Patent · US Expired

Spring loaded rotary connector

US5690498A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 1996
Grant dateNov 25, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R12/78
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Spring loaded rotary connectors that comprise a first wiring board having one or more sets of electrically conductive concentric circuits or rings formed thereon, that has one or more raised contacts, or looped-shaped dimples, for every ring. In a first embodiment, the first wiring board faces a second wiring board having electrically conductive concentric rings or circuits that form contacts. The first wiring board is coupled to a moving (rotating) component while the second wiring board is coupled to a stationary component, or vice-versa. The sliding rings and dimples (contacts) on the adjacent wiring boards permit signals and power to be transferred from the moving part of the connector to the stationary part thereof. In a second embodiment of the connector, a second side of the first wiring board is configured to have the conductive rings and dimples, and a third wiring board that is substantially identical to the second wiring board is disposed adjacent to the first wiring board on the opposite side thereof from the second wiring board. Appropriate electrical conductors are connected to each active concentric ring of the wiring boards to provide electrical connection thereto.

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