Compliant electrical connector for flat conductors

摘要

A plurality of coil springs (6) are secured to the flat inner surfaces (4a) of a jaw type connector (12) to receive a flat conductor (20, 24) such as a bus bar between the opposed springs, the individual coils of each spring (6) engaging the surfaces of the connector (4) and bus bar (20, 24) to provide a compliant, multiple path electrical connection between the connector and bus bar. The springs are plated with a material having a low interface resistance (Rp) with respect to the resistance of the spring wire (Rw) to minimize the net change in resistance of any individual current path in the event of contact interface breakdown between a spring coil and bus bar or connector, thereby reducing or eliminating harmful damage to the spring.