Miniature multiple conductor electrical connector
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsRobert S. Reylek, Kenneth C. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Two electronic components having fine pitch arrays of terminals can be disconnectably interconnected by a multiple electrical connector that includes a pair of intermeshable members. Each of those members has an electrically insulative body with a structured surface including a plurality of tapered elements. Tapered sides of those elements fit flush against each other when the two members intermesh, and the members become strongly adhered to each other when the tangent of the half angle of said tapered sides is no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting surfaces. Each of the members has a plurality of electrically conductive segments in position to make good electrical contact when the members intermesh.
Claims22
A multiple conductor electrical connector comprising:
- first and second members, each having a connecting means provided on a major surface thereof for interengagement with one another, for releasably connecting said first and second members together, and for making a plurality of electrical connections at said connecting means with a force sufficient to ensure electrical connection, each connecting means comprising at least a portion of the major surface of each member including a structured surface including a plurality of solid tapered elements, each element having at least one side inclined relative to a common plane in each of said members at an angle sufficient to form a taper that fits flush against a tapered side of an element of the other member when the members intermesh, and
- the tangent of the half angle of said tapered sides being no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting surfaces of the tapered sides so that the contact between the tapered sides provides the releasable connection with a sufficient force to ensure an electrical connection at least partially because of the friction between the contacting surfaces of tapered sides;
- wherein each of said first and second members has an electrically insulative body;
- an electrically conductive segment is provided at the contact surface of a plurality of said tapered sides of said elements of one member in position to contact an electrically conductive segment provided at the contact surface of a plurality of tapered sides of elements of the other member when the members are intermeshed and connected together;
- and
- said tapered elements extend from the major surface of said first and second members to a degree such that when said first and second members are intermeshed and connected together, a cavity is created between a crown of each of the tapered elements and the body of the first and second elements, thereby preventing electrical contact at the crowns of said elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.