Electrical connectors – Energy cell substitution device including plural contacts or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-15
2001-04-24
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Energy cell substitution device including plural contacts or...
C439S060000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220892
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical connectors in general, and more particularly to a low profile electrical connector used to interconnect a microphone to an adjacent electronic component, such as a circuit board, in a stacked configuration.
Prior art methods and devices are known for interconnecting electronic assemblies, particularly circuit boards and the like. Such methods and devices are also typically used to connect relatively small microphones to adjacent electronic components, particularly circuit boards.
With present-day electronic components, particularly assemblies used in cellular phones and the like, a concern with conventional methods and devices for interconnecting microphones to their respective associated electronic components is the limited space for such connections and assembled components. In order to reduce the overall size of the end product, it is desirable to vertically “stack” the components when possible. However, when the electronic components, including microphones, are arranged in a vertical or stacked arrangement, it is extremely difficult to solder or connect the terminals or connectors between adjacent components without bridging adjacent terminals with solder. Also, it is extremely difficult to maintain and ensure the correct relative position between the components both during the manufacturing process and in subsequent use of the end product. The soldering process is also a time consuming and difficult task.
Suggestions and improvements have been made in the art of electrical connectors, particularly connectors for use in a stacked configuration of circuit boards. For example, the European Patent Specification Publication No. 0463487 published on Jan. 2, 1992 and the PCT Application No. WO 97/02631 disclose types of electrical connectors for connecting adjacent stacked circuit boards. U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,016 and the European Patent Specification No. 0346206 also disclose other types of printed circuit board connectors. These prior art devices, however, are generally unsuited for connecting a microphone to an adjacent stacked electronic component.
The present invention provides an improved connector particularly suited for connecting a microphone and adjacent conductive member or electronic component in a stacked configuration.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical connector particularly suited for interconnecting a microphone to an adjacent conductive member or electronic component in a stacked configuration.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for interconnecting a microphone and adjacent component wherein the connector has a minimum height so as to interconnect the components in a stacked configuration with a minimal separation distance therebetween.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with the objects and purposes of the invention, an electrical connector is provided for interconnecting a microphone to another conductive member or electronic component, for example a circuit board, in a stacked configuration. The connector includes an insulating body. The body defines an internal receptacle or space having a shape for receipt of a microphone therein. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the insulating body may comprise a generally cylindrical closed-end configuration having a top member at the closed-end and generally cylindrical side walls defining the microphone receptacle. It should be appreciated that the insulating body can have any manner of shape or configuration and still provide an internal receptacle for the microphone.
At least one electrical connector element is configured with the insulating body. For example, in the embodiment wherein the insulating body is a closed-end cylindrical component having a top member at the closed-end, the connector element is configured with the top member. The connector element has a first arm with a first contact foot defined thereon disposed relative to an outer or upper surface of the top member for mating contact with the adjacent conductive or electronic component, and a second arm extending through the top member with a second contact foot defined thereon for mating contact with a microphone. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the top member defines the upper boundary or limit of the microphone receptacle and the body is placed generally over the microphone so as to surround at least a portion of the microphone. In this manner, the second contact foot is pressed against a corresponding connection footprint defined on the microphone.
In a preferred embodiment, at least a pair of the connector elements are provided with the body member and spaced apart a distance corresponding to complementing connection footprints defined on the microphone and adjacent conductive member.
The connector elements can comprise any manner of configuration or shape. In a preferred embodiment, each of the connector elements comprises a generally U-shaped strip member having arm portions with the contact feet defined near the ends of the arm members. The closed-end of the U-shaped member wraps around and is fitted onto a respective leg member defined on the body. For example, the leg members may be defined in the top member and disposed across openings defined through the top member. In this manner, the U-shaped strip member is pressed onto the legs so that a first arm extends above the upper surface of the top member and the second arm extends below the lower surface of the top member and into the microphone receptacle. The arm members may be resilient arms so that electric contact is made between the contact feet and the microphone and conductive member, respectively, by pressure mating contact. In this manner, the arms move towards each other and into a space or opening so as to minimize the separation distance between the stacked components. In their compressed or conductive state, the connector elements lie essentially flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the top member with enough resiliency to maintain contact with the microphone and adjacent conductive member.
A principal concern of the present invention is to provide a connector having a minimal height or profile, as mentioned above. In this regard, a preferred embodiment of the microphone connector comprises a height or profile such that the microphone receptacle area has a height corresponding generally to that of the microphone. In this regard, the distance or vertical spacing between the microphone and its adjacent conductive member is essentially the thickness of the top member, particularly when resilient connector elements are utilized. It should be appreciated, however, that the profile height of the connector is not a limitation of the invention.
Another important concern in any connector is the attachment of the connector elements to the insulating body. In this regard, the present invention preferably includes a retention device configured between the leg member and the connector elements or strips. The retention device has a configuration so as to engage and retain the closed end of the connector elements around the leg while allowing the connector element to be initially slid onto the leg. In one preferred embodiment, this retention device comprises inclined surfaces disposed on either side of the leg adjacent to the connector element closed-end. The arms of the connector element slide up the inclined surfaces upon the connector element being pressed onto the leg. The arms then drop down once they have cleared the inclined surfaces and may include shoulders that abut against vertical end walls of the inclined surface. The inclined surfaces may be defined on inwardly disposed side wall projections that are adjacent to the leg. Thus, the connector element has a reduced width a
AVX Corporation
Dority & Manning P.A.
Nguyen Khiem
Nguyen Son V.
LandOfFree
Low profile electrical connectors for microphones does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Low profile electrical connectors for microphones, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Low profile electrical connectors for microphones will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2479807