FR2631747A1 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND COMBINED ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SUCH AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD - Google Patents

Abstract

In such a connector, which serves to establish an electrical connection between conductors and a printed circuit board 20 and comprises an insulating housing 10 comprising one or more cavities housing conductors and at least one inlet 11 for the conductors and one or more openings 12 housing contacts 13 and establishing communication between the cavities and the exterior of the connector, the housing 10 comprises fixing means 14, 15 allowing its removable fixing to the wafer 20 and arranged so that a rectilinear movement between the wafer 20 and housing 10 causes the housing to be attached to the wafer or the housing to be disengaged from the wafer. Application in particular to electrical connectors for the connection of printed circuit boards.

Description

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and

  particular electrical connectors for establishing an electrical connection between one or more insulated conductors and a printed circuit board. Here, the term "insulated conductor" is meant to include solid conductors and stranded conductors as well as other types of conductors such as twisted conductors, fully isolated by. a

insulating material coating.

  A standard type of electrical connector for

  printed circuit boards includes contacts that

  into plated through holes of the pads and are subsequently fixed in position by welding. Another surface-mounted connector has contacts, which are welded in place to studs on the surface of the

  printed circuit board. An example of this type of con-

  is indicated in British Patent No. 2,161,658.

  In this type of connector, the contacts have substantially the shape of wires and the body of the connector is

  simply a case for the contacts.

  Another type of connector is the edge connector, which attaches by pinching on the. edge of a printed circuit board, which often requires pivoting

  of the printed circuit board in relation to the connection

  tor. An example of this type of connector is shown in British Patent No. 1,572,363. Although the arrangement of the contacts of this type of connector is generally more complex than simple wire-shaped contacts, the connector body is still simply constituted by a housing

used to house the contacts.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having certain advantages by

  compared to the connections mentioned above.

  This problem is solved according to the invention using an electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection between one or more insulated conductors and a printed circuit board, this connector comprising an insulating housing comprising one or more cavities housing the conductors and at least one input for the conductors, by means of which one or more insulated conductors may be introduced into the

  cavities housing the drivers, and one or more

  enclosures housing the contacts and establishing a

  communication between the cavity or cavities housing the conductors and the outside of the connector, characterized in that the insulating housing further comprises fixing means adapted to removably attach the housing to a printed circuit board, the fixing means being such that a rectilinear movement between the printed circuit board and the insulating housing causes the housing to be fixed to the printed circuit board or its

  clearance from the wafer.

  The connector according to the present invention realizes an adaptation of the concept of a connector or plug-in telephone jack, in which the termination of the insulated conductors is formed in situ in the connector housing, for use with contact pads. printed circuits. The connector housing is attached directly to a printed circuit board without the need for a telephone socket

  traditional or any type of receptacle.

  The fastening means may be constituted by one or more locking members adapted to mesh with a portion of the printed circuit board and fix the insulating housing to this wafer. Suitably, the one or more locking members may comprise means in the form of projections, adapted to be housed in corresponding openings in a printed circuit board. Another arrangement is that the one or more locking members may comprise apertured means adapted to receive corresponding projections extending from a printed circuit board. When the locking members are openings, they may have the shape of keyhole-shaped slots. In another embodiment, the one or more locking members may be in the form of elongated ribs adapted to be slidably received in corresponding slots in a circuit board.

printed.

  The invention further relates to a combined assembly comprising a printed circuit board and an electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection between one or more insulated conductors and a printed circuit board, said connector comprising an insulating housing having one or more cavities housing the conductors and at least one input for the conductors, by means of which one or more insulated conductors can be introduced into the cavity or cavities housing the conductors, and one or more openings accommodating contacts and establishing communication between the cavity (s) housing the conductors and the outside of the connector, characterized in that the insulating casing and the printed circuit board each comprise fixing means adapted to cooperate with each other so as to detachably fasten the connector to the printed circuit board and that each of the fastening means is such that n rectilinear movement between the printed circuit board and the insulative housing causes the housing to be attached to the printed circuit board or its

  clearance from the wafer.

  In this combined assembly, a first of the parts constituted by the insulating housing and the printed circuit board may comprise one or more locking members and the other of these parts may comprise one or more openings, in which the one or more locking members are housed so as to fix the

  casing and the printed circuit board to each other.

  The invention also relates to an electrical connector

  as defined above and having a contact element having an opening and a resilient arm bracket defining an edge of the opening, such contact being such that a printed circuit board placed in contact with the contact element causes the deviation of the arm bracket relative to the opening, and the electrical contacts being movable relative to each other between a position, in which they are partially inserted into the openings housing contact contacts, one or more parts in shape of spikes being cleared

  of the cavity housing the conductor, and a final position

  the, in which the one or more tip-shaped members penetrate into the cavity housing the conductor so as to pierce the insulating coating of the insulated conductor housed in this cavity, and the insulating casing furthermore comprises fixing means allowing the removable fixing on a printed circuit board, so that when the insulating housing is attached to the printed circuit board by means of the fastening means, the console arms are caused to flex relative to the openings, the elasticity of each arm in a console pushing the latter against the printed circuit board so as to establish an electrical connection between the respective insulated conductor and the

printed circuit board.

  Other features and benefits of the

  present invention will emerge from the description given above.

  Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows an electrical connector arranged according to '1'invention and a printed circuit board, suitable for receiving the connector; FIG. 2 shows a printed circuit board suitable for use with the electrical connector of FIG. 1; - Figure 3 shows a second embodiment showing an electrical connector arranged according to the invention and a printed circuit board suitable for receiving the connector; and FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment showing an electrical connector arranged according to the invention as well as a circuit board

  printed matter suitable for receiving the connector.

  Referring now to FIG.

  The recess comprises a molded plastic housing 10 having one or more cavities housing conductors accessible through an input 11 for the conductors. The housing comprises, on one of its faces, several elongate cavities 12 housing contacts, in each of which is mounted a contact 13 formed by a resilient arm console, one end protrudes outside beyond the face of the case. At each of the two opposite edges of this face is disposed an elongated projecting rib 14, which extends parallel to the cavities 12. The projecting edge of each rib has a central abutment 15 which protrudes perpendicularly to the rib. The sides of the housing, adjacent to the rib, each comprise a pair of projecting portions 16, which delimit coplanar faces with the face having the cavities 12. Optionally, an edge of the housing 10 located at the inlet end of the conductors comprises an elastic arm 17, which extends

  upward, as shown in the drawing, and extends to

  This projecting portion has a narrowed shape in a direction away from the input 11 of the conductors and has a marked inner shoulder forming a ridge 18. The arm is part of a latch intended for cooperate with the matched portion located on a printed circuit board, so as to retain the connector on such a wafer

  appropriate, as will be explained later.

  There is shown a printed circuit board designated by the reference 20 and whose lower face has parallel tracks (not shown) for the connector, which extend from the front edge shown and are separated by a distance corresponding to the distance spacing contacts 13 of the connector. The wafer also has two parallel blind slots 21,22, separated by the same distance as the ribs 14 of the connector and for mounting the latter by sliding on the wafer, each of the ribs engaging in a slot. During this sliding movement, the console arms of the contacts 13 are deflected elastically and the contacts engage in the tracks on the underside of the wafer, while the inner face of the stops 15 comes into contact with the upper part of the wafer. the wafer. When sliding the connector on the wafer, the arm 18 is deflected inwards until the connector is fully engaged when the arm clicks externally in a recess portion in the slot 22 and is retained by the edge 18. This

  mounting the connector on the plate implies a

  rectilinear placement of the housing relative to the wafer, consisting of, when looking at the drawing, first lift the housing to bring the face carrying the contacts in contact with the underside of the wafer, then to engage horizontally the ribs in the slits. To remove the connector from the insert, first push the arm inward so that the edge 18

  emerges from the undercut portion 23.

  The connector of FIG. 1 is also suitable for being mounted on a wafer without this requiring its insertion from an edge, and in FIG.

263,174?

  shown a suitable wafer for such mounting. In this arrangement, the wafer has a slot that does not extend to an edge of the wafer. The slot has an enlarged portion 25, which provides a passage space for the stops 15 and also for the arm 18, in the case where the latter is provided, and two narrow portions 26,27 similar to the parts 21 and 22 and connected to the enlarged part. The housing can be mounted on the wafer by vertically displacing the housing for the insertion of stops 15, ribs 14 and arm 17 in the widened portion 25, and with horizontal displacement allowing the ribs 14 to slide into the narrower portions 26, 27, until the ridge 18 snaps into the

draft 28.

  Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown another embodiment, in which a housing has an assembly comprising contacts, a cavity housing a conductor and a conductor input,

  similar to that of Figure 1, with a cable 31 connected.

  In this arrangement, the housing 30 has opposed flanges 32,33 having surfaces which are coplanar with the face carrying the contacts, each flange comprising

  two slots 34 in the form of a keyhole.

  In this case, a printed circuit board 35 has locking studs 36 provided with a head, which are suitably positioned on the wafer so as to allow their simultaneous engagement in the keyhole-shaped slots, which are associated, with a vertical downward movement of the housing on the wafer, for inserting the head of the nipples in the wide part of the keyhole slot and fix the housing on the wafer by means of a horizontal sliding movement of the housing so that the nipples engage in the narrowest part of the slot while the heads are applied to the flanges 32,33. Again, this arrangement involves a rectilinear movement of the housing by

report to the plate.

  The keyhole slots and nipples 36 may be asymmetrically positioned to provide a mounting / polarization discrimination feature ensuring connection of a housing only to a wafer having nipples.

  lock positioned appropriately.

  The nipples can be made of plastic and can be plugged, by applying heat, into the printed circuit board or can be made of a metal and riveted or welded, which allows the attachment to the wafer printed circuit boards. Another possible arrangement is shown in FIG. 4 and, again, a housing 40 has an assembly including contacts, a cavity housing a conductor and an input for the conductor, similar to that shown in FIG. cable 41 connected. In this arrangement, the housing comprises two pins 42 and two locking arms 43 in the form of resilient teeth, which protrude from the face of the housing, carrying the contacts, so as to engage holes 44 arranged so that Similar in a printed circuit board 45. In order to mesh between the housing and the printed circuit board, the studs and the arms are aligned with the holes, and the casing is lowered so that it engages with the holes, in which case, during this movement, the lock arm-shaped portion of the housing is resiliently deflected and engages with its tooth-shaped portion on the opposite side of the printed circuit board, thereby following a displacement straight. The studs and / or the locking arms may be arranged relative to each other to provide a discrimination / polarization characteristic to ensure that the housing can be mounted only in one position on the printed circuit board with holes disposed thereon appropriately. Note that the mounting portions, which cooperate with each other and are provided on the housing and on the printed circuit board, could be interchanged. For example, in Figures 1 and 2, instead of providing the ribs 14 having the stops 15 on the housing, they could be provided on the printed circuit board and slots could be formed, cooperating with the ribs and the stops, in flanges on the housing. In the case of Figure 3, the keyhole-shaped slots could be formed in the wafer and locking nipples could be provided on the housing. In the case of Figure 4, the studs and the locking arms could be provided on the wafer and the holes could be provided in the housing, and by

  example in a flange or in the face with the contacts.

  It will also be noted that, although, in the embodiments described, two slots and two ribs cooperating with slots or four holes or four slots and dowels cooperating with these holes or slots are provided, the assemblies formed by the locking arms and locking studs with only a pair of cooperating parts, for example a single slot and a single rib or several such elements, such arrangements falling within the scope of the

present invention.

263174 7

Claims (10)

  An electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection between one or more insulated conductors and a printed circuit board (20; 35), which connector comprises an insulative housing (10) having one or more cavities housing the conductors and at least one input (11) for conductors, by means of which one or more insulated conductors may be introduced into the cavity or recesses housing the conductors, and one or more   openings (12) housing contacts and establishing a   communication between the cavity or cavities housing the conductors and the outside of this connector, characterized in that the   insulation housing (10) further comprises means for   tion (14,15,16,18,21,22, 26,27, 34,36, 42,43) adapted   removably securing the housing to a printed circuit board (20; 35), the fixing means being such that a rectilinear movement between the printed circuit board and the insulating housing causes the fixing of the   the package of the printed circuit board or its from the plate.   2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means (14, 15, 16, 18,   21,22; 26,27; 34,36; 42,43) comprise one or more elements   locking members (16, 18) adapted to mesh with a portion of the printed circuit board (20) and to secure the insulating housing to the wafer.   3. Electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the or the locking members (16, 18) comprise projections able to be housed in corresponding openings (23) formed in a   printed circuit board (20).   4. Electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the or the locking members (18) can flex elastically during their insertion in the or openings (23), which correspond to them, and there 263,174?   snap into a positive restraint engagement, when their complete insertion.   5. Electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the or the locking members (34, 36) comprise means in the form of openings (34), suitable   to accommodate corresponding projections (36) extending   from a printed circuit board (35).   6. Electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening or openings (34) have the   slotted form in the form of a keyhole.   Electrical connector according to Claim 2, characterized in that the locking member or members (14) have the form of elongate ribs adapted to be slidably received in corresponding slots (21,   22, 26, 27) in a printed circuit board.   8. Electrical connector according to any one   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises   a contact element - (13) having an opening and a   console elastic arm defining an edge of the opening   re, the contact being such that a printed circuit board   mes (20) brought into engagement with the contact member causes the arm to deflect relative to the aperture such that, upon attachment of the insulative housing to a printed circuit board using the means the console arms are caused to flex relative to the openings, the elasticity of each console arm pushing the arm against the printed circuit board so as to establish an electrical connection between a respective insulated conductor and the printed circuit board.   9. A combination assembly comprising a printed circuit board and an electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection between one or more insulated conductors and a printed circuit board (20; 35), which connector comprises an insulating housing (10) having one or more plural cavities housing the conductors and at least one input (11) for the conductors, by means of which one or more insulated conductors can be introduced into the cavity or cavities housing the conductors, and one or more openings (12) housing contacts   (13) and establishing a communication between the cavity (s)   The housing housing the conductors and the exterior thereof, characterized in that the insulating housing and the circuit board each comprise fixing means adapted to cooperate. between them so as to releasably attach the connector to the printed circuit board and that each of the fixing means is such that a rectilinear movement between the printed circuit board and the insulating casing causes the casing of the wafer to be fixed to printed circuit boards or sound   clearance from the wafer.   10. Combination assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that a first of the parts formed by the insulating housing and the printed circuit board comprises one or more locking members (36,43) and the other of these parts comprises one or more openings (34, 44), in which the one or more locking members are housed so as to fix the housing and   the printed circuit board to each other.