ZIF-ish connector...

[Don Y]

On 7/17/2020 11:18 PM, Jasen Betts wrote:
> those magnetic charging cables?

I thought of those -- and could probably repurpose a handful of them for
prototyping... worry about how to REALLY make them, later.

> The ring connector on cordless electric jugs?

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

> If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

 

[Chris Jones]

On 18/07/2020 11:26, Don Y wrote:

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors.  Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

I saw mikeselectricstuff using SIM card connectors:


https://hackaday.com/2016/09/28/sim-card-connectors-and-white-pcbs-make-huge-led-snowflakes-happen/

 

[Chris Jones]

On 18/07/2020 11:26, Don Y wrote:

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors.  Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

I saw mikeselectricstuff using SIM card connectors:


https://hackaday.com/2016/09/28/sim-card-connectors-and-white-pcbs-make-huge-led-snowflakes-happen/

 

[Chris Jones]

On 18/07/2020 11:26, Don Y wrote:

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors.  Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

I saw mikeselectricstuff using SIM card connectors:


https://hackaday.com/2016/09/28/sim-card-connectors-and-white-pcbs-make-huge-led-snowflakes-happen/

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2020-07-18, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 7/17/2020 11:18 PM, Jasen Betts wrote:
those magnetic charging cables?

I thought of those -- and could probably repurpose a handful of them for
prototyping... worry about how to REALLY make them, later.

The ring connector on cordless electric jugs?

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

English language problem jug(UK) = pitcher(US) but I think you guys
call these kettles?

these things:
https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chefs-choice-electric-kettle.jpg

the top part has tri-axial terminals (a pin and two cylindrical shells and the botom part has
recessed spring-loaded contacts for live, neutral, and earth that press up on
the contacts

If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

In cordless phones one side has solid contacts in the surface and the other side
springs with pressed up-stands that go through a hole in the case
to meet the contacts.

So long as the exposed part of the spring is not hook shaped and is in a recess it
will be hard to accidentally mangle it

I\'ve seen flat springs pressed to made a domed cylindrical contact that
comes through the case. someone must make these, maybe look at the
selection of spring contacts on digikey and talk to the manufacturers.

--
Jasen.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2020-07-18, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 7/17/2020 11:18 PM, Jasen Betts wrote:
those magnetic charging cables?

I thought of those -- and could probably repurpose a handful of them for
prototyping... worry about how to REALLY make them, later.

The ring connector on cordless electric jugs?

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

English language problem jug(UK) = pitcher(US) but I think you guys
call these kettles?

these things:
https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chefs-choice-electric-kettle.jpg

the top part has tri-axial terminals (a pin and two cylindrical shells and the botom part has
recessed spring-loaded contacts for live, neutral, and earth that press up on
the contacts

If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

In cordless phones one side has solid contacts in the surface and the other side
springs with pressed up-stands that go through a hole in the case
to meet the contacts.

So long as the exposed part of the spring is not hook shaped and is in a recess it
will be hard to accidentally mangle it

I\'ve seen flat springs pressed to made a domed cylindrical contact that
comes through the case. someone must make these, maybe look at the
selection of spring contacts on digikey and talk to the manufacturers.

--
Jasen.

 

[Tim Williams]

They make spring-contact header strips for that. For more robustness there
are also probe-target contacts, mere gold plated brass discs but works
perfectly for pick-and-place and reflow.

You will need registration/alignment pins, or reasonably tight fitting
screws, maybe precision shoulder screws, something like that.

See hard drives for an example, possibly? Or, I have a cellphone where a
flex antenna on the removable back shell is connected this way.

Tim

--
Seven Transistor Labs, LLC
Electrical Engineering Consultation and Design
Website: https://www.seventransistorlabs.com/

\"Don Y\" <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote in message
news:retj4j$j0j$2@dont-email.me...

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors. Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

 

[Tim Williams]

They make spring-contact header strips for that. For more robustness there
are also probe-target contacts, mere gold plated brass discs but works
perfectly for pick-and-place and reflow.

You will need registration/alignment pins, or reasonably tight fitting
screws, maybe precision shoulder screws, something like that.

See hard drives for an example, possibly? Or, I have a cellphone where a
flex antenna on the removable back shell is connected this way.

Tim

--
Seven Transistor Labs, LLC
Electrical Engineering Consultation and Design
Website: https://www.seventransistorlabs.com/

\"Don Y\" <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote in message
news:retj4j$j0j$2@dont-email.me...

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors. Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2020-07-18, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 7/17/2020 11:18 PM, Jasen Betts wrote:
those magnetic charging cables?

I thought of those -- and could probably repurpose a handful of them for
prototyping... worry about how to REALLY make them, later.

The ring connector on cordless electric jugs?

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

English language problem jug(UK) = pitcher(US) but I think you guys
call these kettles?

these things:
https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chefs-choice-electric-kettle.jpg

the top part has tri-axial terminals (a pin and two cylindrical shells and the botom part has
recessed spring-loaded contacts for live, neutral, and earth that press up on
the contacts

If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

In cordless phones one side has solid contacts in the surface and the other side
springs with pressed up-stands that go through a hole in the case
to meet the contacts.

So long as the exposed part of the spring is not hook shaped and is in a recess it
will be hard to accidentally mangle it

I\'ve seen flat springs pressed to made a domed cylindrical contact that
comes through the case. someone must make these, maybe look at the
selection of spring contacts on digikey and talk to the manufacturers.

--
Jasen.

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 5:04 AM, Jasen Betts wrote:

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

English language problem jug(UK) = pitcher(US) but I think you guys
call these kettles?

these things:
https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chefs-choice-electric-kettle.jpg

the top part has tri-axial terminals (a pin and two cylindrical shells and the botom part has
recessed spring-loaded contacts for live, neutral, and earth that press up on
the contacts

Ah, OK. Similar idea -- though I wouldn\'t need the freedom of mating
orientation that concentric connections provides.

If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

In cordless phones one side has solid contacts in the surface and the other side
springs with pressed up-stands that go through a hole in the case
to meet the contacts.

Yes, I\'ve looked at cordless phones, rechargeable \"walkie talkies\", etc.
But, they tend to have a lot more volume to work with (ideally, I want
both connectors to be essentially two-dimensional so they don\'t increase
the separation/thickness of the mated assembly)

So long as the exposed part of the spring is not hook shaped and is in a recess it
will be hard to accidentally mangle it

Yes. The \"free end\" of the leaf spring has to be inaccessible, in
some way -- turned under or held behind a (plastic) enclosure member.
So, the spring can be depressed at midspan instead of at the
hidden/protected/guarded end.

I\'ve seen flat springs pressed to made a domed cylindrical contact that
comes through the case. someone must make these, maybe look at the
selection of spring contacts on digikey and talk to the manufacturers.

Thanks!

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 5:04 AM, Jasen Betts wrote:

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

English language problem jug(UK) = pitcher(US) but I think you guys
call these kettles?

these things:
https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chefs-choice-electric-kettle.jpg

the top part has tri-axial terminals (a pin and two cylindrical shells and the botom part has
recessed spring-loaded contacts for live, neutral, and earth that press up on
the contacts

Ah, OK. Similar idea -- though I wouldn\'t need the freedom of mating
orientation that concentric connections provides.

If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

In cordless phones one side has solid contacts in the surface and the other side
springs with pressed up-stands that go through a hole in the case
to meet the contacts.

Yes, I\'ve looked at cordless phones, rechargeable \"walkie talkies\", etc.
But, they tend to have a lot more volume to work with (ideally, I want
both connectors to be essentially two-dimensional so they don\'t increase
the separation/thickness of the mated assembly)

So long as the exposed part of the spring is not hook shaped and is in a recess it
will be hard to accidentally mangle it

Yes. The \"free end\" of the leaf spring has to be inaccessible, in
some way -- turned under or held behind a (plastic) enclosure member.
So, the spring can be depressed at midspan instead of at the
hidden/protected/guarded end.

I\'ve seen flat springs pressed to made a domed cylindrical contact that
comes through the case. someone must make these, maybe look at the
selection of spring contacts on digikey and talk to the manufacturers.

Thanks!

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 5:04 AM, Jasen Betts wrote:

\"cordless electric jugs\"???

English language problem jug(UK) = pitcher(US) but I think you guys
call these kettles?

these things:
https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chefs-choice-electric-kettle.jpg

the top part has tri-axial terminals (a pin and two cylindrical shells and the botom part has
recessed spring-loaded contacts for live, neutral, and earth that press up on
the contacts

Ah, OK. Similar idea -- though I wouldn\'t need the freedom of mating
orientation that concentric connections provides.

If it\'s consumer you can design the connectaor as an enclosure feature,

I\'m hoping to purchase the connector pair from someone who knows how to
make connectors, reliably -- instead of having to learn how to do that,
myself. Then, figure out how to accommodate it in the packaging...

In cordless phones one side has solid contacts in the surface and the other side
springs with pressed up-stands that go through a hole in the case
to meet the contacts.

Yes, I\'ve looked at cordless phones, rechargeable \"walkie talkies\", etc.
But, they tend to have a lot more volume to work with (ideally, I want
both connectors to be essentially two-dimensional so they don\'t increase
the separation/thickness of the mated assembly)

So long as the exposed part of the spring is not hook shaped and is in a recess it
will be hard to accidentally mangle it

Yes. The \"free end\" of the leaf spring has to be inaccessible, in
some way -- turned under or held behind a (plastic) enclosure member.
So, the spring can be depressed at midspan instead of at the
hidden/protected/guarded end.

I\'ve seen flat springs pressed to made a domed cylindrical contact that
comes through the case. someone must make these, maybe look at the
selection of spring contacts on digikey and talk to the manufacturers.

Thanks!

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 5:32 AM, Chris Jones wrote:
> I saw mikeselectricstuff using SIM card connectors:

That\'s an idea worth pursuing -- though I wonder if SIM card connectors
are designed for many mating cycles (?)

Thanks!

[I may, actually, be able to use something like that to repair a bit of kit
that I have lying around, here -- mangled pins!]

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 5:32 AM, Chris Jones wrote:
> I saw mikeselectricstuff using SIM card connectors:

That\'s an idea worth pursuing -- though I wonder if SIM card connectors
are designed for many mating cycles (?)

Thanks!

[I may, actually, be able to use something like that to repair a bit of kit
that I have lying around, here -- mangled pins!]

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 6:25 AM, Tim Williams wrote:

They make spring-contact header strips for that. For more robustness there are
also probe-target contacts, mere gold plated brass discs but works perfectly
for pick-and-place and reflow.

You will need registration/alignment pins, or reasonably tight fitting screws,
maybe precision shoulder screws, something like that.

See hard drives for an example, possibly? Or, I have a cellphone where a flex
antenna on the removable back shell is connected this way.

There\'s nothing novel about the idea -- lots of things use this sort of
connector arrangement.

Alignment needs are a function of contact sizes and spacing. But, that,
in turn, relies on having lots of flexibility, in that regard.

But, despite its ubiquity, it seems like it is almost always a \"custom\"
related to the actual device implementation. The only a la carte approach
that I could think of was pogo pins (from test fixture clamshells)

 

[Don Y]

On 7/18/2020 6:25 AM, Tim Williams wrote:

They make spring-contact header strips for that. For more robustness there are
also probe-target contacts, mere gold plated brass discs but works perfectly
for pick-and-place and reflow.

You will need registration/alignment pins, or reasonably tight fitting screws,
maybe precision shoulder screws, something like that.

See hard drives for an example, possibly? Or, I have a cellphone where a flex
antenna on the removable back shell is connected this way.

There\'s nothing novel about the idea -- lots of things use this sort of
connector arrangement.

Alignment needs are a function of contact sizes and spacing. But, that,
in turn, relies on having lots of flexibility, in that regard.

But, despite its ubiquity, it seems like it is almost always a \"custom\"
related to the actual device implementation. The only a la carte approach
that I could think of was pogo pins (from test fixture clamshells)

 

[Tim Williams]

\"Don Y\" <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote in message
news:rf0slc$843$1@dont-email.me...

But, despite its ubiquity, it seems like it is almost always a \"custom\"
related to the actual device implementation. The only a la carte approach
that I could think of was pogo pins (from test fixture clamshells)

Well no, if these aren\'t \"from a menu\" I don\'t know what is?--
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/319-10-105-00-006000/ED1371-ND/5176106
or
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/1578-3-57-15-00-00-03-0/ED1636CT-ND/5891982

with

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/bourns-inc/70AAJ-6-M0G/70AAJ-6-M0GCT-ND/3437862
or
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/825-22-004-10-001101/ED90560-ND/2639469

Not cheap, mind; but, as you didn\'t specify a cost target, I\'m going to say
my job is done here. :^)

There are also individual springs, small enough to pack into 0.1\" pitch or
other arrangements.

These are almost thin enough,
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/avx-corporation/709155001615004/478-8742-1-ND/4490451
but there\'s much more under EMI contacts, these for instance:
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/itt-cannon-llc/120220-0311/1003-2380-1-ND/4234113

Tim

--
Seven Transistor Labs, LLC
Electrical Engineering Consultation and Design
Website: https://www.seventransistorlabs.com/

 

[Tim Williams]

\"Don Y\" <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote in message
news:rf0slc$843$1@dont-email.me...

But, despite its ubiquity, it seems like it is almost always a \"custom\"
related to the actual device implementation. The only a la carte approach
that I could think of was pogo pins (from test fixture clamshells)

Well no, if these aren\'t \"from a menu\" I don\'t know what is?--
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/319-10-105-00-006000/ED1371-ND/5176106
or
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/1578-3-57-15-00-00-03-0/ED1636CT-ND/5891982

with

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/bourns-inc/70AAJ-6-M0G/70AAJ-6-M0GCT-ND/3437862
or
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/825-22-004-10-001101/ED90560-ND/2639469

Not cheap, mind; but, as you didn\'t specify a cost target, I\'m going to say
my job is done here. :^)

There are also individual springs, small enough to pack into 0.1\" pitch or
other arrangements.

These are almost thin enough,
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/avx-corporation/709155001615004/478-8742-1-ND/4490451
but there\'s much more under EMI contacts, these for instance:
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/itt-cannon-llc/120220-0311/1003-2380-1-ND/4234113

Tim

--
Seven Transistor Labs, LLC
Electrical Engineering Consultation and Design
Website: https://www.seventransistorlabs.com/

 

[Clive Arthur]

On 18/07/2020 02:26, Don Y wrote:

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors.  Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

Maybe some ideas here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euz00E3otlQ

--
Cheers
Clive

 

[Clive Arthur]

On 18/07/2020 02:26, Don Y wrote:

I\'m looking for a connector that can be mated blind with no insertion
force.
Sort of like LAYING a PCB onto a set of pogo pins (but they are too
expensive
and not very robust).

Contacts will need to pass ~500mA (though I can be argued into lesser
amounts).

And, I only need a handful of conductors (4-8).

Gold plate, likely, as I don\'t want to deal with corrosion or high
resistance
connections.

[Unfortunately, I can\'t think of a consumer product that I could point to
as an example... most seem to have \"real\" connectors.  Cost and
\"robustness\"
are issues as it is intended for the consumer market.]

advTHANKSance!

Maybe some ideas here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euz00E3otlQ

--
Cheers
Clive