Connector press fit mounting projection

Abstract

An electrical connector apparatus and method adapted for locating and mechanically supporting a connector to a substrate, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), in a manner that allows for a nominal insertion force, while at the same time a sufficient retention force to hold the connector on the PCB. The connector has a plurality of mounting projections extending downward from a bottom mounting surface of the connector housing that are adapted for connection to a corresponding plurality of holes formed in the PCB. The projections have one or more ribs extending outward along the longitudinal length of the projection. The ribs are tapered such that a circle around at least a portion of the upper portion of the one or more ribs has a transverse dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the hole in the PCB, and the ribs tapers down toward the distal end of the projection such that a second circle around at least a portion of the lower portion of the one or more ribs has a transverse dimension not greater than the transverse dimension of the hole in the PCB. This feature provides for a nominal insertion force to hold the connector on the PCB over a wide variance in the tolerances between the transverse dimension of the mounting projection and the transverse dimension of the hole in the PCB, and also variances in the tolerances between the distances between individual holes in the PCB, in relation to the distance between the mounting projections. In addition, the ribs deform, such that at least a portion of the rib is displaced to provide a sufficient retention force to hold the connector on the PCB.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.