EP0221158B1 - Modular connector system - Google Patents
Modular connector system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0221158B1 EP0221158B1 EP19860903079 EP86903079A EP0221158B1 EP 0221158 B1 EP0221158 B1 EP 0221158B1 EP 19860903079 EP19860903079 EP 19860903079 EP 86903079 A EP86903079 A EP 86903079A EP 0221158 B1 EP0221158 B1 EP 0221158B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- module
- housing
- connector
- receiving portion
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 32
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- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 10
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000012431 wafers Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011804 chemically inactive material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 description 1
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ether Substances CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/514—Bases; Cases composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to electrical wiring connectors and, more particularly, to modular electrical connectors having an outer housing supporting one or more internal modules in which various conductor wires to be connected are accommodated in passageways extending through the modules.
- Wiring connectors of various types are well known in the art. Typically, however, such connectors are difficult to manufacture, assemble, and service, thereby increasing the ultimate cost of using such connectors.
- Electrical connectors usually comprise an assembly consisting of two connector halves, i.e., a male connector and a female connector, which are adapted to be joined together to form an electrical and mechanical connection between conductors which are terminated in the connector halves.
- the conductors in each connector half are terminated by suitably configured contacts; and the contacts must be accurately positioned within the connector halves to ensure that they will be in alignment for proper mating when the connector halves are joined together. Misalignment of contacts when the connector halves are joined together can result in improper electrical connection and physical damage to the connector assembly.
- a one-piece shell is provided; and a pair of modules or wafers is inserted into the shell by longitudinal movement therein.
- a rib arrangement is provided on the horizontal surfaces of the modules, and cooperating keyways are formed on the internal horizontal surfaces of the shell in order to prevent lateral movement of the modules within the shell.
- the springs upon compression of the springs for withdrawal of the prior art modules, the springs can be deformed, thus adversely affecting the accuracy of placement of the modules upon reinsertion. Such deformation may become so severe as to render the connector useless and to require a complex substitution of the springs for further utilization.
- the above-described known connector is also not fully effective in achieving and maintaining proper positioning of the modules and hence of the contact-terminated conductors therein in the vertical direction as the springs themselves are resilient and the wafers can move thereagainst within the shell. Furthermore, the conductor wires are permanently secured within the modules by a rectangular insulation mass; and if it becomes necessary or desirable to remove or replace one or more of the conductors, the entire module must be replaced.
- a connector comprising a housing, at least one module adapted to be received within said housing, said module including means for receiving a plurality of electrical conductors therein, and positioning means for positioning said module within said housing, whereby said housing includes a receiving portion and a cover portion, said cover portion being releasably mountable to said receiving portion for releasably enclosing said module within said housing, and further in that said positioning means includes locking means on said housing and said module for locking said module laterally within said housing.
- a connector comprising at least one module for receiving therein a plurality of electrical conductors, a housing, the housing having a receiving portion and a cover portion for locking releasably to the receiving portion and enclosing the module and locking structure on the housing and on the module for locking releasably the module to the housing, is characterised in that;
- FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of two halves of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- a male connector generally designated at 10
- a female connector generally designated at 12.
- the following description which is directed toward the female connector 12, is applicable essentially identically to the structure of the male connector 10.
- female connector 12 includes a receiving portion 14 and a cover portion 16 which, together, generally form a housing 18 for a module 20, the forward end of which is seen in Fig. 1.
- the receiving portion has a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24, generally connected by upstanding sidewalls 26.
- the housing is die cast aluminum, although stainless steel or plastic materials may be used.
- the receiving portion 14 includes a floor portion 28 connecting the rear portion 24, upstanding sidewalls 26, and the front portion 22.
- cover portion 16 is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the internal details being shown in Fig. 4 which illustrates the cover in an inverted position.
- cover 16 includes depending sidewalls 30 designed for mating with the upstanding sidewalls 26 of the receiving portion 14 of the housing.
- cover 16 when cover 16 is mounted on receiving portion 14 and is fastened thereto by fasteners illustrated as screws 32, a substantially closed housing structure results with a rear opening 34 for receiving wiring arrangement 36 (shown in Fig. 1) therein and with a front opening 38 permitting access to the contracts provided at the forward end of module 20.
- the housing structure including the cooperating sidewalls 40, 26 and 30, provides shielding for the exposed wire terminals and contacts housed therein.
- the forwardly projecting contacts of male connector 10 are surrounded by an enclosure 37 including outwardly projecting horizontal fins 39.
- Enclosure 37 is dimensioned to fit within the opening 38 in female connector 12 upon connection of the connector assembly.
- Fins 39 are similarly dimensioned to fit within opening 38. The fins thus provide proper lateral alignment of the enclosure 37 within opening 38, thereby assuring a desired mating contact between corresponding male and female connectors.
- a number of interengaging surfaces such as flanges 40, shown in Fig. 4, descending from the sidewalls 30 of the cover.
- Flanges 40 are inwardly laterally spaced on sidewall 30 in order to engage inner surfaces of upstanding walls 26 of the receiving portion of the housing.
- abutment of flanges 40 against the inner surfaces of upstanding walls 26 there is provided a rear vertical wall 42 of the front portion 22, as shown in Fig. 2.
- a front wall 44 is provided in the structure of cover 16, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for engaging rear vertical wall 42 when the cover is mounted to the receiving portion.
- a still further alignment structure includes a groove 46 in the housing and a matching tongue 48 in cover 16 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The tongue and groove arrangement is provided for vertically locking the cover to the receiving portion.
- the cover in order to assemble the cover to the receiving portion, the cover is first laterally aligned with the receiving portion and is placed rearwardly of its finally assembled position. The cover 16 may then be slid forward slightly to obtain engagement of the tongue and groove arrangement 48, 46 and further to obtain an abutment between front wall 44 of the cover and rear vertical wall 42 of the receiving portion. Once such abutment is attained, the cover is locked from any further lateral, vertical, or forward longitudinal movement with respect to the receiving portion.
- the cover and receiving portion include a cooperating, self-aligning structure for simplified alignment and assembly of the cover to the receiving portion to form the housing of the present connector.
- Fig. 5 illustrates the two modules used in the two halves of the connector assembly shown in Figures 1 - 4 and the contact structure affixed to the wiring arrangement provided therein. With the exception of the male and female contacts and their connection to the front portions of the two modules, the modules are substantially identical.
- the modules are made of a plastic material capable of withstanding high temperatures, such as polyethylene ether ketone although other materials may also be used.
- Module 20 shown in detail in Fig. 5, is provided with a segmented rib structure 50 in which rib segments 50a, 50b, and 50c are arranged laterally on an upper surface of the module and are laterally spaced apart from one another.
- the rib segments 50a, 50b, and 50c may each be provided with angled wedge-like forward faces.
- a similar ribbed structure may be provided on the bottom surface of the module, although it is preferable that the ribbed structure be provided on either the top surface or the bottom surface and not on both surfaces.
- the segmented rib structure 50 provided on the top surface of the module will preferably differ in configuration from the rib structure provided on the bottom surface.
- the connector according to the invention is assembled by placing module 20 within receiving portion 14 of the connector.
- a number of channels are provided on floor portion 28 of the receiving portion.
- lateral channel segments 52 are provided for a generally L-shaped channel structure shown therein.
- the channel segments 52 may be provided with angled wedge-like forward faces that mate and engage the forward faces of the rib segments.
- the channel arrangement on floor portion 28 corresponds to the rib structure (not shown) that may be provided on the bottom surface of module 20 so that all sides of the rib segments are engaged by the vertical and slanted surfaces of the channel segments 52. Accordingly, once being so engaged, the module 20 is locked both longitudinally and laterally by the channel structure and is fixed laterally and longitudinally relative to the receiving portion 14 of the housing.
- a number of channel segments 54 are provided on a bottom surface 56 of the cover 16.
- Channel segments 54 cooperating with the rib structure 50 on the upper surface of the module, also provide a structure for locking the module both longitudinally and laterally within the housing.
- cover 16 may be assembled to form the connector by moving the cover forwardly in contact with the module until the segmented rib 50 mates with and engages channel segments 54.
- the rib structure and channel segments are arranged on the module and cover, respectively, so that engagement occurs at a point in which the tongue and groove arrangement 48 - 46 provides vertical interlocking for the cover and receiving portion of the housing.
- the connector is substantially fully assembled; and any further lateral, longitudinal, or transverse movement of the module is prevented inasmuch as the module is locked in position by the receiving portion or by the cover portion of the housing, or by both, since the cover is vertically locked by the tongue and groove arrangement 48 - 46.
- the channel structures 52, 54 are provided on both the inside surface of the cover 16 and on the floor surface of the receiving portion. It is preferred, however, that the complementary ribbed structure be provided on only one surface of the module and that the other surface be flat. Where two sets of engaging rib-channel structures are used to engage the module, there is a possibility for conflict and improper assembly of the module.
- the resulting assembly forms the female connector 12 of Fig. 1.
- a similar module 21, shown in Fig. 5, may be used for assembling the male connector 10 of Fig. 1.
- the male module 21 is provided with a segmented rib structure for lockably engaging the interior of the male connector housing.
- the front portion 22 of the housing is preferably dimensioned to permit passage of the module structure therethrough, but not to permit passage of the ribbed portions 50 therethrough.
- the vertical dimensions of the front portion 22 of the housing may be somewhat larger than the dimension of the module 20 and somewhat smaller than the dimension of the ribs projecting outwardly from the module.
- ribs may be provided on the sidewalls of the module 20, and the lateral dimensions of the front portion of the housing may be similarly arranged to block passage of the ribbed segments therethrough.
- sidewall portions 26 of the receiving portion 14 may be provided with channels for locking with any mating ribs on the side portions of the module.
- Figures 5 and 6 show an arrangement of the present invention for longitudinally locking the contacts within the module and thus within the connector.
- transverse holes 58 are provided in the module.
- Retention pins 60 are provided for insertion in the holes 58.
- the retention pins engage a shaped portion 62 of a contact 64 as shown in Figure 5.
- a curved portion 62 is provided matching the curvature of the retention pins 60.
- the shaped portion 62 is located so that, upon engagement by a pin 60, the forward end of a contact 64 will be at the proper longitudinal position within the lon- gitudinai passageway provided therefor in module 20 to receive the forward end of male contact 66.
- pin 60 is inserted in the hole 58 to lock the contact from further longitudinal movement.
- the number of retention pins may be less than the number of contacts and wires retained in the module.
- the adjacent contacts preferably each include a shaped portion 62 matching the shape of one half of a retention pin 60.
- contacts 64 are similarly prevented from such movement.
- a similar arrangement is provided by providing a stamped semi-circular hole at 68, thus providing an appropriately shaped portion for engagement by a retention pin.
- the contacts are arranged to have semi-circular-shaped portions facing each other, rather than providing each pin with a fully circular-shaped portion, only one retention pin is required for each pair of contacts retained by the module.
- Figure 6 illustrates a pin-and-socket contact arrangement in which a pin and socket are provided with an appropriate arcuate encircling groove or chamfer at 70 and 72, permitting the use of the retention pin arrangement hereinabove described with reference to Figure 5.
- An advantage of the structure of Figure 6 is that the pin-and-socket contacts need not be specially positioned, and pairs of adjacent contacts will engage the retention pins no matter how they are rotationally oriented when inserted into the module.
- the inventive structure permits a simplified locking of a contact within a module, together with a simplified structure for locking a module within a housing for precisely defining the positions of the contacts within the connector and for assembling the entire connector.
- FIGS. 2 and 4 show upstanding wall 74 and descending wall 76, respectively associated with the rear portions of the receiving and cover portion of the housing. These two walls define therebetween a space accommodating the wiring arrangement passing therethrough.
- the upstanding and descending walls 74 and 76 may be appropriately dimensioned in order to provide additional shielding and to enable the ribbon cable to be clamped therebetween, thus providing strain relief for the connections between the wires and contacts within the module.
- a strain relief pad 78 is provided, providing mating surfaces for engagement of the walls 74 and 76. Passage of a wiring arrangement between the pad 78 and the wall 76, or alternatively between pad 78 and wall 74, provides an appropriate tortuous path for the wiring arrangement, thus crimping the same to provide the desired form of strain relief.
- yet another structure may be provided for preventing longitudinal backward movement of the module within the housing.
- Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the connector halves include a plurality of stacked modules.
- Figure 7 shows an assembled, double male connector half 101 which includes a receiving portion 141 and a cover therefor.
- the receiving portion 141 may include a floor portion, as described for the embodiments of Figures 1 - 5, the receiving portion is formed as a central portion at its top and bottom in the arrangement shown in Figure 7.
- First and second covers 161 and 162 are provided for the top and bottom of the receiving portion 141.
- the receiving portion of Figure 7 is larger than that shown in Figure 2 in order to accommodate a pair of modules.
- housing 181 to enclose a pair of modules.
- a pair of modules is described for the housing 181 of Figure 7, a single module may be provided therein, the single module having a sufficiently large vertical dimension to accommodate a number of horizontal rows of wires and contacts to pass therethrough.
- housing 181 may be formed by a receiving portion 141 integrally formed with a floor portion (as if the bottom cover 162 were integral with receiving portion 141) and a top cover 161, or as the above-described openended receiving portion with a pair of covers.
- the module may include an arrangement of rib structures similar to those shown in Figure 5 while the top cover may include a channel arrangement as shown in Figure 4.
- the bottom cover 162 or the floor portion of an integral receiving portion 141 may be provided with the channel structure shown in Figure 2.
- each module includes a rib structure for interlocking with the corresponding cover or floor portion, the internal vertical dimension of the housing being such as to require the ribs to mate with the channels in order to permit fastening of the cover or covers to the receiving portion.
- a rib and channel arrangement between two modules which are to be received within housing 181.
- one of the modules may include a protruding rib structure, and the other such module may include a corresponding channel arrangement.
- the receiving portion is formed of a front portion 221 and a rear portion 241, and includes upstanding sidewalls 261.
- the covers 161 and 162 include depending sidewalls 301 and 302 respectively which mount on the sidewall 261 of the receiving portion.
- flanges are provided for the depending sidewalls 301 and 302 as described in connection with the structure of Figure 4.
- a tongue portion 481 is preferably provided for the covers 161 and 162 to engage the housing and thus to align the cover thereto.
- Figure 7 illustrates a male connector like that shown at 10 in Figure 1 and includes an enclosure 371 for the protruding contacts.
- a plurality of fins 391 may be provided in order to align the male contacts with the female contacts of a female connector, as hereinabove described with reference to Figure 1.
- Figure 8 shows a right-angle connector in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention.
- the connector of Figure 8 generally embodies the various features hereinabove described for the simplified in-line connector illustrated in Figures 1 - 5.
- a right-angle male connector 100 is generally shown as including an L-shaped receiving portion 140 and a cover portion 160 defining a housing 191.
- the right-angle connector houses an L-shaped module 210, illustratively shown as a male module.
- the receiving portion 140 includes a front portion 220 and a rear portion 240, connected by upstanding sidewalls 260 therebetween.
- the sidewalls similarly to the receiving means itself, are L-shaped.
- the receiving portion 140 includes an L-shaped floor portion 280 connecting the sidewalls 260, the front portion 220, and the rear portion 240.
- cover portion 160 provides depending sidewalls 300 for mounting on at least a portion of the upstanding sidewalls 260 of the receiving portion.
- cover portion 160 is shown substantially as a planar structure, the cover may, similarly to the module 210, be L-shaped.
- the module includes a segmented rib structure 50 in which a number of laterally spaced rib segments are provided on at least one surface.
- rib segments are shown on the upper portion of the L-shaped module, it should be understood that similar segments may be provided on the vertical portion, as well as on side portions thereof. Moreover, the rib segments may similarly be provided on the hidden horizontal and vertical surfaces of the module.
- the floor 280 of the receiving portion 140, the inner surface of cover portion 160, as well as other inner surfaces of the housing, include channels for appropriately interlocking with the rib segments.
- the preferred embodiment includes a rib structure 51 on the floor portion 280; and a channel structure (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of module 210 for interlocking with the rib structure 51.
- the various rib and channel interlocking sections are generally shown as including longitudinal portions only, for preventing lateral movement between the module and the housing.
- the L-shaped arrangement secures the module longitudinally against the inner surfaces of the housing by providing an abutment between the inner vertical surface (not shown) of module 210 and the vertical surface of the floor portion 280.
- the lateral rib and channel portions may be provided in the right-angle connector embodiment shown in Figure 8.
- additional ribs may be provided on the vertical surface of the module 210, with an appropriate channel structure on the inner surface of the cover portion 160.
- the ribs may be provided on the inner surface of the cover and a channel structure provided on the vertical surface of the module.
- the inventive structure includes an enclosure 370 at the forward end thereof for insertion in an opening of the female connector.
- the inventive structure provides the groove and tongue arrangement previously described in relationship to the in-line assembly of Figures 2 and 3.
- a groove 460 is provided in the L-shaped receiving portion; and a tongue 480 is provided in the cover portion for mating with groove 460 thereby to lockthe upper portion of cover 160 relative to the receiving portion.
- Fasteners shown in the form of screws 32 are used to fasten the cover to the receiving portion.
- the module 210 is slid into enclosure 370 of receiving portion 140.
- Any ribs 50 and 51 provided on the module and/or the receiving portion engage corresponding channels provided on the inner surface of the receiving portion or on the module, respectively, thus assuring proper lateral arrangement of the module within the housing.
- Cover portion 160 is thereafter fastened to the receiving portion by the tongue and groove arrangement and by fasteners 32, and any flanges and rib and channel struture which may be provided in the cover and module lock the cover laterally with respect to the module. Fastening screws 32 are used to finalize the assembly of the inventive right-angle connector.
- the arrangement used in the embodiment of Figure 5, including retention pins and transverse holes in the module may be used to lockthe contacts from the longitudinal movement within the connector of Figure 8.
- the L-shaped structure provides advantageously, its own longitudinal locking for the contacts.
- the preferred embodiment does not utilize the retention pin structure.
- Figures 9 - 13 illustrate a connector assembly in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector half 512 of the connector assembly.
- the male connector half is substantially identical to the female connector half, exept for the contact structure and the mating structure; and there is, therefore, no need for a duplicate description of the female connector half.
- Connector half 512 includes a housing 518 composed of a receiving portion 514 and a cover portion 516.
- One or more modules are adapted to be positioned repeatably within the housing 518 by a variety of alignment features similar to those described and illustrated with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5.
- two modules 520 and 521 each having a single row of passageways for receiving a single row of conductors 536 and 537, respectively, are positioned within housing 518. If desired a single module having two or more rows of passageways for receiving two or more rows of conductors may be positioned in housing 518.
- cover portion 516 includes depending sidewall portions 530 designed to mate with upstanding sidewalls 526 of the receiving portion 514 so that when the cover is mounted on the receiving portion and is fastened thereto by fasteners 532, a substantially closed housing structure is provided for enclosing and supporting the modules 520 and 521.
- Flanges (not shown) are provided on the cover 516 to engage inner surfaces of the upstanding wall 526 of the receiving portion to prevent lateral movement of the cover with respect to the receiving portion when the two portions are secured together.
- a rear vertical wall 542 at the front of the receiving portion 514 engages front wall 544 of the cover 516.
- tongues 548 on cover portion 516 engages grooves 546 in receiving portion 514.
- the embodiment of Figures 9 - 13 also includes a structure similar to that in the Figures 1 - 5 embodiment for retaining the modules 520 and 521 within the housing 518 and for defining the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical position of the modules in the housing.
- receiving portion 514 includes a plurality of channels 552 adapted to engage a rib structure (not shown) on the lower surface of module 521 when the module is placed within the housing to position the module and prevent both lateral and longitudinal movement of the module within the housing.
- a plurality of channels (not shown) is also provided on the underside of the cover portion 516 to engage rib structure 522 on the top surface of the module 520 to position and lock module 520 within the housing.
- the interengaging rib and channel structure on the lower surface of cover portion 516 and the upper surface of module 521 differs in configuration from the interengaging rib and channel structure on the upper surface of receiving portion 514 and the lower surface of module 521.
- the lower surface of module 520 and the upper surface of module 521 are smooth and without any interengaging structure which could conflict with the interengaging structures between the modules and the housing portions.
- strain relief pad 78 has been replaced by sealing boots 578 and 579 integral with modules 520 and 521, respectively.
- Sealing boots 578 and 579 comprise a soft, pliant, chemically inactive material, such as a fluorosilicone polymer, and are bonded to the back edges of the modules 520 and 521, respectively, by a vacuum-bonding process so that portions 578a and 579a of the sealing boots will extend beyond the rear edges of the modules.
- Sealing boots 578 and 579 are formed with a plurality of apertures 581 and 585, respectively, which are aligned with passageways in the modules 520 and 521 for receiving conductor wires 536 and 537.
- the upper surface 582 of extended portion 578a of the sealing boot 578 and the lower surface 583 of extended portion 579a of sealing boot 579 are of generally rippled configuration and are defined by a plurality of spaced, generally semi-circular segments that are coaxial with the apertures 581 and 585, respectively, in the sealing boots. Rippled surfaces 582 and 583 are adapted to be engaged by complementary rippled surfaces 584 and 586 provided on the rear edges of the cover and receiving portions, respectively, of the connector housing. Sealing boots 578 and 579 seal around the conductor wires 536 and 537 entering into the modules 520 and 521 and between the modules and the housing.
- the rippled surfaces 584 and 586 will engage the rippled surfaces 582 and 583 on the extended portions 578a and 579a of sealing boots 578 and 579 and compress the sealing boots and effect a seal at the rear end of the connector.
- the rippled configuration on the sealing boots and on the housing portions results in the compressive forces being applied generally radially around each of the semi-circular ripples and substantially radially around each of the conductor wires 536 and 537 to ensure a more complete seal around the wires.
- the rippled surface 586 on the receiving portion 514 is composed of two portions 586a and 586b separated by a narrow groove 591 extending laterally across the receiving portion.
- a similar groove 592 ( Figure 10) is provided in the cover portion 516 to divide the rippled surface 584 thereon into two portions 584a and 584b.
- the grooves are illustrated in greater detail in Figure 10 which is a cross sectional view of the rear portion of the connector of Figure 9 in assembled form.
- portions of the pliant sealing boots 578a and 579a will extend into the grooves 591 and 592 within the receiving portion and cover portion, respectively, of the housing.
- the grooves thus help support the seaing boots within the connector.
- the sealing boots also cooperate with the housing to provide strain relief for the conductor wires 536 and 537 by isolating the locations where the wires are connected to the contacts from any bending forces applied against the conductor wires, thus transferring stress to the location where the wires enter the sealing boots.
- Sealing boots 578 and 579 illustrated in Figures 9 - 10 provide an effective, reliable seal around the conductor wires and of the rear end of the connector.
- the sealing boots are preferably integral with the module, avoiding the need for a separate sealing member as in the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5.
- FIG 11 illustrates a rear view of a modified sealing boot 596 for such a module.
- sealing boot 596 has two rows of apertures 597 and 598 positioned to be aligned with corresponding conductor wire-receiving passageways in the module to which boot 596 is mounted.
- a rippled surface 601 and 602 is provided on both the upper and lower surface of the extended portion of the sealing boot to cooperate with rippled surfaces 584 and 586 on the cover and receiving portions of the housing.
- a slot 599 is provided in the sealing boot between the two rows of apertures 597 and 598 and extends substantially across the width of the sealing boot. Slot 599 somewhat isolates the compressive forces applied against surface 601 by surface 584 of cover 516 from the compressive forces applied against surface 602 by the surface 586 of receiving portion 514 to enhance the reliability of the sealing boot. Slot 599 preferably extends within extended portion of the sealing boot from the rear face of the sealing boot to the back edge of the module.
- Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an electrical contact 600 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention for terminating the conductor wires 536 within a module, for example, module 520.
- electrical contact 600 includes a male terminal portion 602, contact 600 could equally as well be formed with a female terminal portion by replacing the male terminal portion 602 with a female receptacle portion.
- Contact 600 comprises a generally elongated, one-piece member which includes a terminal portion 602 at one end; a central contact retention portion 603; and a conductor wire receiving portion 604 at the opposite end.
- Conductor wire-receiving portion 604 comprises essentially a hollowed-out cylinder or barrel 607 adapted to receive the end of a conductor wire after the insulation has been removed.
- the walls of hollowed-out cylinder are provided with a plurality of raised ribs 608 extending axially of the cylinder.
- the exposed end of a conductor wire 536 is inserted into hollowed-out cylinder 607 and the cylinder is then firmly crimped radially inward and around the wire to secure the electrical contact 600to the conductor.
- the ribs 608 in the wall of the cylinder are raised radially outward of the cylinder during inward deformation of the cylinder to an extent to firmly retain the contact 600 on the conductor wire and to maintain a reliable electrical connection without the use of solder or the like.
- Central, contact retention portion 603 comprises a flattened portion from which a generally U-shaped portion 603a is cut away to define a spring finger 609.
- Spring finger 609 extends rearwardly of the contact and is bent upwardly at a slight angle.
- Spring finger 609 is adapted to cooperate with stops 611 formed in contact-receiving passageways 612 in module 520, as illustrated in Figure 13.
- the passageways 612 are also provided with a pair of channels 612a having front walls 613. Channels 612a are positioned to receive a pair of stops 614 formed on contact 600 as shown in Figure 12. Stops 614 are formed by stamping the flattened central portion of electrical contact 600.
- a contact 600 with conductor wire 536 secured thereto is inserted into module 520 from the rear and pushed forwardly within a passageway 612 until spring member 609 clears shoulder 611 at which point the spring finger 609 will spring upwardly to secure the contact in place within the module and prevent its rearward movement. Further forward movement of the contact within the module will be limited by stops 614 which impinge upon the front wall 613 of channels 612a. Portions 614 of the contact in conjunction with deformed portions 617 restrict vertical movement of the contact within the module. Thus, the contact 600 is securely positioned within module 520 and will remain in position during use of the connector.
- a contact 600 can be easily removed from the module 520 by inserting an appropriate tool 621 into portion 618 of its passageway 612 in the module through the front end, pressing the tool against the spring member 609 and holding it down as the contact is withdrawn from the rear end of the module.
- a particularly desirable feature of contact 600 and the contacts of the other embodiments is that the contacts are removably mounted within the modules. Accordingly, should the removal or placement of a contact be desired or necessary, the contact can be removed and replaced without destruction of the module. In prior systems, the contacts were permanently secured within the modules and could not be removed.
- a further advantage of the contact system illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 is that separate retention pins orthe like, which can become mislaid, are not required.
- the contacts and sealing means described and illustrated in Figures 9 - 13 may be applied to a right-angle connector such as that illustrated in Figure 8 and to a multiple-row connector such as illustrated in Figure 7.
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- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally to electrical wiring connectors and, more particularly, to modular electrical connectors having an outer housing supporting one or more internal modules in which various conductor wires to be connected are accommodated in passageways extending through the modules.
- Wiring connectors of various types are well known in the art. Typically, however, such connectors are difficult to manufacture, assemble, and service, thereby increasing the ultimate cost of using such connectors.
- Electrical connectors usually comprise an assembly consisting of two connector halves, i.e., a male connector and a female connector, which are adapted to be joined together to form an electrical and mechanical connection between conductors which are terminated in the connector halves. The conductors in each connector half are terminated by suitably configured contacts; and the contacts must be accurately positioned within the connector halves to ensure that they will be in alignment for proper mating when the connector halves are joined together. Misalignment of contacts when the connector halves are joined together can result in improper electrical connection and physical damage to the connector assembly.
- Once positioned within the connector halves, it is important that the contacts remain in position notwithstanding frequent connection and disconnection of the connector halves to achieve safe and reliable connector operation over an extended period of time.
- In one known connector, illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No. 3 993 394, a one-piece shell is provided; and a pair of modules or wafers is inserted into the shell by longitudinal movement therein. A rib arrangement is provided on the horizontal surfaces of the modules, and cooperating keyways are formed on the internal horizontal surfaces of the shell in order to prevent lateral movement of the modules within the shell.
- However, separate structures are required for preventing longitudinal movement of the modules within the shell. Specifically, spring structures are required to be attached to the inner surface of the shell and to engage the rear portion of the module ribs in order to prevent rearward movement of the modules. In order to withdraw the modules for servicing, a specialized tool must be applied in order to compress the springs to permit the modules to be moved.
- Thus, in such a prior art device, it is necessary to provide a structural arrangement within the shell for retaining the springs and further to provide to a user specialized tools to permit withdrawal of the modules. The connector is thus more expensive to fabricate and requires the provision of additional elements to a user.
- Moreover, upon compression of the springs for withdrawal of the prior art modules, the springs can be deformed, thus adversely affecting the accuracy of placement of the modules upon reinsertion. Such deformation may become so severe as to render the connector useless and to require a complex substitution of the springs for further utilization.
- The above-described known connector is also not fully effective in achieving and maintaining proper positioning of the modules and hence of the contact-terminated conductors therein in the vertical direction as the springs themselves are resilient and the wafers can move thereagainst within the shell. Furthermore, the conductor wires are permanently secured within the modules by a rectangular insulation mass; and if it becomes necessary or desirable to remove or replace one or more of the conductors, the entire module must be replaced.
- It is known from EP-A-0 070 392to provide a connector comprising a housing, at least one module adapted to be received within said housing, said module including means for receiving a plurality of electrical conductors therein, and positioning means for positioning said module within said housing, whereby said housing includes a receiving portion and a cover portion, said cover portion being releasably mountable to said receiving portion for releasably enclosing said module within said housing, and further in that said positioning means includes locking means on said housing and said module for locking said module laterally within said housing.
- It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved and a simply fabricated connector.
- In accordance with the present invention a connector comprising at least one module for receiving therein a plurality of electrical conductors, a housing, the housing having a receiving portion and a cover portion for locking releasably to the receiving portion and enclosing the module and locking structure on the housing and on the module for locking releasably the module to the housing, is characterised in that;
- the cover portion and the receiving portion include cooperative aligning structure for aligning the cover portion with respect to the receiving portion,
- contact locking structure for removably retaining in the module a plurality of electrical contacts affixed to ends of the electrical conductors, and
- seals for assembly between the receiving portion and the cover portion for sealing around the electrical conductors.
- The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 illustrates a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 illustrates the recieving portion of the housing of the female half of the connector assembly of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 illustrates the cover portion of the housing of the female half of the connector assembly of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 illustrates the internal surface of the cover portion of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 5 is a partially disassembled view illustrating the modules of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 and contact-terminated conductors supported therein;
- Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative type of contact set which may be utilised in the connector assembly of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 7 illustrates a connector assembly for a plurality of rows of conductors in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 8 illustrates a right-angle connector in acccor- dance with yet a further embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the female connector half of a connector assembly in accordance with a presently most preferred embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the connector half of Fig. 9 in assembled form to illustrate a feature of the present invention.
- Fig. 11 is a rear view of a sealing boot that may be mounted to modules having two rows of conductors supported therein;
- Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a contact which may be used in the connector assembly of Fig. 9; and
- Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the contact of Fig. 12 positioned within a module passageway.
- Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of two halves of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A male connector, generally designated at 10, is shown along with a female connector, generally designated at 12. With the exception of the type of contact used for the wiring arrangement and the projection of the module at the forward end of the connectors, the following description, which is directed toward the
female connector 12, is applicable essentially identically to the structure of themale connector 10. - As shown in the Figure,
female connector 12 includes a receivingportion 14 and acover portion 16 which, together, generally form ahousing 18 for amodule 20, the forward end of which is seen in Fig. 1. The receiving portion has afront portion 22 and arear portion 24, generally connected byupstanding sidewalls 26. Preferably, the housing is die cast aluminum, although stainless steel or plastic materials may be used. - As shown in Fig. 2, the
receiving portion 14 includes afloor portion 28 connecting therear portion 24,upstanding sidewalls 26, and thefront portion 22. - The
cover portion 16 is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the internal details being shown in Fig. 4 which illustrates the cover in an inverted position. As is apparent from Figures 3 and 4,cover 16 includes dependingsidewalls 30 designed for mating with theupstanding sidewalls 26 of thereceiving portion 14 of the housing. Thus, whencover 16 is mounted on receivingportion 14 and is fastened thereto by fasteners illustrated asscrews 32, a substantially closed housing structure results with arear opening 34 for receiving wiring arrangement 36 (shown in Fig. 1) therein and with a front opening 38 permitting access to the contracts provided at the forward end ofmodule 20. The housing structure, including thecooperating sidewalls - As shown in Fig. 1, the forwardly projecting contacts of
male connector 10 are surrounded by anenclosure 37 including outwardly projectinghorizontal fins 39.Enclosure 37 is dimensioned to fit within the opening 38 infemale connector 12 upon connection of the connector assembly. Fins 39 are similarly dimensioned to fit within opening 38. The fins thus provide proper lateral alignment of theenclosure 37 within opening 38, thereby assuring a desired mating contact between corresponding male and female connectors. - In order to lock the
cover 16 in thereceiving portion 14 and to prevent relative lateral and longitudinal movement therebetween, there are provided a number of interengaging surfaces, such asflanges 40, shown in Fig. 4, descending from thesidewalls 30 of the cover.Flanges 40 are inwardly laterally spaced onsidewall 30 in order to engage inner surfaces ofupstanding walls 26 of the receiving portion of the housing. Thus, lateral movement of the cover with respect to the receiving portion is prevented by abutment offlanges 40 against the inner surfaces ofupstanding walls 26. Additionally, in order to prevent forward movement of the cover relative to the receiving portion of the housing, there is provided a rearvertical wall 42 of thefront portion 22, as shown in Fig. 2. Similarly, afront wall 44 is provided in the structure ofcover 16, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for engaging rearvertical wall 42 when the cover is mounted to the receiving portion. A still further alignment structure includes agroove 46 in the housing and amatching tongue 48 incover 16 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The tongue and groove arrangement is provided for vertically locking the cover to the receiving portion. - Thus, in order to assemble the cover to the receiving portion, the cover is first laterally aligned with the receiving portion and is placed rearwardly of its finally assembled position. The
cover 16 may then be slid forward slightly to obtain engagement of the tongue andgroove arrangement front wall 44 of the cover and rearvertical wall 42 of the receiving portion. Once such abutment is attained, the cover is locked from any further lateral, vertical, or forward longitudinal movement with respect to the receiving portion. - Accordingly, the cover and receiving portion include a cooperating, self-aligning structure for simplified alignment and assembly of the cover to the receiving portion to form the housing of the present connector.
- Fig. 5 illustrates the two modules used in the two halves of the connector assembly shown in Figures 1 - 4 and the contact structure affixed to the wiring arrangement provided therein. With the exception of the male and female contacts and their connection to the front portions of the two modules, the modules are substantially identical.
- Preferably, the modules are made of a plastic material capable of withstanding high temperatures, such as polyethylene ether ketone although other materials may also be used.
-
Module 20, shown in detail in Fig. 5, is provided with asegmented rib structure 50 in whichrib segments rib segments segmented rib structure 50 provided on the top surface of the module will preferably differ in configuration from the rib structure provided on the bottom surface. - In use, the connector according to the invention is assembled by placing
module 20 within receivingportion 14 of the connector. As shown in Fig. 2, a number of channels are provided onfloor portion 28 of the receiving portion. Specifically,lateral channel segments 52 are provided for a generally L-shaped channel structure shown therein. Thechannel segments 52 may be provided with angled wedge-like forward faces that mate and engage the forward faces of the rib segments. The channel arrangement onfloor portion 28 corresponds to the rib structure (not shown) that may be provided on the bottom surface ofmodule 20 so that all sides of the rib segments are engaged by the vertical and slanted surfaces of thechannel segments 52. Accordingly, once being so engaged, themodule 20 is locked both longitudinally and laterally by the channel structure and is fixed laterally and longitudinally relative to the receivingportion 14 of the housing. - As is further shown in Fig. 4, a number of
channel segments 54 are provided on abottom surface 56 of thecover 16.Channel segments 54, cooperating with therib structure 50 on the upper surface of the module, also provide a structure for locking the module both longitudinally and laterally within the housing. When themodule 20 is seated within the receiving portion of the housing, cover 16 may be assembled to form the connector by moving the cover forwardly in contact with the module until thesegmented rib 50 mates with and engageschannel segments 54. The rib structure and channel segments are arranged on the module and cover, respectively, so that engagement occurs at a point in which the tongue and groove arrangement 48 - 46 provides vertical interlocking for the cover and receiving portion of the housing. - Thus, once the cover is properly seated on the module, the connector is substantially fully assembled; and any further lateral, longitudinal, or transverse movement of the module is prevented inasmuch as the module is locked in position by the receiving portion or by the cover portion of the housing, or by both, since the cover is vertically locked by the tongue and groove arrangement 48 - 46.
- For convenience in manufacture, the
channel structures cover 16 and on the floor surface of the receiving portion. It is preferred, however, that the complementary ribbed structure be provided on only one surface of the module and that the other surface be flat. Where two sets of engaging rib-channel structures are used to engage the module, there is a possibility for conflict and improper assembly of the module. - The resulting assembly forms the
female connector 12 of Fig. 1. A similar module 21, shown in Fig. 5, may be used for assembling themale connector 10 of Fig. 1. Although not shown in Fig. 5, the male module 21 is provided with a segmented rib structure for lockably engaging the interior of the male connector housing. - Referring again to the female connector structure, it is noted that in order further to assure longitudinal locking of the
module 20 within the housing, thefront portion 22 of the housing is preferably dimensioned to permit passage of the module structure therethrough, but not to permit passage of theribbed portions 50 therethrough. Specifically, the vertical dimensions of thefront portion 22 of the housing may be somewhat larger than the dimension of themodule 20 and somewhat smaller than the dimension of the ribs projecting outwardly from the module. Of course, ribs may be provided on the sidewalls of themodule 20, and the lateral dimensions of the front portion of the housing may be similarly arranged to block passage of the ribbed segments therethrough. - In yet a further arrangement,
sidewall portions 26 of the receivingportion 14 may be provided with channels for locking with any mating ribs on the side portions of the module. - Figures 5 and 6 show an arrangement of the present invention for longitudinally locking the contacts within the module and thus within the connector.
- Specifically, it is noted that
transverse holes 58 are provided in the module. Retention pins 60 are provided for insertion in theholes 58. The retention pins engage a shapedportion 62 of acontact 64 as shown in Figure 5. - More specifically, for a tuning fork type of receptacle contact, a
curved portion 62 is provided matching the curvature of the retention pins 60. The shapedportion 62 is located so that, upon engagement by apin 60, the forward end of acontact 64 will be at the proper longitudinal position within the lon- gitudinai passageway provided therefor inmodule 20 to receive the forward end ofmale contact 66. Thus, once the contact is properly positioned within the passageway,pin 60 is inserted in thehole 58 to lock the contact from further longitudinal movement. - Advantageously, the number of retention pins may be less than the number of contacts and wires retained in the module. As shown in Figure 5, the adjacent contacts preferably each include a shaped
portion 62 matching the shape of one half of aretention pin 60. Thus, two contacts together are engaged by a single retention pin. Since the pin is prevented from longitudinal and lateral movement by the dimensions ofhole 58,contacts 64 are similarly prevented from such movement. - Referring to the male contact, shown at 66, a similar arrangement is provided by providing a stamped semi-circular hole at 68, thus providing an appropriately shaped portion for engagement by a retention pin. Again, by arranging the contacts to have semi-circular-shaped portions facing each other, rather than providing each pin with a fully circular-shaped portion, only one retention pin is required for each pair of contacts retained by the module.
- While the foregoing discussion relates to a tuning fork type of contact, the present concept is applicable to a pin-and-socket arragement as well. Figure 6 illustrates a pin-and-socket contact arrangement in which a pin and socket are provided with an appropriate arcuate encircling groove or chamfer at 70 and 72, permitting the use of the retention pin arrangement hereinabove described with reference to Figure 5. An advantage of the structure of Figure 6 is that the pin-and-socket contacts need not be specially positioned, and pairs of adjacent contacts will engage the retention pins no matter how they are rotationally oriented when inserted into the module.
- Thus, the inventive structure permits a simplified locking of a contact within a module, together with a simplified structure for locking a module within a housing for precisely defining the positions of the contacts within the connector and for assembling the entire connector.
- Yet another feature of the invention is shown with reference to Figures 2 and 4 which show upstanding wall 74 and descending
wall 76, respectively associated with the rear portions of the receiving and cover portion of the housing. These two walls define therebetween a space accommodating the wiring arrangement passing therethrough. - Where the connector of the present invention is to be used with a single type of wiring arrangement, such as a ribbon cable of a predetermined thickness, the upstanding and descending
walls 74 and 76 may be appropriately dimensioned in order to provide additional shielding and to enable the ribbon cable to be clamped therebetween, thus providing strain relief for the connections between the wires and contacts within the module. In that regard, astrain relief pad 78 is provided, providing mating surfaces for engagement of thewalls 74 and 76. Passage of a wiring arrangement between thepad 78 and thewall 76, or alternatively betweenpad 78 and wall 74, provides an appropriate tortuous path for the wiring arrangement, thus crimping the same to provide the desired form of strain relief. - By appropriately positioning the forward edge of the
walls 74 and 76, yet another structure may be provided for preventing longitudinal backward movement of the module within the housing. - Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the connector halves include a plurality of stacked modules. Figure 7 shows an assembled, double
male connector half 101 which includes a receivingportion 141 and a cover therefor. Although the receivingportion 141 may include a floor portion, as described for the embodiments of Figures 1 - 5, the receiving portion is formed as a central portion at its top and bottom in the arrangement shown in Figure 7. First andsecond covers portion 141. The receiving portion of Figure 7 is larger than that shown in Figure 2 in order to accommodate a pair of modules. - Thus, the receiving
portion 141 and top and bottom covers 161 and 162 form ahousing 181 to enclose a pair of modules. Although a pair of modules is described for thehousing 181 of Figure 7, a single module may be provided therein, the single module having a sufficiently large vertical dimension to accommodate a number of horizontal rows of wires and contacts to pass therethrough. In accordance with the previously described structure,housing 181 may be formed by a receivingportion 141 integrally formed with a floor portion (as if thebottom cover 162 were integral with receiving portion 141) and atop cover 161, or as the above-described openended receiving portion with a pair of covers. In either case, where a single, enlarged module is housed therein, the module may include an arrangement of rib structures similar to those shown in Figure 5 while the top cover may include a channel arrangement as shown in Figure 4. Similarly, thebottom cover 162 or the floor portion of anintegral receiving portion 141 may be provided with the channel structure shown in Figure 2. - Where a pair of modules is utilized, preferably each module includes a rib structure for interlocking with the corresponding cover or floor portion, the internal vertical dimension of the housing being such as to require the ribs to mate with the channels in order to permit fastening of the cover or covers to the receiving portion.
- Of course, although the foregoing describes the locking arrangement for the modules as including ribs on the modules and channels on inner surfaces of the housing, a reverse arrangement may be utilized in which the ribs protrude from various inner surfaces of the housing and in which the channels are provided in the corresponding module surfaces.
- As yet a further locking structure, there may be provided a rib and channel arrangement between two modules which are to be received within
housing 181. Particularly, one of the modules may include a protruding rib structure, and the other such module may include a corresponding channel arrangement. - As shown in Figure 7, the receiving portion is formed of a
front portion 221 and arear portion 241, and includesupstanding sidewalls 261. Thecovers sidewall 261 of the receiving portion. Preferably, flanges are provided for the depending sidewalls 301 and 302 as described in connection with the structure of Figure 4. Atongue portion 481 is preferably provided for thecovers - The structure of Figure 7 illustrates a male connector like that shown at 10 in Figure 1 and includes an
enclosure 371 for the protruding contacts. A plurality offins 391 may be provided in order to align the male contacts with the female contacts of a female connector, as hereinabove described with reference to Figure 1. - Figure 8 shows a right-angle connector in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention. The connector of Figure 8 generally embodies the various features hereinabove described for the simplified in-line connector illustrated in Figures 1 - 5.
- Specifically, a right-
angle male connector 100 is generally shown as including an L-shapedreceiving portion 140 and acover portion 160 defining ahousing 191. The right-angle connector houses an L-shapedmodule 210, illustratively shown as a male module. The receivingportion 140 includes afront portion 220 and arear portion 240, connected byupstanding sidewalls 260 therebetween. The sidewalls, similarly to the receiving means itself, are L-shaped. - The receiving
portion 140 includes an L-shapedfloor portion 280 connecting thesidewalls 260, thefront portion 220, and therear portion 240. Similarly to the in-line connector described in detail above,cover portion 160 provides dependingsidewalls 300 for mounting on at least a portion of theupstanding sidewalls 260 of the receiving portion. - Although the
cover portion 160 is shown substantially as a planar structure, the cover may, similarly to themodule 210, be L-shaped. - As shown in Figure 8, the module includes a
segmented rib structure 50 in which a number of laterally spaced rib segments are provided on at least one surface. Although the rib segments are shown on the upper portion of the L-shaped module, it should be understood that similar segments may be provided on the vertical portion, as well as on side portions thereof. Moreover, the rib segments may similarly be provided on the hidden horizontal and vertical surfaces of the module. - Similarly to the in-line structure, the
floor 280 of the receivingportion 140, the inner surface ofcover portion 160, as well as other inner surfaces of the housing, include channels for appropriately interlocking with the rib segments. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the preferred embodiment includes arib structure 51 on thefloor portion 280; and a channel structure (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface ofmodule 210 for interlocking with therib structure 51. - In view of the L-shaped structure of the connector shown in Figure 8, the various rib and channel interlocking sections are generally shown as including longitudinal portions only, for preventing lateral movement between the module and the housing. The L-shaped arrangement secures the module longitudinally against the inner surfaces of the housing by providing an abutment between the inner vertical surface (not shown) of
module 210 and the vertical surface of thefloor portion 280. Of course, the lateral rib and channel portions may be provided in the right-angle connector embodiment shown in Figure 8. - Again, additional ribs may be provided on the vertical surface of the
module 210, with an appropriate channel structure on the inner surface of thecover portion 160. Alternatively, the ribs may be provided on the inner surface of the cover and a channel structure provided on the vertical surface of the module. - Similarly to the
male connector portion 10 shown in Figure 1, the inventive structure includes anenclosure 370 at the forward end thereof for insertion in an opening of the female connector. Additionally, as shown at 460 and 480 in Figure 8, the inventive structure provides the groove and tongue arrangement previously described in relationship to the in-line assembly of Figures 2 and 3. Thus, agroove 460 is provided in the L-shaped receiving portion; and atongue 480 is provided in the cover portion for mating withgroove 460 thereby to lockthe upper portion ofcover 160 relative to the receiving portion. Fasteners shown in the form ofscrews 32 are used to fasten the cover to the receiving portion. - Accordingly, in order to assemble the connector shown in Figure 8, the
module 210 is slid intoenclosure 370 of receivingportion 140. Anyribs Cover portion 160 is thereafter fastened to the receiving portion by the tongue and groove arrangement and byfasteners 32, and any flanges and rib and channel struture which may be provided in the cover and module lock the cover laterally with respect to the module. Fastening screws 32 are used to finalize the assembly of the inventive right-angle connector. - Although not illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 8, the arrangement used in the embodiment of Figure 5, including retention pins and transverse holes in the module, may be used to lockthe contacts from the longitudinal movement within the connector of Figure 8. However, the L-shaped structure provides advantageously, its own longitudinal locking for the contacts. Thus, the preferred embodiment does not utilize the retention pin structure.
- Figures 9 - 13 illustrate a connector assembly in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the
female connector half 512 of the connector assembly. As in the previous embodiments, the male connector half is substantially identical to the female connector half, exept for the contact structure and the mating structure; and there is, therefore, no need for a duplicate description of the female connector half. -
Connector half 512 includes ahousing 518 composed of a receivingportion 514 and acover portion 516. One or more modules are adapted to be positioned repeatably within thehousing 518 by a variety of alignment features similar to those described and illustrated with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5. In the embodiment of Figure 9, twomodules conductors housing 518. If desired a single module having two or more rows of passageways for receiving two or more rows of conductors may be positioned inhousing 518. - The embodiment of Figures 9-13 includes a structure similar to that illustrated and described with reference to the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5 for mounting and aligning
cover portion 516 to receivingportion 514. For example,cover portion 516 includes dependingsidewall portions 530 designed to mate withupstanding sidewalls 526 of the receivingportion 514 so that when the cover is mounted on the receiving portion and is fastened thereto byfasteners 532, a substantially closed housing structure is provided for enclosing and supporting themodules cover 516 to engage inner surfaces of theupstanding wall 526 of the receiving portion to prevent lateral movement of the cover with respect to the receiving portion when the two portions are secured together. To prevent forward movement of thecover 516 relative to the receivingportion 514, a rearvertical wall 542 at the front of the receivingportion 514 engagesfront wall 544 of thecover 516. To vertically lock thecover 516 to the receivingportion 514,tongues 548 oncover portion 516 engagesgrooves 546 in receivingportion 514. - The embodiment of Figures 9 - 13 also includes a structure similar to that in the Figures 1 - 5 embodiment for retaining the
modules housing 518 and for defining the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical position of the modules in the housing. For example, receivingportion 514 includes a plurality ofchannels 552 adapted to engage a rib structure (not shown) on the lower surface ofmodule 521 when the module is placed within the housing to position the module and prevent both lateral and longitudinal movement of the module within the housing. A plurality of channels (not shown) is also provided on the underside of thecover portion 516 to engagerib structure 522 on the top surface of themodule 520 to position andlock module 520 within the housing. In order to avoid confusion as to the orientation of the modules, the interengaging rib and channel structure on the lower surface ofcover portion 516 and the upper surface ofmodule 521 differs in configuration from the interengaging rib and channel structure on the upper surface of receivingportion 514 and the lower surface ofmodule 521. Preferably also, the lower surface ofmodule 520 and the upper surface ofmodule 521 are smooth and without any interengaging structure which could conflict with the interengaging structures between the modules and the housing portions. - The connector of Figures 9 - 13 differs from that in Figures 1 - 5, however, in the manner in which the contacts are positioned and retained within the modules, and in the construction of the housing and the modules to effectively seal around the conductor wires entering into the modules. As shown in Figure 9,
strain relief pad 78 has been replaced by sealingboots modules boots modules portions boots apertures 581 and 585, respectively, which are aligned with passageways in themodules conductor wires - The
upper surface 582 ofextended portion 578a of the sealingboot 578 and thelower surface 583 ofextended portion 579a of sealingboot 579 are of generally rippled configuration and are defined by a plurality of spaced, generally semi-circular segments that are coaxial with theapertures 581 and 585, respectively, in the sealing boots. Rippled surfaces 582 and 583 are adapted to be engaged by complementary rippledsurfaces boots conductor wires modules modules portion 514, and cover 516 is secured in place, the rippledsurfaces surfaces extended portions boots conductor wires - As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the rippled
surface 586 on the receivingportion 514 is composed of twoportions narrow groove 591 extending laterally across the receiving portion. A similar groove 592 (Figure 10) is provided in thecover portion 516 to divide the rippledsurface 584 thereon into twoportions housing portions extended portions boots pliant sealing boots grooves conductor wires boots - Rather than providing two modules in
housing 518, a single module having two or more rows of passageways for receiving two or more rows of conductors may be provided. Figure 11 illustrates a rear view of a modifiedsealing boot 596 for such a module. In particular, in Figure 11, sealingboot 596 has two rows ofapertures boot 596 is mounted. Arippled surface surfaces slot 599 is provided in the sealing boot between the two rows ofapertures surface 601 bysurface 584 ofcover 516 from the compressive forces applied againstsurface 602 by thesurface 586 of receivingportion 514 to enhance the reliability of the sealing boot. Slot 599 preferably extends within extended portion of the sealing boot from the rear face of the sealing boot to the back edge of the module. - Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an
electrical contact 600 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention for terminating theconductor wires 536 within a module, for example,module 520. Althoughelectrical contact 600 includes a maleterminal portion 602, contact 600 could equally as well be formed with a female terminal portion by replacing the maleterminal portion 602 with a female receptacle portion. Contact 600 comprises a generally elongated, one-piece member which includes aterminal portion 602 at one end; a centralcontact retention portion 603; and a conductorwire receiving portion 604 at the opposite end. Conductor wire-receivingportion 604 comprises essentially a hollowed-out cylinder orbarrel 607 adapted to receive the end of a conductor wire after the insulation has been removed. The walls of hollowed-out cylinder are provided with a plurality of raisedribs 608 extending axially of the cylinder. In use, the exposed end of aconductor wire 536 is inserted into hollowed-out cylinder 607 and the cylinder is then firmly crimped radially inward and around the wire to secure the electrical contact 600to the conductor. Theribs 608 in the wall of the cylinder are raised radially outward of the cylinder during inward deformation of the cylinder to an extent to firmly retain thecontact 600 on the conductor wire and to maintain a reliable electrical connection without the use of solder or the like. - Central,
contact retention portion 603 comprises a flattened portion from which a generallyU-shaped portion 603a is cut away to define aspring finger 609.Spring finger 609 extends rearwardly of the contact and is bent upwardly at a slight angle.Spring finger 609 is adapted to cooperate withstops 611 formed in contact-receivingpassageways 612 inmodule 520, as illustrated in Figure 13. Thepassageways 612 are also provided with a pair ofchannels 612a havingfront walls 613.Channels 612a are positioned to receive a pair ofstops 614 formed oncontact 600 as shown in Figure 12.Stops 614 are formed by stamping the flattened central portion ofelectrical contact 600. - In use, a
contact 600 withconductor wire 536 secured thereto is inserted intomodule 520 from the rear and pushed forwardly within apassageway 612 untilspring member 609 clearsshoulder 611 at which point thespring finger 609 will spring upwardly to secure the contact in place within the module and prevent its rearward movement. Further forward movement of the contact within the module will be limited bystops 614 which impinge upon thefront wall 613 ofchannels 612a.Portions 614 of the contact in conjunction withdeformed portions 617 restrict vertical movement of the contact within the module. Thus, thecontact 600 is securely positioned withinmodule 520 and will remain in position during use of the connector. - A
contact 600 can be easily removed from themodule 520 by inserting anappropriate tool 621 intoportion 618 of itspassageway 612 in the module through the front end, pressing the tool against thespring member 609 and holding it down as the contact is withdrawn from the rear end of the module. - A particularly desirable feature of
contact 600 and the contacts of the other embodiments is that the contacts are removably mounted within the modules. Accordingly, should the removal or placement of a contact be desired or necessary, the contact can be removed and replaced without destruction of the module. In prior systems, the contacts were permanently secured within the modules and could not be removed. - A further advantage of the contact system illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 is that separate retention pins orthe like, which can become mislaid, are not required. The contacts and sealing means described and illustrated in Figures 9 - 13 may be applied to a right-angle connector such as that illustrated in Figure 8 and to a multiple-row connector such as illustrated in Figure 7.
Claims (7)
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US72910385A | 1985-04-30 | 1985-04-30 | |
US72910485A | 1985-04-30 | 1985-04-30 | |
US729102 | 1985-04-30 | ||
US729104 | 1985-04-30 | ||
US729103 | 1985-04-30 | ||
US06/729,102 US4632495A (en) | 1985-04-30 | 1985-04-30 | Right-angle modular connector with two-part housing |
US06/853,306 US4715827A (en) | 1985-04-30 | 1986-04-17 | Modular connector system |
US853306 | 1986-04-17 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0221158A1 EP0221158A1 (en) | 1987-05-13 |
EP0221158B1 true EP0221158B1 (en) | 1990-01-31 |
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ID=27505586
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19860903079 Expired EP0221158B1 (en) | 1985-04-30 | 1986-04-30 | Modular connector system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP0221158B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3668731D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1986006556A1 (en) |
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CN102683980B (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2014-06-04 | 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 | Cable connector assembly |
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CH330621A (en) * | 1953-11-19 | 1958-06-15 | Licentia Gmbh | Multipole encapsulated connector |
FR1323749A (en) * | 1962-03-02 | 1963-04-12 | Souriau & Cie | Improvements to devices such as sockets, more especially multiple elements |
AU446128B2 (en) * | 1971-03-16 | 1974-02-25 | Bryant Manufacturing Pty. Ltd. | A plug and socket connector for electric circuits |
DE2313437A1 (en) * | 1973-03-17 | 1974-09-26 | Schaltbau Gmbh | FASTENING OF CONTACT ELEMENTS IN PLUG PARTS |
JPS5431674Y2 (en) * | 1974-03-04 | 1979-10-03 | ||
US3993394A (en) * | 1974-07-31 | 1976-11-23 | Raychem Corporation | Connector half having connector wafer retained therein |
EP0070392A3 (en) * | 1981-07-21 | 1984-07-04 | Allied Corporation | Modular electrical connector and system for molding contact supporting modules |
US4448471A (en) * | 1982-05-20 | 1984-05-15 | Amp Incorporated | Polarized locking latch cover for an electrical connector |
FR2544558B1 (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1986-06-27 | Deutsch Co | IMPROVED CONNECTOR |
-
1986
- 1986-04-30 EP EP19860903079 patent/EP0221158B1/en not_active Expired
- 1986-04-30 WO PCT/US1986/000941 patent/WO1986006556A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1986-04-30 DE DE8686903079T patent/DE3668731D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0221158A1 (en) | 1987-05-13 |
DE3668731D1 (en) | 1990-03-08 |
WO1986006556A1 (en) | 1986-11-06 |
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