Contact device for electrically connecting a printed circuit board with a liquid crystal display

• US 5,868,582 A
• Filed: 07/01/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OTTO Dunkel GmbH Fabrik Fur Elektrotechnische Gerate
• Original Assignee: OTTO Dunkel GmbH Fabrik Fur Elektrotechnische Gerate
• Inventors: Jacobi, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/886,513
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 439/74, 439/71, 439/73, 439/66, 439/62
• US Class Current: 439/74
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/325 by abutting or pinching, i.e. without alloying process; mechanical auxiliary parts therefor adaptations of leads inserted in holes for press-fit connections H05K3/308

Abstract

An improved contact device uses a connector module (1) of U-shaped cross-section to electrically connect a liquid crystal display or other flat panel (4) with edge contacts to a printed circuit board (7). Lower cost and reduced profile height are achieved in that the contact elements (6) of the connector module are in direct electrical contact with corresponding conductors on the printed circuit board, and the topside of the connector module is lined with a soft elastomer layer (12).

Claims

1. A contact device for electrically connecting a printed circuit board with a flat panel that extends parallel to the printed circuit board by a connector module of U-shaped cross-section holding an edge of the flat panel between first and second legs;

the flat panel having a plurality of contact pads on the edge, and the inside of the first leg of the connector module having a corresponding plurality of linearly arrayed contact elements which connect with the contact pads on the flat panel when the panel is inserted and which extend to the outside of the second leg, providing a connection to corresponding contact traces on the surface of the printed circuit board, the improvements comprising;

a) the contact elements which extend on the outside of the second leg are in direct contact with the contact traces on the printed circuit board,

b) a soft elastomer layer on the outside of the first leg that carries the linearly arrayed contact elements on its inside, and

c) openings located at the first leg of the U-shaped connector module below the portion which carries the soft elastomer layer, the linearly arrayed contact elements extending through the openings into an area of the contact pads on the flat panel.

2. The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped connector module, for accurate positioning, set inside a dimensionally matched cutout of a positioning plate which is mounted on the printed circuit board.

3. The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the first leg of the U-shaped connector module has a ledge that extends over part of its length and supports the flat panel by its edge opposite the surface there the contact pads are located.