Three-piece contact system shines a light on linear and coplanar PCBs
Initially developed for off-road vehicle lighting, the 70-9159 Stript linking board to board (BTB) contact system delivers a size-to-performance ratio and current handling capabilities unmatched by existing BTB and wire to board (WTB) options. AVX also insists this is available at a lower cost than traditional insulated connectors.
The three-piece Stript contact system for linear LED and coplanar PCB connections in off-road vehicle lighting applications is designed to absorb end-to-end mating tolerances, handle up to 20A of continuous current, and exhibit robust resistance to extreme shock, vibration, and temperatures. The 70-9159 Series linking BTB contact system consists of two low-profile, single-position, and high-spring-force surface-mount C-clip contacts and a linking bridge contact. The system’s surface mount C-clip contacts are made of made of fatigue-resistant phosphor bronze, have multiple spring-finger contact points that maintain high mating forces and ensure uninterrupted connections. The contacts are only 2mm tall, allowing them to be placed close to LEDs without interference, adds AVX. Integral dimples on the bridge contact provide positive retention in the C-clip contacts to prevent it from backing out, and a centred tang prevents it from moving side to side.
This addition to AVX’s portfolio of UL-certified Stript family also delivers reliability performance in a lower profile and at a lower cost than traditional insulated connectors, claims the company. AVX points out that no other BTB solution currently available on the market offers the same size-to-performance ratio or high current handling capabilities as the 70-9159 Stript BTB linking contact system, and dual WTB connections would add both cost and labour, and would also struggle to meet the 20A rating.
It was developed in response to a customer request for a robust, high-current, coplanar, board-to-board connector for off-road vehicle lighting. The system’s high current capabilities, extreme environmental resistance, and reliability however can also provide improved performance, space savings, and cost reductions in other challenging coplanar, board-to-board applications,” said Tom Anderson, product manager at AVX.
The two single-position SMT C-clip phosphor bronze contacts and high-strength copper alloy linking bridge contact that comprise the 70-9159 Stript BTB linking contact system are lead-free and plated with matte-tin-over-nickel, and are rated for 300V, 20A, operating temperatures extending from -40 to +125 degreeC, and five durability cycles.
