SOCKET CONTACT FOR USE WITH A CONNECTOR

Abstract

 A socket contact (10) for use with a connector, including a body (12) having a first portion (14) having a first end (15), the first portion (14) extending along a first axis (16) for forming a conductive path with a first conductor (40), the first portion (14) extending along a second axis (22) to a hollow second portion (18) having a second end (24) opposite the first end (15), the second portion (18) extending along the second axis (22) to an engagement region (26) near the second end (24) for receiving a second conductor (46). The engagement region (26) forms more than two contact points (28, 34) with the second conductor (46).

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed to socket contacts for use in electrical connectors. In particular, the invention is directed to socket contacts having connection protective features for use in electrical connectors.

[0002] Electrical connectors provide communicative interfaces between electrical components where power and/or signals may be transmitted therethrough. For example, the electrical connectors may be used within telecommunication equipment, servers, and data storage or transport devices. Typically, electrical connectors are used in environments, such as in offices or homes, where the connectors are not subjected to constant shock, vibration, and/or extreme temperatures. However, in some applications, such as aerospace or military equipment, the electrical connector must be configured to withstand certain conditions and still effectively transmit power and/or data signals.

[0003] In a known connector arrangement, as shown in FIG. 1, a socket contact 4 includes a pair of opposed beams 6 forming a socket for receiving a conductor (not shown). A separate protective hollow cylindrical hood 8 is slid over beams 6 to protect them from damage. Although effective, fabrication of the separate hood 8 followed by its subsequent assembly over the beams 6 increases time and expense associated with manufacture of the socket contact 4.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for improved socket contacts having protective features that do not suffer from these drawbacks.

[0005] The solution is provided by a socket contact for use in or with a connector, including a body having a first portion having a first end, the first portion extending along a first axis for forming a conductive path with a first conductor, the first portion extending along a second axis to a hollow second portion having a second end opposite the first end, the second portion extending along the second axis to an engagement region near the second end for receiving a second conductor. The engagement region forms more than two contact points with the second conductor. In other words, the engagement region includes more than two contact points which project inwardly from an inner surface of the second portion or from the engagement region.

[0006] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a prior art socket contact.

FIG. 2 is a flat pattern of an exemplary socket contact of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of a formed socket contact of FIG. 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an end view taken along line 4-4 of the formed contact of FIG. 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the formed contact of FIG. 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial view taken from region 6 of the formed contact of FIG. 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the formed contact of FIG. 3 of the present invention.

[0007] An embodiment is directed to a socket contact for use with a connector, including a body having a first portion having a first end, the first portion extending along a first axis for forming a conductive path with a first conductor, the first portion extending along a second axis to a hollow second portion having a second end opposite the first end, the second portion extending along the second axis to an engagement region near the second end for receiving a second conductor. The engagement region forms more than two contact points with the second conductor.

[0008] A further embodiment is directed to a socket contact for use in or with a connector, including a body formed from a single foil layer having a first portion having a first end, the first portion extending along a first axis for forming a conductive path with a first conductor, the first portion extending along a second axis to a hollow second portion having a second end opposite the first end, the second portion extending along the second axis to an engagement region near the second end for receiving a second conductor. The engagement region forms more than two contact points with the second conductor. In other words, the engagement region includes more than two contact points which project inwardly from an inner surface of the second portion or from the engagement region.

[0009] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," "engaged," "installed" and the like refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a flat pattern of an exemplary socket contact 10' that is formed from a single foil layer, which when formed (i.e., stamped and/or rolled), becomes a formed socket contact 10 (FIG. 3). This single piece construction results in simplification of the manufacturing process, parts reduction, as well as manufacturing time, resulting a cost savings, with improved reliability. Socket contact 10' includes a body 12' having a portion 14' that extends from an end 15' along an axis 16 to a portion 18'. As shown, between end 15' and retention features 20' along axis 16, portion 14' forms a contact typically referred to as an "eye of the needle" for installing into printed circuit boards without solder. Retention features 20' are typically referred to as an "S wing" for securing socket contact in an opening of a connector. In one embodiment, portion 14' may be a socket contact. As further shown in FIG. 2, portion 18' extends away from portion 14' along an axis 22, terminating at an end 24'. In one embodiment, axes 16, 22 are generally coincident. Near end 24' is an engagement region 26' including a pair of contact points 28' defining protrusions extending from an inner surface 38' of portion 18'. Contact points 28 are formed during the stamping of portion 18', the dies (not shown) being configured so that material from the outer surface of portion 18' is displaced so as to extend outwardly from inner surface 38' of portion 18'. In one embodiment, there are more than a pair of contact points 28'. Engagement region 26' also includes a cantilever beam 30' defined by a generally V-shaped slot 32'. In one embodiment, there may be more than one cantilever beam 30'. Cantilever beam 30' terminates at an apex or end 34'. As further shown in FIG. 2, contact points 28' and end 34' of cantilever beam 30' are generally coincident with a plane 36 that is generally transverse to axis 22. In one embodiment, plane 36 is not generally transverse to axis 22.

[0011] Components of flat pattern socket contact 10' of FIG. 1 correspond to formed socket contact 10 of FIG. 3. That is, socket contact 10 includes a body 12 having a portion 14 that extends from an end 15 along an axis 16 to a portion 18. As shown, between end 15 and retention features 20 along axis 16, portion 14 forms a contact typically referred to as an "eye of the needle" for forming a conductive path with a conductor 40 upon insertion inside of conductor 40. Retention features 20 are typically referred to as an "S wing" that is secured in an opening 42 of a connector 44. In one embodiment, portion 14 may be a socket contact.

[0012] As further shown in FIG. 3, portion 18 defines a hollow structure or hood that extends away from portion 14 along an axis 22, terminating at an end 24. In one embodiment, the hollow portion 18 has an outer diameter of between 1.3mm (0.05 inch) and 1.5mm (0.06 inch), such as for use as a Size 2222 socket usable with Air Transport Avionics Equipment Interfaces (ARINC) Specification 600-19 (published June 23, 2011). In one embodiment, the outer diameter may have different sizes greater than 1.5mm (0.06 inch) or smaller than 1.3mm (0.05 inch). In one embodiment, axes 16, 22 are generally coincident. Near end 24 is an engagement region 26 including a pair of contact points 28 defining protrusions extending from an inner surface 30 of portion 18. Contact points 28 are formed during the stamping of portion 18, the dies being configured so that material from an outer surface 39 of portion 18 is displaced so as to extend outwardly from inner surface 38 of portion 18, such as shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, there are more than a pair of contact points 28. Engagement region 26 also includes a cantilever beam 30 defined by a generally V-shaped slot 32. In one embodiment, there may be more than one cantilever beam 30. Cantilever beam 30 terminates at an apex or end 34. As further shown in FIG. 2, contact points 28 and end 34 of cantilever beam 30 are generally coincident with a plane 36 that is generally transverse to axis 22. In one embodiment, plane 36 is not generally transverse to axis 22. Portion 18 is adapted to slidably receive an outer surface of an end of a conductor 46, such as a socket conductor, conductor 46 being directed inside of portion 18, with the pair of contact points 28 and the inwardly directed end 34 of cantilever beam 30 collectively forming three contact points with conductor 46 for securing portion 18 and conductor 46 together, establishing electrical connections therebetween. In one embodiment, there may be more than three contact points, which may be as a result of more than three contact points 28 and/or more than one cantilever beam 30 (and corresponding ends 34).

[0013] For purposes of clarity by more fully showing one or more of these contact from different vantage points, FIG. 4 is an end view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken from region 6 of FIG. 5 (which is a cross section of portion 18), and FIG. 7 is a cross section of portion 18. As further shown in FIG. 6, cantilever beam 30 subtends a contact angle 48 inwardly directed toward axis 22, such that end 34 is interior of and protected by hollow portion 18. Similarly, FIG. 7 shows contact point 28 extending inwardly from inner surface 38 of portion 18 toward axis 22. FIG. 4 shows both the inwardly directed contact points 28 and an additional contact point defined by end 34 of cantilever beam 30. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, such as for purposes of facilitating ease of insertion (i.e., avoiding binding) of conductor 46 with end 34 of cantilever beam 30, a reverse bend 50 relative to inwardly directly contact angle 48 is formed near end 34 of inwardly disposed cantilever beam 30, defining a lip 52. As a result of the magnitude of reverse bend 50 being greater than the magnitude of contact angle 48, the resulting lip 52 extends toward inner surface 38, including a contact surface 54 that serves as angled surface similar to a chamfer that will facilitate a sliding contact with an inserted end of conductor 46. Thereby providing a low insertion force connection. That is, due at least in response to the gradual lead-in radius of the reverse bend 50 in cantilever beam 30, a mating engagement of conductor 46 with end(s) 34 of cantilever beam 30 and contact points 28 occurs at a low insertion force, i.e., a force of 113 grams (4 ounces) or less. Optionally, lip 52 may additionally include rounded or chamfered edges, if desired.

[0014] The socket contact arrangement and connector utilizing the socket contact arrangement in a high density layout of the present invention may be configured for many applications, such as high-speed telecommunications equipment, various classes of servers, and data storage and transport devices. Also, the socket contact arrangement and connector may be configured to transmit high-speed: differential signals. As used herein, the term "high-speed" includes transmission speeds of approximately 1 gigabit/s or greater. In one embodiment, the connector is configured to transmit approximately 10 gigabit/s or greater. Furthermore, the socket contact arrangement and connector may perform at high speeds and maintain signal integrity while withstanding vibrations and shock that may be experienced during, for example, aerospace or military operations. As such, the socket contact arrangement and connector may be configured to satisfy known industry standards and/or specifications, such as (ARINC) Specification 600-19 (published June 23, 2011). However, embodiments described herein are not limited to applications for extreme environments, but may also be used in other environments, such as in an office or home.

Claims

1. A socket contact (10) for use in a connector, comprising:

a body (12) having a first portion (14) having a first end (15), the first portion (14) extending along a first axis (16) for forming a conductive path with a first conductor (40), the first portion (14) extending along a second axis (22) to a hollow second portion (18) having a second end (24) opposite the first end (15), the second portion (18) extending along the second axis (22) to an engagement region (26) near the second end (24) for receiving a second conductor (46);

wherein the engagement region (26) forms more than two contact points (28) with the second conductor (46).

2. The socket contact (10) of claim 1, wherein the first axis (16) is parallel to the second axis (22).

3. The socket contact (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the socket contact (10) is formed from a single foil layer.

4. The socket contact (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the more than two contact points (28) are coincident with a plane (36) transverse to the second axis (22).

5. The socket contact (10) of any preceding claim, wherein at least two contact points (28) of the more than two contact points (28) define protrusions extending from an inner surface (38) of the second portion (18).

6. The socket contact (10) of any preceding claim, wherein at least one contact point (28) of the more than two contact points (28) is an end (34) of a cantilever beam (30) formed in the second portion (18).

7. The socket contact (10) of claim 6, wherein the end (34) of the cantilever beam (30) is interior of the second portion (18).

8. The socket contact (10) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the end (34) of the cantilever beam (30) includes a lip (52) extending toward an inner surface (39) of the second portion (18).

9. The socket contact (10) of any preceding claim, wherein an outer diameter of the second portion (18) is between 1.3 and 1.5mm (0.05 and 0.06 inch).

10. The socket contact (10) of any preceding claim, wherein engagement of the second conductor (46) and the engagement region (26) is achieved in response to application of a low insertion force.

11. The socket contact (10) of any preceding claim wherein the body (12) is formed from a single foil layer.

12. The socket contact (10) of claim 11, wherein the socket contact (10) is formed from a single foil layer.

Drawing