Terminal block arrangement for a printed circuit board in a smart connector
US6929487B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R31/065
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a smart or intelligent electrical connector assembly, a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted in a first connector has circuit traces that extend from various locations on the PCB to a single, particular area between edges of the PCB. Components such as switches and microcontrollers for controlling the connector assembly circuits are electrically connected to the traces at the various locations. A terminal block is mounted at the single, particular area. The terminal block has terminals with ends electrically connected with the traces. The other ends of the terminals extend outward from surfaces of the block towards the edges of the PCB. Wire harness terminals within the first connector and within a second, mating connector of the assembly electrically connect with the terminal block terminals. By having the PCB terminals extend from a location inward from and above the PCB edges, rather than being located directly on the edges themselves, the PCB can be made smaller and the connectors can have a more telescopic fit, resulting in a compact connector assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.