Electrical connection and method of making same

• US 4,682,840 A
• Filed: 04/16/1986
• Issued: 07/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Limited
• Original Assignee: AMP Limited
• Inventors: Lockard, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bishop, Steven C.
• Application Number:
  US06/852,672
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 339/275 R, 339/275 T, 339/276 R, 339/276 T, 29/860, 29/861
• US Class Current: 439/874
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6586 for separating multiple connector modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6592 the conductive member being a shielded cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6597 the conductive member being a contact of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/30 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49179 by metal fusion bonding

Abstract

An electrical plug connector comprises a dielectric contact-carrying member having signal contact members secured to one side of the contact-carrying member at spaced intervals therealong. A ground contact member is secured to the other of the contact carrying member with contact sections of the signal contact members and the ground contact member extending from a front end of the contact-carrying member. Conductor-connecting sections of the signal and ground contact members extending along the contact-carrying member. Signal conductors and ground conductors of electrical cables are electrically connected respectively to the conductor-connecting sections of the signal contact members and the ground contact member. A dielectric housing member is secured onto the contact-carrying member and part of the electrical cables so that the contact members from their contact sections to their conductor-connecting sections are covered. The signal and ground conductors are electrically connected to the signal contacts and the ground contact member respectively by first being force-fitted into respective slots thereof and then terminated by being laser welded thereto.

Claims

1. An electrical connection comprising an electrical contact member and at least one electrical conductor connected thereto by a joint, said contact member having at least a contact section and a conductor-connecting section, said conductor-connecting section having at least one longitudinal slot along which a respective said conductor is disposed, said at least one slot having continuously along a substantial length thereof a width slightly less than the diameter of said conductor whereby a said conductor is disposed therealong in a force-fit therewithin, whereafter said conductor is welded to said contact member to form a weld joint constituting the termination.

2. An electrical connection as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conductor is laser welded to said contact member.

3. An electrical connection as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conductor-connecting section is a ferrule section.

4. An electrical connection as set forth in claim 1 wherein said contact member is a ground contact having a plurality of said slots along which respective ground conductors are disposed, and said ground conductors are welded to said ground contact.

5. An electrical connection as set forth in claim 4 wherein said conductor-connecting section is a folded-over section having said plurality of slots therein.

6. An electrical connection of a contact member to a plurality of conductors of electrical cable means, comprising at least a contact section and a conductor-connecting section wherein said conductor-connecting section is a folded-over section having a plurality of longitudinal slots along each of which a respective conductor is to be disposed to be welded to said contact member to form a weld joint constituting the termination, each said slot having continuously along a substantial length thereof a width slightly less than the diameter of a said conductor whereby said conductor is disposable therealong in force-fit therewithin.

7. A method for connecting an electrical conductor of an electrical cable means for use in transmitting electrical signals with high reliability and uniformity, to an electrical contact comprising the steps of:

forming a longitudinal slot in a conductor-connecting section of the contact, said slot having continuously along a substantial length thereof a width slightly less than the diamter of a stripped respective said electrical conductor;

disposing a stripped end of said conductor along said slot in a force-fit therewithin prior to termination of said conductor to said contact; and

welding said conductor end to said contact forming a weld joint constituting the termination.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said welding is laser welding.