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US 9,543,679 B2Granted
Electrical contact assembly
AssigneesTyco Electronics Corporation, TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
InventorsHelge Schmidt, Michael Leidner, Marjorie Myers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact having a first mating element, and a second electrical contact having a second mating element. The first and second electrical contacts being configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements such that the first and second mating elements engage each other at a contact interface. A distribution of contact pressure across the contact interface at least partially coincides with a distribution of electrical current flow across the contact interface.
Claims26
An electrical contact assembly comprising:
- a first electrical contact having a first mating element, the first mating element comprising a curved depression, the curved depression being a groove that is elongated to extend a length along the first mating element, the groove having a rim defined by two opposing rim segments that extend the length of the groove;
- and
- a second electrical contact having a second mating element, the second mating element comprising a curved protrusion, the first and second electrical contacts being configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements such that the first and second mating elements engage each other at a contact interface, the curved protrusion being configured to be partially received into the groove when the first and second mating elements are engaged, the curved protrusion engaging the groove at the rim segments along a contact portion of the length of the rim, the curved protrusion not engaging the groove radially interior of the rim segments, the curved protrusion not engaging the groove along a non-contact portion of the length of the rim adjacent to the contact portion of the length;
- wherein a distribution of contact pressure across the contact interface at least partially coincides with a distribution of electrical current flow across the contact interface.
1 more element
An electrical contact assembly comprising:
- a first electrical contact having a first mating element, the first mating element comprising an approximately planar surface;
- and
- a second electrical contact having a second mating element, the second mating element comprising a curved protrusion having a tip that includes a depression extending therein, the depression having a rim that defines a transition between the curved protrusion and the depression, the first and second electrical contacts being configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements such that the first and second mating elements engage each other at a contact interface, the approximately planar surface of the first mating element engaging the curved protrusion of the second mating element at the rim of the depression, the first mating element not engaging the depression of the curved protrusion radially interior of the rim;
- wherein the contact interface comprises a first asperity junction where the contact interface has the greatest current density and a second asperity junction where the contact interface has the greatest normal load, the first and second asperity junctions at least partially overlapping each other.
1 more element
An electrical contact assembly comprising:
- a first electrical contact having a first mating element;
- and
- a second electrical contact having a second mating element that comprises a curved surface, the curved surface of the second mating element having a periodic surface topology that includes approximately parallel peaks protruding from the curved surface, the peaks being elongated to extend along a length, adjacent peaks being separated from each other by valleys, the first and second electrical contacts being configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements such that the first and second mating elements engage each other at a contact interface that is at least partially defined by the peaks, wherein the first mating element is configured to engage at least two of the peaks of the periodic surface topology, the first mating element configured to not engage the at least one valley disposed between the at least two peaks that the first mating element engages.
An electrical contact assembly comprising:
- a first electrical contact having a first mating element, the first mating element having a periodic surface topology that includes approximately parallel peaks with valleys extending between and separating adjacent peaks, the peaks and valleys being elongated to extend along a length, the first mating element being a curved protrusion, the peaks of the periodic surface topology protruding from the curved protrusion;
- and
- a second electrical contact having a second mating element, the second mating element having a periodic surface topology that includes approximately parallel peaks with valleys extending between and separating adjacent peaks, the peaks and valleys being elongated to extend along a length, the second mating element having a curved concave surface, the peaks of the periodic surface topology of the second mating element protruding from the curved concave surface,
- wherein the first and second electrical contacts are configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements, the peaks of the periodic surface topology of the first mating element engaging the peaks of the periodic surface topology of the second mating element when the first and second electrical contacts are mated together.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.