Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-23
2001-05-15
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
C439S510000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231354
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Introduction
On airplanes, modular electronic devices are mounted on fixed shelves. The electronic connections between the modular electronic devices are made with interconnecting wire bundles. It has been shown that a printed wiring board (PWB) in place of the interconnecting wire bundles would save weight, space, and cost.
However, the airplane industry has a history of introducing modifications to electrical wiring in the field. Whereas changes to wire bundles can be made directly in the airplane, making changes (cuts and jumpers) to a PWB cannot. Therefore, PWBs have not replaced wire bundles.
Background
Traditionally, the connections between modular electronic devices on commercial airplanes have been made with wire bundles. It has been shown that in cases where a series of modular electronic devices are mounted on fixed shelves, a printed wiring board in place of the interconnecting wire bundles would save weight, save space and cost less to produce.
The airplane industry has a history of introducing modifications to electrical wiring in the field. Airlines perceive changes to printed wiring boards using conventional methods as an obstacle to their use. The confines of the electronics bay of a commercial airplane do not allow the kind of precision work needed for making PWB modifications. The soldering irons needed for adding jumpers is considered hazardous in the flightline environment where fuel vapors are sometimes present.
Printed wiring boards in combination with wire wrap technology has been proposed as an alternative to pure printed circuits. While this solution offered a good way of adding jumpers, it did not offer practical advantages for making cuts. Wire wrap has also been viewed with disfavor due to its susceptibility to foreign object contamination.
Problem Solved by the Present Invention
Once a device with a printed wiring board is designed and built, it is difficult or impossible to change the connectivity of the wiring board in the field in the end product. Making changes to printed wiring boards has traditionally been done by adding “cuts” and “jumpers” to the board. The cut and jumper work is typically only performed in special repair facilities by specially trained technicians using specialized tools. The “cuts” are made by drilling or scraping away the copper trace where the connection is no longer desired. The operation often requires precision in locating the proper trace. The “jumpers” are added by soldering the ends of an insulated wire to the points where a new connection is desired.
The present invention allows changes in connectivity to be introduced to a device using only the tools, skills and materials that would be familiar to a mechanic with a background working with wire bundles. Further, the modifications can be done where the printed wiring board is installed instead of a repair facility.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention enables the use of PWBs to replace interconnecting wire bundles. Therefore, changes in connectivity may be introduced using only tools, skills, and materials familiar to the mechanic instead of the requirement of a repair facility.
A novel connector assembly is hereinafter described. The present connector assembly contains special contact providing three connections. The front end of the contact mates with the connector for a modular electronic device. The rear end can accept a wired contact for making additional connections not contained in the PWB. The middle section of the contact makes a compliant connection to the board. Additionally, a signal can be disconnected from the PWB by removing the contact and replacing it with a contact that is insulated from the PWB. Thus, the present invention allows the opening of an existing connection, adding a connection, or replacing a connection.
A hereinafter described embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector with a double ended pin contact with compliant section, a double ended pin contact with an insulated section, and the flexibility of adding connecting wires to any contact in the connector using a rear insert.
Prior Art Patent Literature
Harting et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,823—“Electrical Mating Connector”
This patent relates to a shielding technique for a connector.
Fiori et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,265—“Electrical Connector Suitable for Use With Variable Numbers of Electrical Conductors”
This patent relates to a way of keeping a connector sealed from moisture or other contaminants even with empty contact locations.
Yoshino, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,341 “Connector Having Electromagnetic Shielding Film”
This patent relates to a manner of providing shielding around each individual contact of a connector to prevent crosstalk between pins.
Benasutti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,551 “Circuit Change Pin for Printed Wiring Board”
The purpose of the patent is to make a change to a printed circuit backplane using an elongated connector contact that is insulated from the printed wiring board plated through hole. The contact in this patent is in two pieces. It appears that the two-piece contact would require access to both sides of the printed circuit board. The present one-piece contact can be installed with access to only one side of the board.
Zaderej, U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,949 “Plated Electrical Connectors”
This patent involves forming electrical connectors as an integral part of the manufacture of a printed wiring board.
Paulas, U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,949 “Connector with Interchangeable Contacts”
This patent covers a sophisticated type of filter connector with provisions for different types of filter contacts and transient suppression contacts.
Marolda, U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,751 “Underwater Mateable Electrical Connector”
This patent covers an electrical connector that can be mated while it is submerged in water.
Marolda, U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,326 “Elastomeric Electrical Isolation Membrane”
This patent relates to an underwater connector.
Benasutti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,326 “Electrical Connector for Printed Wiring Board”
This patent covers a soldered connector that can be disassembled to allow cleaning and replacement of damaged contacts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3601750 (1971-08-01), Mancini
patent: 4017143 (1977-04-01), Knowles
patent: 4173387 (1979-11-01), Zell
patent: 4418972 (1983-12-01), Benasutti
patent: 4530551 (1985-07-01), Benasutti
patent: 4619495 (1986-10-01), Sochor
patent: 4874326 (1989-10-01), Marolda, Jr.
patent: 4909751 (1990-03-01), Marolda, Jr.
patent: 5127838 (1992-07-01), Zaderej et al.
patent: 5257949 (1993-11-01), Paulus
patent: 5312265 (1994-05-01), Fiori et al.
patent: 5344341 (1994-09-01), Yoshino
patent: 5509823 (1996-04-01), Harting et al.
Church Daniel D.
Gladish David R.
Pham Dai Hung
Webber John P.
Galbraith Ann K.
Gardner Conrad O.
Patel Tulsidas
The Boeing Company
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