Electrical connector having contact elements with superelastic properties

A method of operating an electrical connector to form electrical connections to a mating component, wherein:

• the electrical connector comprises a mating interface comprising a plurality of contact elements, each of the plurality of contact elements comprising a first portion formed from a nickel titanium alloy,
• each of the contact elements of the electrical connector further comprises a non-superelastic portion,
• the non-superelastic portion is elongated adjacent the first portion of the contact element,
• and
• the method comprises:
• pressing the electrical connector and mating component together such that the first portions of the plurality of contact elements make electrical connections with respective contact elements of the mating component, and the first portions deflect and/or compress upon the engagement, wherein the non-superelastic portion presses against the first portion, limiting deflection of the first portion.

An electrical connector configured to engage a component, the electrical connector comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a mating interface comprising a plurality of contact elements, wherein:
• each of the plurality of contact elements comprises a first portion formed from a material that is capable of deformation to at least 7% strain without yielding,
• each of the plurality of contacts is configured to engage a respective contact element of a mating component of the component,
• the plurality of contact elements are held by the housing with clearance around the first portions to enable the first portion of each of the plurality of contact elements to deflect and/or compress upon engagement with the respective contact element of the component when the electrical connector engages the component,
• each of the plurality of contact elements of the first electrical connector further comprises a non-superelastic portion, and
• the non-superelastic portion is elongated adjacent the first portion of the contact element and configured to limit deflection of the first portion when the first portion is pressed against the non-superelastic portion.

A method of operating an electrical connector to form electrical connections to a mating component, wherein:

• the electrical connector comprises a mating interface comprising a plurality of contact elements, each of the plurality of contact elements comprising a first portion formed from a material that is capable of deformation to at least 7% strain without yielding,
• each of the contact elements of the electrical connector further comprises a non-superelastic portion,
• the non-superelastic portion is elongated adjacent the first portion of the contact element, and
• the method comprises:
• pressing the electrical connector and mating component together such that the first portions of the plurality of contact elements engage and make electrical connections with respective contact elements of the mating component, and the first portions deflect and/or compress upon the engagement, such that the non-superelastic portion presses against the first portion and limits deflection of the first portion.