Electronic connector, and corresponding electric connection element, electric linking member, and assembling method

A method for assembling an electrical connector configured to be coupled between a first base and a second base, the method comprising:

• inserting first electrical contact parts into the first base;
• inserting second electrical contact parts into the second base;
• inserting electrical linking members into an elastic and insulating material block while leaving first and second opposing ends of the electrical linking members free wherein each electrical linking member has a rigid rod with one end linked via a first articulated joint to the first contact part and another end linked via a second articulated joint to the second electrical contact part, and in that the first electrical contact parts are configured to be retained in the first base and in that the second electrical contact parts are configured to be retained in the second base;
• mounting the first base on said block with the first contact parts facing first ends of the electrical linking members;
• linking the first ends of the electrical linking members to the first contact parts with a first articulated joint;
• mounting the second base on said block with the second contact parts facing the second ends of the electrical linking members;
• linking the second ends of the electrical linking members to the second contact parts with a second articulated joint wherein the first and second articulated joints allow the first and second bases to move in at least three orthogonal directions;
• securing the bases on said block;
• and
• coupling articulated fixings between the first base and the second base.

An electrical connector for making electrical connections between a first base and a second base, the electrical connector comprising:

• a plurality of articulated electrical connection elements, each of said plurality of articulated electrical connection elements comprising:
• a first electrical contact part having a first end configured to be coupled to the first base and a second end, said first electrical contact part comprising a first receptacle haying an opening therein;
• a second electrical contact part having a first end configured to be coupled to the second base and a second end, said second electrical contact part comprising a second receptacle having an opening therein;
• an electrical linking member having a rigid rod having first and second opposing ends with the first end of said rigid rod having one end linked via a first articulated joint to the first contact art and another end linked via a second articulated joint to the second electrical contact part, with the first end of said rigid rod having a first knuckle having a size and shape selected to fit into the opening of said first receptacle so as to form the first articulated joint which allows relative movement between said rigid rod and the second end of said first electrical contact when the electrical connector is fully assembled and with the second end of said rigid rod having a second knuckle having a size and shape selected to fit into the opening of said second receptacle so as to form the second articulated joint which allows relative movement between said rigid rod and the second end of said second electrical contact when the electrical connector is fully assembled and wherein each of the first and second receptacles is provided having a channel for receiving a respective one of said first and second knuckles, with each of the channels having a length selected to allow a translational movement of the respective first and second knuckles inside the opening of the respective one of the first and second receptacles and wherein the first and second articulated joints allow the first and second bases to move hi at least three orthogonal directions when the electrical connector is fully assembled;
• and
• articulated fixing a coupled between the first base and the second base.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first base having a first plurality of receptacles;
• a second base having a second plurality of receptacles;
• a plurality of articulated electrical connection dements, each of said plurality of articulated electrical connection elements disposed to provide an electrical connection between at least one of the first plurality of receptacles in said first base and at least one of the second plurality of receptacles in on said second base, and each of said plurality of articulated electrical connection elements comprising:
• a first electrical contact part having a first end configured to be coupled to said first base and a second end;
• a second electrical contact part having a first end configured to be coupled to the second base and a second end;
• and
• a rigid rod having a first end movably coupled to the second end of said first electrical contact part and having a second, opposite end movably coupled to the second end of said second electrical contact part and wherein said rigid rod is movably coupled to the first and second end of said first electrical contact part when the electrical connector is fully assembled;
• and
• first and second articulated fixings each having a first end coupled to said first base and a second end coupled to said second base, said first and second articulated fixings coupled between said first and second bases to maintain a spacing between said first and second bases within a predetermined range and allow the first and second bases to move in at least three orthogonal directions.