Contact-Stable Snap Connector

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention describes a snap-in connector designed to establish a reliable electrical and mechanical connection between a conductor embedded in a textile and a conductive surface on a circuit carrier (such as a printed circuit board). The connector features paired locking elements, a contact pin, and an elastic bridge. When installed, the locking elements anchor through the textile and into openings in the circuit carrier, while the elastic bridge pushes the conductor firmly against the contact surface, ensuring a stable, long-lasting electrical connection without damaging the textile or requiring soldering or adhesive methods.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Integration of electronic components (e.g., sensors or LEDs) into smart textiles for wearable technology.
• Assembly of flexible electronic circuits onto textile-based substrates for medical, sports, or fashion applications.
• Rapid, tool-free connection and disconnection of circuit boards in textile-integrated electronics systems.
• Manufacturing of reusable, maintenance-friendly smart clothing with embedded electronics.
• Industrial textile monitoring systems where circuit carriers need to be mechanically and electrically joined to textile-based sensors.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides a stable, long-lasting electrical connection resistant to mechanical stresses and environmental aging.
• Avoids the use of heat, solder, or conductive adhesives that might damage delicate textiles.
• Enables easy, non-destructive assembly and disassembly for maintenance or recycling.
• Ensures low electrical contact resistance for reliable signal transmission over time.
• Adaptable to various textile and circuit carrier materials and geometries.
• Can be mass-produced cost-effectively, including via injection molding.
• Protects both the textile and conductor from physical damage during assembly.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting means (1) for establishing an electrical contact between an electrical conductor (3) surrounded by a textile sheet (2) and an electrically conductive contact surface (5) surrounded by a circuit carrier (4), wherein the connecting means (1) has locking elements (6) arranged in pairs, a contact punch (8), and an elastically deformable web (9), wherein the locking elements (6) and the contact punch (8) are connected to one another and spaced from one another by the web (9) and protrude from the web (9) in the same direction, and the locking elements (6) are designed to lock into a corresponding opening (7) in a circuit carrier (4), wherein the locking elements (6) penetrate a respective textile sheet (2) in the locked-in state, and the web (9) covers at least part of the respective textile sheet (2) in such a way that a circuit carrier (4) is mechanically fastened to a respective textile sheet (2), and wherein the web (9), with the locking elements (6) locked in, is elastically deformed in such a way that the contact punch (8) presses an electrical conductor (3) surrounded by a respective textile sheet (2) directly against an electrically conductive contact surface (5) and thus establishes and maintains an electrical contact between an electrical conductor (3) and a contact surface (5).