EP0077606A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low or zero insertion force connector for multi-pin arrays
Assignee: ABB Installation Products Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A connector for zero or low insertion force receipt of multi-pin arrays, such as those in very large scale integration (VLSI) components, includes cam surfaces for selective movement to oppose the self-biasing forces of connector contacts for pin insertion and reverse movement to permit the contacts to effect tight engagement with the pins under the influence of such self-biasing forces. The connector preferably includes cooperating camming surfaces having inclined ramps and slots. Selective longitudinal movement of a cam actuator causes vertical movement of a cam plate whereby self-biasing of connector contacts is opposed for ready pin insertion. Engagement between the cam plate and contacts ceases upon reverse movement of the cam actuator to permit the contacts to tightly engage the pins.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon D. Christensen
- 👤 Charles J. Donaher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An electrical connector for interconnecting a plurality of terminal pins in predetermined array to companion apparatus, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a plurality of contacts supported by said housing in said array and extending in a common direction, each such contact having a first terminal for connection to said companion apparatus and a second terminal adapted for receiving one such terminal pin and having facing elements self-biased into preselected attitude, each facing element defining a partial boundary surface for said terminal pin upon receipt thereof; and (c) cam means supported for movement in said housing in said common direction, said cam means adapted for receiving said terminal pins and defining a further partial boundary surface for each said terminal pin upon receipt thereof, said cam means being movable between a first position wherein said cam means engages said facing elements of all such second terminals to oppose such self-bias thereof and displace said facing elements from said preselected attitude whereby said pins may be readily received in said second terminals, and a second position wherein said cam means does not oppose said second terminal self-bias whereby said facing elements may exert full force of said self-bias upon pins therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electrical connector for interconnecting a plurality of terminal pins in predetermined array to companion apparatus, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a plurality of contacts supported by said housing in said array and extending in a common direction, each such contact having a first terminal for connection to said companion apparatus and a second terminal adapted for receiving one such terminal pin and having facing elements self-biased into preselected attitude, each facing element defining a partial boundary surface for said terminal pin upon receipt thereof; and (c) cam means supported for movement in said housing in said common direction, said cam means adapted for receiving said terminal pins and defining a further partial boundary surface for each said terminal pin upon receipt thereof, said cam means being movable between a first position wherein said cam means engages said facing elements of all such second terminals to oppose such self-bias thereof and displace said facing elements from said preselected attitude whereby said pins may be readily received in said second terminals, and a second position wherein said cam means does not oppose said second terminal self-bias whereby said facing elements may exert full force of said self-bias upon pins therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
124 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said cam means defines a plurality of openings, each receiving one of said contacts therein and for receiving one of said terminal pins therein, said cam means including a cam surface within each of said openings, wherein said cam surfaces in the first position of said cam means engage said facing elements of all such second terminals to oppose such self-bias thereof and displace said facing elements from said preselected attitude whereby said pins may be readily received in said second terminals, and wherein said cam surfaces in the second position of said cam means do not oppose said second terminal self-bias whereby said facing elements may exert full force of said self-bias upon pins therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein said cam means defines an additional partial boundary surface spaced from and opposing said further partial surface, whereby the partial boundary surfaces defined by said facing elements and said cam means fully perimetrically bound said terminal pin upon receipt thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein each of said openings fully bound individual contacts and wherein the cam surfaces in such openings are collectively movable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein said cam means comprises a plate member defining said plurality of openings therethrough, each opening being in registry with said second terminals in receiving such second terminals therein, said housing supporting said plate member for movement in said common direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein said plate member defines said cam surfaces, said cam surfaces partially bounding each such opening and being in interference path with the facing elements in each said opening to engage same in the course of movement of said plate member into said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein said cam surfaces for each such opening are resident respectively in said second terminals throughout the course of movement of said plate member between such first and second positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1, further including cam actuator means movable in a direction transverse to said common direction for moving said cam means between said first position and said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein said cam means and said cam actuator means comprise cooperating adjacent camming surfaces for effecting movement of said cam means, and wherein said camming surfaces of said cam means and said cam actuator means each comprise a plurality of opposed cooperating inclined cam ramps and slots successively spaced on each camming surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein said cam means comprises a plate member overlying said cam actuator means, and having a lower surface comprising said inclined cam ramps and slots, said housing supporting said plate member for movement in said common direction wherein said cam actuator means comprises a plate element underlying said plate member, and having an upper surface comprising said inclined cam ramps and slots, said housing supporting said plate element for transverse sliding movement, and wherein said inclined cam ramps of said plate member and plate element respectively terminate in flat surfaces, said flat surfaces of cooperating cam ramps being in contact when said plate member is in said first position and said flat surfaces being disposed in opposing slots when said plate member is in said second position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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