spring contacts and battery charging contacts

Spring contacts, also known as Pogo pins or SLC (Spring Loaded Contact), are a proven technology for reliable contacting of uneven surfaces. Contact is made by touching a spring-loaded pin.

This technology offers a high functional reliability at a very high number of cycles and is particularly suitable for use in power and data transmission.

The standard versions have a nominal current of 1A or 2A, while specially designed models up to 15A can transfer. We also offer customer-specific developments to realize higher nominal currents.

Spring contact connectors consist of several spring contact pins that are assembled in a plastic housing. We offer customer-specific connectors that we customize in terms of pitch, number of pins and housing dimensions. We also realize by integrating magnets magnetic connectors according to your requirements.

For a variety of mounting options, we offer different connection types such as SMD, THT, solder cup and crimp connection. Almost all spring contacts can be equipped with a assembly cap and delivered on a roll / tape. This enables a automated assembly and reduces assembly time.

Advantages of spring contacts

• Spring contacts have a long mechanical service life,
• adjustable and measurable spring force,
• small pitch and a high integration density.
• Transmission of high currents up to 15A are possible
• SMD, THT, crimp connections, solder cup for flexible connections
• high tolerance compensation compared to fixed connectors
• good performance in high frequency applications
• RoHs compliant and halogen free

Application of spring contacts

• Battery charging stations and battery compartments of electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and cameras
• Connection elements in the automotive industry, e.g. for airbag sensors or engine controls
• Connectors in aerospace engineering, eg for avionics systems or satellites
• Medical technology, eg for connecting sensors and actuators in implantable devices or as part of diagnostic and therapy devices
• Industrial applications, eg for connecting sensors, actuators or controls in machines or robots

Reference examples of customer-specific spring contacts

design of spring contacts

A spring contact probe consists of three precision-made components that are perfectly matched to each other: a plunger, a spring and a probe body. Together they form a complete, reliable and durable system that ensures a smooth electrical connection.

By using different design constructions, the performance and lifespan of the spring contacts is greatly improved.

Design variants of spring contacts:
Back Drill Design | bias design | 4P design with ball | 4P design with cap | Rolling pin | Screw pin

Standard design variants

Back drill design

The back drill design is particularly suitable for smaller designs and allows customer-specific spring forces through a longer spring compared to the hollow piston.

bias design

The bias design is recommended for optimal contact guarantee and reduction of signal interference due to vibration. Here the piston is beveled at an angle of up to 18° at the end. This design is used for almost all spring contact probes from a length of 3,5mm.

4P design with ball

The 4P design with ball is recommended when current carrying capacity and vibration resistance requirements are particularly high (>3A). A stainless steel ball is integrated between the piston and the compression spring to prevent the compression spring from burning up at high currents.

4P design with cap

The 5P design with cap is suitable for high-current applications from 4A. Here the envelope of the piston is reinforced and a special structure inside the spring contact increases the contact area. The service life of these high-current spring contacts is at least 10.000 cycles.

Special design variants

Screw design spring contact

The constant miniaturization of electronic devices poses immense challenges for manufacturers and engineers, as more and more functions have to be accommodated in a small space. In this context, manufacturing technology plays a central role in ensuring the performance and reliability of the devices. This is exactly where the spring contact design with integrated screw thread comes into play, as it perfectly meets the requirements of miniaturization.

This innovative design not only enables the transmission of power and signal currents, but also fulfills an important function as a screw. The integration of the screw thread ensures a secure and reliable attachment of the spring contact without the need for additional fasteners. This saves space and significantly reduces assembly time.

The screw thread can be integrated customer-specifically into all flat type spring contacts from a piston length of 3,5 mm. This makes the design extremely flexible and adaptable to the requirements of a wide range of applications. Whether in mobile devices, medical devices, the automotive or aviation industry - the spring contact design with integrated screw thread is used in numerous areas. It enables safe and efficient transmission of power and signal streams in compact, high-performance devices.

screw pins >

360° rolling pin spring contact

The rolling pin is an innovative further development of the conventional spring pin, which enables reliable contact between two components with lateral and rotating movements. In contrast to a conventional spring contact, the rolling pin is equipped with a plunger, which is supplemented by an integrated ball in the pin tip.

This innovative construction ensures constant contact, even with 360° rotations. The spring-loaded ball significantly reduces possible transmission interference as a result of movements, vibrations or shocks. We offer different variants for SMD and THT assembly. Depending on the pin, the nominal current is between 1A and 6A.

rolling pins >

Coating of spring contacts

Spring contacts ensure reliable transmission of signals and currents in electronic devices. To meet the needs of specific applications, we offer a wide range of materials for manufacturing spring contacts. By default, the plunger and barrel are made of brass, while the spring is made of stainless steel. Alternatively, however, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze and SK4 steel are also available for the production of pistons, while beryllium copper and phosphor bronze can also be used for the pin sleeve.

To ensure optimal electrical conductivity and a high level of protection against corrosion and oxidation, our spring contacts are coated with gold. The pen sleeve and the piston are usually coated twice - first with nickel 1-2μm and then with gold 0,1-1μm.

We also offer partial coatings individual components as well as other precious metal coatings to meet your specific requirements. Contact us for more information and to find a tailor-made solution for your application.

Comparison of individual coatings

reference

In the example shown, the connector is equipped with a partial Super-AP coating (silver) for a wearable application. This is to minimize corrosion of the electrical contacts from sweat or moisture. The plug is under the article number SVPC-C-P08945MS1-03A250HR and SVPC-C-P08945FL2-03AHR available. The spring contact plug has a current of 1A and a spring force of 120g. The service life is at least 10.000 cycles.

Connectors with spring contacts

We offer a wide range of spring contact based connectors. In addition to our standard solutions, we also manufacture customized connectors tailored to your specific requirements. Our customized connectors include extra small connectors, waterproof solutions, magnetic connectors as well as special solutions for high current applications.

In addition, we enable the cost-effective production of complete assemblies with connectors and cable assembly. Our engineers will be happy to support you in the development and production of your assemblies and ensure that all requirements are optimally met.

References of customized connectors

Waterproof connectors with spring contacts

Several spring contacts, even with different working heights, are assembled in a plastic housing to form a customer-specific connector. A common method is to press the individual contacts into the plastic housing IP54 tightness.

For more demanding installation situations in which higher protection classes of IPx7 and higher are required, we offer various connector designs. The pins can be used here O-ring seals supplemented or directly with plastic overmoulded and/or with elastomeric materials sealed become. Due to the overmolding, the connector can individual shape accept and integrate sockets and plug-in devices. This significantly reduces assembly time and assembly costs.

Our waterproof connectors are used in outdoor mobile tracking and navigation devices as well as in medical technology and industry. Please note that the protection class achieved always depends on the installation situation. We would be happy to advise you in detail on this topic.

Magnetic connectors

Also we offer the design and manufacturing magnetic connectors with cable assembly. A magnetic connector consists of spring contact pins and a magnetic connection system that enables a shock and vibration resistant and self-aligning connection. The spring contacts not only allow the transmission of charging current, but also of all kinds of signals. Learn more about magnetic connectors and their benefits:

magnetic connector

In the product area of ​​high-current contacts, we offer both standard high-current contacts (5A - 250A) and customer-specific solutions (up to 1000A nominal current).
In addition to spring-loaded miniature battery charging contacts with a current load capacity of 5A to 15A, we also offer so-called “Crown Spring Contacts” with a load capacity of up to 250A. These contacts are equipped with a patented “crown-like” spring, which creates 100% contact between plug and socket. This connection is shock and vibration resistant and has a low contact transition resistance at high current loads. The high-current contacts are analogous to the standards: GB / IEC (China / EU standard) or SAE (US standard).

High current contacts

Online Catalog

In our Online Catalog you will find over 300 standard spring contacts and connectors based on spring contacts, which you can request directly from us.

Online Catalog

print catalogue

Catalog “Spring Contacts” (.pdf)

Tabular product overview of spring contacts (.xls)
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