Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-06-19
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247940
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the configuration of electrical connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Myriads of designs exist for electrical connectors. Most include a plurality of closely-spaced contacts for connecting to individual conductors of electrical signals. Many of these connector designs have become de jure or de facto standards for different applications. A representative of such a connector is the communications industry-standard Centronic connector, which mounts on printed circuit leads of a circuit board and connects the circuit board to off-board multi-lead cables.
Equipment in which such connectors are typically used must often pass rigorous electrical tests before it can be sold. For example, telecommunications equipment in which the Centronic connector is used to connect to external communications lines must in many countries pass a high-voltage surge test wherein the conductors of the connector must withstand a 1 KV surge signal without arcing (shorting) to adjacent conductors. The connector is designed to pass such foreseen tests.
Unfortunately, some jurisdictions have seen fit to impose more stringent tests over time. For example, some jurisdictions now require the above-mentioned telecommunications equipment to pass a 1.5 KV high-voltage surge test. Such tests were not foreseen and therefore not taken into consideration in the design of the connector, with the consequence that the connector does not pass this test. Of course, one can redesign the connector to pass the test, e.g., by increasing the spacing of the connector's conductors, or one can substitute a different kind of connector that is robust enough to pass the test. But the use of such different, non-standard, connectors would destroy the equipment's compliance with the industry standards and would also require the use of non-standard external telecommunications connectors that would subsequently attach to these non-standard connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to meeting these needs and solving these problems of the prior art. Generally according to the invention, a standard connector is modified in such a way that it meets more stringent high-voltage surge tests, yet still complies with the industry-standard specification for that connector. This is achieved through increasing the free-air distance between adjacent conductors (“pins”) of the connector by modifying their shape but without changing their size, position, or separation.
Specifically, according to the invention, in a connector that has an insulating molding and a plurality of conductive pins extending from the molding, each pin has a base that extends partly out of the molding with a leg of the pin narrower than the base in that portion extending from the base. The base tapers to the leg along an entire length thereof between the leg and the molding. The taper may be monotonic or concave. Preferably, the tapered portion of the base extends into the molding. Also preferably, the molding defines ribs that extend outwardly therefrom between adjacent pins.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4209798 (1980-06-01), Beretta
patent: 4506238 (1985-03-01), Endoh et al.
patent: 4807087 (1989-02-01), Sawaya
patent: 5096428 (1992-03-01), Lwee et al.
patent: 6015316 (2000-01-01), Matsubara
Avaya Technology Corp.
Moran John C.
Sircus Brian
Webb Brian S.
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