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EP0204435A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Elastomeric electrical connector

Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 1986-05-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-05-07
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Abstract

Abstract An electrical connector assembly (2) comprises a unitary elastomeric body member (7) having a plurality of electrical conductors (6) encircling a cylindrical body portion (10). The conductors (6) are defined on the exterior surface of an insulating film (4) which is affixed around a portion of the elastomeric body member (7). Integral elastomeric base members (12,14) extend outwardly from the ends of the cylindrical body portion (10) and outwardly beyond the film-conductor laminate (4). Annular support sleeves (16,18) are inserted within the integral elastomeric base members (12,14) and interconnection is established to conductive pads (24,26) on substrates (20,22) such as printed circuit boards.

Inventors

  • 👤 Donald Gray Stillie

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 15:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/36; H05K3/361; H05K3/365; H05K3/368

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 171 words
An electrical connector (2,102,202,302) for interconnecting circuitry on a first substrate (20,320) to corresponding circuitry on a second substrate (22,322), the substrates (20,22,320,322) having conductive elements (24,26,324,326) disposed on one surface thereof as part of the circuitry, the connector (2,102,202,302) comprising a body (7,107,207,307) having a cylindrical portion (10,110,210,310) and integral base portions (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314) extending outwardly from the end of the cylindrical portion )10,110,210,310) and a plurality of conductors disposed on the surface of the cylindrical portion (10,110,210,310) being disposable in registry with the conductive elements (24,26,324,326) on the substrates (20,22,320,322), the connector (2,102,202,302) being characterized in that the body (7,107,207,307) and integral base portions (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314) are formed of an elastomeric material, and have support members (16,18,116,118,216,218) extending through the base portions (12,14,112,114,212, 213,214,312,314) which are more rigid than the elastomeric body (7,107,207,307), the support members (16,18,116,118,216,218) comprising means for limiting the compressive force applied to the elastomeric body member (7,107,207,307) and for precisely locating the substrates (20,22,320,322) with respect to one another when the connector (2,102,202,302) interconnects two substrates (20,22,320,322).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 171 words
An electrical connector (2,102,202,302) for interconnecting circuitry on a first substrate (20,320) to corresponding circuitry on a second substrate (22,322), the substrates (20,22,320,322) having conductive elements (24,26,324,326) disposed on one surface thereof as part of the circuitry, the connector (2,102,202,302) comprising a body (7,107,207,307) having a cylindrical portion (10,110,210,310) and integral base portions (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314) extending outwardly from the end of the cylindrical portion )10,110,210,310) and a plurality of conductors disposed on the surface of the cylindrical portion (10,110,210,310) being disposable in registry with the conductive elements (24,26,324,326) on the substrates (20,22,320,322), the connector (2,102,202,302) being characterized in that the body (7,107,207,307) and integral base portions (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314) are formed of an elastomeric material, and have support members (16,18,116,118,216,218) extending through the base portions (12,14,112,114,212, 213,214,312,314) which are more rigid than the elastomeric body (7,107,207,307), the support members (16,18,116,118,216,218) comprising means for limiting the compressive force applied to the elastomeric body member (7,107,207,307) and for precisely locating the substrates (20,22,320,322) with respect to one another when the connector (2,102,202,302) interconnects two substrates (20,22,320,322).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 1 wherein the height of each integral base (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314) is less than the height of the undeflected cylindrical portion (10,110,210,310).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 37 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 1 wherein each support member (16,18,116,118,216,218) is inserted in engagement with an opening (12c,14c) in the corresponding base (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314), the opening extending perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical portion (10,110,210,310).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The electrical connector of claim 3 wherein the opening (12c,14c) comprises a bore extending through the base (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 53 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 4 wherein each support member (16,18,116,118,216,218) comprises an annular member insertable through the corresponding bore, the support members (16,18,116,118,216,218) comprising means for receiving a fastening member extending therethrough for attaching the first substrate (20,320) to a second substrate (22,322) exerting compressive force on the elastomeric body (7,107,207,307).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 44 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 1 wherein the conductors comprise conductive traces (6,106,206,306) defined on a flexible insulating film (8,108,208,308) at least partially surrounding the cylindrical body portion (7,107,207,307) and extending between bases (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314) on opposite ends of the cylindrical body portion (7,107,207,307).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 6 wherein the conductive traces (6,106,206,306) comprise a conductive material etched on the surface of the insulating film (4,104,204,304).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 6 wherein the conductive traces (6,106,206,306) comprise conductive ink traces defined on the surface of the film (8,108,208,308).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 6 wherein each base (12,14) defines a planar surface (12d,14d) adjacent the cylindrical portion (10), the insulating film (8,108,208,308) engaging the planar surfaces for alignment between each base (12,14,112,114,212,213,214,312,314).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 39 words
The electrical connector of c(2,102,202,302) of claim 6 wherein at least one end (8a,8a') of the film is affixed to the cylindrical body portion (10,110,210,310) by an adhesive extending along the axial length of the cylindrical body portion (10,110,210,310).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
The electrical connector (2) of claim 10 wherein the opposite end (8b) of the insulating film (8) by an adhesive extending along the axial length of the cylindrical body portion (10).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 15 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 10 wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 16 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric body comprises a one-piece molded body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 13 wherein the elastomeric body is fabricated from a silicone rubber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 44 words
The electrical connector (102,202) of claim 13 wherein the body comprises a plurality of separate cylindrical body portions (110,210) including an intermediate integral base member (113,213) between adjacent cylindrical body portions (110,210), a support member (118,218) being inserted in each intermediate base member (113,213).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical body portion has a diamond-shaped cross section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 40 words
The electrical connector (2,102,202,302) of claim 1 wherein at least one support member (16) has first end surfaces (16a,16b) for engaging the substrates (20,22) and an annular surface (16c,16d) extending thereabove for registry in a hole in the substrate (20,22).

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