US 4,717,345 AGranted

Solderless connector technique and apparatus

AssigneeRogers Corporation

InventorsHerman B. Gordon, Jeff Cunnane

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Abstract

A solderless connector technique and apparatus is presented for establishing electrical contact between a flexible circuit and another circuit device utilizing relative motion therebetween to wipe away or remove any debris or other foreign matter present on the terminals which could adversely effect electrical contact. In a first embodiment of the present invention, relative motion between the respective circuit devices is provided by male and female housings having a camming device incorporated therein. This camming device will effectively wipe away any foreign matter or debris located on the respective terminal devices. In another embodiment of the present invention, mechanical springs are used to provide lateral motion to the circuit devices thereby wiping away any dirt, dust or debris. Preferably, a means for prewiping i.e., a cleaning pad, is provided to the present invention to facilitate removal of debris.

Claims5

Dependent claims

In a solderless connector wherein mechanical means applies force against an elastomeric element to effect electrical contact between terminal portions of circuit devices, at least one of said devices being a flexible circuit device, the improvement comprising:

means for providing camming action against said elastomeric element wherein said terminal portions of said circuit devices will undergo relative movement during the electrical connection therebetween, wherein said means for providing camming action comprises:
first and second rigid members, said rigid members being mechanically interconnected by at least one spring means and being electrically interconnected by a flexible circuit interconnecting device, each of said first and second rigid members being adapted to connect with respective first and second rigid or flexible circuit devices;
an elastomeric pad being positioned between said second rigid member and said flexible circuit interconnection device;
and
wherein force directed onto said first rigid member will be transmitted to said spring means and result in lateral movement between said flexible circuit interconnecting device on said second rigid member and the rigid or flexible circuit device adapted to be connected thereto.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.