Electrical connection method

Details Electrical connection method Electrical connection method

1999-06-10

2001-05-29

Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...

With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...

C439S289000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238219

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connection system comprising a socket connector and a plug connector mating together, and in particular to an electrical connection method for establishing electrical connection between socket and plug connectors wherein the contact engagement between contact elements thereof change from a point contact to a final surface contact.
2. The Prior Art
An electrical connection system comprises a plug connector and a socket connector mating with each other is well known in the electronics field. Connectors of this type are disclosed in Taiwan patent application Nos. 84213256 and 85201191.
The plug connector and the socket connector both have contacts engageable with each other. Conventionally, the contacts of the plug and socket connectors are engaged with each other in parallel. In other words, the contacts of the plug connector and the contacts of the socket connector are substantially parallel to each other during engagement. To ensure proper engagement between the plug contact and the socket contact, at least one of the contacts forms at least one bent section. Furthermore, the relative position between each socket contact and the corresponding plug contact has to be precise to ensure proper engagement therebetween. Such precise positioning of the contacts in the connectors increases the overall manufacturing cost and the likelihood of unstable electrical engagement.
It is thus desirable to have a method for connecting the plug and socket connectors, which does not require high contact positioning precision to obtain a proper and stable engagement therebetween.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection method for connecting socket and plug connectors and establishing a secure electrical engagement therebetween.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection method for establishing proper electrical engagement between a plug connector and a socket connector which does not require the precise position of contacts.
To achieve the above objects, an electrical connection method for mating a plug connector with a socket connector in accordance with the present invention comprises the following steps: (1) arranging plug contacts of the plug connector to extend along a first axis, each plug contact having a tip supported thereon by a deflectable portion and extending beyond the plug connector; (2) arranging socket contacts of the socket connector in passageways and extending along a second axis which is substantially normal to the first axis; (3) moving the plug and socket connectors toward each other to insert the tips of the plug contacts into the passageways and forming a point contact engagement with the socket contacts; (4) further moving the plug and socket connectors toward each other to cause deflection of the deflectable portions of the plug contacts with the tips sliding on the socket contacts; and (5) deflecting the deflectable portions of the plug contacts by further moving the plug and socket connectors toward each other to change the point contact between the plug contacts and the socket contacts to a surface contact therebetween.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5055054 (1991-10-01), Doutrich
patent: 5306163 (1994-04-01), Asakawa
patent: 5697799 (1997-12-01), Consoli et al.

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