GB2162700A

GB2162700A - Electrical connectors

Info

Publication number: GB2162700A
Application number: GB08419608A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Sidney Osborne
Original assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Current assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-08-01
Filing date: 1984-08-01
Publication date: 1986-02-05
Also published as: GB8419608D0

Abstract

According to the invention an electrically conductive contact for an electrical connector comprising either a socket or a pin contact consists of a number of resilient tubular sections (16,18,19) spaced apart on substantially the same longitudinal axis. The tubular sections are connected by non-tubular portions. The contact provides more intimate engagement along the length of a mating rigid type of pin or socket contact when the two are connected, particularly if the rigid contact is slightly tapered. The insertion force characteristics can also be adjusted and a wider range of vibration frequencies can be tolerated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical Connectors This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical connectors consisting of a femal or socket type of electrically conductive contact which is adapted to receive a male or pin type of electrically conductive contact.

The socket contact usually consists of a metal tube axially split along at least a portion of its length to provide a degree of spring force for gripping the rigid pin contact. Alternatively the socket contact may be a rigid metal tube and the pin contact may be resilient such as by being provided with an axially extending split. The contacts however do not necessarily make consistent intimate engagement along their total lengths particularly if the rigid contact is in any way tapered.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide an electrical connector having contacts which will provide improved intimate engagement with each other.

According to the present invention an electrically conductive contact for an electrical connector comprising either a socket type of contact or a pin type of contact comprises a plurality of resilient tubular sections spaced apart on substantially the same longitudinal axis.

The tubular sections may be separate but secured together, or the contact may be integrally constructed, the tubular sections being connected by non-tubular sections.

Preferably the contact comprises a split elongate tube divided into a number of segments by portions cut out of the split tube.

Thus each section can be made to act as an independent contact thereby increasing the number of contact faces by the number of segments created.

The invention also comprises an electrical connector having contacts constructured in accordance with the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a side view of a known type of socket contact with a pin contact inserted therein, Figure 2 is a pictorial view of a socket contact according to the invention, Figure 3 is a side view of the socket contact shown in Figure 2 with a rigid pin contact inserted therein.

Figure 4 is a pictorial view of a pin contact according to the invention, Figure 5 is a side view of the pin contact shown in Figure 4 inserted into a rigid socket contact and, Figures 6, 7 and 8 are end views of different embodiments of the contact according to the invention.

The known type of socket contact illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a cylindrical split tube 10 having a substantially constant diameter, and this is secured by suitable means inside an insulating body (not shown). If a mating rigid pin contact 12 is inserted into the socket contact and the pin contacts does not have a substantially similar constant diameter or is tapered as shown, consistent intimate contact is not made along the total length of the pin contact. Although the socket contact 10 can deform to a degree, the arrangement can lead to poor electrical connection between the pin and the socket.

A socket contact according to the present invention is shown in Figure 2 and 3, the socket 14 consisting of a split tube and being segmented into three sections 16, 18 and 19, each section acting as an independent socket contact. The number of contact faces is thus increased by the number of segments created.

Figure 3 illustrates the socket contact 14 with the tapered pin contact 12 inserted therein and it will be seen that each segment 16, 18 and 19 makes intimate contact with the pin contact. The segments can have differing initial diameters to cater for tapered pin contacts or for changing the insertion force characteristics of a pin contact, thus the insertion force can increase as the pin contact engages with each segment. The vibration characteristics can also be improved, especially if each segment has a different length and hence different resonance characteristics. For example, the socket contact 14 shown in Figure 3 has successively shorter socket segments 16, 18 and 19.

Insertion force characteristics and the ability to give improved contact over a wide range of vibration frequencies are equally applicable if the pin contact is parallel sided and of circular, rectangular or other cross-sectional shapes.

A pin contact according to the present invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pin 20 consisting of a pressed and formed split-tube and being segmented into three segments 22, 24 and 26, each section acting as an independent pin contact. As with the socket 14 the number of contact faces is increased by the number of segments created. The forward end segment 22 is tapered to assist with insertion into a socket contact.

Figure 5 illustrates the pin contact 20 inserted into a rigid tubular socket contact 28. As with the segmented socket contact 14, the diameters and lengths of the segments 22, 24, 26 can vary for changing the insertion force and vibration characteristics.

The segmented contacts 14 and 20 may have various cross-sectional shapes, such as circular (Figure 6), eliptical (Figure 7) and rectangular (Figure 8). Each segment 16, 18, 19 or 22, 24, 26 can also have a different cross-sectional shape for optimum contact with a rigid contact.

It will be appreciated that the contacts 14 and 20 could have different numbers of segments apart than the three segments illustrated. Two, four or more segments can be used depending on the required contact retention characteristics.

1. An electrically conductive contact for an electrical connector comprising either a socket type of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical Connectors This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical connectors consisting of a femal or socket type of electrically conductive contact which is adapted to receive a male or pin type of electrically conductive contact. The socket contact usually consists of a metal tube axially split along at least a portion of its length to provide a degree of spring force for gripping the rigid pin contact. Alternatively the socket contact may be a rigid metal tube and the pin contact may be resilient such as by being provided with an axially extending split. The contacts however do not necessarily make consistent intimate engagement along their total lengths particularly if the rigid contact is in any way tapered. It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide an electrical connector having contacts which will provide improved intimate engagement with each other. According to the present invention an electrically conductive contact for an electrical connector comprising either a socket type of contact or a pin type of contact comprises a plurality of resilient tubular sections spaced apart on substantially the same longitudinal axis. The tubular sections may be separate but secured together, or the contact may be integrally constructed, the tubular sections being connected by non-tubular sections. Preferably the contact comprises a split elongate tube divided into a number of segments by portions cut out of the split tube. Thus each section can be made to act as an independent contact thereby increasing the number of contact faces by the number of segments created. The invention also comprises an electrical connector having contacts constructured in accordance with the invention. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a side view of a known type of socket contact with a pin contact inserted therein, Figure 2 is a pictorial view of a socket contact according to the invention, Figure 3 is a side view of the socket contact shown in Figure 2 with a rigid pin contact inserted therein. Figure 4 is a pictorial view of a pin contact according to the invention, Figure 5 is a side view of the pin contact shown in Figure 4 inserted into a rigid socket contact and, Figures 6, 7 and 8 are end views of different embodiments of the contact according to the invention. The known type of socket contact illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a cylindrical split tube 10 having a substantially constant diameter, and this is secured by suitable means inside an insulating body (not shown). If a mating rigid pin contact 12 is inserted into the socket contact and the pin contacts does not have a substantially similar constant diameter or is tapered as shown, consistent intimate contact is not made along the total length of the pin contact. Although the socket contact 10 can deform to a degree, the arrangement can lead to poor electrical connection between the pin and the socket. A socket contact according to the present invention is shown in Figure 2 and 3, the socket 14 consisting of a split tube and being segmented into three sections 16, 18 and 19, each section acting as an independent socket contact. The number of contact faces is thus increased by the number of segments created. Figure 3 illustrates the socket contact 14 with the tapered pin contact 12 inserted therein and it will be seen that each segment 16, 18 and 19 makes intimate contact with the pin contact. The segments can have differing initial diameters to cater for tapered pin contacts or for changing the insertion force characteristics of a pin contact, thus the insertion force can increase as the pin contact engages with each segment. The vibration characteristics can also be improved, especially if each segment has a different length and hence different resonance characteristics. For example, the socket contact 14 shown in Figure 3 has successively shorter socket segments 16, 18 and 19. Insertion force characteristics and the ability to give improved contact over a wide range of vibration frequencies are equally applicable if the pin contact is parallel sided and of circular, rectangular or other cross-sectional shapes. A pin contact according to the present invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pin 20 consisting of a pressed and formed split-tube and being segmented into three segments 22, 24 and 26, each section acting as an independent pin contact. As with the socket 14 the number of contact faces is increased by the number of segments created. The forward end segment 22 is tapered to assist with insertion into a socket contact. Figure 5 illustrates the pin contact 20 inserted into a rigid tubular socket contact 28. As with the segmented socket contact 14, the diameters and lengths of the segments 22, 24, 26 can vary for changing the insertion force and vibration characteristics. The segmented contacts 14 and 20 may have various cross-sectional shapes, such as circular (Figure 6), eliptical (Figure 7) and rectangular (Figure 8). Each segment 16, 18, 19 or 22, 24, 26 can also have a different cross-sectional shape for optimum contact with a rigid contact. It will be appreciated that the contacts 14 and 20 could have different numbers of segments apart than the three segments illustrated. Two, four or more segments can be used depending on the required contact retention characteristics. CLAIMS

1. An electrically conductive contact for an electrical connector comprising either a socket type of contact or pin type of contact comprising a plurality of resilienttubular sections spaced apart on substantially the same longitudinal axis.

2. An electrically conductive contact as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular sections are separate but secured together.

3. An electrically conductive contact as claimed in claim 1 in which the contact is integrally con structed,the tubular sections being connected by non-tubular sections.

4. An electrically conductive contact as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 in which the contact comprises a split elongate tube divided into a number of segments by portions cut out of the split tube.

5. An electrically conductive contact having contacts constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 or 4 and 5, or 6 and 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.

6. An electrical connector having electrically conductive contacts constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 and 3 or 4 and 5 or 6 and 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.