Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-24
2001-11-06
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
C439S862000, C439S660000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312295
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a contact element that is moved rearwardly by the mating contact element when it is plugged into a mating connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrical connector of this type is disclosed in Japanese patent application Kokai No. 6-20737. A pair of connectors each have a housing and a contact element with a contact section exposed in the front end of the connector. One of the connectors has a flexible section so that when it is plugged with the other connector, the contact element is brought into contact with and moved rearwardly by the mating contact element. Consequently, the contact sections are electrically connected to each other under a contact pressure.
It is desired that the contact sections be clean and have low contact resistance. The conventional contact sections abut against each other only in the plugging direction, failing to provide the so-called “wiping effect.” The contact elements produce too little amounts of sliding contact to provide satisfactory wiping effects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrical connector capable of providing large wiping effects upon plugging.
According to the invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising a housing having a front opening; at least one connector element provided in the housing which has a contact section provided in the front opening for contact with a mating contact element, a flexible section making the contact section movable in a first direction, and a slant section between the contact and flexible sections; and a projection member for moving the contact section in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the contact section is moved in the first direction by the mating contact element.
When it is plugged to a mating connector, the contact section is brought into contact with the contact section of the mating connector in the plugging direction and the contact element is flexed to permit the contact section to move rearwardly. When the contact section is moved rearwardly, it received forces from the projection member in the second direction perpendicular to the plugging direction and moved in the second direction to produce large sliding movement relative to the mating contact section. Thus, it provides large wiping effects.
The contact element has a bend in a plane including the first and second directions. The slant section engages with the projection member when the contact section is moved in the first direction. The bends are made asymmetrical. The bends are opposed in the second direction to offset reactive forces produced by the wiping effects. The contact elements are arranged alternately in opposite directions to offset the reactive forces evenly across the connector.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5904597 (1999-05-01), Doi et al.
patent: 6048228 (2000-04-01), Aso
patent: 6077130 (2000-06-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 6200167 (2001-03-01), Aso
Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.
Kanesaka & Takeuchi
Ta Tho D.
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