Electrical connectors – Self aligning contact – Contact mounted in floating nonconductive holder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-05-22
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Self aligning contact
Contact mounted in floating nonconductive holder
C439S248000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234817
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a blind-mate floatable connectors assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Board-to-board connectors are used to connect two printed circuit boards having a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon. In the past, each printed circuit board is mounted with one receptacle connector to mate with a plug connector mounted on the other printed circuit board. When more than two receptacle connectors are mounted on the printed circuit board and are to mate with corresponding plug connectors on the corresponding printed circuit board, accurate alignment between the receptacle and plug connectors is vital to reliable electrical connection therebetween. If one pair of receptacle and plug connectors is misaligned because of tolerance, improper electrical connection will be raised therebetween.
In order to solve this problem, one of the approaches is to provide a receptacle connector having a floatable portion to compensate the misalignment to the plug connector. Another approach is to provide a receptacle connector in which terminals are movable to compensate the misalignment. Both of these approaches are expensive and unpractical, especially in compact and high density connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of this invention is to provide a receptacle and plug connectors assembly used between two printed circuit boards having floatable means mounted thereon such that misalignment therebetween can be correctly compensate thereby ensuring effective electrical connection therebetween.
In order to achieve the objective set forth, an electrical system comprises first and second substrates electrically connected by means of first and second connectors mounted on the substrates, respectively. Each first connector includes a cavity having an array of first terminals disposed therein. Each second connector includes a mating portion having second terminals received in the cavity when the first and second connectors are mated. Floatable means arranged at least on the first connector such that when the first (floatable) connector is mated to the corresponding second connector of the second substrate, the first (floatable) connector is moveable respect to the corresponding second connector to compensate any misalignment therebetween thereby ensuring an electrical connection between the first and second connectors.
These and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4761144 (1988-08-01), Hunt, III et al.
patent: 4929185 (1990-05-01), Wong et al.
patent: 4998887 (1991-03-01), Kaufman et al.
patent: 5106313 (1992-04-01), Lwee et al.
patent: 5184964 (1993-02-01), Douty et al.
patent: 5928003 (1999-07-01), Kajunuma
patent: 6017233 (2000-01-01), Fry et al.
Chung Wei Te
Gilman Alexander
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Paumen Gary F.
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