LOW PROFILE CONNECTOR WITH SPRING CONTACTS

• US 20180337464A1
• Filed: 05/18/2018
• Published: 11/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Minikey, JR., Danny L., Lundy, Eric S., Pollack, Christopher D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,490,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/75 connecting to cables except for flat or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/185 combined with a U-shaped insulation-receiving portion
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence

Abstract

A connector assembly is operably coupled with a circuit board for a rearview device. The connector assembly includes a body having a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures are defined through the body. A plurality of spring-biased contacts extend into the contact-receiving apertures and are guided by a plurality of columns. The plurality of spring-biased contacts are in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the contact-receiving apertures of the body.

Claims

1. A connector assembly operably coupled with a circuit board within a rearview device, the connector assembly comprising:

a body including a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom;

a plurality of contact-receiving apertures defined through the body; and

a plurality of spring-biased contacts extending into the contact-receiving apertures and guided by a plurality of columns, the plurality of spring-biased contacts being in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the contact-receiving apertures of the body.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of peripheral walls that abut said circuit board.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a mechanical fastener configured to secure said connector assembly to said circuit board.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the mechanical fastener is configured to extend through said circuit board and is generally concealed by the plurality of peripheral walls of said connector assembly.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the body includes fastener apertures about a periphery thereof that are configured to engage an internal support structure with said rearview device.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a two-piece mechanical fastener including a receiving fastener coupled with internal walls of said connector assembly and an inserting fastener that protrudes through said circuit board into engagement with the receiving fastener.

7. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of internal walls that extend within said connector assembly.

8. A connector assembly for a rearview device, the connector assembly comprising:

a body including a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom;

a plurality of contact-receiving apertures extending through the body in a direction orthogonal to the plurality of electrical leads; and

a plurality of contacts extending into the body and guided by a plurality of columns, the plurality of contacts being configured to compress between a circuit board and the body when coupled with the body.

9. The connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of peripheral walls that abut the circuit board.

10. The connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a mechanical fastener configured to secure said connector assembly to the circuit board.

11. The connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of internal walls that extend within said connector assembly.

12. A rearview device comprising:

a connector assembly comprising;

a body including a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom and removably coupled therewith; and

a plurality of contact-receiving apertures extending into the body and which are configured to receive a plurality of spring contacts, the plurality of spring contacts being configured to compress between a circuit board and the body.

13. The rearview device of claim 12, wherein the connector assembly further comprises peripheral fastener apertures disposed on at least two sides of the connector assembly.

14. The rearview device of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of internal walls that extend within the connector assembly.

15. The rearview device of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of peripheral walls that abut the circuit board.

16. The rearview device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of peripheral walls include feet that extend below a planar bottom surface of the walls.

17. The rearview device of claim 12, further comprising:

a two-part mechanical fastener configured to secure the connector assembly to the circuit board.

18. The rearview device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of electrical leads are received in terminals within the body, the terminals disposed proximate the plurality of contact-receiving apertures.

19. The rearview device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of contact-receiving apertures extend completely through the body.

20. The rearview device of claim 12, wherein the terminals are arranged side by side in a linear arrangement.