Programmable modular connector assembly

• US 4,820,169 A
• Filed: 09/15/1986
• Issued: 04/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Weber, Ronald M., Wise, James H., Weidler, Charles H., Swengel, Robert C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN, JEANETTE E
• Application Number:
  US07/907,696
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 439/64, 439/65, 439/76, 439/629, 439/715, 439/717
• US Class Current: 439/65
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/00 Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures printed connections to, or between, printed circuits H05K1/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7088 Arrangements for power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/645 by exchangeable elements on case or base

Abstract

A connector assembly includes modules which intermate to interconnect electrical circuits between mother and daughter printed circuit boards. The modules are provided with resilient projections which latch on relative rotation of the modules, enabling the handling of resultant modular assemblies. High current carrying terminals of the modules have contact posts of different spacings and lengths from a contact point to assure equal resistivity to avoid hot spots for high current. A polarizing key locking feature is provided by a snap ring including a slot to permit engagement and disengagement by a simple tool such as a screwdriver.

Claims

1. A modular connector assembly for the distribution of power to a printed circuit board comprising:

pairs of first and second matable individual connector modules, the first connector module of each pair having a pluggable mating face and a board-engaging face and the second connector module of each pair having a complementary pluggable mating face and a board-engaging face, each first individual module of respective pairs being provided with means to link itself with adjacent first modules to form a composite connector body, and each second individual module of respective pairs being provided with means to link itself with adjacent second modules to form a complementary composite connector body; and

wherein at least one of the pairs of modules is adapted to carry high current levels, the first connector module of one pair including a terminal with a forward contact portion at a contact face, a body portion extending longitudinally rearwardly from the contact portion, and a series of circuit board connecting post extending from the body portion at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals, successive posts that are of increased separation from the contact portion being of different resistivities thereby to tend to equalize the current flow through such posts to the circuit on the board to which it is mounted.

2. The modular connector assembly as defined in claim 1 in which successive posts of said terminal are of decreasing resistivities.

3. The modular connector assembly as defined in claim 2 in which successive posts are of decreasing effective lengths thereby to decrease their respective resistivities.

4. The modular connector assembly as defined in claim 3 in which the terminal is stamped and formed of sheet metal and the contact portion defines a receptacle having opposed side walls joined by a base wall, the posts extending in two rows from rearward portions of the side walls.

5. The modular connector assembly as defined in claim 4 in which the terminal is disposed in a dielectric housing member having a forward tubular portion and a channel section rearward portion open toward the circuit board, wherein the receptacle extends axially along the tubular portion and the posts extend through the opening in the channel section, said terminal including latch means formed by the rearward portions of the terminal side walls, at a location spaced from the terminal posts, said housing member further including a dielectric cap member with resilient locking legs outstanding therefrom engageable with the latch means to lock the cap member on the rearward end of the housing member to close the rearward end.

6. The modular connector assembly according to claim 5 in which the cap member is formed with a plurality of legs which engage the latch means and the root end of a terminal post, respectively.

7. A terminal for conducting high current between first and second contact interfaces comprising a contact portion for receiving current from a first contact interface, a body portion extending longitudinally away from the mating portion, and a series of circuit board connection posts extending from the body portion at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals, successive posts which are of increased separation from the contact portion being of different resistivities thereby to tend to equalize the current flow through such posts to a second contact interface.

8. The terminal as defined in claim 7 in which successive posts are of decreasing resistivities.

9. The terminal as defined in claim 8 in which successive posts are of decreasing effective lengths thereby to decrease their respective resistivities.

10. The connector module for an assembly as defined in claim 14 comprising an open-ended dielectric housing member having a forward tubular portion and a channel section rearward portion and a terminal having an elongate body with a forward receptacle portion extending axially along the tubular portion and posts extending transversely from a rearward end of the body out of the housing channel mouth, latch means on the rearward ends of the body space from the terminal posts and a dielectric cap member engageable with the latch means in a snap action to lock the cap on the rearward end of the housing member to close the rearward end.

11. The connector module as defined in claim 10 in which the cap member is formed with a plurality of legs which engage the latch means and the root end of a terminal post, respectively.

12. The high current carrying connector module for an assembly as defined in claim 14 comprising a one piece dielectric member comprising an outer wall defining a receptacle having an open front and a projection located centrally within the receptacle and extending towards the front such that a first terminal receiving recess is defined between the wall and the projection;

a terminal received in the recess an having a ring of cantilever spring contact fingers extending forwardly around the projection to a location set back from a front end of the projection, such that a terminal of complementary shape to the first terminal can be received in the receptacle in mating electrical engagement therewith, the projection preventing inadvertent manual contact with the first terminal in an unmated condition of the connector module.