Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Including movement of coupling part about axis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-06-12
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Including movement of coupling part about axis
C439S376000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244888
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors of so-called low force of insertion, or zero force of insertion, more particularly with pin/lyre contacts.
To connect a layer of flexible cables to a rigid support of the printed card type, users require connectors needing a minimum insertion and blocking force, this latter remaining a necessity to permit any inadvertent disconnection. More generally, connectors are sought which will permit avoiding any accidental disconnection.
There is known for example a connector of zero insertion force described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,859, provided to receive a layer of cables.
Such a connector comprises two blocks:
a fixed block, generally connected to a support and provided for this purpose with blade contacts with a plug which are welded to the support, and
a movable block which coacts with the fixed block to immobilize the cables of the layer and ensuring contact between the cables of this layer and the blades, this requiring no insertion effort of the layer.
The movable block is mounted on the fixed block by translatory movement, guide means ensuring a suitable positioning of the two parts. The layer is then inserted between the two blocks. It then suffices to pivot the movable block relative to the fixed block to ensure pressing one portion of the blades against the cables, thereby ensuring the electrical connection. The locking is simultaneously ensured because any displacement in translation of the movable block relative to the fixed block is prevented.
The problem solved by this patent is that of the variations of thickness of the various layers to be inserted in this connector. Thus, these variations give rise to loss of pressure force of the plugs of the fixed block on the cables of the layer, unless different models are provided, each applicable to a type of layer. Given the very low sales price of these connectors, it would be of interest to provide a connector permitting receiving different thicknesses of layers of cables.
To solve this problem about different thicknesses, the base as specified in this American Patent have blades with a particular C-shaped profile, with offset ends thus forming two offset contact points, above and below the layer. Branches of the C shaped profile have a sufficient flexibility and adjust to thickness variations. The layer presents an S-shaped deformation when it is thin and the layer remains substantially flat when it is thick. The contact pressure is obtained in the same manner in both cases and only a contact at two points is possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a connector comprising a base and a plug, which requires very low insertion and locking force of the plug and the base, which gives rise to excellent electrical connection, which comprises first and if desired second blocking means, which is simple to produce, and which is easy to manipulate.
To this end, according to the invention, the electrical connector of low insertion force, comprises a base provided with a blind recess provided to receive a plug, this base carrying connection pins and this plug being connected to a bundle of electrical cables, and is characterized in that it is provided with translatory guide means, particularly comprising at least one guide ramp opening into a locking hole, which hole constitutes the first locking means so-called in translation, by coacting with at least one fixed rib of a suitable profile to assume a first orientation in which it can be moved in translation along said ramp and a second orientation in which it is immobilized in the locking hole by swinging relative to the plug and the base.
This electrical connector also comprises second locking means so-called in swinging.
According to a particular arrangement, the rib of the plug has a width equal to the width of the ramp of the base and its longitudinal axis is inclined relative to the plane of the lower and upper surfaces of the plug by an angle &agr;, such that the base and the plug are aligned after locking.
According to the preferred embodiment, the second locking means comprise a ring mounted slidably on the upper end of the block of the plug and provided with two lateral tongues of a shape and position suitable to penetrate each one into the groove of the corresponding ramp. There are moreover provided retaining means for this ring in the active and inactive positions.
According to a particular application of the invention, each electrical contact of the plug is a blade contact of the lyre type with two branches provided to come into contact on opposite sides of each pin carried by the base.
According to some others features of the invention, particular dispositions of contacts of the connector are mentioned which allow the reinforcement of the electrical connection and make the cables installation easier while certifying the quality of such installations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3656086 (1972-04-01), Debaigt
patent: 4428636 (1984-01-01), Kam et al.
patent: 4718859 (1988-01-01), Gardner
patent: 4838806 (1989-06-01), Igarashi
patent: 4941837 (1990-07-01), Nakamura
patent: 5772459 (1998-06-01), Swart
patent: 2351659 (1974-04-01), None
patent: 0244192 A1 (1987-11-01), None
Bradley Paula
Framatome Connectors International
Perman & Green LLP
Ta Tho D.
LandOfFree
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