WO1997020369A1 - Method of making smooth contact terminals - Google Patents
Method of making smooth contact terminals Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997020369A1 WO1997020369A1 PCT/US1996/019157 US9619157W WO9720369A1 WO 1997020369 A1 WO1997020369 A1 WO 1997020369A1 US 9619157 W US9619157 W US 9619157W WO 9720369 A1 WO9720369 A1 WO 9720369A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- contact surface
- terminal
- contact terminal
- support tool
- Prior art date
Links
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
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
- H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
- H01R13/112—Resilient sockets forked sockets having two legs
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/16—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
-
- 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
- H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H01R12/55—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals
- H01R12/58—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals terminals for insertion into holes
- H01R12/585—Terminals having a press fit or a compliant portion and a shank passing through a hole in the printed circuit board
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method of producing a contact terminal provided with at least a first contact surface for contacting with a mating contact area, comprising at least the step of stamping the contact terminal from a flat blank metal having a substantially flat surface with a predetermined first width, the first contact surface being substantially perpendicular to the flat surface.
- In-coming material inspection for this parameter is a primary means to predict future performance and usability, for sophisticated connector applications.
- this material is fed to a die for stamping operation to produce a contact terminal of pre-determined shape, its roughness increases in areas where it has been in contact with die tooling. The resulting roughness depends on the surface roughness of the tool used and any associated die operation (i.e. bend, coin, slug punch-out etc.).
- any associated die operation i.e. bend, coin, slug punch-out etc.
- material drag through opposing die-platen results in the least increase in roughness.
- a substantial roughness increase for areas which has been subjected to a punch or cut-out operation, a substantial roughness increase (burr)
- the resulting roughness and burrs or undulating peaks on such contact surfaces can be somewhat smoothened by coating the terminal with a predetermined suitable metal (e.g. gold).
- a predetermined suitable metal e.g. gold
- the gap size cannot be made smaller than about 0.8 mm. Such gaps are required to ensure adequate electrolytic fluid movement, hence allowing metal deposition on the contacting surfaces. In such a process, one could electrolytically deburr or
- the contact surface width is equal to the original material thickness, i.e., about 0.2 mm. Since a male type terminal is often a pin with a rectangular cross section with a width of about 0.4 mm, such 0.2 mm wide contact surfaces of the tuning- fork type terminal (with a width at contact surface substantially similar to that of the pin) would act like a "knife" on the plated coating of the mating male terminal. For a typical male type terminal having a circular cross section such tuning-fork type terminals are not suitable at all since they would slip away from the surface of the mating male terminal unless such pins are constrained, for example, by the housing cavity.
- a box-type contact terminal 41 is a box-type contact terminal 41 , as is schematically shown in figure lb.
- the stamping is in such a way as to have a U-shaped cross section.
- Such a box-type terminal 41 is provided with a dual-beam receptacle contact with two opposing cantilever spring beams 42, 43 having a specific gap (under- size) to cooperate with a mating (over-size) male pin (not shown in figure lb), to result in a specified contact normal force.
- the opposing receptacle contact zone is flat. Should the pin be substantially flat over the contact zone, the corresponding contact area of the receptacle needs to be curved - which in practice usually is a spherical dimple
- box-type terminals 41 in figure lb involves usually three process steps: a pre-stamp, plating (involving precious metal deposit of at least a substantially large portion of the flat-rolled surface of cantilever beams 42, 43), and a final-stamp operation including an accurate gap- sizing operation to form the box-shaped base of contact beams.
- Such contacts are stamped adjacent to each other joined by a common carrier strip, at a pitch defined by the span of the cantilever beams 42, 43 in the flat state. It will be known to a skilled practitioner that besides a relatively high strip material and precious metal utilization, the number of process steps and speed of operation (due to larger pitch between adjacent terminals on the carrier), contribute towards a less cost-effective connector manufacture.
- each of the cavities of a connector containing several such U-shaped dual beam box contacts located adjacent to each other, although separated by an insulating wall, are rather close to one another, thus, increasing mutual cross ⁇ talk in high-speed electrical connector applications.
- the conventional tuning-fork type contact terminal 1 shown in figure la, is accommodated within a cavity of a connector 31 shown in cross section.
- Contact terminal 1 is provided with two opposing beams 2, 3 which are provided with contact surfaces 4, 5 for contacting a mating contact terminal, e.g., male type terminal 6 (shown in figures 2a, 2b, 2c).
- a mating contact terminal e.g., male type terminal 6 (shown in figures 2a, 2b, 2c).
- the contact surfaces 4, 5 are provided with widened throat lead-in parts 4', 5', as shown in figure la.
- terminal 1 are stiffer due to the new moment of inertia as applicable in the theoretical force deflection equation (i.e. longer cantilever beam length or reduced material thickness or a combination thereof is required for the same normal force requirement), a positive contribution to miniaturization can be realized. Since the stamping operation involves punch-cutting to form the contact gap between contact surfaces 4, 5, accurate gap-size control (as required to satisfy contact normal force and maintain the insertion/ withdrawal forces within accepted limits), can be affected. However, the contact zone in the tuning-fork concept is located on the stamped (burred) edge of the cantilever beams. The high roughness resulting from the shear fracture, as explained above, inadvertently gives an accelerated wear on the contacting interface.
- Figure 2a shows a cross section to the two beams 2, 3 when electrically and mechanically contacting the mating terminal 6, which may be provided with a point shaped end 7 in order to facilitate insertion between the two beams 2, 3.
- the 'ideal' situation is shown in which the two beams 2, 3 are still within one plane and the mating terminal 6 is inserted along the
- the contacting situation shown in figure 2a may be said to be relatively ideal for two reasons: a. the axis of the mating contact terminal 6 substantially coincides with the centre line axis x (figure la); consequently the normal force can be distributed over the microscopic asperities shown, although this will then result in high local pressure at these asperity sites; b. the material thickness of the beams 2, 3 of the contact terminal 1, as shown in figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, is equal to or larger than the effective width of the mating contact terminal 6 in the contact area. It needs to be emphasized that the objective of a skilled connector designer is to have a contact surface of the receptacle terminal to be substantially larger than the surface of the contacting pin at the interface.
- Figure 2b shows a situation in which beams 2, 3 are still substantially within one plane but n which terminal 6 is displaced relative to centre line axis x.
- Figure 2c shows a situation in which not only the mating terminal 6 is displaced but also one of the beams 2, 3 is displaced by an amount ⁇ x relative to the centre line axis x. The latter displacement is often the result of die maladjustment in the stamping operation.
- the teachings of the prior art show an alternative using a tuning-type for terminal 51 having the twisted cantilever beams 52, 53, as shown in figure lc.
- Similar twisted beam contact terminals are, for example, shown in US-A- 4,473,208 and US-A-5, 199,886.
- Such twisted beam contact terminals 51 take the advantage of tuning-fork concept, and by twisting the cantilever beams 52, 53 through 90 degrees the contact surfaces 54, 55 become, essentially, the initially mill-rolled surface of the strip material with reduced surface roughness from which the terminal 51 is produced.
- the concept of twisted beam contact terminals shows the following associated difficulties: a.
- tuning-fork type terminals have many inherent advantages. Consequently, the application of (flat) stamped tuning-fork type terminals deserves to be pursued, provided their associated disadvantages can be overcome. Compared to box type terminals tuning-fork type terminals can be stamped with an easier process, and the contact pitch on the carrier can be smaller, e.g. 2 mm, resulting in less material used per terminal. Moreover, when tuning-fork type terminals are inserted in the connector housing for a multi-row multi-column connector, a larger mutual spacing between adjacent terminals is obtained than would be the case with box-type terminals. Consequently, for the case of tuning-fork type terminals the coupling between adjacent contacts (cross-talk) for high frequency applications is reduced. Therefore, the use of tuning-fork type terminals has some merits over box type terminals in future connector applications.
- the effective contact surface is larger in width than the initial stock width.
- a still further object of the invention is to provide contact terminals with polished contact surfaces and products comprising such contact terminals, the terminals being made from thin, e.g. in a range of up to 1.0 mm, flat stock material.
- the first predetermined force is exerted such and the first predetermined shape is such that after the last step the first contact surface is provided with a second width larger than the first width.
- the previously "knife" action of the contact surface during contact mating can be avoided.
- the method relates to the manufacturing of tuning- fork type terminals.
- the contact terminal furthermore comprises a second contact surface being substantially perpendicular to the flat surface and opposite to the first contact surface for providing a gap for receiving a mating contact terminal, the method additionally comprising the following steps:
- tuning-fork type terminals By producing tuning-fork type terminals in this way, also a very accurate controlled gap size between the first and second contact surfaces is obtained, since the gap size is determined by the support tool.
- the second predetermined force is exerted such and the second predetermined shape is such that after the last step the second contact surface is provided with a third width larger than the first width.
- This first surface of the support tool may have any desired shape but in
- one embodiment it is designed to shape the first contact surface such that a line of intersection between the first contact surface and a plane of cross section through the contact terminal and perpendicular to the flat surface, is substantially rectilinear.
- the second surface of the support tool may be designed to shape the second contact surface such that a second line of intersection between the second contact surface and the plane of cross section is substantially rectilinear. Such a shape is preferred for a connector configuration with round cross-sectional pin members.
- the first surface of the support tool may be designed to shape the first contact surface such that a line of intersection between the first contact surface and a plane of cross section through the contact terminal and perpendicular to the flat surface, is substantially curved.
- the second surface of the support tool is, preferably, designed to shape the second contact surface such that a second line of intersection between the second contact surface and the plane of cross section is substantially curved.
- Such a shape is preferred for a connector configuration with rectangular cross- sectional pin members.
- the polishing and possible broadening of the contact surfaces may be done with specially shaped punches. These punches may be moved either substantially parallel to the flat surfaces of the terminal or substantially parallel to the flat surfaces of the terminal and towards the highly polished surface(s) of the support tool to exert the forces required for polishing and possible broadening of the contact surfaces.
- the present invention is also applicable to press-fit terminals, as will be
- Press-fitting connectors to printed circuit boards is common practice.
- a major difficulty can be experienced during positioning and press-fit application to printed circuit boards.
- the tooling and means to perform the press-fitting can be critical. Careful balance between the design parameters needs to be undertaken by analyzing the plug/ receptacle insertion/ withdrawal forces, means of application of the connector to the board, damage to plated through holes in the board and stress relaxation at the junction of the press-fit spring member to the plated through-hole in the pcb.
- Press-fit terminals for relatively large pitch spacings were primary square (solid) in cross- section.
- the diagonal over-size with the plated through hole (PTH) resulted in an effective measure to maintain the electrical/ mechanical integrity of the press-fit connection.
- the elasto-plastic mechanical deformations and board material characteristics defined the press-fit section retention force values.
- such press-fit systems with solid press-fit terminals can generally be associated with high insertion forces, local board bow and potential danger for PTH plating rupture
- the method defined above also relates to press-fit terminals which furthermore comprises a second contact surface being substantially parallel and opposite to the first contact surface, the first and second contact surfaces being arranged for a press-fit connection to a plated through hole of, e.g., a printed circuit board, the method steps defined above additionally comprising the following steps:
- the first surface of the support tool is designed to shape the first contact surface such that a first line of intersection between the first contact surface and a plane of cross-section through the contact terminal and perpendicular to the flat surface, is substantially curved and/or the second surface of the support tool is designed to shape the second contact surface such that a second line of intersection between the second contact surface and the plane of cross-section is substantially curved.
- the invention also related to a contact terminal provided with at least a first contact surface for contacting a mating contact area and stamped from a piece of blank having a substantially flat surface with a predetermined first width, the first contact surface being substantially perpendicular to the flat surface and being highly polished.
- the first contact surface is provided with a second width larger than the first width.
- the contact terminal according to the invention may furthermore be provided with a second contact surface being substantially perpendicular to the flat surface and opposite to the first contact surface for providing a gap for receiving a mating contact terminal, the second contact surface being highly
- the second contact surface is provided with a third width larger than the first width.
- Such a contact terminal may be a press-fit terminal with highly polished and possibly broadened contact surfaces.
- the invention also relates to a connector provided with at least one contact terminal either as produced by any of the methods described above or
- the invention relates to an assembly of a substrate and at least one contact terminal either as produced by any of the methods described above or as defined above, the at least one contact terminal being fixed to the substrate.
- FIGS. la, lb, and lc respectively, show a tuning-fork type contact terminal, a box-type contact terminal and a twisted beam tuning-fork type terminal, respectively, according to the prior art;
- Figure 2a shows a lateral sectional view of the contact terminal according to Figure la along line Ila-IIa, when in electrical contact with a mating male type contact terminal;
- Figures 2b, 2c show alternative lateral sectional views of the contact terminal according to Figure la;
- Figure 3a shows a side view of a tuning-fork type contact terminal
- Figure 3b shows a top view of the contact terminal according to Figure
- Figures 3c, 3d show sectional views of the contact terminal according to Figure 3a along lines IIIc-IIIc and Hld-IIId, respectively;
- Figure 3e shows an alternative top view of the contact terminal according to Figure 3a
- Figures 4a, 4b show sectional views like Figures 3c, 3d but of an alternative embodiment of a contact terminal according to the invention
- Figure 5a shows the contact terminal according to Figure 3a and a central support tool for the manufacturing of such a contact terminal
- Figure 5b shows a sectional view of the central support tool shown in Figure 5a and a sectional view of a side support tool, which together form the contact terminal;
- FIGS. 6a, 6b show single beam contact terminals according to the invention
- Figure 6c shows single beam contact terminals in accordance with the invention, applied as an edge card connector for connecting directly to tracks of a pcb;
- Figure 6d shows single beam contact terminals in accordance with the invention, connected to opposing surfaces of a substrate and arranged to cooperate with an edge card connector shown in Figure 6c;
- Figure 7a shows a press-fit terminal with polished surfaces
- Figure 7b shows a cross section of the press-fit terminal along line Vllb- Vllb in Figure 7a, as well as cross sections of a highly polished support tool and punches used to manufacture the press-fit terminal;
- Figure 8a shows an alternative dual beam tuning-fork terminal provided with polished contact surfaces, and
- Figure 8b illustrates a method of manufacturing the dual beam tuning- fork terminal according to Figure 8a.
- FIGs 3a-3e a tuning-fork type terminal 1 according to the invention is shown. It is similar to the prior art terminal of Figure la besides the presence of dimples 8- 11 and extensions 12- 15 which result from the manufacturing process.
- Figure 3a shows a side view of terminal 1 whereas
- Figure 3b shows a top view of the front side of the terminal 1 intended for connection to mating terminal 6 ( Figures 2a-2c).
- Figure 3b one can see the extensions 12, 13 from beam 3.
- Figure 3e shows a top view of terminal 1 in an alternative embodiment in which the beams 2, 3 are curved relative to centre line axis x such that the bottom part of the stagger shaped terminal does not coincide with the centre line axis x.
- a mating pin-like terminal 6 may be inserted deeper between beams 2, 3 without being stopped by the bottom part of the terminal 1. Consequently, existing relatively long pin-like terminals 6 can be received by terminal 1 even when breams 2, 3 are shorter than in the prior art tuning-fork type terminals.
- Figure 3c shows a cross section through terminal 1 along line IIIc-IIIc in Figure 3a whereas Figure 3d shows a cross section through terminal 1 through line Illd-IIId in figure 3a.
- Figure 3d clearly shows the dimples 8- 11
- the material surface adjoining extensions 12, 13 and 14, 15 are the receptacle surfaces intended to mate with corresponding surfaces of male pin terminal 6.
- the contact surfaces 4, 5 of beams 2, 3 are broadened relative to the width of the beams
- the width of contact surfaces 4, 5 may be less than 1.0 mm, and preferably in the range of 0.5 to 0.6 mm whereas the width of the beams
- 2, 3 may be 1.0 mm or less, preferably in the range up to 0.5 mm, e.g. 0.3 mm.
- the associated contact gap depends on the normal force requirement, usually of the order of 0.2 mm for 0.5 N force.
- Contact surfaces 4, 5 are substantially perpendicular to the side surfaces of beams 2, 3.
- the lines of intersection between contact surfaces 4, 5 and the cross section plane along lines IIIc-IIIc and Illd-IIId, respectively, are rectilinear.
- the embodiment according to Figures 3c, 3d is preferred when the mating contacting terminal 6 has round cross section. However, these lines of intersection may be curved
- Figures 4a and 4b show cross sections through terminal 1 similar to the cross sections of Figures 3c and 3d, respectively, however, from an alternative embodiment of the invention.
- the embodiment according to Figures 4a, 4b is preferred when mating terminal 6 has a rectangular cross section.
- FIG. 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b show a cross section through a specially shaped central support tool 16 used for manufacturing terminals according to the invention.
- Figure 5b shows a cross section of specially shaped side support punches 28, 29 (not shown in Figure 5a) simultaneously used with the support tool 16 in a plane perpendicular to beams 2, 3 along line Vb-Vb shown in Figure 5a.
- punch surfaces 33, 34 of side support punches 28, 29 correspond to the side surfaces of beams 2, 3.
- Surfaces 27, 30 of central support tool 16, Figure 5b are highly polished.
- Punch surfaces 33, 34 need not be high polished although it is well known that a sm 1ooth contour promotes material flow during a squeezing step (see below).
- central support tool 16 and side support punches 28, 29 are such that the heights of beams 2, 3 are, preferably, substantially not changed by the squeezing force. Control of the heights of beams 2, 3 is necessary since they are determined by the size of the connector cavity in
- terminal 1 which terminal 1 is to be inserted (see figure la).
- side support punches 28, 29 are shown to have suitable extensions.
- central support tool 16 may be provided with suitable extensions to prevent the heights of beams 2, 3 to be enlarged during the manufacturing process.
- one or more support tools which may be used.
- Such two punches thus, act both as central support tool 16 and as side support punches 28, 29.
- the previous discussion relates to the use of the invention for mating and termination (press-fit) end.
- the remaining in-between portion of the terminal edges can also be locally polished and flared, as required.
- the junction portion between beams 2 and 3 of the dual-beam type terminal 1 could be provided with a polished and flared edge 56, as shown in Figure 5a.
- Providing this junction between beams 2, 3 with an enlarged width results in stiffer beams because of the increased moment of inertia, thus, providing the possibility of using less material to obtain the same stiffness as in dual-beam type terminals without such flared junction edges. Further miniaturization could thus be achieved.
- the central support tool 16 and/ or the side support punches 28, 29 may be slightly heated.
- the beams 2, 3 of terminal 1 may be slightly heated before squeezing with the support tool 16 and the punches
- such support tooling could be a part of a comb-like structure
- FIG. 6a and 6b show single beam contact terminals 17 and 18 having beams 20 and 19, respectively. In these figures, for the sake of clarity, plastic connector housings have been omitted. Beam 19 is provided with a contact surface 25 and beam 20 is provided with a contact surface 26. Contact surfaces 25, 26 are polished by the same method as used to polish the contact surfaces 4, 5 of beams 2, 3 of the tuning-fork type terminal 1.
- the polishing tools are essentially the same as are applied for polishing dual-beam contact terminals through they may be specially designed and manufactured. When the polishing process illustrated with reference to Figures 5a, 5b is used dimples 8 will result.
- Figure 6a shows a connector structure using single beam terminals 17, 18 provided with bases 21, 23 used as a means to connect two substrates 22, 24, e.g., printed circuit boards.
- Terminal 18 is shown to be L-shaped in order to define a blocking position for beam 17 when contacting beam 18 such that contact surfaces 25 and 26 are then touching each other in a predetermined way.
- Figure 6b shows a part of the same single beam terminal 18, however, the base 23 being used for a right angle connection to substrate 24.
- Figure 6c shows the application of two single beam terminals 35, 36 arranged within an edge card connector 37, and suitable for connection to circuit tracks on two opposing sides of a substrate 44.
- Dimples 47 and 48 are provided on the terminals 35 and 36, respectively, for a firm accommodation of terminals 35, 36 within connector 37.
- the dimples 47, 48 may be polished,
- the connector 37 may be connected to another substrate 38 provided with conducting tracks (not shown) connected to the terminals 35, 36 in a way known by persons skilled in the art, e.g., by soldering or a press-fit connection.
- the substrate 44 is also provided with conducting tracks (not shown) which will contact terminals 35, 36 when the connector 37 is connected to the edge of substrate 44.
- connector 37 may be provided with several more single beam terminals like terminals 35, 36 in a parallel relation thereto.
- Figure 6d shows that substrate 44 may be provided with single beam terminals 45, 46, which are similar to the terminals 35, 36 and are arranged for contacting them and are to replace the conducting tracks (not shown) on substrate 44.
- Reference number 49 refers to an elevation on pcb 44, arranged to define the insert depth of pcb 44 into connector 37 to ensure that the polished, and possibly flared portions of the contact surfaces of beams 35 and 36 are contacting the contact surfaces of beams 45 and 46, respectively, in the inserted state.
- the invention is also applicable to press-fit tail areas, as shown in Figures 7a and 7b.
- Figure 7a shows a press-fit terminal 60 having a slot shaped opening 61 on its centre line to resiliently absorb forces exerted on the press-fit terminal 60 when inserted into an undersized plated (through) hole of, e.g., a printed circuit board (not shown), as is known as an "eye of a needle" press-fit.
- the invention is not restricted to this type of press- fit terminal.
- the press-fit terminal 60 comprises an insert part 62 with contact
- the front surfaces of punches 68, 69 and the surfaces 66, 67 of the support tool 16' are shaped such that the thickness of contact surfaces 64, 65 of press-fit terminal 60 are enlarged (or flared) relative to the original thickness of flat (rolled) material from which the initial contour of the press-fit section was cut-out.
- the enlarged width of contact surfaces 64, 65 has the advantage that the normal forces exerted on the wall of the plated through hole in a printed circuit board is distributed over a larger area. This then results in a reduced risk to damage of the plated through hole, contributing to good reliable electrical connection between the press-fit
- the invention describes essentially the use of two opposing indenting punches depressing from the flat-rolled side (i.e. along the material stock thickness and perpendicular to the material's flat surfaces), while the material extrusion is being restrained by support tooling located at the two other edges (i.e. along the width) of contact cut-out.
- This mode of operation has been the basis of the embodiments according to figures 1 up to 7.
- Figure 8a shows a dual-beam tuning-fork terminal 1 with beams 2, 3.
- Contact surfaces 4, 5 are polished and are shaped like a spoon.
- Contact surfaces 4, 5 have a width w2 which is larger than the original width wl of the terminal.
- Wl may be 0.3 mm or less whereas w2 may be 0.58 mm or less.
- FIG 8b shows how these spoon-like contact surfaces 4, 5 can be made.
- five right-angle contact terminals 1 are shown in their state after the stamping step.
- the beams 2 and 3, respectively, are still provided with rough, burred contact surfaces 4 and 5,
- FIG. 8b On the right-hand part of Figure 8b, five right-angle contact terminals 1 provided with spoon-like contact surfaces 4 and 5 are shown.
- the spoon shape of contact surfaces 4, 5 is obtained by inserting support tool 16 between opposing contact surfaces 4, 5 and by pressing contact surfaces 4, 5 with a predetermined force against its highly polished surfaces 27, 30 by means of punches 70, 71. To generate such a force, the punches 70, 71 are moved in a direction towards the highly polished surfaces of support tool 16, as indicated by arrows P8, P9.
- punches 70, 71 In order to be able to move punches 70, 71 in the directions of arrows P8, P9 at the proper locations, they firstly have to be inserted between a beam 4, 5 of one terminal and a beam 5, 4 of an adjacent terminal. However, because of the requirement to waste as little material as possible during the stamping step adjacent terminals 1 will be as close as possible, thus, leaving only a limited space available for inserting punches 70, 71 between them. Therefore, the method of polishing contact surfaces as described with reference to figures 5a and 5b, is preferred. One way of avoiding this difficulty of limited available space would be to turn the individual contact terminals 1 , e.g. by 90°, before the polishing step. However, this would require an additional process step.
- the method to polish and possibly broaden rough, burred contact surfaces resulting from stamping processes may be applied on any shaped terminal intended for electrically contacting any type of mating contact area, e.g., from a mating contact terminal, the plating hole in a
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP9520722A JP2000501225A (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-12-02 | How to form a smooth contact terminal |
US09/077,571 US6286209B1 (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-12-02 | Method of making smooth contact terminals |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP95203317A EP0777306B1 (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1995-12-01 | Smooth contact terminals, method to manufacture such terminals and products comprising such terminals |
EP95203317.3 | 1995-12-01 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997020369A1 true WO1997020369A1 (en) | 1997-06-05 |
Family
ID=8220900
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1996/019157 WO1997020369A1 (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-12-02 | Method of making smooth contact terminals |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0777306B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000501225A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69518157T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997020369A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3044293U (en) * | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-16 | バーグ・テクノロジー・インコーポレーテッド | Electrical connector |
JP4603563B2 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2010-12-22 | 株式会社ティー・ピー・エス | Punched contact |
KR101131299B1 (en) | 2011-03-15 | 2012-04-12 | 오무론 가부시키가이샤 | Contact and manufacturing method thereof |
US8556666B2 (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2013-10-15 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Tuning fork electrical contact with prongs having non-rectangular shape |
US9419396B2 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2016-08-16 | Lear Corporation | Female fuse terminal and printed circuit board assembly therefor |
JP2014024079A (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2014-02-06 | Sanko Seisan:Kk | Elastically holding connection terminal |
KR101489595B1 (en) | 2013-10-25 | 2015-02-06 | 주식회사 현대케피코 | Hooked Terminal For Press-Fit |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2779011A (en) * | 1954-02-01 | 1957-01-22 | Edison Swan Electric Co Ltd | Manufacture of electrical socket contacts |
US3142891A (en) * | 1961-04-18 | 1964-08-04 | Elco Corp | Method of forming rigid contact tails |
US3559604A (en) * | 1967-04-13 | 1971-02-02 | Elco Corp | Method of forming swaged contacts using progressive die |
US3669054A (en) * | 1970-03-23 | 1972-06-13 | Amp Inc | Method of manufacturing electrical terminals |
GB1398184A (en) * | 1971-07-23 | 1975-06-18 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Sensing apparatus |
US4045868A (en) * | 1975-07-21 | 1977-09-06 | Elfab Corporation | Method of fabrication and assembly of electrical connector |
SU654996A1 (en) * | 1976-05-03 | 1979-03-30 | Предприятие П/Я А-7651 | Contact-manufacturing method |
US4534611A (en) * | 1981-06-23 | 1985-08-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Contact springs |
US4546542A (en) * | 1981-10-08 | 1985-10-15 | Symbex Corporation | Method and apparatus for making fork contacts |
US4678262A (en) * | 1984-05-08 | 1987-07-07 | Allied Corporation | Contact element |
US4825541A (en) * | 1986-12-22 | 1989-05-02 | Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh | Method of making contact springs |
US5077893A (en) * | 1989-09-26 | 1992-01-07 | Molex Incorporated | Method for forming electrical terminal |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB979211A (en) * | 1961-06-29 | 1965-01-01 | United Carr Inc | Electrical plug and socket assemblies |
DE8207036U1 (en) * | 1982-03-12 | 1984-02-16 | Ramel, Elisabeth, 8190 Wolfratshausen | Electrical connector |
US4769907A (en) * | 1987-07-27 | 1988-09-13 | Northern Telecom Limited | Method of making a circuit board pin |
DE4400499C2 (en) * | 1994-01-11 | 1996-05-02 | Itt Cannon Gmbh | Contact spring arrangement |
-
1995
- 1995-12-01 DE DE69518157T patent/DE69518157T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-12-01 EP EP95203317A patent/EP0777306B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1996
- 1996-12-02 WO PCT/US1996/019157 patent/WO1997020369A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-12-02 JP JP9520722A patent/JP2000501225A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2779011A (en) * | 1954-02-01 | 1957-01-22 | Edison Swan Electric Co Ltd | Manufacture of electrical socket contacts |
US3142891A (en) * | 1961-04-18 | 1964-08-04 | Elco Corp | Method of forming rigid contact tails |
US3559604A (en) * | 1967-04-13 | 1971-02-02 | Elco Corp | Method of forming swaged contacts using progressive die |
US3669054A (en) * | 1970-03-23 | 1972-06-13 | Amp Inc | Method of manufacturing electrical terminals |
GB1398184A (en) * | 1971-07-23 | 1975-06-18 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Sensing apparatus |
US4045868A (en) * | 1975-07-21 | 1977-09-06 | Elfab Corporation | Method of fabrication and assembly of electrical connector |
SU654996A1 (en) * | 1976-05-03 | 1979-03-30 | Предприятие П/Я А-7651 | Contact-manufacturing method |
US4534611A (en) * | 1981-06-23 | 1985-08-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Contact springs |
US4546542A (en) * | 1981-10-08 | 1985-10-15 | Symbex Corporation | Method and apparatus for making fork contacts |
US4678262A (en) * | 1984-05-08 | 1987-07-07 | Allied Corporation | Contact element |
US4825541A (en) * | 1986-12-22 | 1989-05-02 | Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh | Method of making contact springs |
US5077893A (en) * | 1989-09-26 | 1992-01-07 | Molex Incorporated | Method for forming electrical terminal |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69518157D1 (en) | 2000-08-31 |
EP0777306B1 (en) | 2000-07-26 |
EP0777306A1 (en) | 1997-06-04 |
JP2000501225A (en) | 2000-02-02 |
DE69518157T2 (en) | 2001-03-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4907990A (en) | Elastically supported dual cantilever beam pin-receiving electrical contact | |
US7651382B2 (en) | Electrical interconnection devices incorporating redundant contact points for reducing capacitive stubs and improved signal integrity | |
US5944563A (en) | Press-in terminal for a connector | |
US4206964A (en) | Terminal device having improved retention means | |
US7404746B2 (en) | Electrical interconnection devices incorporating redundant contact points for reducing capacitive stubs and improved signal integrity | |
EP0480788A2 (en) | Self-operative electrical shunting contact and method for forming same | |
US5960540A (en) | Insulated wire with integral terminals | |
EP0771480A1 (en) | Electrical connector hold-down | |
US6286209B1 (en) | Method of making smooth contact terminals | |
WO1990008408A1 (en) | Multi-port coaxial connector assembly | |
EP0479852B1 (en) | Electrical connector for direct connection to plated through holes in circuit board | |
EP0777306B1 (en) | Smooth contact terminals, method to manufacture such terminals and products comprising such terminals | |
US6483041B1 (en) | Micro soldered connection | |
US6431903B1 (en) | Insulation displacement contact for use with fine wires | |
US5082460A (en) | Electrical terminal with frangible mounting leg and method of forming the same | |
EP0418045B1 (en) | Coaxial pin connector having an array of conductive hollow cylindrical structures | |
KR100486612B1 (en) | Compliant press-fit pin for backplane system | |
JPH0245305B2 (en) | ||
US11152723B2 (en) | Contact pin for pressing into a printed circuit board and contact arrangement | |
EP0492017B1 (en) | Electrical terminal with frangible mounting leg and method of forming the same | |
CN111342267A (en) | Interposer and method of manufacturing interposer | |
KR20050050581A (en) | Contact for press fit and press fit connector using the same | |
US3315220A (en) | Electrical contacts and method of manufacturing same | |
CN217719976U (en) | Conductive terminal for connecting wire | |
WO1986003625A1 (en) | Electrical terminal having a compliant retention section |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): CN JP KR US |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: JP Ref document number: 1997 520722 Kind code of ref document: A Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1019980704119 Country of ref document: KR Ref document number: 09077571 Country of ref document: US |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase | ||
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1019980704119 Country of ref document: KR |
|
WWR | Wipo information: refused in national office |
Ref document number: 1019980704119 Country of ref document: KR |