Electrical connectors – Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...
Reexamination Certificate
1996-03-08
2001-05-01
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 3202)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...
C439S310000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224411
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical zero-force contact connector device composed of two complementary connector components, wherein one connector component is constructed, for example, as a female multi-point connector with spring contacts and the other connector component is constructed, for example, as a male multi-point connector with blade contacts. The device further includes an actuating unit for placing the contacts into contact with one another, wherein the actuating unit includes a linearly moveable slide member which interacts with a guide member.
2. Description of the Related Art
In known electrical contact connector devices of this type, the contact elements are arranged in a row of base elements or in several parallel rows of base elements and the contact elements can be placed in and out of contact in the connected state of the two connector components by means of adjusting sliders which are displaceable along the row or rows of base elements.
The characteristic feature of such zero-force contact connector devices is the fact that the two connector components can be connected to each other and disconnected from each other without having to overcome any contact pressure forces of the contact elements which are placed into contact with one another. The contact elements are constructed, for example, as so-called blade contacts which are arranged in the stationary connector component. On the other hand, the contact elements arranged in the moveable connector component are preferably constructed as spring contacts. The contact connector device ensures that the two connector components are always coupled to one another in a positively engaging manner, as long as the contact elements are in contact with each other as a result of the spring forces; moreover, it is also ensured that the two connector components can only be connected and disconnected when the contact elements are not in contact with one another.
In a zero-force contact connector of the above-described type disclosed in German Patent 27 07 122, the spring contacts and the blade contacts are each supported by base elements in housings and/or on strips which can be connected to one another while guiding each other and in which the corresponding contact elements can be placed in and out of contact by actuating a slide member. For this purpose, the slide member guided on the contact support has a guide duct into which projections of cam members project during displacement and which, in the end position thereof, place the spring contacts in contact with the blade contacts.
It is also known in the art to form a connector component by a printed circuit board which can be moved with its contact elements through a longitudinal slot of the other connector component into the area of the contact elements, for example, the spring contacts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an electrical zero-force contact connector device of the above-described type which is of simple construction and offers improved operational safety.
In accordance with the present invention, the slide member is mounted in one of the connector components and is provided with a web which projects toward the other connector component. The web has at least one oblong hole which extends obliquely relative to the direction of movement of the slide member, wherein the oblong hole receives a transverse bolt of a guide member which can be moved back and forth on the web in a positively guided manner.
Except for the actuating unit for introducing the force for displacing the slide member, for example, a hand lever or a type of rack drive, which is located outside of the connected connector components, the configuration of the present invention makes it possible that the entire mechanism for effecting movements is enclosed; this is because the mechanism is located in the space between the connected connector components.
When the slide member which extends over the entire length of the connector and is guided in the connector component constructed as a male multi-point connector is displaced, the linear movement of the slide member is converted into a movement which, depending on the connector arrangement, is directed vertically or at least in a direction perpendicular to the slide member movement. This is achieved by the at least one obliquely extending oblong hole provided in the projecting web, wherein the oblong hole forces the slide member to carry out the above-described movement because of the engagement of the transverse bolt in the oblong hole. In the end position of the guide member, the contact between the spring contacts and the blade contacts is effected.
The web of the slide member is advantageously provided with two obliquely extending oblong holes which are arranged at a distance one behind the other and which each receive a transverse bolt of the guide member. The resulting guidance at two points stabilizes the sequence of movement and ensures that the guide member displaceable in the oblong holes of the web is uniformly moved up or to the side.
In accordance with another proposal of the present invention, the slide member has a T-shaped cross-section and is guided with a slide member base extending transversely of the slide member web in a longitudinal groove of the bottom or base of the connector component. In the position in which no contact exists between the contacts, the slide member base projects in the shape of a tongue out of the longitudinal groove on the side of the contact connector arrangement facing away from the actuating side, while the slide member web remains without change in its position enclosed between the two connector components; together with the slide member base, the web projects only out of the connector arrangement in the manner of a lever on the actuating side.
In accordance with another proposal, guide slots are provided in the guide member for the spring contacts of the female multi-point connector, wherein a wall portion of each slot adjacent the spring contacts is provided with an inclined surface which rises in the direction of movement of the contacts. Because of the rising configuration of this inclined surface, a bent spring web of the head of the spring contact constructed in the shape of an eye is increasingly pressed against the corresponding blade contacts when the connector components are connected, wherein a slight frictional movement between the spring contacts and the blade contacts is an advantage in the case of corrosive surfaces; as soon as the spring contact has overcome the inclined surface, the spring contact rests against the corresponding blade contact and the contact is closed.
In accordance with a preferred feature, the inclined surface of the slot wall is followed by a trough which locks the spring contact in the end position. This makes it possible to achieve an end position of the connected contacts which is independent, for example, of vibrations or oscillations and, thus, the desired contact is safely ensured.
A further development of the present invention provides that the lower ends of the blade contacts extend essentially to the bottom edge of the housing of the male multi-point connector. Thus, when the male and female multi-point connectors are connected, the danger of deformation of the plate contacts is reduced or even eliminated because the blade contacts can rest over this entire length of the blade contacts against the inner wall of the male multi-point connector or the contact housing.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4392700 (1983-07-01), Showman
ELCO Europe GmbH
Kueffner Friedrich
Nguyen Khiem
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