Non-aligned contact

Abstract

An electrical contact 1, suitable for a connector 2, comprises a conductive engaging part 3 extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis X1 and configured to electrically connect with a cor

Description

Field of Invention The disclosure relates but is not limited to an electrical contact for an electrical connector. The disclosure also relates to a connector comprising the contact and a method of manufacture. Background of Invention An electrical connector usually comprises at least one contact fitted in an insulator. Each contact may comprise a conductive wiring part, for electrically connecting with electrical wiring of the connector. Each contact may comprise a female engaging part (e.g. a socket) configured to be mated with a male engaging part (e.g. a pin) of another connector and / or may comprise a male engaging part (e.g. a pin) configured to be mated with a female engaging part (e.g. a socket) of another connector. An electrical plug usually comprises a mobile connector. The electrical plug may comprise male contacts (e.g. comprising pins) and / or female contacts (e.g. sockets). An electrical receptacle usually comprises a fixed connector (e.g. fixed in a wall). The electrical receptacle may comprise male contacts (e.g. comprising pins) and / or female contacts (e.g. sockets). The electrical plug may be mated with the electrical receptacle. The electrical contacts may be spatially cumbersome, resulting in connectors which are spatially too cumbersome for some applications. Summary Aspects and embodiments of the invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein. Brief description of the drawings Aspects of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A and 1B schematically illustrate elevation views in perspective of a first example embodiment of a contact; Figure 1C schematically illustrates a cross section of the first example embodiment of Figures 1A and 1B; Figures 2A and 2B schematically illustrate elevation views in perspective of a second example embodiment of a contact; Figure 2C schematically illustrates a cross section of the second example embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B; Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate elevation views in perspective of a third example embodiment of a contact; Figure 3C schematically illustrates a cross section of the third example embodiment of Figures 3A and 3B; Figures 4A and 4B schematically illustrate elevation views in perspective of a fourth example embodiment of a contact; Figure 4C schematically illustrates a cross section of the fourth example embodiment of Figures 4A and 4B; Figure 5 schematically illustrates a cross section of a fifth example embodiment of a contact; and Figure 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an example method of manufacture of the contact of any one of the aspects of the disclosure. In the drawings, similar elements bear identical numerical references. Specific description Overview The disclosure relates but is not limited to an electrical contact for a connector. The contact comprises an engaging part which is configured to cooperate with another electrical contact of another connector. The contact also comprises a wiring part for connection to wiring of the connector. The engaging part and the wiring part have respective axes and are offset with respect to each other in an overlapping configuration along their respective axes, such that the engaging part and the wiring part are not aligned along a same axis. A contact according to the disclosure is shorter, in a direction parallel to the respective axes, than a contact where the engaging part and the wiring part are aligned along a same axis. A connector comprising such a contact is shorter, in the direction parallel to the respective axes, than a connector comprising a contact where the engaging part and the wiring part are aligned along a same axis. The contact may be used in applications where a reduced axial footprint of the contact or the corresponding connector is desirable. Detailed description of example embodiments The Figures schematically illustrate examples of one or more electrical contacts 1 for an electrical connector 2. The one or more electrical contacts 1 are configured to be fitted in an electrical insulator 6 (shown in Figure 5) of the connector 2. The contact 1 mainly comprises a conductive engaging part 3, a conductive wiring part 4 and a conductive junction part 5 configured to electrically connect the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4. The conductive engaging part 3 extends substantially along a first longitudinal axis (Xi). The conductive engaging part 3 is configured to electrically connect with a corresponding conductive engaging part 8 (shown in Figure 5) of another electrical contact of another connector (not shown in the Figures). As illustrated in Figures 1A-C, 3A-C and 5, the engaging part 3 may comprise a barrel 31 so that the contact 1 forms a female contact. As illustrated in Figures 2A-C and 4A-C, the engaging part 3 may comprise a pin 32 so that the contact 1 forms a male contact. The conductive wiring part 4 extends substantially along a second longitudinal axis (X2). The conductive wiring part 4 is configured to electrically connect with electrical wiring 7 (shown in Figure 5) of the connector 2. As illustrated in the Figures, the wiring part 4 may comprise a barrel 40 for connecting with the electrical wiring of the connector by at least one of soldering or mechanical plastic deformation. As illustrated in the Figures, the conductive junction part 5 is configured to electrically connect the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 such that the first longitudinal axis (Xi) of the engaging part 3 is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis (X2) of the wiring part 4. The first longitudinal axis (Xi) of the engaging part 3 and the second longitudinal axis (X2) of the wiring part 4 may be substantially parallel to each other. In the Figures, the first longitudinal axis (Xi) of the engaging part 3 and the second longitudinal axis (X2) of the wiring part 4 are offset with respect to each other so that the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 are not aligned with each other. The first longitudinal axis (Xi) of the engaging part 3 and the second longitudinal axis (X2) of the wiring part 4 are not mutually superimposed. The first longitudinal axis (Xi) of the engaging part 3 does not extend in the continuity of the second longitudinal axis (X2) of the wiring part 4. In the Figures, the offset is schematically represented by a distance D between the axis (Xi) and the axis (X2). In the Figures, the junction part 5 is further configured to electrically connect the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 such that the engaging part and the wiring part at least partially overlap each other, substantially along the first longitudinal axis (Xi) and the second longitudinal axis (X2). In the Figures, the overlap substantially along the first longitudinal axis (Xi) and the second longitudinal axis (X2) is represented by a distance A. In the Figures, the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 extend next to each other such that an axial extension, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (Xi) and the longitudinal axis (X2), of an assembly formed by the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 is shorter than a sum of the respective longitudinal dimensions of the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4. The distance D may be any distance which enables the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 to extend next to each other with an overlap substantially along the first longitudinal axis (Xi) and the second longitudinal axis (X2). As illustrated in the Figures, the junction part 5 comprises a first link 51, a second link 52 and a body 53 extending between the first link 51 and the second link 52. In the figures, the first link 51, the second link 52 and the body 53 are made integral with each other. In some examples, the first link, the second link and the body may be made of several parts affixed to each other, by any means. The first link 51 is configured to link with the engaging part 3, as explained in more detail below. The second link 52 is configured to link with the wiring part 4, as explained in more detail below. As illustrated in the Figures, the first link 51, the body 53 and the second link 52 have substantially a shape having two shoulders 54. The two shoulders 54 are configured to enable the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 to extend next to each other with an overlap substantially along the first longitudinal axis (Xi) and the second longitudinal axis (X2). The body 53 is further configured to extend between the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4, substantially along the first longitudinal axis (Xi) and substantially along the second longitudinal axis (X2), to at least partially overlap the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4, e.g. as illustrated in Figures 1A-C, 2A-C, 3A-C and 4A-C. As illustrated in Figure 5, the body 53 is further configured to extend between the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4 to fully overlap the engaging part 3 and the wiring part 4. As illustrated in Figures 1A-C, the first link 51 of the junction part 5 may comprise a block surrounding at least partially the engaging part 3. The block of the first link 51 may be formed integral with the barrel 31 of the engaging part 3. As illustrated in Figures 1A-C, the body 53 may comprise a block, the block surrounding at least partially the engaging part 3. The block of the body 53 may be formed integral with the barrel 31 of the engaging part 3. The block of the body 53 and the block of the first link 51 may be formed integral with each other. As illustrated in Figures 2A-C, the first link 51 of the junction part 5 may be formed comprise a block surrounding at least partially the engaging part 3. The block of the first link 51 may be formed integral with the barrel 31 of the engaging part 3. As illustrated in Figures 1A-C, the body 53 may comprise a block, the block surrounding at least partially the engaging part 3. The block of the body 53 may be formed integral with the barrel 31 of the engaging part 3. The block of the body 53 and the block of the first link 51 may be formed integral with each other. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 2A-C, 3A-C, 4A-C, the body 53 may comprise a sheet. As illustrated in Figures 2A-C, 3A-C and 4A-C, the first link 51 of the junction part 5 may comprise a flange for linking with an extremity 33 of the engaging part 3. As illustrated in Figures 2A-C, the first link 51 of the junction part 5 may be formed integral with the engaging part 3, as a non-limiting example. As illustrated in Figures 3A-C and 4A-C, the first link 51 of the junction part 5 may be attached to the extremity 33 of the engaging part 3. In some embodiments, the junction part 5 may be configured to electrically connect with the engaging part 3 by at least one of soldering, mounting by force or using nuts and bolts, as non-limiting examples. In some embodiments, the second link 52 of the junction part 5 may comprise a block surrounding at least partially the wiring part (not shown in the Figures). In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 1C, 2C, 3C and 4C, the second link 52 of the junction part 5 may comprise a flange for attaching to an extremity 41 of the wiring part 4. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 1A-C, the wiring part substantially totally overlaps the engaging part. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 2A-C, the engaging part substantially totally overlaps the wiring part. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3C and 4A-C, the contact 1 may comprise a plurality of engaging parts 3 for a single wiring part 4, the junction part 5 being configured to electrically connect the wiring part 4 and the plurality of engaging parts 3. In Figures 3A-3C and 4A-C, the axes (Xi) and the axis (X2) are located in the same plane, but it should be understood that the axes (Xi) and the axis (X2) may be located in different planes, with a first plane being defined by a first axis (Xi) and the axis (X2) and a second plane being defined by a second axis (Xi) and the axis (X2). In Figures 3A-3C and 4A-C, the plurality of engaging parts 3 comprises two engaging parts, but any number of engaging parts 3 is envisaged. In some embodiments, the junction part 5 may be configured to electrically connect with the wiring part 4 by at least one of soldering, mounting by force or using nuts and bolts, as non-limiting examples. In some embodiments, the connection of the wiring part 4 with the electrical wiring (e.g. by at least one of soldering or mechanical plastic deformation) may happen before the wiring part 4 is connected to the junction part 5. In some examples, the connection of the wiring part 4 with the electrical wiring (e.g. by soldering) may happen after the wiring part 4 is connected to the junction part 5. In some examples, the junction part 5 may be configured to electrically connect with the wiring part 4 by being made integral with the wiring part 4. An example method 100 of manufacture of an electrical contact for a connector is illustrated in Figure 6. The method 100 comprises: providing at S1 a conductive engaging part of the contact, extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis, the conductive engaging part being configured to electrically connect with a corresponding conductive engaging part of another electrical contact of another connector; providing, at S1, a conductive wiring part of the contact, extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis; electrically connecting, at S2, the conductive wiring part to electrical wiring of the connector; providing, at S3, a conductive junction part of the contact; and electrically connecting, at S4, the conductive junction part to the engaging part and the wiring part, such that the first longitudinal axis of the engaging part is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the wiring part, the first longitudinal axis of the engaging part and the second longitudinal axis of the wiring part further being offset with respect to each other so that the engaging part and the wiring part are not aligned with each other, and the junction part being further configured to electrically connect the engaging part and the wiring part such that the engaging part and the wiring part at least partially overlap each other, substantially along the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis. The method 100 may be performed for manufacturing the contact of any of the aspects of the disclosure. The conductive engaging part 3, the conductive wiring part 4 and the conductive junction part 5 may be made of any electrically conductive material, such as a metal such as an alloy comprising copper. The conductive engaging part 3, the conductive wiring part 4 and the conductive junction part 5 may have any cross sections, such as having a cross-section comprised between 50mm2 and 300mm2, as non-limiting examples. The conductive engaging part 3, the 5 conductive wiring part 4 and the conductive junction part 5 may have of any dimensions, such as having a cross-section comprised between 50mm2 and 300mm2, as non-limiting examples.

Claims

1. An electrical contact for a connector, comprising:a conductive engaging part extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis and configured to electrically connect with a corresponding conductive engaging part of another electrical contact of another connector,wherein the engaging part comprises at least one of:a barrel, the contact being configured to form a female contact; ora pin, the contact being configured to form a male contact;a conductive wiring part extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis and configured to electrically connect with electrical wiring of the connector, the wiring part comprising a barrel for connecting with the electrical wiring of the connector by at least one of soldering or mechanical plastic deformation; anda conductive junction part configured to electrically connect the engaging part and the wiring part,wherein the junction part comprises a first link for linking with the engaging part, a second link for linking with the wiring part and a body extending between the first link and the second link,wherein the first link, the body and the second link have substantially a shape having two shoulders,wherein the two shoulders are configured to enable the engaging part and the wiring part to extend next to each other with an overlap substantially along the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis,wherein the first link of the junction is configured to link with an extremity of the engaging part,wherein the second link is configured to link with an extremity of the wiring part,wherein the body is further configured to extend between the engaging part and the wiring part, substantially along the first longitudinal axis and substantially along the second longitudinal axis, to at least partially overlap the engaging part and the wiring part,such that the first longitudinal axis of the engaging part is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the wiring part, the first longitudinal axis of the engaging part and the second longitudinal axis of the wiring part further being offset with respect toeach other so that the engaging part and the wiring part are not aligned with each other, the electrical contact further comprising a plurality of engaging parts for a wiring part, the junction part being configured to electrically connect the wiring part and the plurality of engaging parts.

2. The contact of claim 1, wherein the body is further configured to extend between the engaging part and the wiring part to fully overlap the engaging part and / or to fully overlap the wiring part.

3. The contact of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first link of the junction part comprises at least one of:a block surrounding at least partially the engaging part, and a flange for linking with an extremity of the engaging part.

4. The contact of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second link of the junction part comprises at least one of:a block surrounding at least partially the wiring part, and a flange for linking to an extremity of the wiring part.

5. The contact of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body comprises at least one of a block and a sheet.

6. The contact of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the engaging part or the wiring part totally overlap the wiring part or the engaging part, respectively.

7. The contact of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the junction part is configured to electrically connect with the wiring part by at least one of: being made integral with the wiring part, soldering, mounting by force or using nuts and bolts.

8. The contact of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the junction part is configured to electrically connect with the engaging part by at least one of: being made integral with the engaging part, soldering, mounting by force or using nuts and bolts.

9. The contact of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first link, the second link and the body are made integral with each other or are made of several parts affixed to each other.

10. A connector comprising:an electrical insulator; andthe contact of any of the preceding claims.

11. A method of manufacture of an electrical contact for a connector, comprising: providing a conductive engaging part of the contact, extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis, the conductive engaging part being configured to electrically connect with a corresponding conductive engaging part of another electrical contact of another connector, wherein the engaging part comprises at least one of a barrel, so that the contact is configured to form a female contact, or a pin, so that the contact is configured to form a male contact;providing a conductive wiring part of the contact, extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the conductive wiring part is configured to electrically connect with electrical wiring of the connector, the wiring part comprising a barrel for connecting with the electrical wiring of the connector by at least one of soldering or mechanical plastic deformation;electrically connecting the conductive wiring part to electrical wiring of the connector by at least one of soldering or mechanical plastic deformation;providing a conductive junction part of the contact,wherein the junction part comprises a first link for linking with the engaging part, a second link for linking with the wiring part and a body extending between the first link and the second link,wherein the first link, the body and the second link have substantially a shape having two shoulders,wherein the two shoulders are configured to enable the engaging part and the wiring part to extend next to each other with an overlap substantially along the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis,wherein the first link of the junction is configured to link with an extremity of the engaging part,wherein the second link is configured to link with an extremity of the wiring part,wherein the body is further configured to extend between the engaging part and the wiring part, substantially along the first longitudinal axis and substantially along the second longitudinal axis, to at least partially overlap the engaging part and the wiring part; and5 electrically connecting the conductive junction part to the engaging part and the wiring part, such that the first longitudinal axis of the engaging part is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the wiring part, the first longitudinal axis of the engaging part and the second longitudinal axis of the wiring part further being offset with respect to each other so that the engaging part and the wiring part are not aligned with10 each other,the method further comprising providing the electrical contact with a plurality of engaging parts for a wiring part, the junction part being configured to electrically connect the wiring part and the plurality of engaging parts.

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