacts and which is mounted for electrical communication on a printed circuit board. U.S. Patent Number 4,478,472, which issued to Baar on October 23, 1984, for example, discloses an electrical connector comprising a receptacle containing a plurality of resilient contact elements. The socket contacts are provided with stems for mounting the receptacle on a printed circuit board. The prior art also generally discloses various means and methods by which the socket contacts of a receptacle of an electrical connector are engaged on a printed circuit board utilizing a compliant pin principle. For instance, U.S. Patent Number 4,585,285 to Martens, which was patented on April 29, 1986, shows a multi-row press fit connector wherein a plurality of contacts reside in the connector body and extend therethrough, whereby a compliant end of the contacts may be press fit into a printed circuit board.
Similarly, U.S. Patent Number 4,715,820 to Andrews, Jr. et al, dated December 29, 1987, teaches a connector having contacts which are provided with depending pins for insertion into holes formed in a printed circuit board.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to an electrical connector including a receptacle body which is provided with a plurality of passageways extending from the top wall of the body through the bottom wall of the body. A dual-in-line contact member is disposed in each of the passageways. Each of the contact members has a first convex portion and a second convex portion facing toward the interior of the passageway in a pin facing direction, as well as a depending contact leg portion which projects through the bottom wall of the passageway and extends in a pin opposing direction.
The receptacle is adapted to receive corresponding male pin contacts or posts of a plug member, such that a pin contact is inserted into each of the passageways of the receptacle. The first and second convex portions of the contact members provide first and second contact points for the inserted pin, and perform wiping functions with respect to the pin.
The receptacle is adapted to be separably mounted in electrical communication on a printed circuit board by means of the contact legs contacting a conductive strip on the printed circuit board. The contacts are adapted to be associated with through holes and/or solder pads provided on the printed circuit board. The contact utilize soft metals at high contact pressures so that, upon mating of the contacts, the metal is upset and the resultant joint prevents contamination gases from entering the contact area.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings and, in particular, with reference to FIGS 1-3, the electrical connector comprises a receptacle body, indicated generally at 10, fabricated as an integral molding of an insulative material, preferably a glass-filled polyester material. The body is defined by a front wall 12, a rear wall 14, a pair of end walls 16, a top wall 18, and a bottom wall 20. A plurality of spaced apertures or passageways 22 are provided in the body, extending in the body through the top wall, to and through the bottom wall of the body, as most clearly shown in FIG. 3. A metal shell 23, preferably fabricated of steel, encompasses the upper portion of the body.
As depicted in FIG. 3, the passageways are oriented in the body to form two parallel rows of spaced passageways. The rows, as further shown in FIG. 2, are staggered with respect to each other. With further reference to FIG. 3, the two rows of passageways are separated by a central wall 24 of the receptacle body. A projecting shoulder 26 is formed on each of the sides 28, 29, of the central wall so as to project into each of the passageways.