CA1105107A - Circuit board connector - Google Patents
Circuit board connectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1105107A CA1105107A CA333,152A CA333152A CA1105107A CA 1105107 A CA1105107 A CA 1105107A CA 333152 A CA333152 A CA 333152A CA 1105107 A CA1105107 A CA 1105107A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cam
- circuit board
- channel
- insertion force
- low insertion
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- H01R12/82—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force
- H01R12/85—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force contact pressure producing means, contacts activated after insertion of printed circuits or like structures
- H01R12/89—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force contact pressure producing means, contacts activated after insertion of printed circuits or like structures acting manually by moving connector housing parts linearly, e.g. slider
Abstract
D-21,418 CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A low insertion force connector for making electrical connection between a circuit board and an external circuit is provided. An elongated outer housing has a centrally located opening with a channel extending longitudinally along the bottom thereof. The channel bottom includes a plurality of outwardly facing ramps along the length thereof.
A plurality of contacts are mounted on the housing on either side of the channel with the ends interior the housing being bowed inwardly for contacting a circuit board. An elongated cam which has a longitudinal groove on either side thereof is mounted within the channel and has a bottom surface configured to mate with the ramps of the channel. The cam is adapted to be actuated in the longitudinal direction to ride up the ramps for movement in a transverse direction.
An inner housing which is mounted interior the opening of the outer housing and over the cam includes elongated upright sections forming a zone for receiving the circuit board.
The upright sections include cam follower means projecting interior respective grooves and means for abutting the bowed portions which is adapted to urge the bowed portions to a position of disengagement when the cam is actuated.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A low insertion force connector for making electrical connection between a circuit board and an external circuit is provided. An elongated outer housing has a centrally located opening with a channel extending longitudinally along the bottom thereof. The channel bottom includes a plurality of outwardly facing ramps along the length thereof.
A plurality of contacts are mounted on the housing on either side of the channel with the ends interior the housing being bowed inwardly for contacting a circuit board. An elongated cam which has a longitudinal groove on either side thereof is mounted within the channel and has a bottom surface configured to mate with the ramps of the channel. The cam is adapted to be actuated in the longitudinal direction to ride up the ramps for movement in a transverse direction.
An inner housing which is mounted interior the opening of the outer housing and over the cam includes elongated upright sections forming a zone for receiving the circuit board.
The upright sections include cam follower means projecting interior respective grooves and means for abutting the bowed portions which is adapted to urge the bowed portions to a position of disengagement when the cam is actuated.
Description
B~CKiROUND O~ rll[. INVENTION
This invention relates generall~ to an elec~rical con-nector for printed circuit boards, and more particularl~J 1;o an electrical connector wherein a low or zero insertion force is applied -to the circuit board when -the circuit board is inserted into -the connector.
Low inser-tlon force or zero force connectors are well kno~m and come in a variety o~ configura-t:Lons. Many electri~
cal circuits are printed~ or otherwise formed on either or both surfacesof an insula-ting subs-trate. The boards or subs-trates are inserted into recepta`cles which are then interconnected into other circuit devices to form complex electronic devices. The board has a plurality of conduc-tive pads or strips on the marginal portions thereof which make contact to a "plurality o~ electrical components.
The connector includes con-tacts for engaging the s-trips of conductive material on the board and making electrical connection with ex-ternal circuit. The external circuit may be in the form o~ a board having a plurality o~ openings therein wit,h each opening9 coated with an elec-trically con-ductive material. To comple-te the electrical connection wit,h the printed boards~ the board is inser-ted edgewise into a receiving zone to mechanically and electrically engage the contact points,.
Since it is necessary to have many contact points ~or engaging the mllltiple conductive strips on the board, the force required to insert the board into the receptacles can be high evrn though the individual ~orce exerted b~ one .
D-21, ¢~ ~
O 0 11, 01 'I!contact ls low. P~eduction of t:he ~orce applied by the 02 llindividual contacts against the circuit board permits the 03 lluse of a greater numher of contacts for a given insertion 04 l¦force.
05 ~ Insertion of a hoard into the connector tends to wear 06 ¦ away the terminal strips on the board and c~eteriorate the 07 ¦ contacts. This may he detrimental to both the electrical 08 ¦¦and mechanical integrity of the system and this tends to 09 ¦ reduce the useful life connector and the board. The contact and terminal wear may necessitate early replacement of the 12 parts and contribute to expensive equipment failures.
An example of one type of known low insertion force 13 connector can be found in U.S. Patent 3,899,234 to Yeager et 14 al. An elongated contact drive member is positioned at the 15 ¦ bottom of an apperture and the cam is arranged to move 16 ¦ therein. The connector is arranged for cam movement to 17 ¦ drive the contacts into engagement with the board or drive 18 ¦Ithe cams to an out of engagement position.
19 1~ U.S. Patent 3,47a,301 to Conrad et al. utili~es a system where insertion of a printed circuit board into the 21 receptacle actuates cam members to displace the contact 22 members to electrical engagement with the circuit board.
23 U.S. Paten-t 4,021,091 to Anhalt et al. describes a connector 24 having a hollow shell mounted over the contacts which is vertically movable within a housing. An elongated cam rod 26 insi~e the outer housing is longitudinally movable to shift 27 ¦ the shell dow~iwardly to cam actuate the contacts.
28 ¦ U.S. Patent 3,997,231 to Sherwood describe~s a connector 29 having a camming device comprising a matched pair of blocks ~ -3-I I .
,- - . . : - : , . : , . -,: . ~ .
D- ,418 O O l ~
011lwhich urge the eontacts into a circuit boarcl engaging position 02~lwhen they are moved upwardly.
3 1ll Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention 04 f to provic1e a new and improved zero or low insertion force 051fconnector for circuit boards.
06~ Other and further objects of the present invention will 07 ¦¦ beeome apparent from the Eollowing deseription.
08¦ SUMMAR~ OF THE IMVEN~ION 1.
09 In accordance with the present invention, -there is provided a low insertion force connector for making electrical 11 eonnection between a eircuit board and an external eircuit 121 comprising an elongated outer housing having a centrally 13 loeated opening with a channel extending longitudinally 14 along the bottom thereof, said ehannel ineluding a plurality 15 ~of outwardly facing ramps along the length thereof, a plural-16 ¦ity of eontaets mounted on said housing on either sic]e of : 17 said ehannel, said eontaets having end portions interior said~
18 opening and bowed inwardly for eontaeting a eireuit board 19 and opposite end portions projeeting exterior sai~ housing 20¦ for making eleetrical eontaet with an external circuit, an 211 elongated eam having a longitudinal groove on either side 22 thereof and a bottom surfaee eonfigured to mate with said 23 ramps and adapted to be actuated in a longitudinal direction ¦
24 for movement in a transverse direetion, an inner housing interior saicl opening ineludes eam follower means projecting 26 interior saicl grooves for providing positive engagement there1 27 with and transverse movement eorresponding to the transverse ¦
28 movement of sald eam, said inner housing ineluding a pair 3n of upright seetions forming a zone lor reeeiving the eireuit I .
- . . . . . . .. .
~5.~
board~ each upright section inc:luding rnearls for abuttln~
bowed portlons on respective sides o:f' said channel and being adapted to urge said bowed port-i.ons -to a position disengaged from a circuit board when sai.d cam is actuated.
DRSCRIPTION OF' THl3 I)RAWIN-iS
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a prespective view of the connec-tor with portions of the connector body broken away and shown in section;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in section showing t,he connector in a closed position;
Fig. 3 is a cross~sectional view showing the connector in a receiving posi.tion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Fig. 1, a connector 11 is provided for making electrical contact between a circuit board and an external circuit neither of which are shown. The circuit board generally is a conventional type integrated board having a plurality of electrical components on side of the planar substrate. Leads which provide for electrical connection terminate at the edges of the substrate. Various substrates having different configurations may be utilized with the connector of the present invention.
The connector 11 generally includes an outer housing 13 having two longitudinal and substantially parallel side walls. Th~ housing ].3 is open at the ends so that a circuit board may be inserted through or into the end openings as well as into the top or centrally located opening 19. A
channel 21 extends longitudinally along the bottom of the : central opening 19.
:~ :
:
D-21,418 3~ ' 7 oo 1,l 01 lll A plurality of contacts 23 are mounted on the outer 02 1l housing 13 on either side of channel 21. The end portions 03¦~ 25 of the contacts 23 positioned generally interior opening 04~1 19 are bowed inwardly Eor contacting a circuit board.
05 ¦ Opposite end portions 27 project exterior the housing 13 061¦ through the bottom surface ~hereof and are provided for 07l makinc,~ electrieal contaet with an external eireuit. These 08 ¦ end portions 27 may be eonveniently plugged into a mother 09 board or even wire wrapped. Intermediate por-tions 29 of the ,-contacts 23 are frictionally fitted into through bores in 11 the housing 13 for retaining the contacts 23 in the proper 12 position. As illustrated in the drawing, the contacts 23 13 are arranged in two E)aral]el spaced apart rows with the end 14 or bowed portions 25 of opposing rows facing each other and projeeting inwardly toward the eenter of opening 19.
16 The eontaets 23 can be made of any suitable material, 17 seleeted for its spring-like and eleetrically conductive 18 properties. Suitable materials are copper alloys. The con-19 ¦ tacts 23 whieh normally have the bowed portions 25 projeet-ing inwardly for engaging a eircuit board are sufficiently 21 resilient so they ean be c~riven outwardly. ¦
22 An elongated eam 31 whieh has a longitudinal groove 33 23 on either side thereof is positioned in channel 21. The '~
24 bottom surface of channel 21 ineludes a plurality of ramps 35 positioned along the length thereof. Eaeh of the ramps 26 35 ineludes an inelined portion 37 and a level portion 39 at i 27 the upper end of respective ramps 35. The bottom surfaee D~l 28 of the eam 31 is,eonfigured to mateh ~he bottom surfaee of ¦
29 the ehannel 31 and eonfiguration of the ramps. The matehing inelined portion of the cam 31 is aclapted to slide upwardly ::
D-21 8 ~ 7 o o I ~
01ll along and ride up the inclined portion 37. When the cam 31 n21l is latterally moved sufficiently far to reach the upper end 03lI of the ram~s 31, further lateral movement of -the cam 31 04ll results in the mating level surface of the cam 31 at the 05l¦ lower end of the matching incline surface ~3 en~aging the 06~ level surface 39 of the ramps 35. ~hen the cam 31 is in 07¦ this latter position, positive retention of the cam in this 081 position is provided due to the mating level surfaces.
og¦ The cam 31 includes a slot ~7 along the length thereof.
101 A protrusion 49 in the form of a pin secured to outer housing 11 13 is provided in the slot ~7 for limiting the ~ovement of ; 12 the cam 31 in a longitudinal direction. As illustrated in 13 the drawings, the slot 47 and protrusion A9 arrangement are 14 provided at either end of the cam 31. The movement of the cam 31 is limited to movement between a first position or 16 I closed position as illustrated in Fig. 2 and a second or 17 ¦ open position as illustrated in Fig. 3. In the closed posi-18 tion, the bottom surface ~1 of the cam 23 is substantially 19~ adjacent the bottom surface of the channel 21 along its 20l entire length. In the open position, the cam 23 is moved 21 transversely away from the bottom surface of the channel 21 22 so that level portion 39 of the ramps 37 are in contact with 23 ¦ the bottom surface 41 of cam 31.
24 I An inner housing 51 is positioned interior the opening 25 I 19 includes a pair of upright sections 53 which form a zone 26 for recelving a circuit board. The ends of the inner housing 27 51 are opened to permit insertion of the circuit board 28 therethrough. The upright sections 53 are joined by a lower 29 elongated section which is adjacent the top surface of cam 31. Each of the upright sections 53 include portions 57 for ~ ' ~ I . ~ ,......... .
~ '7 abutting the bo-wed en~s 25 v:~' the con-tacts 23. ~s the abutting portions 57 move upwarclly agal.nst the ,adjacent inclined inwardly bowed sec-tions 25~ the bowed sections ~5 and hence the contacts are moved apart.
Partitions 59 connected to the lower elongated sectlon.s 55 extend widthwise across opening 19 on either side of -the circuit board receiving zone~ The partitions 59 ac-t as spacers to prevent short circuiting of -the contacts 23. The abutting portions 57 are intermediate the partitiorls 59 and are joined thereto. The abutting portion 57 and partitions 59 form recesses for accommodating respective contacts 23.
An integral structure is formed b~ joining the partitions 59 at the top thereof by molded cross-sections 63.
Each of the upright sections 53 i.nclude a cam follower or flange projecting interior respective grooves 33 for providing positive engagement with cam 31. The abutting portions 57 bridge the partitions and include lower sections 60 which extend below the bottom of the partitions 59. An inwardly facing flange 65 is provided at the lower end and projects into respective grooves 33~ The downward extending lower sections 60 are adapted to be resiliently biased outwardly to accomodate the top sectlon of the cam 31 and spring inwardly for insertion of the flanges 65 into -the respective grooves 33. In operation, the cam 31 is urged in an axial or longitudinal direction by an external force applied at an end thereof. As the cam moves longitudinally in the channel 21 it is urged upwardly in a transverse direction by the ramps 35. When the mating level surface 35 of the cam D-21,.18 "
lj !
ool~l 011l engages a level surface of the ramp 35, further lateral 02i movement is restricted by the slot ~7 and protrllsion ~9. In 03,1 this position, it is not necessary to maintain a Eorce on 04¦l the end of the cam since the cam will be positively retained 05¦¦ in this position. As the cam 31 moves upwardly, the upright 06~ sections 53 also moves upwardly causing the abutting portions 07 57 to urge the contacts 23 outwardlyO With the contacts 23 08 held in an open position, a circuit board may be easily 09 installed into the receiving zone. The contacts are then returned into a closed position by moving the cam 31 in the 11 opposite direction. Due to the fact that the cam follower 12¦ or flanges 65 are positioned in groove 33, the upright 13 I sections are moved downwardly without relying solely on the 14 ¦ downward pressure created b~ the inward biasing of the bridging sections 25.
16¦ While the invention has been described herein with 17 reference to certain embodiments, it is to be understood 18 ¦ that there are various changes and modifications that can be 19 I made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept of the invention, the scope of which is to be deter- ¦
21 mined by reference to the following claims.
~ . . - .
This invention relates generall~ to an elec~rical con-nector for printed circuit boards, and more particularl~J 1;o an electrical connector wherein a low or zero insertion force is applied -to the circuit board when -the circuit board is inserted into -the connector.
Low inser-tlon force or zero force connectors are well kno~m and come in a variety o~ configura-t:Lons. Many electri~
cal circuits are printed~ or otherwise formed on either or both surfacesof an insula-ting subs-trate. The boards or subs-trates are inserted into recepta`cles which are then interconnected into other circuit devices to form complex electronic devices. The board has a plurality of conduc-tive pads or strips on the marginal portions thereof which make contact to a "plurality o~ electrical components.
The connector includes con-tacts for engaging the s-trips of conductive material on the board and making electrical connection with ex-ternal circuit. The external circuit may be in the form o~ a board having a plurality o~ openings therein wit,h each opening9 coated with an elec-trically con-ductive material. To comple-te the electrical connection wit,h the printed boards~ the board is inser-ted edgewise into a receiving zone to mechanically and electrically engage the contact points,.
Since it is necessary to have many contact points ~or engaging the mllltiple conductive strips on the board, the force required to insert the board into the receptacles can be high evrn though the individual ~orce exerted b~ one .
D-21, ¢~ ~
O 0 11, 01 'I!contact ls low. P~eduction of t:he ~orce applied by the 02 llindividual contacts against the circuit board permits the 03 lluse of a greater numher of contacts for a given insertion 04 l¦force.
05 ~ Insertion of a hoard into the connector tends to wear 06 ¦ away the terminal strips on the board and c~eteriorate the 07 ¦ contacts. This may he detrimental to both the electrical 08 ¦¦and mechanical integrity of the system and this tends to 09 ¦ reduce the useful life connector and the board. The contact and terminal wear may necessitate early replacement of the 12 parts and contribute to expensive equipment failures.
An example of one type of known low insertion force 13 connector can be found in U.S. Patent 3,899,234 to Yeager et 14 al. An elongated contact drive member is positioned at the 15 ¦ bottom of an apperture and the cam is arranged to move 16 ¦ therein. The connector is arranged for cam movement to 17 ¦ drive the contacts into engagement with the board or drive 18 ¦Ithe cams to an out of engagement position.
19 1~ U.S. Patent 3,47a,301 to Conrad et al. utili~es a system where insertion of a printed circuit board into the 21 receptacle actuates cam members to displace the contact 22 members to electrical engagement with the circuit board.
23 U.S. Paten-t 4,021,091 to Anhalt et al. describes a connector 24 having a hollow shell mounted over the contacts which is vertically movable within a housing. An elongated cam rod 26 insi~e the outer housing is longitudinally movable to shift 27 ¦ the shell dow~iwardly to cam actuate the contacts.
28 ¦ U.S. Patent 3,997,231 to Sherwood describe~s a connector 29 having a camming device comprising a matched pair of blocks ~ -3-I I .
,- - . . : - : , . : , . -,: . ~ .
D- ,418 O O l ~
011lwhich urge the eontacts into a circuit boarcl engaging position 02~lwhen they are moved upwardly.
3 1ll Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention 04 f to provic1e a new and improved zero or low insertion force 051fconnector for circuit boards.
06~ Other and further objects of the present invention will 07 ¦¦ beeome apparent from the Eollowing deseription.
08¦ SUMMAR~ OF THE IMVEN~ION 1.
09 In accordance with the present invention, -there is provided a low insertion force connector for making electrical 11 eonnection between a eircuit board and an external eircuit 121 comprising an elongated outer housing having a centrally 13 loeated opening with a channel extending longitudinally 14 along the bottom thereof, said ehannel ineluding a plurality 15 ~of outwardly facing ramps along the length thereof, a plural-16 ¦ity of eontaets mounted on said housing on either sic]e of : 17 said ehannel, said eontaets having end portions interior said~
18 opening and bowed inwardly for eontaeting a eireuit board 19 and opposite end portions projeeting exterior sai~ housing 20¦ for making eleetrical eontaet with an external circuit, an 211 elongated eam having a longitudinal groove on either side 22 thereof and a bottom surfaee eonfigured to mate with said 23 ramps and adapted to be actuated in a longitudinal direction ¦
24 for movement in a transverse direetion, an inner housing interior saicl opening ineludes eam follower means projecting 26 interior saicl grooves for providing positive engagement there1 27 with and transverse movement eorresponding to the transverse ¦
28 movement of sald eam, said inner housing ineluding a pair 3n of upright seetions forming a zone lor reeeiving the eireuit I .
- . . . . . . .. .
~5.~
board~ each upright section inc:luding rnearls for abuttln~
bowed portlons on respective sides o:f' said channel and being adapted to urge said bowed port-i.ons -to a position disengaged from a circuit board when sai.d cam is actuated.
DRSCRIPTION OF' THl3 I)RAWIN-iS
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a prespective view of the connec-tor with portions of the connector body broken away and shown in section;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in section showing t,he connector in a closed position;
Fig. 3 is a cross~sectional view showing the connector in a receiving posi.tion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Fig. 1, a connector 11 is provided for making electrical contact between a circuit board and an external circuit neither of which are shown. The circuit board generally is a conventional type integrated board having a plurality of electrical components on side of the planar substrate. Leads which provide for electrical connection terminate at the edges of the substrate. Various substrates having different configurations may be utilized with the connector of the present invention.
The connector 11 generally includes an outer housing 13 having two longitudinal and substantially parallel side walls. Th~ housing ].3 is open at the ends so that a circuit board may be inserted through or into the end openings as well as into the top or centrally located opening 19. A
channel 21 extends longitudinally along the bottom of the : central opening 19.
:~ :
:
D-21,418 3~ ' 7 oo 1,l 01 lll A plurality of contacts 23 are mounted on the outer 02 1l housing 13 on either side of channel 21. The end portions 03¦~ 25 of the contacts 23 positioned generally interior opening 04~1 19 are bowed inwardly Eor contacting a circuit board.
05 ¦ Opposite end portions 27 project exterior the housing 13 061¦ through the bottom surface ~hereof and are provided for 07l makinc,~ electrieal contaet with an external eireuit. These 08 ¦ end portions 27 may be eonveniently plugged into a mother 09 board or even wire wrapped. Intermediate por-tions 29 of the ,-contacts 23 are frictionally fitted into through bores in 11 the housing 13 for retaining the contacts 23 in the proper 12 position. As illustrated in the drawing, the contacts 23 13 are arranged in two E)aral]el spaced apart rows with the end 14 or bowed portions 25 of opposing rows facing each other and projeeting inwardly toward the eenter of opening 19.
16 The eontaets 23 can be made of any suitable material, 17 seleeted for its spring-like and eleetrically conductive 18 properties. Suitable materials are copper alloys. The con-19 ¦ tacts 23 whieh normally have the bowed portions 25 projeet-ing inwardly for engaging a eircuit board are sufficiently 21 resilient so they ean be c~riven outwardly. ¦
22 An elongated eam 31 whieh has a longitudinal groove 33 23 on either side thereof is positioned in channel 21. The '~
24 bottom surface of channel 21 ineludes a plurality of ramps 35 positioned along the length thereof. Eaeh of the ramps 26 35 ineludes an inelined portion 37 and a level portion 39 at i 27 the upper end of respective ramps 35. The bottom surfaee D~l 28 of the eam 31 is,eonfigured to mateh ~he bottom surfaee of ¦
29 the ehannel 31 and eonfiguration of the ramps. The matehing inelined portion of the cam 31 is aclapted to slide upwardly ::
D-21 8 ~ 7 o o I ~
01ll along and ride up the inclined portion 37. When the cam 31 n21l is latterally moved sufficiently far to reach the upper end 03lI of the ram~s 31, further lateral movement of -the cam 31 04ll results in the mating level surface of the cam 31 at the 05l¦ lower end of the matching incline surface ~3 en~aging the 06~ level surface 39 of the ramps 35. ~hen the cam 31 is in 07¦ this latter position, positive retention of the cam in this 081 position is provided due to the mating level surfaces.
og¦ The cam 31 includes a slot ~7 along the length thereof.
101 A protrusion 49 in the form of a pin secured to outer housing 11 13 is provided in the slot ~7 for limiting the ~ovement of ; 12 the cam 31 in a longitudinal direction. As illustrated in 13 the drawings, the slot 47 and protrusion A9 arrangement are 14 provided at either end of the cam 31. The movement of the cam 31 is limited to movement between a first position or 16 I closed position as illustrated in Fig. 2 and a second or 17 ¦ open position as illustrated in Fig. 3. In the closed posi-18 tion, the bottom surface ~1 of the cam 23 is substantially 19~ adjacent the bottom surface of the channel 21 along its 20l entire length. In the open position, the cam 23 is moved 21 transversely away from the bottom surface of the channel 21 22 so that level portion 39 of the ramps 37 are in contact with 23 ¦ the bottom surface 41 of cam 31.
24 I An inner housing 51 is positioned interior the opening 25 I 19 includes a pair of upright sections 53 which form a zone 26 for recelving a circuit board. The ends of the inner housing 27 51 are opened to permit insertion of the circuit board 28 therethrough. The upright sections 53 are joined by a lower 29 elongated section which is adjacent the top surface of cam 31. Each of the upright sections 53 include portions 57 for ~ ' ~ I . ~ ,......... .
~ '7 abutting the bo-wed en~s 25 v:~' the con-tacts 23. ~s the abutting portions 57 move upwarclly agal.nst the ,adjacent inclined inwardly bowed sec-tions 25~ the bowed sections ~5 and hence the contacts are moved apart.
Partitions 59 connected to the lower elongated sectlon.s 55 extend widthwise across opening 19 on either side of -the circuit board receiving zone~ The partitions 59 ac-t as spacers to prevent short circuiting of -the contacts 23. The abutting portions 57 are intermediate the partitiorls 59 and are joined thereto. The abutting portion 57 and partitions 59 form recesses for accommodating respective contacts 23.
An integral structure is formed b~ joining the partitions 59 at the top thereof by molded cross-sections 63.
Each of the upright sections 53 i.nclude a cam follower or flange projecting interior respective grooves 33 for providing positive engagement with cam 31. The abutting portions 57 bridge the partitions and include lower sections 60 which extend below the bottom of the partitions 59. An inwardly facing flange 65 is provided at the lower end and projects into respective grooves 33~ The downward extending lower sections 60 are adapted to be resiliently biased outwardly to accomodate the top sectlon of the cam 31 and spring inwardly for insertion of the flanges 65 into -the respective grooves 33. In operation, the cam 31 is urged in an axial or longitudinal direction by an external force applied at an end thereof. As the cam moves longitudinally in the channel 21 it is urged upwardly in a transverse direction by the ramps 35. When the mating level surface 35 of the cam D-21,.18 "
lj !
ool~l 011l engages a level surface of the ramp 35, further lateral 02i movement is restricted by the slot ~7 and protrllsion ~9. In 03,1 this position, it is not necessary to maintain a Eorce on 04¦l the end of the cam since the cam will be positively retained 05¦¦ in this position. As the cam 31 moves upwardly, the upright 06~ sections 53 also moves upwardly causing the abutting portions 07 57 to urge the contacts 23 outwardlyO With the contacts 23 08 held in an open position, a circuit board may be easily 09 installed into the receiving zone. The contacts are then returned into a closed position by moving the cam 31 in the 11 opposite direction. Due to the fact that the cam follower 12¦ or flanges 65 are positioned in groove 33, the upright 13 I sections are moved downwardly without relying solely on the 14 ¦ downward pressure created b~ the inward biasing of the bridging sections 25.
16¦ While the invention has been described herein with 17 reference to certain embodiments, it is to be understood 18 ¦ that there are various changes and modifications that can be 19 I made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept of the invention, the scope of which is to be deter- ¦
21 mined by reference to the following claims.
~ . . - .
Claims (10)
1. A low insertion force connector for making elec-trical connection between a circuit board and an external circuit comprising an elongated outer housing having a cen-trally located opening with a channel extending longitudinally along the bottom thereof, said channel including a plurality of outwardly facing ramps along the length thereof, a plura-lity of contacts mounted on said housing on either side of said channel, said contacts having end portions interior said opening and bowed inwardly for contacting a circuit board and opposite end portions projecting exterior of said outer housing for making electrical contact with an external cir-cuit, an elongated cam having a longitudinal groove on either side thereof and a bottom surface configured to mate with said ramps and adapted to be actuated in a longitudinal direction for movement in a transverse direction, an inner housing interior said opening includes cam follower means projecting interior said grooves for providing positive engagement therewith and transverse movement corresponding to the transverse movement of said cam, said inner housing including a pair of upright sections forming a zone for receiving the circuit board, each of said upright sections including means for abutting bowed portions on respective sides of said channel and being adapted to urge said bowed portions to a position disengaged from said circuit board when said cam is actuated.
2. A low insertion force connector according to claim 1 wherein said cam includes a slot therein and a protrusion secured to said outer housing in said slot for limiting the movement of said cam in a longitudinal direction.
D-21,418
D-21,418
3. A low insertion force connector according to claim 2 wherein said ramps include an inclined portion, said cam having a matching inclined portion adapted to slide upwardly along said incline portion, said ramp including a level portion at the upper end of said incline portion and said cam having a mating level surface at the lower end of said matching inclined surface, said level surface and mating level surface being engageable for providing for positive retention of said cam in said position.
4. A low insertion force connector according to claim 3 wherein said protrusion comprises a pin secured to said outer housing and extends through said slot in said channel.
5. A low insertion force connector according to claim 1 wherein both of said inner and outer housings are open at least at one end to permit insertion of a circuit board therethrough.
6. A low insertion force connector according to claim 1 wherein said inner housing includes a lower elongated section with said upright sections connected on either side thereof.
7. A low insertion force connector according to claim 6 wherein each of said upright sections include a plurality of partitions having recesses therebetween for accommodating said contacts.
8. A low insertion force connector according to claim 7 wherein said partitions are connected to said lower elon-gated section, said abutting means bridge said partitions.
D-21,418
D-21,418
9. A low insertion force connector according to claim 8 wherein said abutting means includes lower sections extend-ing downwardly on either side of said elongated cam, each bridging section including a flange portion for engaging a respective groove.
10. A low insertion force connector according to claim 9 wherein said lower sections are adapted to be resiliently biased outward for insertion of the flange portion into respective grooves.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/936,316 US4179177A (en) | 1978-08-23 | 1978-08-23 | Circuit board connector |
| US936,316 | 1978-08-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1105107A true CA1105107A (en) | 1981-07-14 |
Family
ID=25468464
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA333,152A Expired CA1105107A (en) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-08-03 | Circuit board connector |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4179177A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1105107A (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU532967B2 (en) * | 1980-03-03 | 1983-10-20 | Amp Incorporated | Zero force electrical connector |
| US4303294A (en) * | 1980-03-17 | 1981-12-01 | Amp Incorporated | Compound spring contact |
| US4496205A (en) * | 1982-07-23 | 1985-01-29 | Thomas & Betts Corporation | Low or zero insertion force connector for multi-pin arrays |
| USRE33831E (en) * | 1983-03-03 | 1992-02-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Non-shortning pin system |
| US4468073A (en) * | 1983-03-21 | 1984-08-28 | Precision Connector Designs, Inc. | Zero insertion force connector |
| US4540228A (en) * | 1983-06-27 | 1985-09-10 | Sperry Corporation | Low insertion force connector with improved cam actuator |
| JPS6071090U (en) * | 1983-10-24 | 1985-05-20 | 第一電子工業株式会社 | Zero insertion/extraction connector |
| US4636021A (en) * | 1984-03-02 | 1987-01-13 | Amp Incorporated | High density ZIF card edge connector |
| US4553804A (en) * | 1984-05-07 | 1985-11-19 | Gte Products Corporation | Electrical connector |
| US4553803A (en) * | 1984-05-07 | 1985-11-19 | Gte Products Corporation | Electrical connector |
| US4682834A (en) * | 1985-02-07 | 1987-07-28 | Northern Telecom Limited | Multiple contact zero insertion force connector |
| US4743203A (en) * | 1987-05-07 | 1988-05-10 | Amp Incorporated | Camming means for use with a low insertion force connector |
| US5041023A (en) * | 1988-01-22 | 1991-08-20 | Burndy Corporation | Card edge connector |
| US4934961A (en) * | 1988-12-21 | 1990-06-19 | Burndy Corporation | Bi-level card edge connector and method of making the same |
| EP0379176B1 (en) * | 1989-01-19 | 1995-03-15 | Burndy Corporation | Card edge connector |
| US5024609A (en) * | 1990-04-04 | 1991-06-18 | Burndy Corporation | High-density bi-level card edge connector and method of making the same |
| SG71046A1 (en) | 1996-10-10 | 2000-03-21 | Connector Systems Tech Nv | High density connector and method of manufacture |
| TWM249261U (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2004-11-01 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Electrical connector assembly |
| US8641438B2 (en) * | 2011-07-11 | 2014-02-04 | Denso Corporation | Electronic device having card edge connector |
| US9651999B1 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2017-05-16 | Apple Inc. | Electronic device with radially deployed components |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3555488A (en) * | 1969-05-08 | 1971-01-12 | Itt | Printed circuit board connector |
| US3899234A (en) * | 1974-03-20 | 1975-08-12 | Amp Inc | Low insertion force cam actuated printed circuit board connector |
| US3963317A (en) * | 1975-04-03 | 1976-06-15 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Zero force edge connector block |
-
1978
- 1978-08-23 US US05/936,316 patent/US4179177A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1979
- 1979-08-03 CA CA333,152A patent/CA1105107A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4179177A (en) | 1979-12-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |