Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/02—Contact members
  • H01R13/04—Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/02—Contact members
  • H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
  • H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
  • H01R43/16—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
  • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
  • H01R13/428—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members
  • H01R13/432—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members by stamped-out resilient tongue snapping behind shoulder in base or case
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
  • H01R4/18—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping
  • H01R4/183—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping for cylindrical elongated bodies, e.g. cables having circular cross-section
  • H01R4/184—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping for cylindrical elongated bodies, e.g. cables having circular cross-section comprising a U-shaped wire-receiving portion
  • H01R4/185—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping for cylindrical elongated bodies, e.g. cables having circular cross-section comprising a U-shaped wire-receiving portion combined with a U-shaped insulation-receiving portion

Definitions

• the present invention relates to electrical contacts and a method of manufacture of such contacts.
• An electrical connection can be made between two electrical devices usually using a male and female electrical contact.
• One part of the connection has a male contact with an electrical pin and the other part is a female contact in the form of a socket for receiving the male contact.
• Known male and female contacts include a tubular shaped contact section which has a square or circular cross section and receives a conducting portion of a male contact.
• the forces exerted by the conducting portion of the male contact on the contact section can vary in such configurations and affect the stress /strain of the contact section thereby affecting the performance and durability of the connector.
• the present invention comprises a female contact for an electrical connector having a contact section for receiving an electrical pin of a male contact, the contact section comprising a channel having a triangular cross section.
• Contact elements for contacting the electrical pin are positioned in the channel and these are preferably evenly distributed in the triangular portion.
• the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a female electrical contact for an electrical connector, comprising the step of forming a contact section with a triangular cross section for receiving an electrical pin of a male contact. This is preferably formed by carrying out a bending and cutting process from a single sheet of material.
• the present invention provides a male electrical contact for an electrical connector having a contact section for cooperating with a female contact, the contact section comprising a contact pin having a triangular cross section. That is, the outer surfaces of the pin are aligned to form a triangular shape.
• the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a male electrical contact for an electrical connector, comprising the step of forming a contact pin with a triangular cross section for inserting into a female contact. This is preferably formed by carrying out a bending and cutting process from a single sheet of material.
• a bending and cutting process from a single sheet of material.
• Fig 2 is a perspective view of two female contacts according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken from the reel of Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 is a view from above one of the contacts shown in Fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 is a side view of one of the contacts shown in Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the contact taken along line V-V in Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the contact taken along the line VI-VI in 4;
• Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the contact taken along the line VII-VII in 4;
• Fig. 8 is a simplified elevational view showing one arrangement of a plurality of connectors located within a connector housing;
• Fig. 9 is a simplified elevational view showing another arrangement of a plurality of connectors located within a connector housing
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a reel for supplying male contacts according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig 11 is a first perspective view of two female contacts according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken from the reel of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 is a second perspective view of one of the female contacts shown in Fig.
• Fig. 13 is a view from above the contacts shown in Fig. 12;
• Fig. 14 is a side view of one of the contacts shown in Fig. 12;
• Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of the contact taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 14;
• Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of the contact taken along the line XVI-XVI in 14;
• Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view of the contact taken along the line XVII-XVII in
• each electrical contact 10 is identical to the next and therefore a single reference numeral will be used to refer to each contact in the following description.
• the electrical contacts 10 are formed from a conductive material such as beryllium copper. Other materials may be used.
• a suitable protective paper such as interleave paper 11 is provided in the reel to protect the electrical contacts.
• a sheet of the conductive material can be pressed to form various shaped portions which are subsequently folded into the shape of the electrical contact. Accordingly the electrical contacts 10 are advantageously formed from a single sheet of conductive material improving the manufacturing process.
• the electrical contacts according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown in more detail in Fig. 2 to 6. Two contacts are shown in Fig. 2 but each is identical. Only one of the contacts will be discussed in more detail although the description applies to each contact.
• the electrical contact 10 is the female portion of an electrical connector which forms a connection with a male contact (not shown). It comprises a contact section 20 for receiving and contacting an electrical pin or plug (not shown) of the male contact and a connection section 30 for connecting to a conducting wire (not shown).
• the contact section 20 has a channel of triangular cross section. The triangular shape of the channel can be created in the manufacturing process by folding two extensions of a sheet (not shown) of conductive material towards each other such that the channel has a base 21 and a first and second side 22,23. A small gap 24 will exist at the top of the first and second side 22,23 but this can be kept as small as possible.
• the base 21 and first and second side 22,23 of the channel each comprise a cut away portion 25 to create an electrical finger or element 2 Ia, 22a, 23 a.
• the electrical elements 21a,22a,23a are movable and at least part of each contact is disposed within the channel. This can be achieved when manufacturing by bending the elements towards the centre of the channel and away from each planar surface of the base 21, first and second side 22,23 of the channel. Sufficient forces are provided such that the elements 21a,22a,23a remain at least partially bent inwards in their rest position.
• the elements 21a,22a,23a point in a direction away from the entrance of the contact section 20 such that they converge in the direction of insertion of a pin of a male contact.
• the elements 21a,22a,23a converge towards a central longitudinal axis A of the contact section 20.
• the contact section 20 has three flat electrical elements 21a,22a,23a 5 which are evenly distributed in the channel and would be evenly distributed around a pin of a male contact when received by the female contact 1.
• Each element 2 Ia, 22a, 23 a has a similar cross section to that of the base, first, and second side of the channel thus in this case the section is rectangular. Since the elements 21a,22a,23a are formed from flat sides, they themselves are flat. This differs to a circular cross section channel which can
• the deflection stress/strain of the element 21a,22a,23a would be reduced when the pin of the male contact is mated with the female contact 10. This allows for less permanent set for a given deflection of the three elements and hence a greater number of contact mating
• the contact 10 having a triangular cross section, they can be arranged adjacent each other in a housing 40 as shown in Figure 8. However, it is possible to arrange the contacts 10 close together when each contact is orientated at 180 degrees to the adjacent contact 10. For example, as shown in Figure 9 which shows one possible configuration, the contacts 10a, 10b are arranged in a housing 50 with the base
• connection section 30 can formed from the same sheet (not shown) of conductive material that is used for the contact section 20 and follows from the channel in the contact section 20 to provide a connection channel.
• a first and second U-shaped portion 31, 32 is formed from the sheet by bringing legs projecting away from the connection channel towards each other to create a two U- shapes 31,32.
• the end of the legs in the portion 31 are spaced further than the ends of the legs in portion 32. It will be appreciated that the spacing between the legs in portion 31 and portion 32 can be varied such that the ends of the legs in portion 32 are spaced apart further than those in portion 31.
• connection section provides electrical connection to a circuit by receiving a conducting wire (not shown) for which electrical connection is to be made with the received pin of the male contact.
• the U shaped portions 31,32 can be crimped by any suitable means such as crimping pliers to engage the wire.
• the electrical contact 10 is preferably contained in a housing.
• a retaining member
• contact 10 to retain the contact 10 in the housing. Furthermore, particular sections of the contact 10 may be provided with certain finishes to improve their durability and performance. For example, part or the entire contact 10 may be gold plated to improve conductivity.
• the male contact designed to cooperate with the female contact 10 hereinbefore described will now be described with reference to Figures 10 to 18.
• the male contact includes a triangular cross section which can be received by the female contact described hereinbefore and replaces a male contact with circular cross section.
• the male contact can be formed in a similar manner by means of folding a sheet of material in a particular manner to form the contact. Thus the contact can be manufactured easily from a single sheet of material (as will be explained below).
• a reel 100 of male electrical contacts 60 is provided wherein each electrical contact 60 is identical to the next and therefore a single reference numeral will be used to refer to each contact in the following description.
• the electrical contacts 10 are formed from a conductive material such as beryllium copper. Other materials may be used.
• a suitable protective paper such as interleave paper 11 is provided in the reel to protect the electrical contacts.
• the paper 11 is the same as that used in Figure 1.
• a sheet of the conductive material can be pressed to form various shaped portions which are subsequently folded into the shape of the electrical contact. Accordingly the electrical contacts 10 are advantageously formed from a single sheet of conductive material improving the manufacturing process.
• the electrical contacts according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown in more detail in Fig. 11 to 15. Two contacts are shown in Fig. 11 but each is identical. Only one of the contacts will be discussed in more detail although the description applies to each contact.
• the electrical contact 10 is the male portion of an electrical connector which forms a connection with a female contact such as that described hereinbefore. It comprises a contact section 70 which is inserted into a female contact and contacts an electrical conductor in the female contact and a connection section 80 for connecting to a conducting wire (not shown).
• the contact section 70 generally has a triangular cross section.
• the triangular shape of the channel can be created in the manufacturing process by folding a sheet (not shown) of conductive material in two places towards each other such that the channel has a base 71 and a first and second side 72,73.
• Each of the base 71, first and second side 72,73 have a narrow portion which form extensions 71a,72a,73a.
• the extensions can be formed prior to bending by cutting away portions of the conductive material to leave three extension pieces which are parallel to each other.
• the narrow portions extend away from the part of the material forming the base, first and second side. When the first and second side 72,73 are bent towards each other with respect to the base 71, this also brings extensions 72a, 73a towards each other.
• the extensions 71a,72a,73a can be crimped to create a contact pin with a triangular cross section by bending the extensions inwards towards a central longitudinal axis B of the contact 60 and then bending them to be parallel with the central longitudinal axis B. Accordingly, the extensions 71a,72a,73a comprise an angled portion and a rectilinear portion.
• the crimping step results in the extensions 71a,72a,73a being biased towards each other such that the extensions 71a,72a,73a remain in this configuration in their rest position.
• the contact pin is therefore formed of three surfaces arranged generally at 120 degrees to each other.
• the three extensions 71a,72a,73a that form the contact pin would physically contact the elements 2 Ia, 22a, 23 a of the female contact 10 described previously and this would provide a reliable electrical connection between the male and female contacts.
• Each extension 71a,72a,73a has a similar cross section to that of the base 71, first 72, and second side 73 of the channel thus in this case the section is rectangular.
• extensions 71a,72a,73a are formed from flat sides, they themselves are substantially flat. This differs to a circular pin which can be found in conventional male contacts where the pin is has a solid circular cross section. Although the contact pin is substantially flat, the end portions of the extensions
• 71a,72a,73a can be tapered inwards towards the central longitudinal axis B such that the ends of the extensions 71a,72a,73a abut each other. Furthermore, the width of the extensions is constant except for the end portions where the sides of each extension converge towards the end of the extension. This enables the end portions to be bent inwards towards the central longitudinal axis such that they cooperate with each other at the end of the contact pin leaving a negligible gap at the end of the contact pin.
• connection section 80 can be formed from the same sheet (not shown) of conductive material that is used for the contact section 70 and follows from the channel in the contact section 70 to provide a connection channel.
• a first and second U-shaped portion 81, 82 (see Figures 16 and 17) is formed from the sheet by bringing legs projecting away from the connection channel towards each other to create a two U- shapes 81,82.
• the end of the legs in the portion 81 are spaced further than the ends of the legs in portion 82.
• the spacing between the legs in portion 81 and portion 32 can be varied such that the ends of the legs in portion 82 are spaced apart further than the those in portion 31.
• the length of the legs can also vary.
• Figure 18 shows an embodiment of a male contact with the U-shaped legs 92 being shorter than the legs 82 in Figure 12. Otherwise, the elements of the contact are the same in both embodiments.
• connection section provides electrical connection to a circuit by receiving a conducting wire (not shown) for which electrical connection is to be made with the received pin of the male contact.
• the U shaped portions 81,82 can be crimped by any suitable means such as crimping pliers to engage the wire.
• the electrical contact 60 is preferably contained in a housing (not shown).
• a retaining member 83 is provided on the contact 60 to retain the contact 60 in the housing.
• particular sections of the contact 60 may be provided with certain finishes to improve their durability and performance. For example, part or the entire contact 60 may be gold plated to improve conductivity. It will be appreciated that although the contacts are shown as forming part of a reel in Fig. 10, it is possible for the contacts to be provided loose.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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• 2007
  • 2007-08-01 GB GB0714969A patent/GB0714969D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2008
  • 2008-07-31 EP EP08786714.9A patent/EP2183822B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2008-07-31 WO PCT/EP2008/060092 patent/WO2009016243A2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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