Electrical connectors for direct connection to plated through holes in

Abstract

A pluggable electrical connector is provided having contact elements with first ends soldered to a daughter board, mid-sections which are crimped and bent through ninety degrees, and second ends which have a converging portion and which terminate in bifurcated conical contact portions which make contact with the rims of contact-quality plated through holes of a mother board. By causing contact between the rim and the cone surface, normal forces greater than the mating force are generated. The connector housing includes self-centering funnel openings adjacent the mother board for centering the converging portions of the contact elements therein in a nominal position and for acting as a preloading stop. The housing also includes side-wall locking tabs which hold adjacent rows of contacts at identical fixing points relative to the ninety-degree bend to ensure identical spring parameters for all contact elements. By arranging the housing properly, the contact elements can be manufactured into preloaded spring contacts during assembly by bending and locking the first ends of the contacts past the side-wall locking tabs. Cams or retracting bars can be used with rows or individual contacts to create a ZIF connector and/or a selectively engaged pin enabled connector. Magnets, spring-loaded jack screws, or the like are used in conjunction with the connector to establish and maintain force during mating.