COMPLIANT PIN CONTROL MODULE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

• Main Authors: GREGORY R PRATT, CHRISTOPHER J VECCHI, SASIKUMAR VIMALAN, THOMAS G PREMO, ACHAMMER DANIEL G
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.11.2011
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRICITY; LINE CONNECTORS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control module having connectors with compliant pin terminals for connection to a printed circuit board (PCB).SOLUTION: A module housing 12 is made of die-cast metal in order to withstand harsh environments, and has at least one open bay area 14, 16, or 18 for receiving a connector 20, 22, or 24 having a compliant pin contact for connecting the module to a PCB. Multiple compliant pin terminals have push shoulders, the push shoulders having an engagement surface for inserting the terminals into a connector housing through a path. The push shoulders position the connector with respect to the die-cast housing in attaching the connector to the die-cast housing, and transfer a force away from the connector housing applied to connect the PCB with compliant pin tips to the connector. The connector has a three-pronged compliant pin grounding terminal to increase a current flow.