Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Spring actuated or resilient securing part
Patent
1990-04-25
1991-07-30
Pirlot, David L.
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Spring actuated or resilient securing part
439595, H01R 448
Patent
active
050356615
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
Flat-Contact Receptacle
The invention concerns a flat-contact receptacle having two contact tabs attached to the receptacle body which are elastically pressed against each other over part of their length under a spring load, as well as an envelope spring encompassing the receptacle body which presses against the outer surfaces of the contact tabs with two strip-shaped sections each, situated at some distance next to each other on the body of the envelope spring, the receptacle body being fitted with recesses for receiving flexible latches located on the receptacle housing.
It is a known procedure to insert flat-contact receptacle into openings of receptacle housings from one end and to lock the flat-contact receptacles in the openings. In the process of inserting the flat-contact receptacles, the problem often occurs that the free ends of the contact tabs, which are bent back toward the outside, get entangled with receptacle housing surfaces, which has a negative influence on the insertion process, particularly when the insertion is done mechanically. An additional aggravating factor in flat-contact receptacles with envelope springs is that the strip-shaped sections of the envelope springs which press against the contact tabs can cause additional entanglements during the insertion process.
It is the purpose of this invention to design means for inserting flat-contact receptacles into receptacle housings without impediments, and to render the automatic assembly of flat-contact receptacles trouble-free.
According to the invention, this purpose is achieved by placing a strap between and in parallel with the strip-shaped sections on either side of the envelope spring body, the portion of the straps facing away from the envelope spring body (12') being bent over the free ends of the contact tabs (6) toward each other and inward. In this manner, unbroken guide surfaces are formed on both of the flat sides of the flat-contact receptacle between the receptacle body and the ends of the contact tabs, which allow the flat-contact receptacle to slide alongside housing surfaces and prevent entanglements. According to a preferred form of construction, the body of the envelope spring, the strip-shaped sections and the straps are cut in one piece from flat sheet metal.
By way of further detailing of the flat-contact receptacle, the envelope spring body and the receptacle body will be rigidly attached to each other by bending retaining flaps on the envelope spring body inward and/or backward over edges of recesses provided in the receptacle body. As a result of the bending action of the envelope spring body, the latter is wedged to the receptacle body. Also, it is possible to rigidly attach the envelope spring body to the receptacle body in any other desired manner, particularly by welding, e.g. by means of a laser. Moreover, the design provides for the envelope spring to have openings of equal shape and size and lying in the same axis as the openings of the receptacle body, through which the latches attached to the receptacle housing can pass.
The envelope spring is produced in a simple manner by carrying out the following operations: The envelope spring body is cut from a piece of flat sheet metal together with the straps and the strip-shaped sections, leaving a bridge; the envelope spring body, the strip-shaped sections and the straps are then folded or bent; the transport strip is wound into a coil; for assembly, the envelope spring is separated from the transport strip in the area of the bridge. Having a transport strip helps to automate the production process of the flat-contact receptacle and facilitates the production and assembly of the envelope spring.
The invention is made clear by the drawing showing an implemented example. The drawing includes:
FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of a flat-contact receptacle with a receptacle housing,
FIG. 2 a front view of a flat-contact receptacle,
FIG. 3 a rear view of a flat-contact receptacle, including a transport strip,
FIG. 4 a side view of a flat-contact recept
REFERENCES:
patent: 4040713 (1927-08-01), Konnemann
patent: 4540235 (1985-09-01), Lolic
patent: 4583812 (1986-04-01), Gross, Jr. et al.
Bieringer Anton
Steinhardt Helmut
Pirlot David L.
TRW Daut+Rietz GmbH & Co.
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