US3768062A - Terminal for flexible circuits - Google Patents

Terminal for flexible circuits Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3768062A
US3768062A US00184361A US3768062DA US3768062A US 3768062 A US3768062 A US 3768062A US 00184361 A US00184361 A US 00184361A US 3768062D A US3768062D A US 3768062DA US 3768062 A US3768062 A US 3768062A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
terminal
flexible circuit
contact
planar portion
tangs
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00184361A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
L Michaels
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.)
Molex LLC
Original Assignee
Molex LLC
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 Molex LLC filed Critical Molex LLC
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3768062A publication Critical patent/US3768062A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
    • H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
    • H01R12/68—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals comprising deformable portions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/30—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor
    • H05K3/32—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits
    • H05K3/325—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits by abutting or pinching, i.e. without alloying process; mechanical auxiliary parts therefor
    • H05K3/326—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits by abutting or pinching, i.e. without alloying process; mechanical auxiliary parts therefor the printed circuit having integral resilient or deformable parts, e.g. tabs or parts of flexible circuits

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A terminal for attachment to a flexible circuit, or flexible cable, serves releasably to receive a projecting male terminal in order to establish an electrical connection between the male terminal and the flexible circuit.
  • the novel female terminal is formed as a unitary body of conductive metal having a generally planar portion together with a plurality of pointed tangs extending from the body. The tangs are adapted to be forced through the flexible circuit and then crimped against the circuit so that the terminal is attached to the circuit with a stapling action.
  • the planar portion of the body is provided with a compact, effective contact structure including a series of slots defining two spaced generally parallel arms each of which is integral at both of its ends with the body.
  • a pair of interfacing contact segments on the two arms are spaced apart from one another a distance such that the projecting male terminal is received with an interference fit.
  • cantilever movement of the contact segments and torsional stress in the contact arms produce firm contact between the contact segments and the projecting male terminal.
  • the present invention relates to an improved terminal adapted to be attached to a flexible circuit for receiving a projecting male terminal.
  • Flexible circuits are formed of a. thin layer or sheet of flexible, conductive metal of desired configuration sandwiched: between thin insulating sheets or layers. of flexible plastic or other material.
  • flexible circuit asused herein is intended to encompass all such configurations including all types of more complex circuit configurations as well as relatively simple arrangements of one or several parallel conductors. normally referred to as flexible cables.
  • One known method of providing an electrical connection to a flexible circuit is to provide an uncovered region or conductive landing on the conductive layer and to clamp, press, solder or otherwise connect a conductive member against the conductive region. This approach is not satisfactory because of the cost of providing openings or landings at selected locations in the insulation layersand the cost of the connecting operations. Moreover, this. approach is not well suited to automated assembly.
  • Important objects of the present invention are to provide a terminal for flexible circuits capable of being readily attached to any covered or uncovered region of the circuit either automatically or manually; to provide a terminal which is low in profile and small in size thus permitting high contact density; toprovide a terminal having a female contact structure capable of providing reliable low resistance electrical connection to a projecting male terminal even after many insertions; to provide a terminal which can serve to support a flexible circuit on projecting male terminals and, moreover, which can leave projecting portions of these terminals uncovered for connection to other structure; and to provide a terminal capable of economical manufacture because close production tolerances, complex shapes, and expensive materials are not required.
  • a terminal in the form of a dish-shaped body fabricated of conductive metal including a generally flat, planar portion surrounded by a rim portion. Tangs formed as integral extensions of the rim extend generally normal to the planar portion of the body. In order to attach the body to either-a covered or an uncovered portion of a flexible circuit, the tangs are. forced. through the circuit and crimped against the circuit thereby mechanically to mount the body on the circuit and moreover to establish an electrical connection between the metallic layer of the circuit and the body of the terminal.
  • the terminal is provided with an extremely small and low profile contact structure providing a reliable, low resistance electrical contact between the novel terminal and a projecting male terminal.
  • the planar portion of the body is provided with slots or apertures, definingtwospaced parallel relatively narrow arms each of which is integral at both ends with the metallic body.
  • Contact portions shorter than the arms are formed as integral lateral projections of the arms and extend toward one another to define a contact space narrower than the corresponding dimension of the male terminal to which a connection is to be made.
  • FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating a group of female terminals each constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to a flexible circuit and serving to mount the flexible circuit on and to establish electrical connections to a group of male terminals associated with an electrical device;
  • FIG. 2. is an enlarged top plan view of a terminal constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is aside elevational view of the terminal of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the terminal of FIG. 2 1
  • FIGS. 2-5 there is illustrated a terminal generally designated by the reference numeral 10 embodying features of the present invention.
  • the terminal 10 is adapted to be attached to a flexible circuit 12 and to releasably provide an electrical connection between the flexible circuit 12 and a standard male electrical terminal 14.
  • the terminal 10 is provided with a novel female contact structure generally designated by the reference number 16 for reliably and releasably receiving the male terminal 14 even after multiple insertions and removals of the male terminal.
  • the terminal 10 includes a novel attaching structure generally designated as 18 with which the terminal 10 is attached to the flexible circuit.
  • the contact structure 16 and the attaching structure 18 provide a terminal 10 having many important advantages including small size, low profile, ease of attachment to the flexible circuit and ease of connection of the terminal with the male terminal 14.
  • the terminal 10 preferably comprises a unitary metal body which may readily be formed in an automatic operation from sheet stock by means of suitable press operations.
  • the terminal includes a generally flat or planar body portion 20 surrounded by a continuous relatively narrow lip 22.
  • the flat portion 20 and lip 22 cooperate to provide a generally dish-shaped configuration.
  • the terminal 10 is provided with a plurality of projecting tangs 24 formed integrally with the lip 22 and initially extending normal to the plane of the flat portion 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
  • the tangs 24 are generally triangular in shape and include pointed ends 26 to facilitate forcing of the tangs through the flexible circuit.
  • the tangs are arranged in opposed pairs. Although in the illustrated arrangement there are two opposed pairs, or a total of four tangs, it should be understood that other configurations could be used for particular terminal sizes and shapes.
  • the flexible circuit 12 includes outer layers of insulating material 30 sandwiched around an internal conductive metallic layer 32.
  • the circuit 12 is provided with an opening 33 over which the terminal 10 is located. Attachment of the terminal 10 to the flexible circuit 12 is accomplished by driving or forcing the tangs 24 through the flexible circuit 12 and by inwardly bending or crimping the tangs against the surface of the flexible conductor as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This attaching operation can readily be carried one either manually by means of a suitable pliers tool or automatically by means of suitable equipment.
  • Each tang 24 penetrates the full thickness of the flexible circuit 12 and is bent inwardly against an outer layer of the circuit.
  • the flat portion 20 of the terminal 10 is provided with three slots or apertures 34, 36 and 38 serving to define two elongated narrow spaced arms 40 and 42.
  • Each arm 40 and 42 is provided with a central contact portion 44 and 46.
  • the contact portions 44 and 46 project from the arms 40 and 42 toward one another to provide a contact receiving space designated by the reference numeral 48.
  • the distance between the contact portions 44 and 46 is selected to be smaller than the corresponding dimension of the terminal 14 with which the terminal 10 is to be used. Thus, upon insertion of the terminal 14, there exists an interference fit between the terminal 14 and the contact portions 44 and 46.
  • the contact portions are curved or rounded to present smooth curved surfaces 50 interfacing in the contact space 48.
  • the contact portions 44 and 46 are shorter in length than the arms 40 and 42 and are located substantially in the center of the arms 40 and 42.
  • the arms 40 and 42 include end portions of relatively narrow width extending between the contact portions and the main body of the terminal 10.
  • the arms 40 and 42 twist as a torsional stress is placed upon the arms.
  • the contact portions 44 and 46 serve as short cantilever beams placed in bending stress by insertion of the terminal 14. The overall effect of the torsional stress and the bending stress in the arms 40 and 42 and in the contact portions 44 and 46 is to provide a firm resilient biasing of the smooth curved surfaces 50 intimately against the terminal 14.
  • the combination of the contact structure 16 and the attaching structure 18 provides a terminal 10 which is extremely small in size requiring only minimal area. As a result, high contact density is possible and the terminals 10 can be mounted quite close to one another. Moreover, the thickness or profile of the terminal 10 is small and adds only slightly to the thickness of the flexible circuit. In addition, the terminal 10 can be attached to any desired location on the flexible circuit and does not require removal of an insulating layer from the circuit.
  • the terminal 10 greatly facilitate the use of a flexible circuit with electrical devices or electrical equipment such as the electrical device 52 indicated in phantom in FIG. 1.
  • the device 52 may comprise any electrical component such as a switching device, controlling device, appliance or the like including several projecting male terminals 14 arranged in any desired configuration.
  • the flexible circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 and designated as 54 includes discrete conductive metallic layers 56 arranged in suitable configuration for connection to the plurality of male terminals 14.
  • FIG. 1 Upon insertion of the several male terminals 14 of the device 52 into the several properly located terminals supported by the circuit 12, the flexible circuit is self-supported upon the terminals 14 and no additional external supporting structure is required.
  • the arrangement of FIG. 1 has several important advantages as compared with conventional discrete wire connections. The entire operation may be carried out automatically, and manual miswiring errors and the like are avoided. In addition, assembly costs are reduced and the space requirements for connection to the device 52 are minimized.
  • each male terminal 14 projects well beyond each terminal 10 due to the minimal thickness or low profile of the terminal 10. This makes possible further connections to each male terminal 14.
  • a releasable slipon terminal 58 engaging the exposed portion of one terminal 14 which extends beyond the corresponding terminal 10.
  • a terminal for releasably establishing an electrical connection between l. a flexible circuit including a flexible conductive layer having an opening therein, and
  • said terminal comprising:
  • a dish-shaped body formed of flexible conductive metal and including a generally planar portion and a rim portion extending generally normal to said planar portion;
  • a connection comprising a flexible circuit and a terminal adapted to receive a projecting male contact
  • said terminal comprising a dish-shaped body formed of sheet metal having a generally planar portion and a rim extending generally normal to said planar portion, a contact structure in said planar portion including apertures forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body, contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space for receiving the male contact with an interference fit, and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim, said tangs extending through said flexible circuit and being inwardly crimped against said flexible circuit to hold said flexible circuit against said rim and to bend said flexible circuit toward said planar portion.
  • connection of claim 5 the height of said rim exceeding the distance that said flexible circuit is bent toward said planar portion so that said flexible circuit is spaced from said contact structure.
  • connection of claim 5 said flexible circuit including a central conductive layer sandwiched between insulating layers, said insulating layers being intact adapertures in said planar portion forming a plurality of jacent Said ngs- 8.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
US00184361A 1971-09-28 1971-09-28 Terminal for flexible circuits Expired - Lifetime US3768062A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18436171A 1971-09-28 1971-09-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3768062A true US3768062A (en) 1973-10-23

Family

ID=22676566

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00184361A Expired - Lifetime US3768062A (en) 1971-09-28 1971-09-28 Terminal for flexible circuits

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3768062A (de)
JP (1) JPS5339998B2 (de)
AU (1) AU470637B2 (de)
CA (1) CA956376A (de)
DE (1) DE2247498B2 (de)
FR (1) FR2155427A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1400466A (de)
IT (1) IT966079B (de)
NL (1) NL7212646A (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3845456A (en) * 1971-09-28 1974-10-29 Molex Inc Clinchable terminals
US3845256A (en) * 1973-12-10 1974-10-29 Scott & Fetzer Co Cam-operated timer switch assembly with improved flexible, printed circuit terminal connectors
US4576426A (en) * 1985-04-11 1986-03-18 General Motors Corporation Flexible printed circuit connector and contact eyelet therefor
US5281159A (en) * 1993-03-04 1994-01-25 Eaton Corporation Adaptor for multiple pin electrial connection
US6000951A (en) * 1997-03-18 1999-12-14 Prince Corporation Electrical ribbon wire connectors
US20030081394A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Noritsugu Enomoto Electronic-part mounting structure and mounting method therefor
EP1450439A2 (de) * 2003-02-18 2004-08-25 Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH Planare Kontaktstruktur mit Kontaktzungen für eine variable Steckposition
US20180037177A1 (en) * 2016-08-08 2018-02-08 Murrelektronik Gmbh Modular distributor for electrical conductors
DE102017113046A1 (de) * 2017-06-14 2018-12-20 HS United European Connectors Verbindungsvorrichtung zum elektrischen Verbinden zumindest einer Leitung mit einer Schaltereinrichtung, Verbindungssystem mit einer Verbindungsvorrichtung und Verfahren zum elektrischen Verbinden einer Leitung mit einer Schaltereinrichtung
US20200176906A1 (en) * 2015-08-24 2020-06-04 Sfd Systems Limited Connector system

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777301A (en) * 1972-11-29 1973-12-04 Molex Inc Terminals and connectors for interconnecting conductors and male contacts
GB8710684D0 (en) * 1987-05-06 1987-06-10 Amp Great Britain Electrical socket
US4957453A (en) * 1989-11-06 1990-09-18 Amp Incorporated Electrical socket
DE102008047457A1 (de) * 2008-09-17 2010-03-25 Saia-Burgess Oldenburg Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung zum Verbinden wenigstens eines als Folie ausgebildeten elektrischen Leiters mit dem Pin eines Bauelementes

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2581967A (en) * 1947-04-11 1952-01-08 Motorola Inc Simplified chassis for electronic equipment
GB1103830A (en) * 1964-10-26 1968-02-21 Ft Products Ltd An improved clip
US3395381A (en) * 1966-11-25 1968-07-30 Amp Inc Crimpable connecting device for flat conductor cable
US3419839A (en) * 1966-04-14 1968-12-31 Lucas Industries Ltd Cartridge fuse holders
US3663922A (en) * 1971-01-18 1972-05-16 Amp Inc Flat cable connectors having two rows of contacts
US3675180A (en) * 1969-11-06 1972-07-04 Amp Inc Flat cable connector

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2581967A (en) * 1947-04-11 1952-01-08 Motorola Inc Simplified chassis for electronic equipment
GB1103830A (en) * 1964-10-26 1968-02-21 Ft Products Ltd An improved clip
US3419839A (en) * 1966-04-14 1968-12-31 Lucas Industries Ltd Cartridge fuse holders
US3395381A (en) * 1966-11-25 1968-07-30 Amp Inc Crimpable connecting device for flat conductor cable
US3675180A (en) * 1969-11-06 1972-07-04 Amp Inc Flat cable connector
US3663922A (en) * 1971-01-18 1972-05-16 Amp Inc Flat cable connectors having two rows of contacts

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3845456A (en) * 1971-09-28 1974-10-29 Molex Inc Clinchable terminals
US3845256A (en) * 1973-12-10 1974-10-29 Scott & Fetzer Co Cam-operated timer switch assembly with improved flexible, printed circuit terminal connectors
US4576426A (en) * 1985-04-11 1986-03-18 General Motors Corporation Flexible printed circuit connector and contact eyelet therefor
US5281159A (en) * 1993-03-04 1994-01-25 Eaton Corporation Adaptor for multiple pin electrial connection
US6000951A (en) * 1997-03-18 1999-12-14 Prince Corporation Electrical ribbon wire connectors
US20030081394A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Noritsugu Enomoto Electronic-part mounting structure and mounting method therefor
EP1311025A2 (de) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-14 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Montagestruktur für ein Bauteil und Verfahren zur Montage
EP1311025A3 (de) * 2001-10-31 2005-02-02 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Montagestruktur für ein Bauteil und Verfahren zur Montage
DE10306618A1 (de) * 2003-02-18 2004-09-02 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Planare Kontaktstruktur mit Kontaktzungen für eine variable Steckposition
EP1450439A2 (de) * 2003-02-18 2004-08-25 Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH Planare Kontaktstruktur mit Kontaktzungen für eine variable Steckposition
EP1450439A3 (de) * 2003-02-18 2008-12-10 Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH Planare Kontaktstruktur mit Kontaktzungen für eine variable Steckposition
DE10306618B4 (de) * 2003-02-18 2010-11-04 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Planare Kontaktstruktur mit Kontaktzungen für eine variable Steckposition
US20200176906A1 (en) * 2015-08-24 2020-06-04 Sfd Systems Limited Connector system
US20180037177A1 (en) * 2016-08-08 2018-02-08 Murrelektronik Gmbh Modular distributor for electrical conductors
US10118574B2 (en) * 2016-08-08 2018-11-06 Murrelektronik Gmbh Modular distributor for electrical conductors
DE102017113046A1 (de) * 2017-06-14 2018-12-20 HS United European Connectors Verbindungsvorrichtung zum elektrischen Verbinden zumindest einer Leitung mit einer Schaltereinrichtung, Verbindungssystem mit einer Verbindungsvorrichtung und Verfahren zum elektrischen Verbinden einer Leitung mit einer Schaltereinrichtung
DE102017113046B4 (de) 2017-06-14 2024-03-28 HS United European Connectors Verbindungsvorrichtung zum elektrischen Verbinden zumindest einer Leitung mit einer Schaltereinrichtung und Verbindungssystem mit einer Verbindungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2247498C3 (de) 1975-07-10
JPS4841295A (de) 1973-06-16
AU470637B2 (en) 1976-03-25
DE2247498A1 (de) 1973-04-05
DE2247498B2 (de) 1974-11-28
CA956376A (en) 1974-10-15
FR2155427A5 (de) 1973-05-18
GB1400466A (en) 1975-07-16
IT966079B (it) 1974-02-11
JPS5339998B2 (de) 1978-10-24
AU4708272A (en) 1974-04-04
NL7212646A (de) 1973-03-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0419031B1 (de) Elektrischer Anzapfstecker
US4068915A (en) Electrical connector
US4072387A (en) Multiple conductor connector unit and cable assembly
US3926498A (en) Electrical connector and insulation-piercing contact member
US4261629A (en) Slotted plate terminal
US4484791A (en) Connector for multiconductor flat insulated cable
US4743208A (en) Pin grid array electrical connector
US3768062A (en) Terminal for flexible circuits
EP0308448B1 (de) Vielfach anschliessbares biegsames bandkabel für stiftsteckverbinder
US3891293A (en) Flat cable terminating
EP0112144B1 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder für ein biegsames Bandkabel
US4824384A (en) Electrical cable connector and method of use
EP0312550B1 (de) Isolierungsverstellanordnung
US3845456A (en) Clinchable terminals
US4573752A (en) Flat cable connection system
US5064380A (en) Electrical tap and splice connector
EP0109297B1 (de) Elektrische Kontaktorgane und Zusammenbau elektrischer Verbinder
US5669778A (en) IDC branch connector for large range of wire sizes
EP0112051B1 (de) Elektrische Kontaktklemme zum Kontaktieren isolierter Leiter
US4490004A (en) Connector for connecting insulated wires to a circuit board
USRE31132E (en) Electrical connector and insulation-piercing contact member
EP0282194B1 (de) Elektrischer Kabelverbinder
US6454616B2 (en) Distribution wiring harness assembly
US4029376A (en) Bridging clip assembly and cover therefor
JPH0235423B2 (de)