Patent · US Expired

Electrical connector with low insertion force and overstress protection

US4737120A · kind A · utility

114Cited by
15References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 1986
Grant dateApr 12, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 12, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R12/721
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention is directed to an electrical connector (2) for electrically connecting contact surfaces (74) of a daughter board (18) to contact areas (46) of mother board (34). The connector (2) has contacts (36) positioned therein, the connector (2) having posts (38) which extend from the connector (2) and make electrical engagement with contact areas (46) of the mother board (34). The daughter board (18) is then inserted into the connector (2) under reduced or zero insertion force conditions and rotated to its operating position. As this rotation occurs, contact projections (60, 72) of the contacts (36) engage the contact surfaces (74) of the daughter board (18). The rotation is translated into a positive wiping action between the contact projections (60, 72) and the contact surfaces (74), thereby ensuring that a positive electrical connection is effected. The resilient nature of the contacts (36) ensures that this wiping action occurs under normal force conditions. The configuration and characteristics, i.e. the low spring rate of the spring portion (68), allow the contacts (36) to be used many times without taking a permanent set, thereby ensuring that a positive electrical conn…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.