EP0000623A1 - Printed circuit edge connector - Google Patents

Printed circuit edge connector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0000623A1
EP0000623A1 EP78300098A EP78300098A EP0000623A1 EP 0000623 A1 EP0000623 A1 EP 0000623A1 EP 78300098 A EP78300098 A EP 78300098A EP 78300098 A EP78300098 A EP 78300098A EP 0000623 A1 EP0000623 A1 EP 0000623A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
board
slots
printed circuit
passages
edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP78300098A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0000623B1 (en
Inventor
Anthony John Hulse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lucas Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucas Industries Ltd filed Critical Lucas Industries Ltd
Publication of EP0000623A1 publication Critical patent/EP0000623A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0000623B1 publication Critical patent/EP0000623B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/721—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical connector of the kind arranged to receive an edge of a printed circuit board or the like and to make a plurality of electrical connections thereto.
  • a problem which is found with electrical connectors of the kind specified is that the printed circuit board is a loose fit in the connector and can be disturbed by vibration in use to the detriment of the electrical connections. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector wherein this problem is minimised.
  • an electrical connector of the kind specified includes a body having an end face, and a plurality of passages extending into said body from said end face for receiving respective electrical terminals the partition walls defining the passages each having therein a slot for accommodating the edge of the printed circuit board in use, so that the board can engage the terminals received in the passages in use, and at least one of said slots being so positioned in relation to the other sJots and the shape of the board to be received, that in order for the edge of the board to be received by each of the slots, the board and/or the body must be flexed from its rest configuration whereby after insertion of the board, the inherent resilience of the flexed board and/or body causes the edges of said slot or slots to grip the board.
  • printed circuit board or the like includes a flexible printed circuit supported on a plate-like carrier, and is also intended to include non-printed arrangements of a similar nature for example, a board or plate having conductive leads thereon the ends of which are bored and bend around the edges of the plate or board, and a plate or board carrying strip-like terminals at its edges.
  • the connector is intended for use with a planar board and the passages are thus co-planar, the slots being co-planar with the exception of the two outermost slots which are displaced in position to the same side of the plane of the other slots.
  • the electrical connector includes a moulded synthetic resin body 11 having therein a plurality of passages 12 of rectangular cross-section.
  • the passages 12 are parallel and co-planar, and each open at an end face 13 of the body 11, the passages 12 extending at right angles to the end face 13.
  • Each of the passages receives an electrical terminal 14 having deformable tags 15, 16 whereby the terminal is electrically and physically connected to a conductive lead in use.
  • Each of the terminals 14 includes a pair of resilient arms 17 between which a planar component can be gripped, the terminal making electrical connection to the planar component.
  • Each of the terminals 14 is received in a respective passage 12 with its arms 17 extending towards the end face 13 of the body.
  • Each terminal includes a latch 18 which in use co-operates with a shoulder within the respective passage to resist movement of the terminal 14 relative to the body in a direction away from the end face 13.
  • the electrical connector is inten d ed to make electrical connection to an edge region of a printed circuit board.
  • the printed circuit board is planar, and has a plurality of exposed contact regions adjacent one edge thereof. The contact regions are equal in number to the passages and therefore terminals 14 of the body 11.
  • the partition walls 19 of the body which define between them are formed with slots 21 of width sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the printed circuit board.
  • the positioning of the slots 21 is such that the board when accommodated by the slots 21 is engaged between the limbs 17 of the terminals 14.
  • the slots 21a of the two end partition walls 19a are offset from the plane of the remaining slots 21.
  • the two slots 21a are offset in the same direction from the plane of the remaining slots 21 and thus in order for the printed circuit beard to be engaged in the body it is necessary for the printed circuit board to be flexed from its normal planar configuration so as to engage simultaneously in the slots 21 and 21a.
  • the inherent resilience of the printed circuit tending to restore the printed circuit board to its planar configuration, causes the printed circuit board to bear tightly against the walls of the slots 21 21a so that the printed circuit board is gripped in the body.
  • the flexure necessary to introduce the printed circuit board into the slots of the partition walls could be flexure of the body or flexure of both the body and the printed circuit board.
  • the two outermost slots 21a are displaced it is to be understood that other slots could be displaced in addition to, or instead of the outermost slots. The displacement of the chosen is in excess of the clearance between the width of the slow and the thickness of the board.
  • the connector can be use with a flexible printed circuit supported on a panel or the like, and with arrangements of a similar nature such as boards having the bared ends of conductive leads bent around an edge thereof and boards having strip-like terminals clipped or otherwise secured at an edge thereof.
  • the body can be provided with a wall or walls which encage an edge or edges of the pinted circuit beard to ensure correct lateral location.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical connector of the kind arranged to receive an edge of a printed circuit board orthe like to make a plurality of electrical connections thereto. The connector includes a body-(11) having an end face, and within the body are a plurality of parallel passages(12) which extend from the end face for receiving respective electrical terminals. The partition walls (19) which separate the passages from one another, each have therein a slot (21) for accommodating the edge of the printed circuit board or the like in use. At least one of the slots (21a) is so positioned in relation to the other slots 21 and the shape of the board to be received, that in order for the edge of the board to be received in each of the slots (21), (21a) the board and/or the body must be flexed from its rest configura-; tion whereby after insertion of the board the inherent resilience of the flexed board and/or body (11) causes the edges of the slot or slots (21, 21a) to grip the board.

Description

  • This invention relates to an electrical connector of the kind arranged to receive an edge of a printed circuit board or the like and to make a plurality of electrical connections thereto.
  • A problem which is found with electrical connectors of the kind specified is that the printed circuit board is a loose fit in the connector and can be disturbed by vibration in use to the detriment of the electrical connections. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector wherein this problem is minimised.
  • According to the invention an electrical connector of the kind specified includes a body having an end face, and a plurality of passages extending into said body from said end face for receiving respective electrical terminals the partition walls defining the passages each having therein a slot for accommodating the edge of the printed circuit board in use, so that the board can engage the terminals received in the passages in use, and at least one of said slots being so positioned in relation to the other sJots and the shape of the board to be received, that in order for the edge of the board to be received by each of the slots, the board and/or the body must be flexed from its rest configuration whereby after insertion of the board, the inherent resilience of the flexed board and/or body causes the edges of said slot or slots to grip the board.
  • It is to be understood that the term "printed circuit board or the like" includes a flexible printed circuit supported on a plate-like carrier, and is also intended to include non-printed arrangements of a similar nature for example, a board or plate having conductive leads thereon the ends of which are bored and bend around the edges of the plate or board, and a plate or board carrying strip-like terminals at its edges.
  • Preferably the connector is intended for use with a planar board and the passages are thus co-planar, the slots being co-planar with the exception of the two outermost slots which are displaced in position to the same side of the plane of the other slots.
  • One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:-
    • Figure 1 is an end elevational view of an electrical connector;
    • Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector shown in Figure 1;
    • Figure 3 is a diagrammatic end elsvational view to an emlarged scale of a part of the connector shown in Figure 1; and
    • Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a terminal utilised in the connector of Figure 1.
  • Referring to the drawing, the electrical connector includes a moulded synthetic resin body 11 having therein a plurality of passages 12 of rectangular cross-section. The passages 12 are parallel and co-planar, and each open at an end face 13 of the body 11, the passages 12 extending at right angles to the end face 13. Each of the passages receives an electrical terminal 14 having deformable tags 15, 16 whereby the terminal is electrically and physically connected to a conductive lead in use. Each of the terminals 14 includes a pair of resilient arms 17 between which a planar component can be gripped, the terminal making electrical connection to the planar component. Each of the terminals 14 is received in a respective passage 12 with its arms 17 extending towards the end face 13 of the body. Each terminal includes a latch 18 which in use co-operates with a shoulder within the respective passage to resist movement of the terminal 14 relative to the body in a direction away from the end face 13.
  • The electrical connector is intended to make electrical connection to an edge region of a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is planar, and has a plurality of exposed contact regions adjacent one edge thereof. The contact regions are equal in number to the passages and therefore terminals 14 of the body 11.
  • In order that the printed circuit board may be inserted into the body 11 sufficiently far to engage the edge region of the printed circuit board between the arms 17 of the terminals 14 the partition walls 19 of the body which define between them the passages 12 are formed with slots 21 of width sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the printed circuit board. The positioning of the slots 21 is such that the board when accommodated by the slots 21 is engaged between the limbs 17 of the terminals 14.
  • In order that the body 11 firmly grips the printed circuit board the slots 21a of the two end partition walls 19a are offset from the plane of the remaining slots 21. The two slots 21a are offset in the same direction from the plane of the remaining slots 21 and thus in order for the printed circuit beard to be engaged in the body it is necessary for the printed circuit board to be flexed from its normal planar configuration so as to engage simultaneously in the slots 21 and 21a. Upon release of the printed circuit board after insertion into the slots 21, 21a the inherent resilience of the printed circuit tending to restore the printed circuit board to its planar configuration, causes the printed circuit board to bear tightly against the walls of the slots 21 21a so that the printed circuit board is gripped in the body.
  • It will be understood that in some constructions the flexure necessary to introduce the printed circuit board into the slots of the partition walls could be flexure of the body or flexure of both the body and the printed circuit board. Furthermore, while in the construction described the two outermost slots 21a are displaced it is to be understood that other slots could be displaced in addition to, or instead of the outermost slots. The displacement of the chosen is in excess of the clearance between the width of the slow and the thickness of the board.
  • It is to be understood that while a printed circui board has been referred to above, the connector can be use with a flexible printed circuit supported on a panel or the like, and with arrangements of a similar nature such as boards having the bared ends of conductive leads bent around an edge thereof and boards having strip-like terminals clipped or otherwise secured at an edge thereof.
  • In all of the arrangements envisaged above, some means will be provided for locating the printed circuit board laterally relative to the body so that the terminals received within the passages engage the appropriate conductive regious of the printed circuit board or the like. For example the body can be provided with a wall or walls which encage an edge or edges of the pinted circuit beard to ensure correct lateral location.

Claims (3)

1. An electrical connector of the kind arranged to receive an edge of a printed circuit board or the like to make electrical connection thereto, including a body having an end face, and a plurality of passages extending into said body from said end face for receiving respective electrical terminals, the partition walls defining the passages each having therein a slot for accommodating the edge of the printed circuit board in use, so that the board can engage the terminals received in the passages in use, and at least one of the said slots being so positioned in relation to the other slots and the shape of the board to be received, that in order for the edge of the board to be received by each of the slots, the board and/or the body must be flexed from its rest configuration whereby after insertion of the board the inherent resilience of the flexed board and/or body causes the edges of said slot or sluts to grip the board.
2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 intended for use with a planar board or the like, the passages of the connector being co-planar and the slots being co-planar with the exception of the two outermost slots which are displaced in position to the same side of the plane of the other slots.
3. An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
EP19780300098 1977-07-08 1978-06-28 Printed circuit edge connector Expired EP0000623B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2882177 1977-07-08
GB2882177 1977-07-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0000623A1 true EP0000623A1 (en) 1979-02-07
EP0000623B1 EP0000623B1 (en) 1981-12-30

Family

ID=10281704

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19780300098 Expired EP0000623B1 (en) 1977-07-08 1978-06-28 Printed circuit edge connector

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0000623B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5419194A (en)
DE (1) DE2861462D1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6630505B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2003-10-07 Ortho-Mcneil Pharmaceutical, Inc. Aminopyrrolidine sulfonamides as serine protease inhibitors
US6710061B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2004-03-23 Ortho-Mcneil Pharamceutical, Inc. Aminopyrrolidine sulfonamides as serine protease inhibitors
US20190285113A1 (en) * 2018-03-13 2019-09-19 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Quick release feature for gas assist struts

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60196665A (en) * 1984-03-21 1985-10-05 Hitachi Ltd Chromatogram analytical apparatus
JPS6189152U (en) * 1984-11-17 1986-06-10
CH675303A5 (en) * 1987-06-16 1990-09-14 Nt Ob Akademii Nauk Sssr
ATE60133T1 (en) * 1987-07-22 1991-02-15 Ciba Geigy Ag PROCESS CUVETTE.

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB974133A (en) * 1962-03-06 1964-11-04 Carr Fastener Co Ltd An electrical contact and edge connector for such contact
DE2004420A1 (en) * 1970-01-31 1971-08-05 Kupfer Asbest Co Connectors
GB1363352A (en) * 1972-10-06 1974-08-14 Plessey Co Ltd Electrical edge connectors

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB974133A (en) * 1962-03-06 1964-11-04 Carr Fastener Co Ltd An electrical contact and edge connector for such contact
DE2004420A1 (en) * 1970-01-31 1971-08-05 Kupfer Asbest Co Connectors
GB1363352A (en) * 1972-10-06 1974-08-14 Plessey Co Ltd Electrical edge connectors

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6630505B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2003-10-07 Ortho-Mcneil Pharmaceutical, Inc. Aminopyrrolidine sulfonamides as serine protease inhibitors
US6710061B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2004-03-23 Ortho-Mcneil Pharamceutical, Inc. Aminopyrrolidine sulfonamides as serine protease inhibitors
US20190285113A1 (en) * 2018-03-13 2019-09-19 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Quick release feature for gas assist struts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5419194A (en) 1979-02-13
DE2861462D1 (en) 1982-02-18
EP0000623B1 (en) 1981-12-30

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