tilkkontakti

Tilkkontakti, literally meaning "patch contact" in Finnish, is a term used in electronics and electrical engineering to describe a type of electrical connection formed by a small metal patch or plate that bridges two conductive surfaces. The concept emphasizes a defined contact area, as opposed to edge or continuous surface contacts. The term can appear in various technical contexts, including connectors, relays, test fixtures, and keypad switches.

In practice, a tilkkontakti consists of a metallic patch integrated into one surface or into a mating component, often arranged with spring loading to provide repeatable contact pressure. The goal is to ensure reliable conduction by periodically breaking through oxide layers and maintaining a relatively low contact resistance through many mating cycles. Materials and finishes commonly used for the patch include copper with nickel or gold plating, as well as other corrosion-resistant finishes, chosen to balance wear resistance, conductivity, and cost.

Applications vary from PCB test jigs and probing stations to compact connectors where a distinct contact patch offers predictable electrical behavior and ease of inspection. Design considerations include the required contact force, surface flatness and cleanliness, plating thickness, and environmental exposure, all of which influence contact resistance, durability, and reliability.

Advantages of tilkkontakti include a compact, well-defined contact area and potential for low resistance in well-maintained interfaces. Limitations involve wear, oxidation, contamination, and fatigue from repeated mating. See also electrical contact, pogo pin, and surface finishing. The exact interpretation of tilkkontakti may differ by field, but it generally denotes a patch-based electrical contact.