The present invention is directed to connectors having high density layouts. In particular, the invention is directed to reverse-gender connectors having high density layouts.
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.
In some connector arrangements, the mating contacts have a reverse gender construction. For example, in one connector each pin contact is secured in a cylindrical insulator or insert. In the mating connector, each hollow tubular socket is constructed such that when the connectors are brought together or engaged, each tubular socket is inserted into a corresponding insert, with each tubular socket simultaneously receiving a corresponding pin to establish an electrical connection therebetween. Moreover, it is often desirable to reduce the size of the connectors. In such connector arrangements, sometimes referred to as having a “high density layout”, the center-to-center distance between adjacent pins may be so small that there is no room for conventional contact retention features (i.e., molded retention fingers or a retention clip). As a result, these connectors typically require encapsulation of contacts and are configured such that it is not possible to replace a “bad” contact pin. That is, if a pin contact becomes inoperable, the entire connector must be replaced, which is costly, time-consuming and wasteful.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved connectors employing reverse-gender contacts that do not suffer from these drawbacks.
An embodiment is directed to a reverse-gender pin contact for use with a connector having a high density layout, including a body having a hollow first portion extending along an axis for receiving a conductor. The first portion extends along the axis to a neck, the neck extending along the axis to an engaging end for insertion inside a mating socket contact. A retention feature extends from the neck transverse to the axis.
A further embodiment is directed to a reverse-gender pin contact for use with a connector having a high density layout, including a body formed from a single foil layer. The body has a hollow first portion extending along an axis for receiving a conductor, the first portion extending along the axis to a neck, the neck extending along the axis to an engaging end for insertion inside a mating socket contact. A retention feature extends from the neck transverse to the axis.
A yet further embodiment is directed to a method for retaining a reverse-gender pin contact in a connector having a high density layout, including providing a body having a hollow first portion extending along a first axis for receiving a conductor, the first portion extending along the first axis to a neck, the neck extending along the first axis to an engaging end for insertion inside a mating socket contact, the neck including a retention feature extending from the neck transverse to the first axis, the neck and the retention feature having a first cross-sectional area transverse to the first axis. The method further includes providing the connector having a hollow insulator for receiving the body therein, the insulator having a first end, a second end and a second axis, the insulator having a shoulder positioned between the first end and the second end, a portion of the insulator between the first end and shoulder defining a first section, a portion of the insulator between the second end and shoulder defining a second section, the shoulder having a second cross-sectional area transverse to the second axis, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area. The method further includes directing an end of the conductor inside the first portion, and securing the end of the conductor and the first portion together. The method further includes directing the engaging end along the second axis inside the first section until the retention feature is brought into contact with the shoulder. The method includes further directing the engaging end along the second axis toward the second section, at least the retention feature being subjected to compressive forces by the shoulder, resulting in a reduction of the first cross-sectional area of the retention feature and neck, permitting the retention feature and neck to slide inside of and past the shoulder, whereupon the retention feature returning to an uncompressed condition upon entering the second section, thereby retaining the engaging end inside the second section.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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 similar 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.
Components of flat pattern pin contact 10′ of
For purposes of clarity,
For purposes of clarity,
As further shown in
As further shown in
Once inserted pin contact 10 is retained inside connector 54 in installed position 72 (
The pin contact arrangement of the present invention provides several advantages. First, the amount of the installation force associated with directing pin contact 10 inside of insert 52 is sufficiently low such that insulated wire 26 (
It is to be understood the chamfers 29, 31 of pin contact 11 (shown as 29′, 31′ of pin contact 11′ of
The pin contact arrangement and connector utilizing the pin 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 pin 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 one (1) gigabit/s or greater. In one embodiment, the connector is configured to transmit approximately 10 gigabit/s or greater. Furthermore, the pin 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 pin contact arrangement and connector may be configured to satisfy known industry standards including military specifications, such as MIL-DTL-83513. 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.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.
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