Low current minimal alignment compression contact system

• US 6,758,686 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AEES Incorporated (PKC Group OYJ)
• Original Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Inventors: Burdick, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/173,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20030232524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 439/86, 439/67, 439/493, 439/66
• US Class Current: 439/86
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/613 by means of interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2414 conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0314 Elastomeric connector or conductor, e.g. rubber with metallic filler
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/365 by abutting, i.e. without alloying process

Abstract

An electrical contact system including an elastomeric conductive material of specified shape and size, said conductive material exhibiting a first plurality of electrical contact locations. An electrical power supply connected to the conductive material and communicable with the first electrical contact locations. A like plurality of second electrical contacts are arranged in abutting and substantially two dimensional contact with respect to the first electrical contact locations, an electrically communicable conduit extends from the second contacts. The two dimensional electrical communication established between the abutting first and second contacts allows for a range of misalignment existing therebetween during low current (typically in a range of 1 mA-1A) transfer across the electrical contact system.

Claims

1. An electrical contact system, comprising:

an elastomeric conductive material having a specified shape and size, said elastomeric conductive material exhibiting at least one first electrical contact location;

an electrical power supply connected to said conductive material and communicable with said at least one first electrical contact location; and

at least one second electrical contact arranged in abutting and substantially two dimensional contact with respect to said at least one first electrical contact location, an electrically communicable conduit extending from said second contact;

said two dimensional electrical communication established between said abutting first and second contacts allowing for a range of misalignment existing therebetween.

2. The electrical contact system as described in claim 1, said elastomeric conductive material further comprising a substantially planar shaped tray, said at least one first electrical contact location further comprising a plurality of disk shaped portions projecting in spaced apart fashion from a selected face of said planar shaped tray.

3. The electrical contact system as described in claim 2, said at least one second electrical contact further comprising a further plurality of substantially disk shaped portions established in two dimensional contact with said associated first electrical contacts.

4. The electrical contact system as described in claim 2, said at least one second electrical contact further comprising a metallic rivet head portion.

5. The electrical contact system as described in claim 2, each of said disk shaped portions further comprising an inwardly extending recess visible from a further selected face of said planar shaped tray.

6. The electrical contact system as described in claim 2, said at least one second electrical contact further comprising a substantially thin, planar shaped and flexible circuit sheet, said flex circuit sheet including a plurality of spaced apart contact locations which abuttingly contact said associated disk shaped portions associated with said planar shaped tray.

7. The electrical contact system as described in claim 1, said elastomeric conductive material further comprising a three dimensionally shaped tray having an assembleable base and lid, a plurality of apertures being defined in a selected face of said assembleable tray.

8. The electrical contact system as described in claim 7, said at least one first electrical contact location further comprising a plurality of substantially three dimensionally shaped puck insert, each being received within an associated aperture defined in said assembleable tray.

9. The electrical contact system as described in claim 8, said at least one second electrical contact further comprising a substantially thin, planar shaped and flexible circuit sheet, said flex circuit sheet including a plurality of spaced apart contact locations which abuttingly contact said associated puck shaped inserts.

10. The electrical contact system as described in claim 1, said at least one second electrical contact further comprising a substantially three dimensionally shaped puck insert.

11. The electrical contact system as described in claim 10, said conductive material further comprising a three dimensional shaped body, said at least one first electrical contact further comprising at least one spaced apart recess defined within a selected face of said body and receiving, in inserting fashion, said puck shaped insert.

12. The electrical contact system as described in claim 11, said at least one second electrical contact further comprising a substantially thin, planar shaped and flexible circuit sheet, said flex circuit sheet including at least one spaced apart contact locations which is abuttingly contacted said associated puck shaped insert.

13. The electrical contact system as described in claim 1, said elastomeric conductive material further comprising at least one of a conductive plastic, silicone, and rubberized material.

14. An electrical contact system, comprising:

an elastomeric conductive material constructed as a substantially planar shaped tray;

a plurality of first electrical contact locations associated with a selected face of said tray and further comprising a plurality of disk shaped portions projecting in spaced apart fashion;

an electrical power supply connected to said conductive material and communicable with said first electrical contact locations; and

a plurality of second electrical contacts arranged in abutting and substantially two dimensional contact with respect to said first electrical contact locations, an electrically communicable conduit extending from said second contact;

said two dimensional electrical communication established between said abutting first and second contacts allowing for a range of misalignment existing therebetween.

15. An electrical contact system, comprising:

an elastomeric conductive material constructed as a substantially planar shaped tray,

a plurality of first electrical contact locations associated with a selected face of said tray and farther comprising a plurality of disk shaped portions projecting in spaced apart fashion;

an electrical power supply connected to said conductive material and communicable with said first electrical contact locations; and

a plurality of second electrical contacts arranged in abutting and substantially two dimensional contact with respect to said first electrical contact locations, said second electrical contacts further comprising a substantially thin, planar shaped and flexible circuit sheet including a plurality of spaced apart contact locations which abuttingly contact associated first contacts;

said two dimensional electrical communication established between said abutting first and second contacts allowing for a range of misalignment existing therebetween.