EP1605550A1 - Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities - Google Patents
Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1605550A1 EP1605550A1 EP05019128A EP05019128A EP1605550A1 EP 1605550 A1 EP1605550 A1 EP 1605550A1 EP 05019128 A EP05019128 A EP 05019128A EP 05019128 A EP05019128 A EP 05019128A EP 1605550 A1 EP1605550 A1 EP 1605550A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- housing
- planar panel
- walls
- wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/7088—Arrangements for power supply
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
- H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
- H01R12/727—Coupling devices presenting arrays of contacts
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
- H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
- H01R13/113—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/428—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members
- H01R13/432—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members by stamped-out resilient tongue snapping behind shoulder in base or case
Landscapes
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electronic power connectors especially, useful in circuit board or backplane interconnection systems.
- Designers of electronic circuits generally are concerned with two basic circuit portions, the logic or signal portion and the power portion. In designing logic circuits, the designer usually does not have to take into account any changes in electrical properties, such as resistance of circuit components, that are brought about by changes in conditions, such as temperature, because current flows in logic circuits are usually relatively low. However, power circuits can undergo changes in electrical properties because of the relatively high current flows, for example, on the order of 30 amps or more in certain electronic equipment. Consequently, connectors designed for use in power circuits must be capable of dissipating heat (generated primarily as a result of the Joule effect) so that changes in circuit characteristics as a result of changing current flow are minimized. Conventional plug contacts in circuit board electrical power connectors are generally of rectangular (blade-like) or circular (pin-like) cross-section. These are so-called "singular-mass" designs. In these conventional singular-mass blade and pin configurations, the opposing receptacle contacts comprise a pair of inwardly urged cantilever beams and the mating blade or pin is located between the pair of beams. Such arrangements are difficult to reduce in size without adversely effecting heat dissipation capabilities. They also provide only minimal flexibility to change contact normal forces by adjustment of contact geometry.
- There is a need for a small contact which efficiently dissipates heat and which has readily modifiable contact normal forces.
- The present invention relates to electrical connectors that comprises a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact comprising a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. A mating plug comprises an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. The contacts employ a "dual mass" principle that provides a greater surface area available for heat dissipation, principally by convection, as compared with "single-mass" contacts. This arrangement provides an air flow path through spaced portions of the contacts of the plug and receptacle connectors when mated.
- The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plug contact;
- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the plug contact shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a receptacle contact;
- Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the receptacle contact shown in Fig. 3;
- Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a plug connector;
- Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the plug connector shown in Fig. 5;
- Fig. 7 is an end view of the plug connector shown in Fig. 5;
- Fig. 8 is a top front perspective view of the plug connector shown in Fig. 5;
- Fig. 9 is a top rear perspective view of the plug connector shown in Fig. 5;
- Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of a receptacle connector;
- Fig.. 11 is a top plan view of the receptacle connector shown in Fig. 10;
- Fig. 12 is an end view of the receptacle connector shown in Fig. 10;
- Fig. 13 is a top front respective view of the receptacle connector shown in Fig. 10;
- Fig. 14 is a top rear respective view other receptacle connector shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of plug connector;
- Fig. 16 is a rear perspective view of the plug connector of Fig. 15;
- Fig. 17 is an isometric view of a plug contact used in the connector of Fig. 15, with the contact still attached to a portion of the strip material from which its formed;
- Fig. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the plug connector of Fig. 15;
- Fig. 19 is a front perspective view of a receptacle connector matable with the plug connector of Fig. 15;
- Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view of the receptacle connector shown in Fig. 19;
- Fig. 21 is a isometric view of a receptacle contact used in the connector shown in Fig. 19, with the contact still attached to a portion of the metal strip from which it was formed;
- Fig. 22 is a side cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector shown in Fig. 19;
- Fig. 22a is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Fig. 22;
- Fig. 22b is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Fig. 22;
- Fig. 23 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of plug connector;
- Fig. 23a is a cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement for securing a contact in a housing;
- Fig. 24 is a front perspective view of a receptacle connector adapted to mate with the plug connector with Fig. 23;
- Fig. 25 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of receptacle connector;
- Fig. 26 is a bottom respective view of the connector shown in Fig. 25;
- Fig. 27 is an isometric view of a receptacle contact used in the connectors illustrated in the Figs. 25 and 26;
- Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a connector as shown in Fig. 25; and
- Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment employing stacked contacts in the plug and receptacle connectors.
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- Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a
plug contact 10 for use in a plug connector is shown. This plug contact has two opposedmajor side walls 12 and 14. A front projection, identified generally bynumeral 16, has anupper section 18 and alower section 20. Each of these upper and lower sections comprises a pair of opposed cantilever beams, each beam having inwardly convergingproximal section 22,arcuate contact section 24 and a distal section 26. The opposed distal sections 26 are preferably parallel to each other. The distal sections can be positioned slightly apart when the beams are in relaxed condition, but come together when the beams are deflected as the front projection is inserted into a receptacle contact (as explained below). This provides over-stress protection for the beams during mating. The side walls also includeplanar panels Terminals panel 28.Terminal 40 extends frompanel 30, along with a plurality of like terminals (not shown). Terminals 32-40 can comprise through hole, solder-to-board pins (as shown), press fit pins or surface mount tails. Thepanels arcuate bridging elements medial space 46, adapted for air flow, is defined between thepanels contact 10 is stamped or otherwise formed as a single piece from a strip of suitable contact materials such as phosphor bronze alloys or beryllium copper alloys. - Referring to Figs. 3 and 4,
receptacle contact 48 is shown. This receptacle contact has opposed, preferably planar andparallel side walls front projecting portion 54, that forms a medialplug receiving space 56. The distance betweenwalls portion 54 is such that theprojection 16 of theplug contact 10 is receivable in the plugcontact receiving space 56, with the beams being resiliently deflected toward the center plane ofcontact 10. The deflection causes the beams to develop outwardly directed forces, thereby pressing thearcuate portions 24 against the inside surfaces of theportions 54 forming the receivingspace 56, to develop suitable contact normal force. Theside walls panels panel 58 there areterminals panel 60 there is terminal 70 as well as several other terminals (not shown). These terminals are essentially the same as previously described terminals 32-40. Theside walls arcuate bridging elements - Figs. 5-9 illustrate a
plug connector 75 having aninsulative plug housing 76. Thehousing 76 includes afront side 78 having a plurality ofpower contact apertures apertures plug contacts 10 are retained in thehousing 76 by an interference fit between the contact and the housing. This is accomplished by having the dimension H (Fig. 2), the dimension between bottom edge ofwall 12 and the top of bridgingelement 42, slightly greater than the dimension of the cavity inhousing 76 that receives this portion ofplug contact 10. Thefront side 78 may also include a signal pin array opening 88 for housing a signal pin array designated generally asnumeral 90. Thehousing 76 also includes a number of rear vertical partitions, such aspartitions contact retaining slots 96 for housing theplug contacts 98. The opposed medialvertical partitions pin array space 104 for housing therear portion 106 of the signal pins. Thehousing 76 also includes opposedrear mounting brackets apertures plug contacts 10 haveterminals housing 76. The edge 80 forms a mounting interface, along which the housing is mounted to a printed circuit board or other structure on which the connector is mounted. - Referring to Figs. 10-14, a
receptacle connector 128 is shown.Receptacle 128 has aninsulative housing 129 with afront side 130 including a plurality ofsilos 131 having contact openings, such asopenings front side 130 forms a mating interface of theconnector 128 for mating withplug connector 75. Thesilos 131 are configured and sized to be received inopenings connector 75. The front portions 54 (Figs. 3-4) of the receptacle contacts are disposed withinsilos 131 andopenings 134, 136 are sized and configured to receive the upper andlower sections 18 an 20 ofplug contacts 10. Thefront side 130 has a signalpin receiving area 140 with signal pin receiving apertures. Thehousing 129 also has a plurality of rear partitions, such aspartitions contact retaining slots 148 forhousing receptacle contacts 48.Signal pin housing 152 receives a signalreceptacle contact array 154. Thehousing 129 also includes opposedrear mounting brackets apertures receptacle contact terminals surface 137, that forms the mounting interface ofreceptacle connector 128.. Thefront side 130 of thehousing 128 also has a plurality ofvertical spaces silos 131. - The
receptacle contacts 48 are retained inhousing 129 by an interference fit in essentially the same manner as previously described with respect to plugcontacts 10. Retaining the contacts in this fashion allows substantial portions of thewalls 12, 14 of the plug contact andwalls respective housings - Fig. 15 shows another
plug connector 200 embodying the invention. In this embodiment, thehousing 202, preferably formed of a molded polymeric material, has afront face 204 that forms the mating interface of the connector. Theface 204 includes a plurality of openings, such asopenings 206, formed in a linear array. - Referring to Fig. 16, the
plug connector 200 includes a plurality ofplug contacts 208. Thecontacts 208 are inserted from the rear of the housing intocavities 212 that extend from the rear of the housing toward the front of the housing. When thecontacts 208 are fully inserted into thehousing 202, thecontact portions 210 withcontacts 208 are disposed in theopenings 206. - Referring to Fig. 17, the
plug contact 208 is similar in many respects to the plug contacts shown in Fig. 1. It includes spaced panel-like walls walls front bridging element 218 and arear bridging element 220. In this embodiment, thecontact section 210 is formed by two opposedcantilevered beams 211 that extend from front edges of thewalls tang 224 formed along a bottom of the edge of the wall. Thewalls bent tangs 222, for centering the contact withincavities 212 inhousing 202. Each wall also includes a positioning feature, such as raisedlug 234. - The
front bridging element 218 includes a rearwardly extendingretention arm 228 that is cantilevered at its proximal end from the bridging element.Arm 228 includes a locatingsurface 230 at its distal end. - Terminals, such as through-
hole pins 226, extend from the bottom edge of eachwall terminals 226 can be solder-to-board pins (as shown) or can comprise press fit or other types of terminals. - As can be seen from Fig. 17, the
contacts 208 can be formed from sheet stock by stamping and forming the part from a strip of metrallic stock suitable for forming electrical contacts. Thecontacts 208 can be retained on a carrier strip S for gang insertion or separated from the strip prior to insertion into a housing. - Referring to Fig. 18, the
contact 208 is inserted intohousing 202 from the rear into cavities 212 (Fig. 16). Thecontact 208 is located (in the vertical sense of Fig. 18) by engagement of the bottom edge 215 (Fig. 17) againstsurface 232 of the housing and by engagement of the top edges of thelugs 234 with therib 236 in the upper part of the housing. The contact is maintained centered within thecavity 212 by the lateral tangs 222 that engage side walls of thecavity 212. Thecontact 208 is longitudinally locked in the housing (in the direction of contact mating) by means of thespring arm 228 that is deflected downwardly by therib 236 of the housing during insertion and then resiles upwardly to position thestop surface 230 at its distal end against or near the forward surface of therib 236. - The downwardly extending
tang 24 is preferably received in aslot 225 in the housing, the width of the slot being substantially the same as the thickness of thetang 224. By capturing thetang 224 in theslot 225, deformation of the wall section, as might occur when thecantilever arms 211 of the contact section are urged toward each other, is limited to the portion of thewalls tangs 224. This enhances control of the contact normal forces generated by deflection of thecantilever arms 211. - As shown in Fig. 18, the
terminals 226 extend below thebottom surface 238 of thehousing 202, which bottom surface defines a mounting interface of the connector, along which it is mounted on a printed circuit board. - Figs. 19 and 20 show a receptacle connector for mating with the plug connector illustrated in Figs. 15-18. The
receptacle connectors 240 include aninsulative housing 242 that comprises an array ofreceptacle silos 244. Thefront surfaces 246 of the silos are substantially coplanar and form a mating interface of the connector. Each silo has anopening 248 for receiving thecontact section 210 of theplug contacts 208 of the mating connector. The plurality ofreceptacle contacts 250 are mounted in thehousing 242, preferably by insertion from the rear intocavities 252. As shown in Fig. 20, preferably thetop wall 254 of the housing does not extend fully to the rear of the connector housing, thereby leaving substantial openings in thecavities 252. - The receptacle contact for
receptacle connector 240 is illustrated in Fig. 21. Thecontact 250 is similar in basic form to thereceptacle contact 48 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. It includes two opposedwalls walls front bridging element 258 and arear bridging element 260. Thefront bridging element 258 includes a resilient latching arm that is cantilevered at its proximal end from bridgingelement 258 and carries at its distal end the latching or lockingsurface 264. As described previously, thereceptacle contact 250 can be formed in a single, unitary piece, by stamping and forming the contact from a strip. As mentioned previously, the contacts can be inserted into the housing while attached to carrier strip S or after being separated therefrom. - Fig. 22 is cross-sectional view showing a
receptacle contact 250 inserted intohousing 242. As shown, the locatingtang 266 is positioned with its forward surface against the locatingsurface 272 in the bottom wall of thehousing 242, thereby positioning the contact in its forward-most position. As the contact is inserted in the housing, the latchingarm 262 is caused to resile downwardly when it engages the latchingportion 278 of the housing. As the latchingarm 262 resiles upwardly after it passes thelatching section 278, the lockingsurface 264 engages a raised rib 280 (Fig. 22b) thereby locking the contact against rearward movement with respect to the housing. Theterminals 268 extend beyond thesurface 270 that forms the mounting interface ofconnector 240. - As illustrated in Figs. 22a and 22b, the forward portions of the
walls silos 44. At theforward surface 246 of each silo, a plugcontact receiving opening 248 is formed. The opening includes a pair of lips 274 that are coplanar with or extend just slightly beyond the inside surfaces of thewalls connectors silos 244 enter the openings 206 (Fig. 15), thecontact sections 210 formed by the cantileveredarms 211 first engage the surfaces of lips 274. Because the coefficient of friction between the cantileveredarms 22 and the plastic lips 274 is relatively lower than the coefficient friction between the cantilevered arms and the metal walls 254,256, initial insertion force is minimized. - Fig. 23 shows another embodiment of
plug connector 290. In this embodiment, thehousing 292 has asingle front opening 294 in which thecontact sections 296 of the plug contacts are disposed. The housing also includes a plurality ofopenings 298 in the top wall of the housing. As shown in Fig. 23a, the bridgingelement 218 and locatinglug 234 engage thetop surface 301 of the contact receiving cavity and thebottom surface 295 of the cavity in an interference fit. Thearm 228 deflects downwardly as the contact is inserted into the housing and the arm engagesportion 303. When thearm 228 clearsportion 303, the arm resiles upwardly to locatestop surface 230adjacent surface 299, thereby locking the contact against retraction. Theopenings 298 are positioned above the latching arms 228 (Fig. 18), to allow thearm 228 to be moved from a retention position and the contacts to be withdrawn from the housing. This can be accomplished by insertion of a suitable tool (not shown) throughopening 298.Openings 298 can also provide air flow passages for enhancing heat dissipation. - Fig. 24 illustrates a
receptacle connector 300 adapted to mate withplug connector 290. Thereceptacle connector 230 employs ahousing 302 having a continuousfront face 304, rather than a plurality of silos as in previous embodiments. The entirefront face 304 of theconnector 300 is received inopening 294, with thecontact sections 296 inserted intoopenings 305 offace 304.Openings 306 in the top wall of the housing allow access to the latching arms of the receptacle contacts (not shown) as described in the previous embodiment. - The embodiment of Fig. 24 and also the embodiment of Figs. 25 and 26 are meant for use in a vertical configuration, as opposed to a right angle configuration. The
housing 302 of connector 300 (Fig. 24) has abottom side 307. Preferably, a plurality of standoff surfaces 309 form a mounting interface, along which the housing is mounted on a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. Similarly, the housing ofconnector 320 has abottom surface 321 withstandoffs 323. Appropriate receptacle contacts 322 (Fig. 7) are inserted into the housings ofconnectors bottom sides - Fig. 27 shows a
receptacle contact 322 comprising a pair of preferably planarparallel walls 324, 326 that form between them a contact receiving space for receiving plug contacts of the type previously described. This contact hasterminals 328 extending from a rear edge of each of the walls. As shown in Fig. 28, thecontact 322 is received inhousing 330 in a manner similar to that previously described, wherein the resilient latching arm locks the contact against downward (in the sense of Fig. 28) movement, while a locatingsurface 334 locates the contact in the opposite direction with respect to the housing. Theterminals 328 extend beyond the plane of the mounting interface of the connector housing for insertion into through holes in the printed circuit board. - Fig. 29 shows an embodiment employing two sets of contacts at each location, in a stacked configuration. The
receptacle connector 340 has a housing formed of insulative material. Thehousing 342 includes a mating interface having a plurality ofopenings 341. Each of theopenings 341 open into cavities in housing, which cavities receive substantiallyidentical receptacle contacts contacts parallel plate sections 346. Theplate sections 346 have two opposededges interference bump 352. Thereceptacle contact sections 356 are retained in the housing by suitable means, such as an interference fit created by thebump 352. Eachcontact section 356 includes a generallycoplanar wall section 354. Thewall sections 354 are joined by abridge section 355. Suitable terminals, such as pressfit terminals 356 extend from an edge of thewall section 354, in the case where theconnector 340 is to be used in a vertical configuration. - The
mating plug connector 360 includes a moldedpolymeric body 361 that receives a pair of plug contacts, such asupper plug contact 362 and thelower plug contact 376. These plug contacts are configured generally in the manner previously described, namely, being formed of a pair of spacedwall sections receptacle plates 346. Theplug contact 362 includes a single, relatively long, or several, relatively short, bridgingelements 376 that join twoopposed plates 364. Thebottom edge 372 of each of theplates 364 includes retention structure, such as aninterference bump 374. Theplug contact 362 is retained in its cavity withinhousing 361 by an interference fit between the bridgingelements 376 and theinterference bump 374, although it is contemplated that other retention mechanisms could be utilized. Similarly,lower plug contacts 376 comprise a pair of coplanar wall orpanel members 378 joined by one ormore bridging elements 382, Thelower edge 384 of eachwall 378 includes aninterference bump 386, that functions to create an interference fit, as previously described.Suitable terminals panels interface 363 of thehousing 361, for associating each of thecontacts plug 360 is to be mounted. - The previously described receptacle and plug contacts may be plated or otherwise coated with corrosion resistant materials. Also, the plug contact beams may be bowed slightly in the transverse direction to enhance engagement with the contact receiving surfaces of the receptacle contacts.
- The "dual-mass" construction of both receptacle and blade contacts, employing opposing, relatively thin walls, allows for greater heat dissipation as compared with prior "singular-mass" designs. In comparison with "singular mass" connectors of similar size and power handling capabilities, the "dual mass" connectors, as disclosed have approximately two times the surface area. The enhanced current flow and heat dissipation properties result from the contacts having greater surface area available for convection heat flow, especially through the center of the mated contacts. Because the plug contacts have an open configuration, heat loss by convection can occur from interior surfaces by passage of air in the gap between these surfaces.
- The contacts also contain outwardly directed, mutually opposing receptacle beams and dual, peripherally located, mating blades, in a configuration which can allow for flexibility in modifying contact normal forces by adjustment the contact connector geometry. This can be accomplished by modifying the bridging elements to change bend radius, angle, or separation of the walls of the contacts. Such modifications cannot be accomplished with conventional singular-mass beam/blade configurations wherein the opposing receptacle contacts are inwardly directed, and the mating blade is located in the center of said beams.
- Such dual, opposing, planar contact construction also allows for easier inclusion of additional printed circuit board attachment terminals with more separation between terminals, compared to an equivalent "singular-mass" bulk designs. The use of relatively larger plates in the plug and receptacle contacts gives this opportunity for providing a plurality of circuit board terminals on each contact part. These lessens constriction of current flow to the printed circuit board, thereby lowering resistance and lessening heat generation.
- The use of a compliant plug mating section allows the receptacle contacts to be placed in a protected position within the molded polymeric housing for safety purposes. This feature is of further benefit because it allows minimization of amount of polymeric material used in making the housing. This lowers material costs and enhances heat dissipation. Also, by retaining the contacts in the housing in the manner suggested, thick wall structures can be avoided and thin, fin like structures can be utilized, all of which enhances heat dissipation from the connectors. Additionally, first-make, last break functionality can be incorporated easily into disclosed connector system by modifying the length of the mating portion of the plug contacts or by changing the length of the plug-receiving portion of the receptacle contacts.
- The arch connection structure between opposing rectangular contact sections also allows for attachment of retention means, such as a resilient arm structure as shown in one of the current embodiments, in a manner that does not limit current flow or hinder contact heat dissipation capability.
- It will also be appreciated that the plug and receptacle contacts may be manufactured from closely similar or identical blanks thereby minimizing tooling requirements. Further, the plug or receptacle connectors can easily be associated with cables, by means of paddle boards.
- While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.
Claims (9)
- An electrical connector for power applications, the connector comprising:a) an insulative housing (76);b) a plurality of cavities (84, 86, 88) disposed in said insulative housing defined by a series of housing walls; andc) a power contact (10) disposed in each one of said plurality of cavities (84, 86), said power contact (10) comprising a pair of opposed contact walls defined by a first planar panel (28), a second planar panel (30), a medial space between the first planar panel and the second planar panel, a first flexible beam (18) adjoining the first planar panel (30), a second flexible beam (20) adjoining the second planar panel (28), and separated contact terminals (32, 34, 36, 38) that each extend from the first planar panel (28) and the second planar panel (30) in a direction perpendicular to the first flexible beam (18) and the second flexible beam (20),
- The housing of claim 1, wherein the two spaced apart contact walls (28, 30) face each other.
- An electrical connector, comprising:a) a housing (292), comprising:i) a contact receiving cavity (294); andii) a top wall including a heat dissipation through-hole (298) formed therein that is fluidly connected to said contact receiving cavity (294); andb) an electrically conductive contact (216) positioned in said contact receiving cavity (294), said electrically conductive contact (216) comprising a first contact wall, a second contact wall opposing said first contact wall, and a medial space between said first and second contact walls, a first flexible beam adjoining the first contact wall, and a second flexible beam adjoining the second contact wall,
characterized in that the first and second flexible beams each have a width, the first and second flexible beams define a heat flow path therebetween, the heat flow path being unobstructed in a widthwise direction of the first and second flexible beams, and at least a portion of said first and second contact walls are positioned in the housing (294) below said heat dissipation through-hole (298). - The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein at least one of said first and second contact walls is spaced away from adjacent housing structure bounding said contact receiving cavity (294) such that a heat dissipation channel is formed between said at least one of said first and second contact walls and said adjacent housing structure.
- The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein said heat dissipation channel is fluidly connected to said heat dissipation through-hole (298).
- The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein at least one of said first and second contact walls includes a lateral positioning element (222) for spacing it from a cavity wall of said contact receiving cavity.
- The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said contact receiving cavity (294) includes a cavity wall having a lateral positioning element for spacing one of said first and second contact walls from said cavity wall.
- A connector system, comprising:(i) a connector (290), comprising:a) an insulative housing (292);b) a plurality of cavities (294) disposed in said insulative housing (292) defined by a series of housing walls; andc) a power contact (216) disposed in each one of said plurality of cavities (294), said power contact comprising a pair of opposed contact walls defined by a first planar panel, a second planar panel, a medial space between the first planar panel and the second planar panel, a first flexible beam extending from the first planar panel, and a second flexible beam extending from the second planar panel;(ii) a mating connector (300), comprising:a) an insulative housing (302);b) a plurality of cavities (305) disposed in said insulative housing (302) of the mating connector (300), the cavities being defined by a series of housing walls; andc) a plurality of receptacle contacts for receiving the first and second flexible beams of respective ones of the power contacts (216), each of the receptacle contacts being disposed in a respective one of said plurality of cavities (305) disposed in said insulative housing (302) of the mating connector (300), each of said receptacle contacts comprising a pair of opposed contact walls defined by a first planar panel, a second planar panel, and a medial space between the first planar panel and the second planar panel of the receptacle contact; wherein
- A connector system, comprising:a connector (290), comprising:a) a housing (292), comprising:i) a contact receiving cavity (294); andii) a top wall including a heat dissipation through-hole (298) formed therein that is fluidly connected to said contact receiving cavity (294); andb) an electrically conductive contact (296) positioned in said contact receiving cavity (294), said electrically conductive contact (294) comprising a first contact wall, a second contact wall opposing said first contact wall, a medial space between said first and second contact walls, a first flexible beam adjoining the first contact wall, and a second flexible beam adjoining the second contact wall, characterized in that at least a portion of said first and second contact walls are positioned in the housing (292) below said heat dissipation through-hole (298);a mating connector (300), comprising:a) a housing (302), comprising:i) a contact receiving cavity (305); andii) a top wall including a heat dissipation through-hole (306) formed therein that is fluidly connected to said contact receiving cavity of the mating connector; andb) a receptacle contact for receiving the first and second flexible beams, the receptacle contact being positioned in said contact receiving cavity (305) of the mating connector (300), said receptacle contact comprising a first contact wall, a second contact wall opposing said first contact wall of the receptacle contact, and a medial space between said first and second contact walls of the receptacle contact, characterized in that at least a portion of said first and second contact walls of the receptacle contact (300) are positioned in the housing (302) of the mating connector (300) below said heat dissipation through-hole (306) of the housing (302) of the mating connector (300).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP06026817A EP1770828B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1999-04-15 | Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US8209198P | 1998-04-17 | 1998-04-17 | |
US82091P | 1998-04-17 | ||
US160900 | 1998-09-25 | ||
US09/160,900 US6319075B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-09-25 | Power connector |
EP99106269A EP0951102B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1999-04-15 | Power connector |
EP03028187A EP1401055B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1999-04-15 | Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03028187A Division EP1401055B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1999-04-15 | Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06026817A Division EP1770828B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1999-04-15 | Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1605550A1 true EP1605550A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 |
EP1605550B1 EP1605550B1 (en) | 2007-10-17 |
Family
ID=35311027
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05019128A Expired - Lifetime EP1605550B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 1999-04-15 | Matable electrical connectors having signal and power capabilities |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP1605550B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMI20090662A1 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2010-10-22 | Morsettitalia Spa | CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF POWER SUPPLIES TO MALE CIRCUIT ELEMENTS |
CN105765797A (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2016-07-13 | 富加宜(亚洲)私人有限公司 | Electrical power connector |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4820169A (en) * | 1986-04-22 | 1989-04-11 | Amp Incorporated | Programmable modular connector assembly |
US5152700A (en) * | 1991-06-17 | 1992-10-06 | Litton Systems, Inc. | Printed circuit board connector system |
US5295843A (en) * | 1993-01-19 | 1994-03-22 | The Whitaker Corporation | Electrical connector for power and signal contacts |
US5403206A (en) * | 1993-04-05 | 1995-04-04 | Teradyne, Inc. | Shielded electrical connector |
US5549480A (en) * | 1994-05-17 | 1996-08-27 | Tongrand Limited | Unitary connector allowing laterally variant positions of mating contacts of complementary connector |
US5618187A (en) * | 1994-11-17 | 1997-04-08 | The Whitaker Corporation | Board mount bus bar contact |
-
1999
- 1999-04-15 EP EP05019128A patent/EP1605550B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4820169A (en) * | 1986-04-22 | 1989-04-11 | Amp Incorporated | Programmable modular connector assembly |
US5152700A (en) * | 1991-06-17 | 1992-10-06 | Litton Systems, Inc. | Printed circuit board connector system |
US5295843A (en) * | 1993-01-19 | 1994-03-22 | The Whitaker Corporation | Electrical connector for power and signal contacts |
US5403206A (en) * | 1993-04-05 | 1995-04-04 | Teradyne, Inc. | Shielded electrical connector |
US5605476A (en) * | 1993-04-05 | 1997-02-25 | Teradyne, Inc. | Shielded electrical connector |
US5549480A (en) * | 1994-05-17 | 1996-08-27 | Tongrand Limited | Unitary connector allowing laterally variant positions of mating contacts of complementary connector |
US5618187A (en) * | 1994-11-17 | 1997-04-08 | The Whitaker Corporation | Board mount bus bar contact |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMI20090662A1 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2010-10-22 | Morsettitalia Spa | CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF POWER SUPPLIES TO MALE CIRCUIT ELEMENTS |
CN105765797A (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2016-07-13 | 富加宜(亚洲)私人有限公司 | Electrical power connector |
US10249974B2 (en) | 2013-11-27 | 2019-04-02 | Fci Usa Llc | Electrical power connector |
CN105765797B (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2019-07-05 | 安费诺富加宜(亚洲)私人有限公司 | Electric connector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1605550B1 (en) | 2007-10-17 |
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