Connector and method for establishing solderfree connections between a rigid main PCB and associated conductors
AssigneeMicrotronic A/S
InventorMartin Bondo Jørgensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compact connection assembly and a method for establishing solderfree electrical connections between a main PCB and associated conductors e.g. arranged on a flexible foil strip or on a flexible PCB. The connection assembly is particularly suitable for use in compact electronic equipment such as hearing instruments or mobile phones where one can benefit from the small dimensions obtainable by the described connection assembly.
Claims26
A connection assembly being adapted to maintain a PCB's electrically conducting contact pads, provided as plated thru-holes forming grooves, and exposed parts of a member in a predetermined alignment, said connection assembly comprising:
- a U-shaped clamp manufactured in one piece in a thermoplastic and resilient material and comprising two leg parts and a back part, wherein the back part of the clamp comprises an aperture being adapted to receive a first end of the member, and wherein the leg parts of the clamp are positioned with a predetermined spacing so as to obtain electrical contact between the contact pads of the PCB and the exposed parts of the member when the contact pads and the exposed parts are aligned with respect to each other, and
- wherein an inner surface of one of the leg parts comprises a projection being adapted to engage with a groove so as to provide a snap-connection between the clamp and the PCB;
- and
- wherein the snap-connection provides a physical connection between the clamp and the PCB.
A method of providing solderfee electrical connections between pairs of corresponding electrical terminals, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a PCB having at least two conductors disposed on a surface thereof, each conductor comprising an electrically conducting contact pad provided as a plated thru hole forming a groove,
- providing a member comprising at least two conductors, each conductor having an exposed part at a first end of the member,
- providing a U-shaped clamp made in one piece of a thermoplastic and resilient material and comprising a first and a second leg part and a back part, the back part comprising an aperture which is adapted to receive the first end of the member, the two leg parts being separated with a predetermined spacing, an inner surface of one of the leg parts comprising a projection adapted to engage with a groove so as to provide a snap-connection between the clamp and the PCB,
- inserting the member into the aperture in the back part and positioning pairs of the corresponding contact pads and exposed parts in alignment, and
- sliding the clamp along the member towards the PCB until the clamp is positioned with the first leg part on top of the member, and the second leg part abutting the backside of the PCB, and so that said projection engages said groove;
- wherein an interaction between said projection and said grove provides a physical connection between the clamp and the PCB.
A connection assembly comprising:
- a U-shaped clamp manufactured in one piece in a thermoplastic and resilient material and comprising two leg parts, a back part, and at least one protrusion wherein the back part of the clamp includes an aperture being adapted to receive a first end of a member, and wherein the leg parts of the clamp are positioned with a predetermined spacing so as to obtain electrical contact between contact pads of a PCB and exposed parts of the member when the contact pads and the exposed parts are aligned with respect to each other;
- wherein an inner surface of one of the leg parts includes a projection being adapted to engage with a groove so as to provide a snap-connection between the clamp and the PCB;
- and
- wherein the at least one protrusion is operable by an operator's fingernail to disassemble the clamp and the PCB.
A method of disassembling a connection assembly including a PCB having at least two conductors disposed on a surface thereof, each conductor including an electrically conducting contact pad provided as a plated through hole forming a groove, a member including at least two conductors, each conductor having an exposed part at a first end of the member, and a U-shaped clamp, made in one piece of a thermoplastic and resilient material and including a first and a second leg part, a back part, and at least one protrusion wherein the back part of the clamp includes an aperture being adapted to receive a first end of the member, and wherein the leg parts of the clamp are positioned with a predetermined spacing so as to obtain electrical contact between the contact pads of the PCB and exposed parts of the member when the contact pads and the exposed parts are aligned with respect to each other, wherein an inner surface of one of the leg parts includes a projection being adapted to engage with a groove so as to provide a snap-connection between the clamp and the PCB, said method comprising:
- operating the at least one protrusion to disassemble the clamp and the PCB.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.