Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Patent
1998-03-17
1999-11-02
Stephan, Steven L.
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
439 74, 4397331, H01R 909
Patent
active
059759143
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for disposition between mutually facing circuit boards so that the circuit boards are electrically connected to each other.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors which electrically connect mutually facing circuit boards have been widely used in the past. An electrical connector of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-37787 in which through-holes are formed inside an insulating housing, and contacts which are bent in a multiple number of places in order to endow the contacts with spring properties, are passed through the through-holes in the insulating housing and fastened in place. Another connector of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-43279 in which contact retaining ribs are formed inside an insulating housing, and contacts with spring properties are retained therein by these ribs.
The contacts used in the conventional electrical connectors described above are formed by punching metal plates into predetermined shapes prior to the installation of the contacts in the insulating housing. These contacts have complicated shapes in order to endow the contacts with spring properties; accordingly, the work involved in manufacturing the contacts and the work required in order to install the manufactured contacts within the insulating housing are also complicated. As a result, the manufacturing process used to manufacture such electrical connectors is relatively complicated. Furthermore, in the manufacture of the contacts, the portions of the punched metal plates that do not form portions of the contacts are discarded. As a result, the utilization of materials is inefficient, and a corresponding increase in the cost takes place. In addition, the positions of engagement between the contacts and the circuit boards may be skewed, so that the orientation of the electrical connector mounted on the circuit boards is not correct, thus leading to the electrical connector providing improper connections between the contacts and the conductive pads on the circuit boards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was devised to overcome the above drawbacks. One feature of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which utilizes contact materials in an efficient manner, and which maintains a stable attitude when mounted on circuit boards. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electrical connector in which the manufacturing process is simpler than in conventional methods
The electrical connector of the present invention is to be disposed between mutually facing circuit boards so that the circuit boards are electrically connected to each other, the electrical connector comprises an insulating housing which has two surfaces that face the respective circuit boards, and in which a plurality of contact press-fitting holes that pass through the two surfaces are formed in a row; and a plurality of plate contacts, each including a central section that is press-fit into one of the contact press-fitting holes, and two contact sections that extend from the central section and springably engage the respective circuit boards, the contacts being aligned in a row in the insulating housing.
Furthermore, the method of the present invention for manufacturing the electrical connector of the present invention which is to be disposed between mutually facing circuit boards so that the circuit boards are electrically connected to each other, comprises molding an insulating housing having surfaces for facing respective circuit boards and a row of contact press-fitting holes that extend through the surfaces; forming linear contacts each of which includes a central section and contact sections extending outwardly from the central section; inserting the linear contacts into the contact press-fitting holes so that the central sections are press-fitted within a press-fitting section of the insulating housing and the contact sec
REFERENCES:
patent: 3173732 (1965-03-01), James
patent: 3551750 (1970-12-01), Sterling
patent: 3960424 (1976-06-01), Weisenburger
patent: 4161346 (1979-07-01), Cherian et al.
patent: 4623207 (1986-11-01), Sasaki et al.
patent: 4664458 (1987-05-01), Worth
patent: 4688864 (1987-08-01), Sorel
patent: 4699593 (1987-10-01), Grabbe et al.
patent: 5160268 (1992-11-01), Hakamian
patent: 5358411 (1994-10-01), Mroczkowski et al.
patent: 5380210 (1995-01-01), Grabbe et al.
patent: 5484295 (1996-01-01), Mowry et al.
patent: 5498166 (1996-03-01), Rothenberger
Hyeon Hae Moon
Ness Anton P.
Stephan Steven L.
The Whitaker Corporation
LandOfFree
Electrical connector and method for manufacturing the same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrical connector and method for manufacturing the same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector and method for manufacturing the same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2127027