Patent ID: 6254435
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An edge card electrical connector for receiving an edge of a printed circuit board having contact pads along one side of the board adjacent the edge, comprising:an elongated dielectric housing includinga board-receiving face,an elongated slot disposed in the board-receiving face generally along a longitudinal axis of the housing for receiving said edge of the printed circuit board, anda plurality of terminal-receiving cavities for receiving respective ones of a plurality of first and second terminals, said terminal-receiving cavities being spaced apart generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and defining a row of cavities lengthwise of the housing on one side of the slot, the cavities in the row being separated by transverse walls extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing; anda plurality of first and second terminals received in respective ones of the plurality of terminal-receiving cavities, the first terminals being differently configured than the second terminals, the first terminals and the second terminals being in a predetermined array within the housing,each of said first terminals including a base portion fixed relative to the housing and having a retention section for securing the terminal in the housing, a resilient, deflectable spring arm extending from the base portion and being deflectable relative to the base portion and having a contact portion adjacent an end of the spring arm and the slot for engaging one of the contact pads on the printed circuit board, the spring arm of each first terminal deflecting along its entire length from a first position to a second position when said contact portion contacts one of the contact pads and a tail portion extending from the base portion for interconnection to circuitry on a circuit member; andeach of said second terminals including a base portion fixed relative to the housing and having a retention section for securing the terminal in the housing, a resilient, deflectable spring arm extending from the base portion and being deflectable relative to the base portion and having a contact portion generally adjacent the slot for engaging another of the contact pads on the printed circuit board, the spring arm of each second terminal deflecting along its entire length from a first position to a second position when said contact portion engages one of the contact pads and being narrower than the spring arm of each first terminal and being within the longitudinal profile of the spring arm of each first terminal in a direction longitudinally of the housing upon deflection of the spring arms of the first and second terminals when the circuit board is inserted into said elongated slot, and a tail portion extending from the base portion for interconnection to circuitry on the circuit member.