JPH08255658A - Male contact, female contact and a pair of mating contacts - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a female contact with a relatively large current-carrying capacity which fits and contacts a counterpart with a comparatively low insertion power and a high reliability. SOLUTION: A male contact 38 has a contact blade 42 of an almost rectangular plane and a narrow tab 64 extending forward from its front-end. A female contact 96 has the first contact part 114 with nearly the same width as the contact blade 42 and the second contact part 108 with nearly the same width as the tab 64. The first contact part 114 has an almost U-shaped slot in the plate part and is formed offsetting against a beam-like part 112. A shoulder 66 at a front-end of the contact braid 42 of the male contact 38 acts as a fitting stopper to the female contact 96.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to switchgear ground connections, and more particularly to a pair of mating ground contacts for this purpose, electrical blade contacts used in electrical connector assemblies. The present invention further relates to contacts and self-localized contacts having a mechanism for securely positioning the contacts within the housing passage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrical connector assembly having a mating electrical connector, a power supply circuit or a signal circuit, and a ground circuit, a ground circuit should be formed before the power supply circuit or the signal circuit when the connectors are assembled. It is also desirable that the power supply circuit or signal circuit must be disconnected before the ground circuit is disconnected when the connector is removed from the mated condition.

US Pat. No. 5,116,230 makes the ground pin of the pin header longer than the signal pin of the header so that the ground pin engages the ground contact of its mating connector before the signal pin contacts its signal contact. It is disclosed that the opening and closing function can be provided by doing so. French patent 1374648 has contacts
A receptacle contact for receiving a blade is disclosed. The receptacle contact includes a rear base from which forward first and second contact springs having bent contact surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the blade extend forwardly. The first contact spring is in the form of a cantilevered lever arm and the second contact spring extends from the base with one on either side of the first contact spring. Including spring arm. The spring arm of the second contact spring is connected at its end by a strap. The contact surface of the second contact spring is
It is formed on the arm and is therefore divided by the slot defined by the spring arm of the second contact spring. This slot is narrower than the contact blade over substantially its entire length.

Right angle electrical connectors are often used in the electronics industry to connect daughter cards to mother boards and the like. In many applications, the daughter card connector has a mating portion of the connector housing that extends outwardly from the board and along the edge of the board such that it partially extends downward. Have been installed. This arrangement is often used when components should be added to both sides of the daughter card. Many of the electrical connectors or modules used in such board connections form power and / or signal and ground circuits. In particular, the power supply circuit and the ground circuit are formed by flat blade-shaped contacts punched from a metal piece.

To facilitate the manufacture and assembly of the connector, the power contacts, as well as the signal contacts commonly used in the connector, shall be capable of being fitted into the through holes of the board and required for soldering the connections. It is generally desired to avoid the extra steps involved. Further, to ensure reliability, the power contact connector or module preferably provides multiple current paths to its mating interface as well as circuit board traces.

When mounting an electrical connector on a circuit board,
It is desirable that the connector and its circuit board include a localization mechanism to ensure that the connector is properly positioned on the circuit board prior to its mounting. The localization mechanism may be, for example, molded into an asymmetrical post on the bottom of the connector housing and one or more specialized contacts may be inserted or placed within the housing at a selected location. It may include using separate metal or plastic components provided.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide improved economics in the manufacture of electrical ground contacts for switching ground connections in electrical connector assemblies having ground contacts and power or signal contacts. To do.

[0008]

The male contact of the present invention which achieves the above object is a substantially flat plate-shaped metal plate punched and has the above-mentioned contact portion of a female contact having a pair of opposing contact portions. In a male contact that is inserted and contacted between, a contact blade having a substantially constant width that extends in the insertion direction into the female contact, and a tab that extends in the insertion direction from approximately the center of the tip of the contact blade and is narrower than the width of the contact blade. It is characterized by including and.

Here, in the male contact of the present invention, it is preferable that the contact blades are provided with ridges protruding in mutually opposite surfaces along the insertion direction. Further, the female contact of the present invention is a female contact having first and second opposing contact portions into which a substantially flat male contact is inserted and contacted, and the male contact is inserted into a substantially rectangular metal plate. A substantially U-shaped slot whose end is closed is formed, and the outer peripheral portion of the slot is offset from the vicinity of the base to form the first contact portion, and the beam-shaped portion inside the slot forms the second contact portion. It is characterized by being formed.

Further, the pair of mating contacts according to the present invention has a substantially flat male contact and first and second contact portions facing each other so that the male contact is inserted and contacted between the contact portions. In the pair of mating contacts including the female contact, the male contact has a wide rectangular contact blade and a narrow tab extending forward from substantially the center of the front end of the contact blade. The female contact is provided with a substantially U-shaped slot in a substantially rectangular metal plate having a width substantially equal to that of the contact blade of the male contact, leaving a beam portion having a width substantially equal to that of the tab. The outer periphery of the above is offset with respect to the beam portion to form the first and second contact portions.

For the above purpose, a pair of mating electrical ground contacts are provided for the rear blade support held in the first insulating housing, the contact blade projecting forward from the blade support and the contact blade. It includes a tab that is substantially narrower than a contact blade extending forwardly from the leading edge. The ground contact pair further includes a receptacle contact having a rear base for retaining within the second insulating housing and first and second contact springs projecting forward from the base. First
The contact spring has a first lateral contact surface and the second contact spring has a lateral contact surface that is substantially wider than the tab. The contact surface of the contact spring first provides the contact force on the tab and then the contact contact when the ground contact is engaged.
Work together to give the blade that power. This second contact spring defines a rear opening for receiving the tab for the purpose of allowing a perfect fit of the contact blade with the receptacle contact.

Due to this feature, the contact blade of the blade contact will have the power contact blade or signal contact of the assembly if its ground contact is used in a switchgear connector assembly.
It need not be longer than the blade, and is preferably the same length. The tab is substantially narrower than the contact blades of the ground blade contacts, thus saving metal in the manufacture of ground blade contacts. At the same time, if the power blade contact or the signal blade contact's contact blade has the same effective length as the ground blade contact's ground blade contact, the contact blades are all for the purpose of handling the full current load. The receptacles can be engaged at substantially the same time.

When the contact surface of the first contact spring of the receptacle contact is substantially narrower than the contact surface of the second contact spring, the first contact spring may be manufactured to form the second contact spring. It can be economically stamped from the stock used, while the second contact spring leaves a large continuous contact surface supported from the base of the receptacle by a pair of spring arms on each side of the first contact spring. While providing said rear opening for receiving the tab. For manufacturing and convenience purposes, the connector assembly contacts can be made identical for convenience except that the contact blades of the ground blade contacts are provided with tabs, while the remaining contact blades are Not the same. Alternatively, the blades of other contact blades can also be provided with tabs that are shorter in length than the tabs of the ground blade contact, thus establishing a first opening / closing, second opening / closing, and third opening / closing arrangement. To be done.

In accordance with the present invention, an electrical connector assembly includes a ground blade contact that mates with a ground receptacle contact, a power blade contact or a power or signal contact that mates with an individual power receptacle contact. Including electrical connector. The ground blade contact comprises a contact blade with a protruding tab that is narrower than the contact blade to engage the ground receptacle contact before the contact blade engages the ground receptacle contact. Each transmission blade contact has a ground blade contact and a contact blade of the ground blade contact with an opening that receives a tab when the contact blade mates with the receptacle contact. Have contact blades that engage the individual power transmission receptacle contacts when engaged. Therefore, the connector assembly can handle the full current load.

Contact of receptacle contact
For the purpose of improving the normal contact force imparted to the contact blades by the springs, each contact blade, according to one form of the present invention, extends toward the leading edge of the contact blade and from there behind. It is possible to form extended parallel raised areas ending in. This raised area projects in the opposite direction from the surface of the contact blade to engage the opposing contact surface of its mating receptacle contact when the contact blade is inserted therebetween.

[0016] These features determine the thickness of the metal stock from which the blade contact is manufactured, practically by the degree of the minimum gap between the contact surfaces of the receptacle contacts dictated by the forming and plating requirements. Make sure it doesn't have to be. Also, the extended raised areas act to scavenge any foreign material or metal oxide that may be present on the contact surface.

The present invention includes a housing having a mating surface adapted to mate with a mating connector, an assembly surface adapted to receive at least one electrical contact therein, and a circuit board or mating electrical product. A third surface adapted to establish an electrical connection, a first connecting portion disposed in the contact receiving passage and exposed to the mating surface for electrical engagement with a mating connector and a third portion of the housing. It is directed to a right angle electrical connector having electrical contacts having a second connecting portion extending from the surface and extending outwardly therefrom to make an electrical connection to an electrical product. The housing assembly surface is on the opposite side of the mating surface and the third surface is at a right angle to the mating surface. The contact receiving passage further includes a contact receiving slot that is open to the third surface and the assembly surface.

The second connecting portion of the contact is at a right angle to the first connecting portion. The contact also includes a retainer facing the second connecting portion remote from the second connecting portion and mating with the co-operable housing portion. The cooperable housing portion is opposite the third surface and defines a channel extending forwardly from the assembly surface to the mating surface.
The channel is adapted to receive the contact retainer therein when the contact is received within the assembly surface of the housing. The contact retainer includes a barb at its forward end that is receivable within the front portion of the channel and is dimensioned to achieve a mating condition in which the contact resists retracting movement after full assembly in the housing. Has been

In this embodiment, the contact retainer further includes an outwardly extending barb or protrusion which stabilizes the contact against the opposing sidewalls of the passage to secure the contact in the housing. Received within the cooperable portion of the housing channel for stabilization. Further, the body of the contact includes a protrusion extending outwardly from the surface of the intermediate contact body in the same direction as the spigot. This recess ensures that the contact body is positioned in the contact receiving passage relative to the sidewall near the end of the mating surface of the passage. The firm retention of the contact against the side wall of the contact receiving passage ensures mating of the first connecting portion of the contact at its mating surface. Furthermore, the width of the passage can be made thicker than the thickness of the contact by using the protrusion on the body,
Due to this, the first connecting part can freely move through the passage,
In this way, damage to the plating on it can be avoided.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a power or ground contact that can fit within a through hole in a circuit board and facilitates the manufacture and assembly of a connector that avoids the need to solder terminal leads. Is. Further, the power contact is stamped from a flat material, which is cost effective in manufacturing. The contacts and connectors of the present invention further provide a plurality of contact paths for their mating interfaces and circuit board traces.

The connector assembly of the present invention further allows the mating blades to overhang the circuit board while allowing the contacts to be rigidly positioned within the housing. The present invention is also directed to self-localized electrical contacts. This electrical contact extends from the common tank of the main body part, which consists of the first connecting part and the second connecting part and the one connecting part of the first connecting part and the second connecting part of all the contacts at opposite end parts. And a body portion having at least three legs. The first leg of the at least three legs is the first leg selected from the second leg.
Spaced apart and the second leg is spaced apart a second distance selected from the third leg, the first distance being different than the second distance. The at least three legs are adapted to be received within the individual through holes of the circuit board in a localized array.

The present invention also relates to a connector assembly including a housing having therein at least one electrical contact including the localized arrangement defined above. The housing further includes additional self-localizing contacts or various other contacts. Due to this construction, the connector assembly thus defined does not require any other localization mechanism to fit it precisely onto the circuit board.

Self-localizing electrical contacts are particularly suitable for use with power and ground contacts, which typically have multiple contact tails. The contacts of the present invention are also cost effective to manufacture and obviate the need for other localization features of the connector mounted on the circuit board.

[0024]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference is now made to FIGS. Electric power supply module 2
The electrical connector assembly in the form of includes a blade connector 4 and a receptacle connector 6. The blade connector 4 includes an insulative housing 8 having a body 10 and a shroud 12 projecting forward from a mating surface 14 of the body 10. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the body 10 defines a central contact receiving cavity 16.
The body 10 has two outer contact receiving cavities 17, which are shown in dashed lines in FIG.
7 are disposed on each side of the contact receiving cavity 16.
Since the contact receiving cavities 16 and 17 are identical, only the contact receiving cavity 16 will be described here. The contact receiving cavity 16 has a rear contact receiving opening 18
And a lateral opening 20 adjacent to the opening. The main body 10 includes an end wall 22 facing the opening 20 and the opening 2
With opposite side walls 24 adjacent to zero. The contact receiving cavity 16 comprises opposite side walls 25, only one of which is shown (FIGS. 7 and 8). Body 1
A contact retaining rib 26 projects rearward from the front base wall 27 of 0 toward the inside of the contact receiving cavity 16. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, shroud 12 extends beyond opening 20 of contact receiving cavity 16 to define a notch 29 in cooperation with body 10 (FIGS. 7 and 8).
It projects to the right). Each contact receiving cavity 16 and 17 opens forward into the internal cavity 28 of shroud 12. The shroud 12 includes opposed sidewalls 30 and opposed sidewalls 32 having individual guide tapers 34, 36 at their respective forward ends.

A substantially single plane ground blade contact 38, shown in FIG. 5, is secured within the central contact receiving cavity 16. The ground blade contact 38 shown in FIG. 5 is a rear blade support plate 40,
And a forward projecting contact blade 42 connected to the blade 40 by a transition neck 44. The rear blade support plate 40 has a straight rear edge 46 from which a lateral edge 48 extends at a right angle. Normal,
Opposing the lateral edge 48, a mating contact tail 52 extends from the lateral edge 50 of the rear blade support plate 40. The rear blade support plate 40 has a lateral edge 48.
There is a locking tongue 54 in the vicinity and the transition neck 44 has a tongue 54
It has a holding boss 56 that projects in the same direction as. Retaining lug 58 having retaining barbs 62 facing transition neck 44
Project forward from the front edge 60 of the rear blade support plate 40. The contact blade 42 is a contact
It has a tab 64 projecting forward from the front edge 66 of the blade 42. The width of the tab 64 is approximately one third of the overall width of the contact blade 42. 7 and 8, the ground blade contact 38 was inserted through the opening 18 of the contact receiving cavity 16 with the tab 64 preceding it so that the retaining hose 56 is urged against the nearby side wall 25. The stop tongue 54 engages a shoulder (not shown) on the side wall 25 and provides a retaining barb 62.
Bite into the contact retention ribs 26 and the ground blade contact 38 and thus the contact tail 52 is cut out 29 from the opening 20 in the contact receiving cavity 16.
Plunge into and shroud contact blade 42
It is fixed in the contact receiving cavity 16 while protruding forward into the second internal cavity 28. Blade connector 4
Further includes a pair of power blade contacts 68, one of which is shown in FIG. Corresponding portions of the power blade contacts 68 that are identical to corresponding portions of the ground blade contacts 38 are labeled with the same reference numbers as the ground blade contacts 38.
Each power blade contact 68 differs from the ground blade contact 38 in that it has a straight forward edge 71 from the tab 64 on the contact blade 70 of the power blade contact 68. Each power blade contact 68 is held within an individual cavity of contact receiving cavity 17 in the same manner and orientation as ground blade contact 38 is retained and oriented within its contact receiving cavity 16. Accordingly, the contact 70 projects forward into the internal cavity 28 of the shroud 12, and the contact tail 52 of each power blade contact 68 extends from the housing body 10 to the ground blade contact 38.
It projects in parallel with the contact tail of the.

With the ground blade contact 38 and the power blade contact 68 disposed in the insulating housing 8 as described above, the blade connector 4 is installed at the edge of the first circuit board CB1 and the first circuit board CB1. The board CB1 is a ground blade that extends through the plating hole in the first circuit board CB1.
1 by means of a portion, solder or other means positioned in the notch 29 with the contact tail 52 of the contact 38 and mating as is known in the art (not shown) 1
It is adapted to be electrically connected to one or a plurality of ground conductors. The contact tail 52 of the power blade contact 68 extends through another plated through hole in the first circuit board CB1 and is electrically connected to the power conductor above it.

Receptacle connector 6 includes an insulative housing 72 for matingly receiving shroud 12 of blade connector 4. Insulation housing 72
Includes a mating surface 74, a contact receiving surface 76 opposite the mating surface, opposing side walls 78 and opposing end walls 80. The insulating housing 72 defines a central contact receiving cavity 82 and a lateral contact receiving cavity 84 on each side thereof. Each contact receiving cavity 82 and 84 is open at its tip into a contact blade guide slot 86 in its mating surface 74 and at its rear end to a contact receiving surface 76. The central contact receiving cavity 82 is separated from the contact receiving cavity 84 by a partition 88. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each end wall 80 has a vertical slot 98 extending between the mating surface 74 and the contact receiving surface 76 and a tapered outer edge 100 near the contact receiving surface 76. Is equipped with.

In each of the contact receiving cavities 82, 84 there is a similar receptacle contact 96 shown in FIGS. Each receptacle contact 96 includes a rearwardly extending base 102 having a retaining boss 104 at each end thereof. Suspending from the rear edge of the base 102 is a ground blade contact 38, a complementary contact tail 102 similar to the contact tail 52 of the power blade contact 68. Base 10
A spring arm 112 extending forward from the front edge of 2.
Contact spring 10 having a lateral contact surface 110 that curves inwardly and smoothly arcs surrounding a
8 is upright. The contact surface 110 is substantially the same as the tab 64. Another contact spring 114
Includes a pair of spring arms 116, each spring arm extending from a forward edge of base 102 on opposite sides of contact spring 108 and spaced slightly forward of contact surface 110. It is joined at its front end by a strap 118 which has a lateral contact surface 120 which bends inward and is smoothly arcuate. Contact surface 120 has substantially the same width as contact blade 42. Each spring arm 116 is a spring
There is a bent portion 122 near the base 102 that biases the arm 116 laterally from the contact springs 108, and thus the opening 124 defines the contact springs 108 and 114.
It is provided near the base 102 between. The contact springs 108 and 114 converge slightly in the forward direction.
Each receptacle contact 96 is inserted into the cavity within the insulating housing 72 through the contact receiving surface 76, the end portion of the base 102 is received within the rear end portion of the vertical slot 98, and the retaining hose 104 engages the slot wall. To meet. Thus, the receptacle contact 96 is temporarily held in position within its cavity, while
The contact tail 106 is inserted through a hole in the second circuit board CB2, plated and above it (not shown).
Conveniently connected to individual conductors. The contact tails of the receptacle contacts in the contact receiving cavity 82 are electrically connected to one or more ground conductors for the circuit board CB2, while the contact tails of the contacts 92 in the contact receiving cavity 84 are the first. 2 circuit boards CB
It is electrically connected to the individual power conductors in 2.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1 through 4 and FIGS. 7 and 8, the combination of the blade connector 4 and the receptacle connector 6 will now be described. FIG.
And in the position of the blade connector 4 and the receptacle connector 6, as shown in FIG. 7, each contact blade 42 and 70 mates with the contact surface 110, 120 of an individual receptacle contact 96.
When the blade connector 4 is advanced to the position of FIG. 2, the leading edge 71 of each contact blade 70 then enters the guide slot 86 of the individual contact receiving cavity 84,
The front edge 66 of the contact blade 42 enters the guide slot 86 of the contact receiving cavity 82. However, the tabs 64 projecting forward from the front edge 66 of the retaining blade barrel retaining barb 62 allow the contact surfaces 110, 120 of the ground receptacle contact 96 in the central contact receiving cavity 82 of the insulating housing 72.
Engage between both. Therefore, the grounding circuit of the electrical power supply module 2 is created before the power supply circuit since the contact blade 70 is spaced from the receptacle contact 96, which is the power supply contact at this point. When the blade connector 4 is advanced to the position of FIG. 3, each contact blade of the contact blades 42 and 70 is contact surface 1 of the individual receptacle contact 96.
It passes between 10, 120 and thus also creates the power supply circuit of the electrical power supply module. The tab 64 now resides within the contact receiving cavity 82 between the spring arms 112, 116 of the receptacle contact 96, which is a ground contact. When the blade connector 4 is moved along with the receptacle connector 6 to its fully mated position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the mating surface 14 of the blade connector 4 causes the mating surface 74 of the insulating housing 72 to move. Engages with the forward edge 66 of the contact blades 42, 70,
71 is a bent portion 122 of the receptacle contact 96.
In the vicinity, the insulating housing 72 of the receptacle connector 6 is then completely received within the internal cavity 28 of the shroud 12. When the blade connector 4 is advanced from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4, the tab 64 is located on the side of the base 102 of the receptacle contact 96 so that the contact spring 108 of the receptacle contact 96 in the contact receiving cavity 82. , 114 through the opening 124. When the blade connector 4 and the receptacle connector 6 are mated, the blade connector 4 is retracted between the positions of FIGS. 4, 3, 2 and 1, respectively. In the position of FIG. 2, the contact blade 7
0 is retracted from the receptacle contact 96 in the contact receiving cavity 84 and then the contact blade 4
2 through its tab 64 to the contact surface 11 of the receptacle contact 96 in the contact receiving cavity 82.
Enter between 0 and 120. Therefore, the circuit of the electrical power supply module 2 remains closed until after the power supply circuit of this module has been interrupted. When the contact blade is disengaged from its receptacle contact substantially simultaneously, the power supply module no longer has its full current load.

When the blade is inserted between the contact surfaces 110 and 120, the spring arms 112, 116 of the receptacle contact 96 are resiliently cammed apart as shown in FIGS. However, the blade insertion force is reduced because the contact surfaces 110 and 120 are offset from each other in their mating direction. Since the contact blade 70 does not have tabs projecting therefrom, the contacts in the contact receiving cavity 84 need not be identical to the receptacle contacts 96 in the contact receiving cavity 82, for example:
It can be a tulip-shaped conventional contact. However, from a manufacturing, warehousing and convenience standpoint, all receptacle contacts are preferably the same.

The blade connector 4 and the receptacle
The connector 6 may have a number of ground contacts for the power contacts, and in other arrangements may have more than the number of contacts described above and may be used for other purposes as a power module. The contacts are, for example, signal contacts instead of power contacts.

Ground blade contact 38, power blade contact 68 and receptacle contact 9
6 is stamped from sheet metal stock by advancing die stamping and forming operations, at least its contact surface being usually plated with gold or tin, for example according to the field of use of the contact. Receptacle contact 96
In this case, contact springs 108 and 114 must be separated by some minimum gap in view of formation and plating requirements. Therefore, the blade and receptacle
If sufficient normal actuating force is present between the contacts, the blade should be of maximum thickness that can be compared with the gap. Needless to say, the thickness of the sheet metal stock is preferably not more than the above-mentioned maximum thickness so that the blade contact can be punched from the viewpoint of metal economy.

Another embodiment of a ground blade contact 38 that enables such economics to be achieved will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9-14, in which the ground blade contact 38 previously described is shown. Parts that are the same as the corresponding parts are given the same reference numbers as the corresponding parts. The blade contact 38 'shown in FIGS. 9-14 is different from the ground blade contact 38 as described above, so that the guide of the blade 42' passing between the contact surfaces 110, 120 of the receptacle contact 96. All parts extend to the same extent in the longitudinal direction of the blade 42 'and the blade 4'
Formed are long laterally fitted raised areas 140, 142 and 144 that are evenly spaced apart in the 2'lateral direction. Each raised area terminates posteriorly from the front edge 66 of the contact blade 42 '. Raised area 14
0, 144 project in the opposite sense from the face of the blade 42 ′ into a raised area 142 located between the areas 140, 144. 9 and 12 show the receptacle contact 96 before the tab 64 is inserted between the contact springs 108, 114, the contact surfaces 110, 120 of which define the minimum gap. 10 and 13 show the tab 64 inserted between the contact surfaces 110, 120 so that the contact springs 108, 114 provide a suitable normal contact force between the tab 64 and the contact surface 110.120. Elastically biased to create.

When blade 42 'is inserted into receptacle 96 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, raised areas 140, 141 and 144 cause contact surfaces 110, 1
Engagement with 20 results in a fairly large elastic deflection of the contact springs 108, 114 and a substantially high normal contact force between the tab 64 'and the contact surfaces 110, 120. Blade contact 38 '
During insertion, the raised areas 140, 144 sweep the contact surface 120 near the end of the strap engaging the spring beam contact spring 114 and the raised area 142 sweeps the contact surface 110. Raised area 1
40, 142 and 144 are contact surfaces 110 and 120
It is of sufficient length in the mating direction to provide an effective sweep of and sometimes to remove debris or metal oxides from the contact surface. Similar raised areas are also
Preferably the contacts of the power blade contact 68
It is installed on the blade 70. The blade contact 38 'also has a grounding blade contact in that a retaining rib 146 is formed in its support plate 40 instead of the locking tongue 54.
It is different from the contact 38.

FIG. 15 illustrates the arrangement of the blade connector 4 and the signal receptacle 5 installed on the daughter board CB3 and the complementary arrangement of the receptacle connector 6 and the header 7 installed on the mother board CB4. . Both arrangements also show guide modules 90, 92, which allow individual connectors 4, 5 on the daughter plate CB3 to mate with mating connectors 6, 7 on the mother plate CB4. Helps to fit the modules together. FIG. 15 also illustrates that the insulating housing 8 of the blade connector 4 extends through the housing 9 of the signal receptacle 5 and that the insulating housing 72 of the receptacle connector 6 is shorter than the housing 73 of the header-7. are doing. The leading edge of the insulating housing 8 is tapered at 34 to minimize the wobbling of the insulating housing 8 with the corners 75 of the housing 73 when the individual connectors are mated.

The embodiments described above could be modified in various ways, for example by equipping the connector with both blade contacts and receptacle contacts. blade·
16 for a detailed description of the structure for stabilizing the ground blade contacts 38 in the individual channel contact receiving cavities 16 of the insulating housing 8 of the connector 4.
The description will be made with reference to FIGS. The insulating housing 8 is adapted to receive therein a mating surface 14, adapted to mate with a mating electrical connector, such as the receptacle connector 6 shown in FIG. 23, at least one electrical contact, a ground blade contact 38. It is provided with a suitable assembly surface 15 and a third surface 23 adapted to establish an electrical connection with a compensating electrical product such as a guide module 90 which is a circuit board as shown at 23. The assembly surface 15 is opposite to the fitting surface 14 and the third surface 23 is at a right angle to the fitting surface 14. The insulating housing 8 includes at least one contact receiving passage cavity 16 extending from the assembly surface 15 to the mating surface 14. The passage-receiving contact-receiving cavity 16 is also provided with a contact-receiving slot opening 20, which is open to the third surface 23 and the assembly surface 15, as best seen in FIG.

As best seen in FIGS. 16, 18 and 19, the electrical contact, the ground blade contact 38, is located at the mating surface 14 for electrical engagement with the mating connector. Contact blade 42, which is the exposed first connecting portion, is a second connecting portion that is at right angles to the first connecting portion 42 and is adapted to make an electrical connection to the electrical product and the intermediate body portion 35. A contact tail 52 is included. In the preferred embodiment, the first connecting contact blade 42 is a blade and the second connecting contact tail 52 is a plurality of mating tails which are located within individual through holes in the circuit board. Can be fitted to. The complementary part of the contact tail can be pressed and fitted in place A
It can be the ACTION PIN design available from MP.
It should be appreciated that other push-fit or complementary tail designs can be used, as well as soldered tails, if desired.

In the preferred embodiment, intermediate body portion 3
Reference numeral 5 is a contact receiving cavity 1 which is a contact receiving passage near the mating end surface of the contact receiving cavity 16 which is a passage.
6. Ground blade contact 38 to sidewall 37 in 6
Retaining boss 5 which is a recess 56 used for positioning
6 is included. Side wall 3 of contact receiving cavity 16 which is the contact receiving passage for ground blade contact 38.
By holding firmly to 7, the engagement of the contact blade 42, which is the second connecting part of the ground blade contact 38 at the mating surface 14, is ensured. In addition, the use of a retaining boss 56 that is recessed on the intermediate body portion 35 allows the width of the contact receiving cavity 16, which is a passage, to be reduced to the ground blade.
The thickness of the contact 38 can be made larger than the thickness of the contact 38.
Contact receiving cavity 16 which is a passage during assembly
Can be freely flowed through, thus avoiding damage to the plating on it. The connector ground blade contact 38 is further away from and opposite the contact blade 42, which is the second connection,
Grounding blade contact 38 is the assembly surface 15
Included is a retainer or arm 53 which mates with the co-operable housing portion 33 when incorporated into the contact receiving cavity 16 which is a passage therethrough. Cooperable housing part 3
3 is opposite the third surface 23 and includes individual contact retaining channels 16a in fluid communication with corresponding cavities of the contact receiving cavities 16, which are contact receiving passages. The contact holding channel 16a extends forward in the insulating housing 8 from the assembly surface 15 toward the fitting surface 14, and terminates at the rear portion thereof. Contact holding channel 1 for each holding channel
6a has a channel 16a having a ground blade contact 3
It has a thickness generally corresponding to the thickness of the ground blade contact 38 to accommodate the eight retaining arms 53. As can be understood from FIG. 18, the contact holding channel 16a, which is the holding channel of the housing, further includes the contact receiving cavity 16 which is a receiving passage from the assembly surface 15 toward the fitting surface 14.
A short contact locating channel 21 at the rear blade support plate 40 which is the rear end extending into the adjacent side wall 37 of the. Contact locating channel 21 is adapted to receive a cooperable portion of ground blade contact 38, as will be described more fully below.

The arm 53, which is the contact holding portion of the ground blade contact 38, is held at the position of the holding lug 58 which is the tip end of the arm 53 which can be received in the front end portion 16b of the contact holding channel 16a which is the housing channel portion. 62, the retaining barb 62 is dimensioned to create a mating condition with the front end 16b of the channel when the ground blade contact 38 is incorporated into the insulating housing 8. Thorns 62
Resists rearward movement after complete assembly of the ground blade contact 38 into the contact receiving passageway cavity 16. As can be seen in FIGS. 16 and 18, when the ground blade contact 38 is inserted from the assembly surface 15 into the cavity 16 which is the contact receiving passage, the blade is wider than the rearward portion of the insulating housing 8 in this example. A first connection, shown as 42, is received in the slotted opening 20, passes through the opening, and enters the front housing portion or shroud 12. A second connection, contact tail 52, shown here as four mating contact portions or tails, is received within individual slot openings 20 as the contact advances and enters the housing. . The holding arm 53 enters the contact holding channel 16a until the front edge 60, which is the contact stop surface, engages the housing stop surface in the insulating housing 8. When completely inserted, the holding lug 58, which is the front end of the holding arm 53, is provided.
Is disposed in the front end portion 16b of the channel, and the holding boss 5
6 holds the intermediate main body 35, which is a compact main body, with respect to the side wall 37. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the retaining barb 62 secures the ground blade contact 38 within the contact receiving cavity 16 to secure the ground blade contact 3 to the ground blade contact 3.
A retaining barb 62 engages the inner portion of the slotted front end 16b for the purpose of preventing the retracting movement of 8 from the insulating housing 8.

In the preferred embodiment, the retaining arm 53 of the ground blade contact 38 further includes an outwardly directed tongue 54 which retains the retaining boss 5.
6 extends outward in the same direction as 6 and is received in the contact locating channel portion 21. The contact locating channel 21 is adapted to receive the outwardly extending tongue 54 of the ground blade contact 38 as shown in FIGS. The tongue 54 and the retention boss 56 firmly hold the planar surface of the ground blade contact 38 against the bottom wall of the contact retention channel 16 to rigidly position the ground blade contact 38 in the contact receiving cavity 16 for grounding. The blade contact 38 is prevented from moving laterally within the contact receiving cavity and thus mated with the mating receptacle contact 6 in the mating receptacle connector 6 as seen in FIG. The contact blade 42 serving as the first connecting portion is held in the state. As shown in FIG. 20, the ground blade contacts 38 are retained and positioned within the individual contact receiving cavities 16 and are substantially contact-retained by a retainer arm 53 having a second connection contact tail 52. "Suspended" or "suspended" from channel 16a, a plurality of contact tails extend outwardly of insulating housing 8 through slotted openings 20.

FIG. 20 shows the assembly surface of a connector adapted to receive three types of ground blade contacts 38, with one of the contact receiving cavities 16 having an internally disposed ground blade contact. Equipped with 38. 21 and 22 show the contact holding channel 16a and the contact positioning channel 2
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the position of a holding lug 58 that is a contact holding portion in the contact holding channel 16 a and the position of a tongue portion 54 in the contact positioning channel 21. These figures also show one ground blade contact 38 that is pressed against the sidewall 37 of the contact receiving cavity 16 for the purpose of stabilizing the position of the ground blade contact 38 within the insulating housing 8.

FIG. 23 shows four contacts of the second connecting portion.
Hole 9 in guide module 90 with tail 52 as circuit board
2 is a cross-sectional view of the blade connector 4 and the ground blade contact 38 fixed within the insulating housing in the engaged states through 2 respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 23, the front part of the insulating housing 8 is
A shroud 12 for receiving the connector 6 is defined, a portion of the shroud 12 being a circuit board guide module 90.
It extends beyond and below. The mating receptacle connector 6 is mounted to the circuit board 250 via a plurality of contact tails.

FIG. 24 is another embodiment 438 of a contact made in accordance with the present invention having a second connection as a tubular member received in the opening 20 which is a contact receiving slot during assembly into the insulating housing 8. The contact 438 has a contact intermediate body portion 35.
An upper retaining boss 56, a barb 462 and an outwardly directed boss 454 on the retaining part are included, these members respectively of the housing in the same manner as retaining boss 56, retaining barb 62 and tongue 54. Received in the contact retention channel 16a, it helps stabilize the first connection 442 of the contact 438 in the same manner as previously described.

Used when supplying power signal, ground signal or signal
Type receptacle contact 96 suitable for
The present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIG. Self-localization mechanism
Understand that can be used with contacts of other configurations
Is. The electrical contacts of FIGS. 5, 6 and 25
The septum contact 96 has a first end at the opposite end.
The main body having the first and second connecting portions 106 and 115
Source 102 is included. The main body part 102 is
1 and 2nd main surface 101, 103 and edge part 105a, 1
05b, 105c and 105d. First connection
The main part of the contact tail 106 is a base part.
A plurality of contacts extending from the edge portion 105a of the cloth 102
Includes legs 132, 134, 136 and 138
It The first contact leg 1 of this array of contact legs
32 is the selected first distance d₁From the second leg 134
It is separated. Second leg 134 is selected second distance
d ₂The third and fourth legs are spaced apart from the third leg 136.
136 and 138 are distances d₃It is separated.
According to the invention, the first distance d₁Is the second distance d₂Different from
ing. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance d₂Is d₃When
Similar but with all contact legs equally spaced
Rather, rather than non-aligned with the axis parallel to the contact leg
This distance should be equal, as long as it is symmetrical
There is no. First, second, third and fourth legs 132, 13
4, 136 and 138 correspond to the circuit board 150, respectively
The first, second, third and fourth through holes 152, 154,
It is adapted to be received within 156 and 158.
For purposes of illustration of the invention, the second connection is shown in FIGS.
Is adapted to accept blade contacts as
Illustrated as an array of spring arms 116, 112
There is. Understand that the second connection is not limited to this configuration
Should.

The contacts of the present invention are preferably stamped and formed from a flat piece of metal such as phosphor bronze or other suitable material having the desired spring properties. Receptacle contact 9 which is a substantially flat member
6 is easily inverted within the housing arrangement for the purpose of providing different patterns on the circuit board for different localization arrangements.

26 and 27 are representative of an insulative housing 72 having a mating surface 74, a contact receiving surface 76 that is a ground plane, and a contact receiving cavity 83 that is configured to receive a receptacle contact 96 that is an electrical contact. The receptacle connector 6 is shown as a typical electrical connector. These figures show connector contacts installed on individual circuit boards 150, 250 with the receptacle contacts 16 in their two localized orientations.
The assembly connector receptacle connector 6 is shown. In FIG. 26, the assembly is installed on the circuit board 150, the first terminal leg portion 132 is arranged in the through hole 152,
The receptacle contact 96, which is an electrical contact in the first orientation state in which the second, third, and fourth contact legs 134, 136, and 138 are disposed in the through holes 154, 156, and 158, respectively, is provided. Shows.
In FIG. 27, in the receptacle contact 96 which is a contact terminal, the first terminal leg portion 132 is arranged in the through hole 252, and the second, third and fourth terminal leg portions 134, 136 are provided.
And 138 are through holes 254, 256 and 258, respectively.
It is shown oriented with respect to the circuit board 250 as disposed therein.

FIG. 28 illustrates the power receptacle connector 6 disassembled from the circuit board 150. Receptacle connector 6 has two contacts 96 disposed in individual cavities 83, one contact 96 disassembled from insulating housing 72 and mated with individual through holes in circuit board 150. There is. As can be seen from this figure, the three receptacle connectors 6 and in particular the first leg 132 of each of the three identical contacts are in a particular manner to ensure proper positioning of the connector on the circuit board. -Orient the connector 6.

FIG. 29 shows another embodiment 6'of a connector assembly having one contact 96 and a plurality of signal contacts 370. The receptacle connector 6'includes a mating surface 274, a ground surface 276, and a terminal 16
Cavity 283 configured to receive a plurality of cavities 383 configured to receive individual contacts 370.
A housing 172 having a is included. Circuit board 35
0 to the individual contact legs 132 of the contact 96,
A column of through-holes 352, 354, 356, 358 and a row of signal through-holes 372 for receiving a row of signal contacts 370 as pin terminals are included, which include 134, 136, 138 in a localized orientation.

FIG. 30 shows another physical form 26 of a contact made in accordance with the present invention. The contact includes first and second connecting portions 206, 215 and three legs 232, 23 extending from a common edge 205a of the body 202.
A body 202 having 4,236 is included. The first leg 232 is spaced from the second leg 234 by a distance d ₁ ′, and the second leg is conversely spaced from the third leg 236 by a distance d ₂ ′.

[0050]

As will be understood from the above description, the contact terminal of the present invention is self-localized, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost, and the contact terminal of the present invention has an additional localization mechanism for mounting the connector on the circuit board. It eliminates the need.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic illustration of a receptacle connector including a blade connector and a receptacle connector, with the blade connector partially omitted to reveal its contact blades. FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view of an electrical connector assembly in the form of an electrical power module shown in cross section.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except that the blade connector is shown in partial form, except that it shows the individual steps in the blade and receptacle connector combination.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except that the blade connector is shown in partial form, except that it shows the individual steps in the blade and receptacle connector combination.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except that the blade connector is shown in partial form, except that it shows the individual steps in the blade and receptacle connector combination.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a mating ground contact for a connector.

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of mating power contacts of a connector.

7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the power supply module shown in FIG. 1 taken at a right angle to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the connectors in a fitting relationship and drawn on a scale enlarged from FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of mating ground contacts illustrating another embodiment and showing the individual steps in the ground contact assembly.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of mating ground contacts illustrating another embodiment and showing the individual steps in the ground contact assembly.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of mating ground contacts illustrating another embodiment and showing the individual steps in the ground contact assembly.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the contact shown in FIG.

13 is an end view of the contact shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the contact shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a power supply module made in accordance with the present invention, a signal module installed on a mother board, and a corresponding complementary array of power supply modules and signal modules on a daughter plate.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a connector having electrical contacts made in accordance with the present invention disposed within a contact receiving passage of a housing.

17 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 16 illustrating a portion of the retention mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to that of FIG. 16 with the contacts disassembled from the housing.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the contact of FIG.

20 is a flat plan view of the assembly surface of the connector of FIG.

21 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

22 is an exploded view of FIG. 21. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a mating connector assembly having a connector of the present invention mated to a mating connector.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a contact made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an electrical contact made in accordance with the present invention and disassembled from a circuit board.

26 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly having the contacts of FIG. 25 disposed therein and installed in a circuit board in one of its possible orientations.

27 is a view similar to FIG. 26 showing electrical contacts in a second localized orientation.

28 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector having a plurality of contacts of FIG. 25 separated from a circuit board.

29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the receptacle connector having the single contact of FIG. 25 and a plurality of other contacts.

FIG. 30 illustrates another embodiment of an electrical contact made in accordance with the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Electrical Power Module 4 Blade Connector 6 Receptacle Connector 6'Another Embodiment of Connector Assembly 8 Insulation Housing 10 Body 12 Shroud 14 Face 16 Contact Receiving Cavity 16a Contact Retaining Channel 16b Front End of Contact Retaining Channel 17 Cavity 18 Contact receiving opening 20 Opening 21 Contact positioning channel 22 End wall 24 Side wall 25 Side wall 26 Contact retaining rib 27 Front base wall 28 Internal cavity 29 Notch 30 Side wall 32 Side wall 33 Housing part 34, 36 Guide taper part 35 Intermediate body part 38 Ground blade -Contact 38 'Blade contact 40 Rear blade support plate 42 Contact blade 42' Blade 44 Transition neck 46 Straight rear edge 48 Side Facing edge 50 Lateral edge 52 Contact tail 53 Arm 54 Locking tongue 56 Retaining boss 58 Retaining lug 60 Front edge 62 Retaining barb 64 Tab 66 Front edge 68 Power blade contact 70 Contact blade 71 Straight front edge 72 Insulation housing 74 Mating surface 76 Contact receiving surface 78 Side wall 80 End wall 82 Central contact receiving cavity 83 Contact receiving cavity 84 Lateral contact receiving cavity 86 Contact blade guide slot 88 Partition 92 Contact 96 Receptacle contact 100 Outer edge portion 101 First major surface 102 Rear extending base 103 Second major surface 104 Retaining boss 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d Edge portion 106 Contact tail 108 Contact spring 110 Con Tact surface 112 Spring arm 114,116 Contact spring 115 Second connection part 118 Strap 120 Contact surface 122 Bent part 124 Opening 132,134,136,138 Contact leg part 140,142,144, Raised area 146 Holding rib 150 Circuit board 152,154,156,158 Through hole 172 Housing 202 Main body 206,215 Connection part 205a Common edge 250 Circuit board 252 Through hole 254,256,258 Through hole 274 Fitting surface 276 Ground plane 350 Circuit board 352,354 , 356, 358 through hole 370 signal contact 372 signal through hole 438 contact 442 first connection portion

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Timothy Lee Coker USA Pennsylvania 17011 Camp Hill Future Drive 364 (72) Inventor William Edward Bays Pennsylvania United States 17109 Harrisburg Plymouth Street 4311

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A male contact, which is formed by punching out a metal plate and has a substantially flat plate shape and has a pair of facing contact portions, is inserted between the contact portions and is inserted into the female contacts. 1. A male contact, comprising: a contact blade having a substantially constant width that extends in the direction; and a tab that extends from the substantially center of the tip of the contact blade in the insertion direction and is narrower than the width of the contact blade. 2. The male contact according to claim 1, wherein the contact blades are provided with ridges protruding in mutually opposite surfaces along the insertion direction. 3. A female contact having opposed first and second contact portions into which a substantially flat male contact is inserted and contacted, wherein a substantially rectangular metal plate is closed at the insertion end side of the male contact. Forming a substantially U-shaped slot, offsetting the outer peripheral portion of the slot from the vicinity of the base to form the first contact portion, and forming the second contact portion by the beam-shaped portion inside the slot. Characteristic female contact. 4. A substantially flat male contact, and a female contact having opposing first and second contact portions so that the male contact is inserted and contacted between the contact portions. In the pair of fitting contacts, the male contact has a wide rectangular contact blade and a narrow tab extending forward from substantially the center of the front end of the contact blade, and the female contact is A substantially U-shaped slot is provided in a substantially rectangular metal plate having a width substantially equal to that of the contact blade of the male contact, leaving a beam portion having a width substantially equal to that of the tab, and an outer periphery of the slot is provided with respect to the beam portion. And a pair of fitting contacts, wherein the first and second contact portions are formed by offsetting.