EP0546673A2 - Connecteur avec dispositif de rétention - Google Patents

Connecteur avec dispositif de rétention Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0546673A2
EP0546673A2 EP92309772A EP92309772A EP0546673A2 EP 0546673 A2 EP0546673 A2 EP 0546673A2 EP 92309772 A EP92309772 A EP 92309772A EP 92309772 A EP92309772 A EP 92309772A EP 0546673 A2 EP0546673 A2 EP 0546673A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tail
hole
connector
apex
circuit board
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP92309772A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0546673A3 (en
EP0546673B1 (fr
Inventor
David Alan Griesemer
David Lonnie Mcknight
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0546673A2 publication Critical patent/EP0546673A2/fr
Publication of EP0546673A3 publication Critical patent/EP0546673A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0546673B1 publication Critical patent/EP0546673B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/55Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals
    • H01R12/58Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals terminals for insertion into holes
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02Contact members
    • H01R13/03Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical connectors of the type having a connector body and a plurality of posts extending out of one side of the connector body for mounting to a circuit board.
  • this invention relates to an improved retention feature for such electrical connectors for temporarily holding the electrical connector in place on a printed circuit board prior to soldering.
  • solder tails of connector contacts there are various structures formed into the solder tails of connector contacts for retaining the connector in place on the printed circuit board prior to soldering the tails permanently in position.
  • An example of such a structure is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,958,063 which issued to Stanwyck on October 25, 1960 which discloses a plurality of solder tails attached to a coil support which are inserted into holes in a substrate. Note that the solder tails are configured to snap into the holes and retain the part in position until soldering is complete.
  • This configuration includes a knee portion 32 which engages a corner of the hole under the board and relies upon the diametrically opposed knee 32 to help provide centering so that both knees are effective in holding the coil support against the board.
  • This patent discloses a lead structure comprising a soft copper, round wire, lead which is bent 90 degrees to the axis of the component and then has a dent or kink formed in each wire lead in mutual opposition so that when the two leads are inserted into holes of a printed circuit board the rounded part of the kink engages one side of the hole which urges the free end of the lead into engagement with the other side of the hole. Further engagement causes the free end to extend through the hole and hook under the corner of the board.
  • Such a structure will easily deform past its elastic limit when encountering extreme tolerance variations, partly due to the lack of positional memory of soft copper wire and partly due to the geometry of the structure.
  • tail structure that will permit the easy insertion of the solder tails of a connector into the holes of a printed circuit board where a selected solder tail will reliably engage opposite sides of its respective hole and snap into place thereby positively urging the connector housing against the surface of the printed circuit board.
  • the tail structure must be sufficiently elastic to permit this operation under extreme limits of tolerance variations of the board and the connector.
  • the present invention includes a connector having a body and a plurality of posts, each of which has a tail extending out of one side of the body for mounting on a printed circuit board.
  • the board includes first and second spaced, parallel major surfaces and a plurality of through holes extending therebetween. Each hole intersects the first surface at a first corner and the second surface at a second corner.
  • Each of the tails is received in a respective one of the holes with the one side of the connector body being substantially parallel and in engagement with the first major surface of the board.
  • a retention feature is provided on at least two of the tails. Each retention feature includes a portion of the tail extending straight from the one side to form a first beam having a centerline extending normal to and through the printed circuit board.
  • the portion of the tail is then bent in a first direction normal to the first beam to form a second beam which is substantially parallel with the first major surface of the board, and is then bent in a direction away from the one side of the connector body to form a third beam substantially normal to the second beam.
  • the third beam being generally parallel with the first beam and terminating in a free end.
  • the third beam includes a first bent portion extending in a direction away from the one side of the body and toward the extended centerline of the first beam to an apex.
  • a second portion extends from the apex in a direction away from both the one side and the extended centerline to a terminal point adjacent the free end. This is arranged so that the apex is urged against one side of the through hole and another portion of the third beam is urged against the second corner of an opposite side of the through hole.
  • a plug connector 8 composed of an insulating connector housing 10 having a main body portion 12, side shrouds 14, and a side 16 for mounting against a surface of a printed circuit board.
  • Two parallel rows of cavities 18 are formed along the length of the housing 10 for receiving male signal contacts 20 each of which has a contacting portion 22 for electrically contacting a receptacle contact and a post or solder tail portion 24 extending from the side 16 for inserting into a plated through hole in the printed circuit board.
  • the housing 10 includes several openings 26 for receiving posts or solder tails 28 of a ground bus bar 30, the tails also extending from the side 16 for inserting into holes in the printed circuit board.
  • the plug connector 8 is arranged to mate with a receptacle connector 40, shown in Figure 2, having an insulating connector housing 42.
  • a plurality of signal receptacle contacts 44 are arranged in two parallel rows of cavities 46 which correspond to and are in alignment with the cavities 18 of the plug connector 8.
  • the receptacle connector 40 includes a receptacle bus bar 48 composed of two opposing halves 50 and 52 each of which has a plurality of solder tails 54.
  • the bus bar halves 50 and 52 are arranged in slots 56 disposed in the connector housing 42 so that the solder tails 54 extend out of one side 60 of the housing for insertion into plated through holes 58 disposed in a printed circuit board 59.
  • each of the signal receptacle contacts 44 includes a post or solder tail 45 that extends out of the side 60 for insertion into holes 62 and 64 disposed in the printed circuit board 59.
  • the printed circuit board 59 includes first and second major surfaces 61 and 63.
  • the through holes 62 intersect these major surfaces at upper and lower corners 65 and 67 respectively as seen in Figure 2.
  • the plug and receptacle connectors 8 and 40 please refer to United States Patent No. 4,762,500 which issued August 9, 1988 to Dola et al., and is incorporated by reference as though set forth verbatim herein.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown in Figure 3, in cross section, the connectors 8 and 40 in mating engagement with the solder tails 45 inserted into position within the plated through holes 62 in the printed circuit board 59.
  • the connector housing 42 includes standoffs 69 that engage the first major surface 61 of the printed circuit board 59 and maintains the side 60 substantially parallel with the major surface 65.
  • the solder tails are soldered in place within the holes, however, the solder has been omitted from Figure 3 for clarity.
  • the receptacle connector 40 is shown in Figure 4 prior to insertion of the solder tails 45 fully into the holes 62. Note that the solder tails 45 and 54 are just entering their respective holes 62 and 58 but there is no mutual contact and the solder tails 45 are in their free form position.
  • the signal contact 44 includes a portion of the tail 45 that extends straight from the side 60 of the connector housing 42 and forms a first beam 70 which has a centerline 72 that extends downwardly through the printed circuit board 59, substantially normal thereto.
  • the tail 45 then bends in a first direction normal to the first beam and away from the tails 54 of the ground bus 48 thereby forming a second beam 74.
  • This second beam 74 is substantially parallel to the major surface 65.
  • the tail 45 then bends in a direction away from the side 60 to form a third beam 76 which is substantially normal to the second beam and is generally parallel to the first beam and terminates in a free end 78.
  • the third beam 76 includes a first bent portion 80 extending in a direction away from the side 60 and toward the extended centerline 72 to an apex 82.
  • a second bent portion 84 extends from the apex 82 in a direction away from both the side 60 and the extended centerline 72 to a terminal point 86 adjacent the free end 78.
  • a stiffener rib 88 may be optionally formed in a portion of the third beam 76, as shown in Figure 4, for a purpose that will be described below.
  • the first and second bent portions 80 and 84 and the apex 82 form a dent or kink in the third beam 76 which projects outwardly for a distance greater than the diameter of the hole 62 so that when the third beam is inserted into the hole 62, the first and second beams and the bent portions 80,84, apex 82, and the straight portions of the third beam must deform and straighten a slight amount.
  • This is shown in Figure 5 where the solder tails 45 and 54 have been inserted further into their respective holes 62 and 58.
  • the second bent portion 84 engages the upper corner 65 of one side of the hole causing the apex 82 to cam away from the centerline 72 so that the apex can enter the hole 62.
  • the lower corner 67 cams along the angled surface of the bent portion 84 causing a substantial downward force on the tail 76 which, in turn, causes the connector housing 42 to snap into place against the first major surface 61.
  • Tolerance buildup of the various parts of the connector 40 and printed circuit board 59 may preclude the lower corner 67 from camming along the free end 78 and onto the bent portion 84.
  • the standoffs 69 are in firm engagement with the first major surface 61 while the lower corner 67 is still in contact with the free end 78. Even in this case there is a substantial downward force imposed on the tail 76 causing the connector housing to snap into place.
  • the angle A between the second and third beams is slightly greater than that shown in Figure 5. All of the deforming and flexing of the first, second, and third beams occurs within their respective elastic limits so that there is no substantial permanent deformation. In the event that the connector 40 is lifted slightly from the board 59, the angle A will tend to become even larger because the second beam will try to pivot at its junction with both the first and third beams so that the third beam tends to further pivot counterclockwise about the apex 82 thereby causing the bent portion 84 to press more securely against the lower corner 67 thereby resisting further lifting of the connector.
  • the board 59 is placed on a flat, hard surface with the free ends 78 pointing down and in contact with the hard surface. The board 59 is then firmly pressed toward the hard surface thereby causing the free ends to move upwardly into the holes 62 until the apex 82 of each tail emerges from its hole 62.
  • the solder tail 78 in the present embodiment, is made of beryllium copper or some other suitable spring material, and is of substantially rectangular cross section having dimensions of about 0.007 inch by about 0.018 inch.
  • the stiffener rib 88 is formed in the third beam, as shown in the figures, for the purpose of increasing the force which urges the second bent portion 84 against the lower corner 67.
  • the kink comprising the first and second bent portions 80 and 84, the apex 82, and the optional stiffener 88 are formed in only selected ones of the solder tails 45.
  • the actual number of solder tails selected to receive kinks should correspond to the amount of retention force or connector hold down force desired in each particular case. In the present example of a 100 pin microstrip connector, three such solder tails were selected for kinks at the two ends of each row resulting in 12 solder tails having kinks. While the solder tails 28 of the plug connector 8 are shown without kinks, such kinks could be advantageously employed there in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.
  • solder tails of the connector may be inserted into the holes of a printed circuit board and the kinks formed in the tails will cause the connector to snap into place against the surface of the board. This giving a positive indication that the parts are properly mated. Additionally, the unique structure of the kink tends to resist inadvertent removal of the connector from the printed circuit board prior to soldering while permitting deliberate removal when desired without destroying the parts. Another important advantage is that retention forces are attainable that are much higher than those of similar prior art retention devices.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
EP92309772A 1991-12-13 1992-10-26 Connecteur avec dispositif de rétention Expired - Lifetime EP0546673B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US80826791A 1991-12-13 1991-12-13
US808267 1991-12-13

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0546673A2 true EP0546673A2 (fr) 1993-06-16
EP0546673A3 EP0546673A3 (en) 1993-12-08
EP0546673B1 EP0546673B1 (fr) 1996-12-27

Family

ID=25198324

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92309772A Expired - Lifetime EP0546673B1 (fr) 1991-12-13 1992-10-26 Connecteur avec dispositif de rétention

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0546673B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2969314B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE69216212T2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2763751A1 (fr) * 1997-05-26 1998-11-27 Proner Comatel Sa Contact electrique demontable, a pression
DE10152439A1 (de) * 2001-10-26 2003-05-08 Erni Elektroapp 90 DEG -Steckverbinder mit Kröpfung
EP1263091A3 (fr) * 2001-05-25 2003-10-01 Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh Connecteur tournable à 90
GB2417371A (en) * 2002-10-21 2006-02-22 Hubbell Inc High performance electrical connector for telecommunications apparatus
GB2394841B (en) * 2002-10-21 2007-04-11 Hubbell Inc High performance jack for telecommunication applications
CN100334780C (zh) * 2002-07-30 2007-08-29 Fci公司 用于电接插件的联结部件

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7247050B1 (en) 2006-10-24 2007-07-24 Fci Americas Technology, Inc. Press-fit electrical contact
JP6249643B2 (ja) * 2013-06-14 2017-12-20 宏致電子股▲ふん▼有限公司Aces Electronics Co.,Ltd. 電気コネクタ
JP6301297B2 (ja) * 2015-09-17 2018-03-28 Ckd株式会社 給電装置、及びそれを備えた電磁弁
CN109586061B (zh) * 2018-10-23 2021-04-23 番禺得意精密电子工业有限公司 电连接器
JP7778851B2 (ja) * 2023-06-23 2025-12-02 ケル株式会社 ヒートパスコネクタ

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3989331A (en) * 1974-08-21 1976-11-02 Augat, Inc. Dual-in-line socket
US4575167A (en) * 1984-04-02 1986-03-11 Minter Jerry B Electrical connector for printed circuit boards and the like
CA1282847C (fr) * 1986-03-05 1991-04-09 Ray C. Doutrich Connecteur electrique a cale-broches
US4762500A (en) * 1986-12-04 1988-08-09 Amp Incorporated Impedance matched electrical connector
US4907978A (en) * 1988-11-02 1990-03-13 Robinson Nugent, Inc. Self-retaining connector

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2763751A1 (fr) * 1997-05-26 1998-11-27 Proner Comatel Sa Contact electrique demontable, a pression
EP1263091A3 (fr) * 2001-05-25 2003-10-01 Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh Connecteur tournable à 90
DE10152439A1 (de) * 2001-10-26 2003-05-08 Erni Elektroapp 90 DEG -Steckverbinder mit Kröpfung
DE10152439B4 (de) * 2001-10-26 2014-11-27 Erni Electronics Gmbh Steckverbinder mit Kröpfung
CN100334780C (zh) * 2002-07-30 2007-08-29 Fci公司 用于电接插件的联结部件
GB2417371A (en) * 2002-10-21 2006-02-22 Hubbell Inc High performance electrical connector for telecommunications apparatus
GB2394841B (en) * 2002-10-21 2007-04-11 Hubbell Inc High performance jack for telecommunication applications
GB2417371B (en) * 2002-10-21 2007-04-11 Hubbell Inc High performance jack for telecommunication applications

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69216212T2 (de) 1997-05-07
JPH05251119A (ja) 1993-09-28
DE69216212D1 (de) 1997-02-06
JP2969314B2 (ja) 1999-11-02
EP0546673A3 (en) 1993-12-08
EP0546673B1 (fr) 1996-12-27

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