U.S. patent number 3,753,207 [Application Number 05/187,385] was granted by the patent office on 1973-08-14 for connector for the electrical connection of flexible conductors.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bell Canada - Northern Electric Research Limited. Invention is credited to Peter Francis Maheux, Robert Maarten Van Dyk.
United States Patent |
3,753,207 |
Maheux , et al. |
August 14, 1973 |
CONNECTOR FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF FLEXIBLE CONDUCTORS
Abstract
A connector for and method of connecting a flexible conductor,
such as a flat flexible cable or flexible circuits, in which the
flexible conductor is flexed over at least one rib, the conductor
held in position over the rib by a retaining member. In a
particular example, a first conductor is flexed over a single rib
while a second conductor is flexed over and down between two
parallel ribs, both conductors held in place by retaining members.
The first conductor and its supporting rib is then inserted between
the parallel ribs and the two conductors are electrically
connected.
Inventors: |
Maheux; Peter Francis (Kanata,
CA), Van Dyk; Robert Maarten (Dunrobin, Ontario,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Bell Canada - Northern Electric
Research Limited (Ottawa, Ontario, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22688763 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/187,385 |
Filed: |
October 7, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/496;
439/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
12/774 (20130101); H01R 12/78 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05K
1/02 (20060101); H05k 001/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/17,18,75MP,176MF,206,205,107,174,103 ;317/101 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Champion; Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner: Lewis; Terrell P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector for connecting two flexible conductors, comprising
first and second members, each member for attachment to a flexible
conductor; said first member comprising:
a base portion of substantially planar formation;
a rib extending normal to said base portion;
a retaining member having a body portion, and an aperture in the
body portion positioned over said rib of said base portion, and in
close engagement therewith;
interengaging ribs and recesses on said base portion and said
retaining member, said ribs on one of said base portion and said
retaining member and said recesses on the other of said base
portion and said retaining member;
said retaining member constructed and arranged to hold a flexible
conductor over and in contact with said ribs extending from said
base portion;
said second member comprising:
a base portion of substantially planar formation;
two parallel ribs extending normal to said base portion, said ribs
spaced a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the rib
of said first member;
a retaining member comprising a central rib and two rib formations
extending one on each side of said central rib, and parallel
thereto, each rib formation spaced from said central rib a distance
substantially equal to the thickness of each of said two parallel
ribs, and flanges connecting said central rib and said two rib
formations;
interengaging ribs and recesses on said base portion and said
retaining member, said ribs on one of said base portion and said
retaining member and said recesses on the other of said base
portion and said retaining member;
said central rib extending between the two parallel ribs of said
base portion and said two rib formations extending on either side
of the two parallel ribs to hold a flexible conductor over said two
parallel ribs and down between said two parallel ribs;
said base portions of said first and second members substantially
parallel to each other, the rib of the base portion of said first
member extending between the two parallel ribs of the base portion
of said second member, the two flexible circuits in electrically
contacting engagement.
2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, said rib extending from said
base portion of said first member thicker at its end remote from
said base portion than at its junction with said base portion; and
said two parallel ribs extending from said base portion of said
second member spaced a distance approximately equal to the
thickness of said rib of said first member at its said junction
with said base portion of said first member.
3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 at least one of said base
portions formed integrally with a part of an apparatus.
Description
This invention relates to the electrical connection of flexible
conductors, and particularly to the electrical connection of
flexible circuits such as flexible flat cables, flexible printed
circuits and the like. In particular the invention provides a
method of making an electrical connection to a flexible conductor
and a connector for such a connection.
The use of flexible conductors is wide spread and increasing,
particularly in the use of flexible printed circuits and flexible
flat cable. Connections to such conductors is by soldering and by
connectors. Connectors used are often bulky, expensive and
generally contain a large number of individual contact members
often with separate spring members to ensure contact between
contact members and conductors.
The present invention provides for the connection of one flexible
conductor or circuit to another conductor or circuit which may or
may not also be flexible, using only two members for each circuit.
The parts are simple and easily made.
For each conductor or circuit there is a base portion and a
retainer, the flexible conductor or circuit being flexed over a rib
extending from the base portion and retained in position by the
retainer.
In accordance with one feature of the invention, a method of
connecting a flexible conductor comprises flexing the conductor
over a rib member extending from a base portion and pressing a
retaining member over the rib member to grip the conductor between
the retaining member and the base portion.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, a method of
connecting flexible conductors comprises: flexing a first conductor
over a rib member extending from a first base portion and pressing
a retaining member over the rib member to grip and retain the
conductor; flexing a second conductor over a rib member extending
from a second base portion and pressing a retaining member over the
rib member to grip and retain the second conductor; and pressing
the first base portion and conductor into electrically conducting
engagement with the second base portion and conductor.
Conveniently two spaced apart ribs extend from one base portion,
the flexible conductor flexed over and down between the ribs and
retained by the retainer, the rib of the other base portion being
pressed between the ribs of the one base portion.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention a connector
for a flexible conductor comprises a base portion having a rib
member extending substantially normal therefrom and a retaining
member adapted to pass over the rib member to retain a flexible
conductor over the rib member. Preferably the rib member has a
recess formed on one side and said retainer includes a protrusion
for engagement with the recess.
In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention there is
provided a first connector comprising: a base portion having a rib
member extending normal therefrom and a retaining member adapted to
pass over the rib member to retain a first flexible conductor over
the rib member, and; a second connector comprises a base portion
having a rib member extending normal therefrom and a retaining
member adapted to pass over the rib member to retain a second
flexible conductor over the rib member.
Conveniently one of said connectors has two spaced apart rib
members the retainer adapted to pass over and between the rib
members to retain the flexible conductor over and down between the
rib members, the rib member of the other connector adapted to be
pressed between the two rib members of the one connector.
The invention will be understood by the following description of
certain embodiments, by way of example, in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a plan view, end view and
cross-section on the line III--III of FIG. 1, illustrating one form
of base member or portion for a connector;
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 respectively are plan view, end view and
cross-section on the line VI--VI of FIG. 4 of a retainer for the
base member of portion of FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 respectively are plan view, end view and
cross-section on the line IX--IX of FIG. 7, illustrating another
form of base member or portion for a connector;
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 respectively are plan view, end view and
cross-section on the line XII--XII of FIG. 10 of a retainer for the
base member or portion of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9;
FIG. 13 illustrates, in cross-section, an embodiment utilizing
connectors of the form illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 7 to 12
connected together after connection to flexible conductors or
circuits;
FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic cross-section through part of a telephone
set illustrating one application of the invention; and
FIGS. 15 to 19 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, for
connecting wire conductors to flat flexible conductors, FIG. 15
being a cross-section through a connector, on the line XV--XV of
FIG. 16, and FIG. 16 being a plan view of the connector of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 being a cross-section through a connector on the line
XVII--XVII of FIG. 18, and FIG. 18 being a plan view of the
connector of FIG. 17; and FIG. 19 being a cross-section through an
assembly comprising the connectors of FIGS. 15 and 16 and of FIG.
17 and 18 connected together.
FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a base portion or member 10 having two ribs
11 extending in a direction normal to the plan of the base 12. The
two ribs are spaced apart, extending parallel to each other. Formed
at the junction of each rib 11 and the base 12, at the outward
facing sides, is a recess 13, the purpose of which will be
explained later. The sides or faces of the ribs facing towards each
other are first inclined toward each other, from the base 12, as
indicated at 14, and then incline outwardly at 15. The inclined
portions 15 facilitate entry of a cooperating member when a
connection is being made and the inclined portions 14 tend to urge
the cooperating member into place and retain it in place, as will
be described later. Formed along each end of the base 12 is a bead
16. Bead 16 cooperates with the related retaining member, as will
be described.
FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate a retaining member 20 for use with the base
portion or member 10. The retaining member is somewhat of channel
formation having end flanges 21. Formed in the inner faces of the
flanges, adjacent their ends, are grooves 22. In position the
flanges 21 fit over the ends of the base 12 of base portion 10 with
the grooves 22 fitting over the beads 16. The main body portion of
the retainer 20, extending between the flanges 21, comprises three
parallel spaced apart formations 23, 24 and 25.
Formations 23 and 25 are similar but of opposite hand. Each
formation has two downwardly extending ribs 26 and 27 and a
centrally positioned upwardly extending rib 28. When the retainer
20 is pushed over the base portion 10, the ribs 27 engage with the
recesses 13 (FIG. 3) and the bottom surfaces of the ribs 26 and 27
are in engagement with the base 12. Formation 24 passes down
between the ribs 11 of the base portion.
In use a flexible conductor or circuit is first folded with the
fold pushed down between the ribs 11 of the base portion and then
opened up to extend over the tops of the ribs 11. The fold should
not put a crack in the conductor or circuit. The retainer 20 is
then positioned over the base portion and pushed down. Ribs 26 and
27 push down the flexible conductor, or circuit and when the
retainer is pushed fully to its final position the flexible
conductor, or circuit, is held securely in place by the ribs 26 and
27 and the formation 24. Complete and satisfactory positioning of
the retainer is ensured by the snap action felt by the engagement
of the ribs 27 with the recesses 13 and the grooves 22 with the
beads 16.
FIGS.7 to 9 illustrate a further base portion 30 having a single
rib 31 extending in a direction normal to the base 32. At each end
of the base is a bead 33. The rib 31 may be parallel sided but
advantageously may be of slightly tapered form, being slightly
thicker at its end 34 than at its base 35. The advantage of this
construction will be seen later.
FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate a retaining member 40 for use with the
base portion 30. Base portion 30 is generally in the form of two
channel shapes back-to-back, having a common web or main body
portion 41. At each end of the body portion 41 and extending normal
thereto is a flange 42 and along each side of the body portion 41,
extending normal thereto is a flange 43. Flanges 43 extend from the
other face of the body portion 41 and in opposite direction
relative to flanges 42. On the inner surface of each flange 42 is a
recess or groove 44 adapted to engage with the beads 44 on the base
portion 30
The web or main body portion 41 has a slot 45 extending along its
centre-line, parallel to flanges 43. On the face of the portion 41
from which extend the flanges 42 are formed four parallel ribs, a
pair of ribs 46 along each side of the slot 45 and a further pair
47 along each side of the portion 41. In position the rib 31 (FIG.
9) of the base portion 30 of FIGS. 7 to 9 passes through the slot
45 and the ribs 46 and 47 are in contact with the base 32 of the
base portion 30.
In the descriptIon of the base portions 10 and 30 these have been
considered as individual items. If it is intended that the
invention shall be used as a connector for connecting two flexible
circuits, or flat flexible cables for example, then, the base
portion and its retainer will be made as individual items. However
the invention can be used to provide connecting means in an item of
apparatus and in such an instance it is possible to make part of
the casing, or some other part of the apparatus, of the form of the
base portion. Thus, for example, considering the base portion 10
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 the base 12 may be part of the casing
of the apparatus with the ribs 11 moulded thereon. In such an
example it may not be possible to provide the beads 16 but the
retainer will be maintained in position by its engagement with the
recesses 13. Also it would be easy to provide some other form of
retaining means if desired.
Similarly the base portion 30 illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 can be
made as part of the casing or other part of an item of apparatus.
Both base portions can be formed as parts of the same item of
apparatus such that an assembly of two flexible conductors, or
circuits, are connected. A typical example is a telephone set. One
part can be moulded to have the flexible lead -in the form of a
flat cable- attached thereto, and another part can be moulded to
have the circuit of the handset -in the form of a flexible printed
circuit- for example, connected thereto. On assembly the two parts
engage and connect the circuit to the cable.
FIG. 13 is a cross-section of base portions 10 and 30 pressed
together to connect two circuits or conductors, while FIG. 14 is a
diagrammatic cross-section through part of a telephone set,
illustrating an application of the invention, as an example. In
FIG. 13, the two base portions 10 and 30, together with their
related retaining members 20 and 40 are shown pressed together as
they would be in connecting two conductors or circuits. In
assembling a complete connection, a flexible conductor or circuit,
indicated at 50, is positioned over the base portion 10 with a fold
of the conductor inserted between the ribs 11, and retaining member
20 pushed onto the base portion. Similarly, a flexible conductor or
circuit, indicated at 51, is positioned over the base portion 30
and retaining member 40 pushed over the rib 31 and pressed into
engagement with the base 32. The two assemblies each of a base
portion and a retaining member are then pressed together, the rib
31 and the conductor 51 entering between the ribs 11 and the
conductor 50. The distance between the ribs 11 is arranged to be
such that they are flexed apart slightly by insertion of the rib
31. This ensures good contact between the conductors 50 and 51. As
previously described, rib 31 can be slightly thicker at its end 34
than at its base 35. This will tend to cause the rib 31 to remain
between ribs 11 and resist parting. The flanges 43 (FIG. 12) of the
retaining member 40 engage the outer surface of the outer retaining
member 20 and also the outer edges of ribs 28. Depending upon the
application it may be desirable, or even necessary, to plate the
contact areas to provide satisfactory contact.
FIG. 14 illustrates an arrangement in which the circuit of the key
mechanism for key set telephone is of a flexible circuit type, and
indicated generally at 55. Keys are indicated at 56 and light
emitting diodes used as signal devices at 57. Leads 58 connect the
diodes to the circuit 55. Also connected to the circuit 50 are
integrated circuit packages 59. The circuit 55 terminates in a
portion 60 which is attached to a base portion 61 moulded as part
of the set frame 62, by means of a retainer 63. A flexible cable,
or connecting lead, is indicated at 65, being terminated by being
held onto a base portion 66, moulded as part of the base 67 of the
set, by means of a retainer 68. It will be appreciated that as
alignment of the two base portions is ensured by the complimentary
nature of the frame and base of the telephone set, the retaining
members can be of a more simpler form than those illustrated in
FIGS. 4 to 6 and 10 to 12.
FIGS. 15 to 19 illustrate an embodiment of the invention for
connecting flat flexible conductors to wire conductors. FIGS. 15
and 16 illustrate a connector, generally indicated at 70 for the
wires of a flexible cable 71. The connector comprises a base
portion 72 having a rib member 73 extending normal thereto. A hole
74 extends through the base portion 72, passing at an angle through
the base portion of the rib 73 to exit at one side thereof. The
individual conductors 75 of the cable 71 pass through the hole 74
and are spread apart, the insulation removed and the conductors
situated in grooves 76 formed in the rib member 73. The conductors
75 protrude slightly above the surface of the rib member 73. The
conductors 75 are held in position by a retaining member 77 pressed
over the rib member 73. The retaining member is held in place by
the tapered form of the rib member 73 and by engagement with the
exit of the hole 74 in the rib member. However other means of
keeping the retaining member 77 in position can be provided. A
further retaining member 78 can be provided for holding the cable
71 firmly connected to the base portion 72 and to reduce stresses
on the conductors 75.
FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a connector, indicated generally at 80
for the conductors 81 of a flat flexible cable, or of a flexible
printed circuit, 82. The connector comprises a base portion 83
having two parallel spaced apart ribs 84. The flexible cable 82 is
positioned over the ribs 84 with a fold extending down between the
ribs. A retaining member 85 is pressed over the ribs 84 to retain
the flexible cable firmly in position over the ribs. The retaining
member 85 is maintained in position by engagement with recesses 86
formed in the outwardly facing surfaces of the ribs 84.
The two connectors 70 and 80 are connected together as illustrated
in FIG. 19. The rib member 73 of connector 70 is pressed between
the rib members 84 of the connector 80. The conductors 75 of the
cable 71 are thus brought into contact with the conductors 81 of
cable 82. The retaining member 85 of connector 80 is formed with a
thin flange 87 along each side, the flanges serving to prevent
undue flexing of the rib member 73 relative to rib members 84. The
connector 70 is retained in connection with connector 80 by the
tapered form of the rib member 73. The rib members 84 are given a
slight taper at their bases, away from each other, the taper
cooperating with the tapered form of the rib member 73.
Although the invention has been described so far in relation to
connecting two flexible conductors or circuits, it will be
appreciated that the invention can be used to connect a rigid
circuit or conductor, to a flexible circuit or conductor. Thus for
example, a rigid printed circuit board can be given a cross-section
at a particular portion of its periphery similar to the
cross-section of the rib 31 of base portion 30 (FIG. 9) although it
will not be necessary to provide a tapered cross-section. This
could then be pushed into a base portion as in FIGS. 1 to 3 having
a flexible circuit fixed thereto by a retainer similar to that of
FIGS. 4 to 6. Conversely the rigid circuit could be as base portion
30 and the flexible circuit attached to a base portion similar to
base portion 10. The invention can also be used to connect to both
sides of a printed circuit board where circuits are applied to both
sides of the board. A single flexible conductor, or circuit, can be
connected to the board, selected connections being made one side
and selected connections to the other side, unwanted connections
being prevented by insulating material or other means.
Alternatively two flexible conductors or circuits can be connected
to the board, one conductor or circuit to each side, by overlapping
the conductors or circuits at the bottom of the recess formed by
the two ribs 11, FIG. 3, for example. Various combinations of
connections can be made by shorting out conductor strips in one or
other or both the conductors or circuits being connected.
One conductor or a series of conductors may terminate at the
connectors. Thus in connection with a pair of flat flexible cables
a multiplicity of individual conductors in one cable will be
connected to a multiplicity of individual conductors in the other
cable. The individual conductors will be spaced apart side by side,
comprising, for example copper on a Kapton backing, in the known
manner. In certain circumstances flat flexible cable is insulated
on both sides and it will be necessary to strip the insulation
where contact is to be made. These contact areas may also need
plating, for example gold or tin plated, to give satisfactory
contact.
Using a connector, or a pair of cooperating connectors, in
accordance with the invention, rigid circuits can be replaced by
flexible circuits, wires can be replaced by flat cable, the housing
in which systems are contained can be shaped so as to simulate a
connector and eliminate separate connectors, soldered joints are
avoided and also wire wrapping. Disconnection and reconnection are
readily made, without restriction.
It is also possible to connect components into a flexible circuit
by the present invention. The component leads can be of flexible
form and fastened to a connector and the circuit is fastened to
another connector, the two connectors pressed together. A further
example is an integrated circuit pack which can be "plugged" into
an assembled female shape.
Instead of two connectors for a connection being separate parts,
the two connectors can be hinged together. Thus the two base
portions can be hinged together and, after positioning of the
retaining members, the two base portions are hinged relative to
each other and clipped together. It is possible that the base
portions hinged together could be two parts of a housing hinged
together.
The invention can be used in many fields. Hitherto the connection
of flat flexible cables has been difficult, requiring complex
connectors and often difficult soldering operations. The present
invention provides for cheap, simple and easy connection of such
cables. A further example of use is in the installation of prewired
circuits for automobile dashboards. These circuits can be prepared
on either flexible or rigid bases and connections made to the
circuit by connectors in accordance with the invention.
If desired, to improve the flexibility of the interengaging ribs,
ribs 11, FIG. 3, and also rib 31, FIG. 9, can be slit crossways to
form separate fingers. This may be particularly advantageous in
long connectors for a large number of individual conductors. A
finger may be provided for each conductor or for a small number of
conductors. By the removal of fingers, an electrical contact at
that position can be avoided.
* * * * *