Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-10
2001-01-30
Stephan, Steven L. (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
06179626
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 mated with each other, and in particular to an electrical connection system wherein contacts of a plug connector are brought into engagement with contacts of a socket connector in a direction substantially normal thereto.
2. The Prior Art
An electrical connection system comprising 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 engage with each other in a parallel fashion. In other words, the contacts of the plug connector and the contacts of the socket connector are substantially parallel to each other during the engagement process. To ensure proper engagement between the plug contact and the corresponding socket contact, at least one of the contacts forms a bent section. Furthermore, the relative position between each socket contact and the plug contact must be precise to obtain proper electrical engagement therebetween. Such precise positioning of the contacts in the connectors increases overall manufacturing costs and the likelihood of unstable electrical engagement.
It is thus desirable to have an electrical connection system wherein the contacts of the plug and socket connectors engage with each other in a perpendicular fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection system comprising a plug connector and a socket connector mated with each other, contact elements of the plug and socket connectors engaging with each other in a perpendicular fashion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection system comprising a plug connector and a socket connector mated with each other, wherein no strict tolerance is required in order to ensure proper engagement between contact elements of the connectors.
To achieve the above objects, an electrical connection system in accordance with the present invention comprises a plug connector and a socket connector mated with each other. The plug connector comprises an insulative housing having a mating face defining a plurality of channels therein for receiving plug contact elements. Each plug contact element comprises a mating section extending along a first axis substantially normal to the mating face of the plug connector and having a tip portion extending beyond the mating face. The socket connector comprises an insulative housing having a mating face defining a plurality of passageways therein corresponding in position to the channels of the plug connector. Each passageway has a socket contact element fixed therein. Each socket contact element comprises a mating section located in the passageway and extending along a second axis substantially parallel to the mating face. The mating faces of the plug and socket connectors are overlappingly engageable with each other whereby the tip portions of the plug contact elements are inserted into the passageways and engage with the corresponding mating sections of the socket contact elements in a substantially perpendicular fashion.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5306163 (1994-04-01), Asakawa
patent: 5499924 (1996-03-01), Arisaka et al.
patent: 5556285 (1996-09-01), Ono
patent: 5697799 (1997-12-01), Consoli et al.
patent: 5860814 (1999-01-01), Akama et al.
patent: 5885092 (1999-03-01), Ito et al.
patent: 5915976 (1999-06-01), McHugh
patent: 5964594 (1999-10-01), Saitoh et al.
patent: 5971809 (1999-10-01), Ho
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Le Thanh-Tam
Stephan Steven L.
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