US 5,947,749 A · Electrical interconnect contact system

Abstract

An electrical connector that uses an elastomeric element to provide a short path, high performance, electrical interconnection that is mechanically stable and reliable. In accordance with the present invention, lateral movement of the contacts is controlled by providing contact receiving slots formed in a rigid housing and/or an alignment plate. Movement of the contacts during actuation is controlled, at least in part, by specifying the compression properties of an elastomeric element, providing a contact stop portion in the housing, and/or providing a pre-load between the contacts and the corresponding printed circuit board terminals. Because the movement of the contacts is controlled, the wiping action between the contacts and the device leads and/or the printed circuit board pads is also controlled, resulting in a more reliable contacting system.

Claims55

Dependent claims

Apparatus for electrically interconnecting a first terminal to a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is spaced a distance from the second terminal, comprising:

(a) a substantially rigid contact having a first portion for engagement by the first terminal and a second portion for engagement of the second terminal;
and
(b) pre-load means for providing a pre-load between the second portion of said contact and said second terminal, said pre-load means providing a pre-load even when said first portion of said contact is not engaged by said first terminal.

Apparatus for electrically interconnecting a first terminal to a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is spaced a distance from the second terminal, comprising:

(a) an elastomeric element having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said first surface and said second surface are located on opposing sides of said elastomeric element, said elastomeric element further having a contact receiving slot formed between said first surface and said second surface of said elastomeric element;
(b) a contact received within said contact receiving slot of said elastomeric element, said contact having a first portion for engagement by the first terminal and a second portion for engagement of the second terminal;
and
(c) first preventing means positioned along at least a portion of said first surface of said elastomeric element for substantially preventing at least a portion of said first surface of said elastomeric element from deforming away from said second surface;
(d) whereby, as said first portion is engaged by the first terminal, said elastomeric element deforms to permit movement of said contact, and said first preventing means substantially preventing the first surface of said elastomeric element from deforming away from said second surface of said elastomeric element.

2 more elements

Apparatus for electrically interconnecting a first terminal to a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is spaced a distance from the second terminal, comprising:

(a) an elastomeric element, said elastomeric element having:
i. a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are located on opposing sides of said elastomeric element;
ii. a contact receiving slot formed between said first surface and said second surface of said elastomeric element;
iii. an opening formed in said second surface of said elastomeric element, said opening positioned a predetermined distance from said contact receiving slot such that a separating portion of said elastomeric element separates said opening from said contact receiving slot;
and
(b) a contact received within said contact receiving slot, said contact having a first portion for engagement by the first terminal, a second portion for engagement of the second terminal, a head portion for engagement of said first surface of the elastomeric element, and a tail portion positioned in said opening;
(c) whereby, as said first portion is engaged by the first terminal, said elastomeric element deforms to permit movement of said contact.

4 more elements

Apparatus for electrically interconnecting a first terminal to a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is spaced a distance from the second terminal, comprising:

(a) a housing positioned between the first terminal and the second terminal, said housing having a contact receiving slot formed therein;
(b) an elastomeric element positioned substantially parallel to said housing, said elastomeric element including:
i. a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are located on opposing sides of said elastomeric element;
ii. a contact receiving slot formed between said first surface and said second surface of said elastomeric element, and in general alignment with said contact receiving slot of said housing;
iii. an opening formed in said second surface of said elastomeric element, said opening positioned a predetermined distance from said contact receiving slot such that a separating portion of said elastomeric element separates said opening from said contact receiving slot;
and
(c) a contact received within said contact receiving slot of said housing and said contact receiving slot of said elastomeric element, said contact having a first portion for engagement by the first terminal, a second portion for engagement of the second terminal, a head portion for engagement of said first surface, and a tail portion positioned in said opening;
and
(d) whereby, as said first portion is engaged by the first terminal, said elastomeric element deforms to permit movement of said contact.

6 more elements

Apparatus for electrically interconnecting a number of first terminals to a number of second terminals, wherein the number of first terminals are spaced a distance from the number of second terminals, comprising:

(a) a housing positioned between the number of first terminals and the number of second terminals, said housing having a number of contact receiving slots formed therein;
(b) an elastomeric element positioned substantially parallel to said housing, said elastomeric element including:
i. a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are located on opposing sides of said elastomeric element;
ii. a number of contact receiving slots formed between said first surface and said second surface of said elastomeric element, and in general alignment with said number of contact receiving slots in said housing;
iii. a number of openings formed in said second surface of said elastomeric element, each of said number of openings positioned a predetermined distance from a corresponding one of said number of contact receiving slots such that a number of separating portions of said elastomeric element separate corresponding ones of said number of openings from corresponding ones of said number of contact receiving slots;
(c) a number of contacts wherein each of said number of contacts is received within a corresponding one of said number of contact receiving slots of said housing and said number of contact receiving slots of said elastomeric element, each of said number of contacts having a first portion for engagement by a corresponding one of the number of first terminals, a second portion for engagement of a corresponding one of the number of second terminals, a head portion for engagement of said first surface of said elastomeric element, and a tail portion positioned in said corresponding one of said number of openings;
and
(d) an alignment plate positioned substantially parallel to said housing and adjacent the number of first terminals, said alignment plate having a number of terminal alignment slots formed therein for aligning each of the number of first terminals to the corresponding one of said number of contacts;
(e) whereby, as the number of first terminals are brought into engagement with said number of contacts, said number of terminal alignment slots substantially align each of the number of first terminals to said corresponding one of said number of contacts, and as the number of first terminals subsequently engage said number of contacts, said elastomeric element deforms to permit movement of said number of contacts.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrical interconnect contact system

Life of this patent

Electrical interconnect contact system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims55