| Press-fitting head -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Press-fitting headRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, Preformed Panel Circuit Arrangement, E.g., Pcb, Icm, Dip, Chip, Wafer, Etc., With Provision To Conduct Electricity From Panel Circuit To Another Panel Circuit, Overlying Second Preformed Panel Circuit, Both Adapted To Be Electrically ConnectedPress-fitting head description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070178721, Press-fitting head. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to an apparatus having a press-fitting head that positions roughly L-shaped legs of contacts that are arranged in multiple rows in a connector and press-fits press-fit portions of the roughly L-shaped legs into a connector substrate. The invention further relates to a method for press-fitting utilizing the press-fitting head. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is well known to press-fit contacts in a connector with multiple rows of contacts having roughly L-shaped legs that overlap in a vertical direction with corresponding contacts in a different row into a substrate. When press-fitting the contacts of the connector into the substrate, the contacts arranged in a top row can be pressed from above, however, the contacts arranged in a lower row cannot be pressed from above because the contacts arranged in the top row get in the way. [0003] A solution to this problem is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-68419. This reference teaches a press-fitting jig with a comb-shaped portion having vertical and horizontal grooves. The vertical grooves have a pitch the same as an arrangement pitch of the contacts. A pair consisting of an upper and a lower contact enters each of the vertical grooves so that each pair of upper and lower contacts is fit into each vertical groove in the press-fitting jig. The press-fitting jig or the connector is then moved slightly relative to the arrangement direction of the contacts so that the horizontal grooves receive the upper and lower contacts. As a result, walls of the press-fitting jig are positioned adjacent to both the upper and lower contacts, which allows the press-fitting jig to press downward on all of the contacts in the connector when press-fitting the contacts into a substrate. [0004] Another solution to the problem is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69828. This reference teaches pressing a somewhat wide shoulder section formed on each of the contacts. Although the upper and lower contacts overlap on the whole, the shoulder sections of the contacts are formed in such a way that the shoulder sections do not overlap. For example, the shoulder sections of the lower contacts could be formed to stick out from the shoulder sections of the upper contacts when viewed from above. It is therefore possible to press down the shoulder sections of all the contacts at the same time to press-fit all the contacts of the connector into a substrate. [0005] The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-68419 press-fits the contacts into the substrate when the contacts are engaged with the vertical and horizontal grooves of the press-fitting jig. Since the vertical and horizontal grooves are connected to each other, if one of the lower contacts disengages from one of the horizontal grooves due to, for example, misalignment or bending, the corresponding upper contact can not be pressed, which may result in an improper press-fit. Additionally, since the portion pressed and the portion actually fitted are fairly distant from each other, especially in the case of the upper contacts, if any of the upper contacts are bent even slightly, the contact may buckle in the middle when pressed. Further, although not disclosed, a terminal alignment plate is used to position the contacts with press-fitting apertures in the substrate. The terminal alignment plate is attached to a bottom of the connector and is press-fit into the substrate. The terminal alignment plate remains fitted in the substrate together with the press-fitted connector, although it is no longer necessary, increasing the cost of the assembly. [0006] On the other hand, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69828 has the advantage of being able to install the shoulder sections in such a way as to be visible from above, and the contacts are press-fit simply by moving the press-fitting jig vertically. Additionally, the shoulder sections prevent buckling because the shoulder sections are installed at a position close to the portion actually press-fitted. However, a slight displacement or bend of the contact will cause the shoulder section of the contact to deviate from the position where it should be pressed, which makes it difficult for the press-fitting jig to properly press the contact. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69828 is silent as to the positioning between the contacts and the press-fitting apertures in the substrate. It is therefore assumed that it is necessary to use a terminal alignment plate, as previously described, that remains in the substrate each time a connector is press-fitted. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a press-fitting head that can reliably press-fit a connector holding multiple rows of contacts into a substrate, an apparatus equipped with the press-fitting head, and a method for press-fitting that can press-fit the connector reliably into the substrate and reduce manufacturing costs. [0008] This and other objects are achieved by an apparatus for positioning and press-fitting press-fit portions of roughly L-shaped legs of contacts arranged in multiple rows in a connector into a substrate comprising a press-fitting head and an alignment plate. The press-fitting head rotates between a rest position and a press-fitting position, and has vertical grooves for receiving the contacts in the press-fitting position. The alignment plate is arranged proximate the press-fitting head at a positioning site when the press-fitting head is in the press-fitting position. The alignment plate is retractable from the positioning site when the press-fitting head is in the press-fitting position. [0009] This and other objects are further achieved by a press-fitting head for positioning and press-fitting press-fit portions of roughly L-shaped legs of contacts arranged in multiple rows in a connector into a substrate comprising vertical grooves for receiving the contacts. The vertical grooves have abutment portions and first and second positioning walls. The abutment portions extend substantially perpendicular to the vertical grooves for abutting shoulders of the contacts. The first and second positioning walls are formed below the abutment portions and extend substantially perpendicular thereto for positioning the shoulders of the contacts in a right-left and forward-rearward direction. [0010] This and other objects are still further achieved by a method for positioning and press-fitting press-fit portions of roughly L-shaped legs of contacts arranged in multiple rows in a connector into a substrate. The method includes mounting a substrate on a substrate mounting section, inserting the roughly L-shaped legs of the contacts into apertures in an alignment plate, mounting the connector on a connector mounting section, placing a press-fitting head over the legs of the contacts, retracting the alignment plate from the positioning site, and press-fitting the legs into press-fit apertures in the substrate by moving the press-fitting head toward the substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a press-fitting head and a connector press-fitted into a substrate by the press-fitting head according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1(a) is a front view and FIG. 1(b) is a side view; [0012] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the press-fitting head and connector shown in FIG. 1 showing the connector press-fitted into press-fitting apertures in the substrate, wherein FIG. 2(a) is a front view and FIG. 2(b) is a side view; [0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of a press-fitting apparatus showing a step of the pressing operation; [0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the press-fitting apparatus showing a step of the pressing operation; [0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the press-fitting apparatus showing a step of the pressing operation; [0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the press-fitting apparatus showing a step of the pressing operation; [0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of the press-fitting apparatus showing a step of the pressing operation; [0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the press-fitting apparatus showing a step of the pressing operation; [0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the press-fitting apparatus of FIG. 4; [0020] FIG. 10 is a partial sectional perspective view of the press-fitting apparatus of FIG. 5; Continue reading about Press-fitting head... Full patent description for Press-fitting head Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Press-fitting head patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Press-fitting head or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ethernet cable connector and methods of use thereof Next Patent Application: Brittle fracture resistant spring Industry Class: Electrical connectors ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Press-fitting head patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14112 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
